Aynel Mashadiyeva, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Linguistics named after Nasimi at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and Mesut Gulact?, Head of Foreign Organization of the Turan States United Confederation, held a meeting with prominent Azerbaijani cultural figures, including Peoples Artist of Azerbaijan, Professor, and member of the World Academy of Arts and UNESCO Artists Union, Sakit Mammadov, as well as Peoples Artist of Azerbaijan, distinguished composer, and professor Siyavush Kerimi. As reported by Azernews, according to the Confederation, the discussion focused on Azerbaijans achievements in culture and the arts, as well as ongoing efforts to expand creative cooperation within the Turkic world. Participants emphasized that such meetings strengthen ties between artists and academic and cultural institutions. The meeting also highlighted the importance of further consolidating relations between Azerbaijans artistic and scientific communities and the Turan States Confederation, and promoting the shared Turkic cultural heritage on an international level. During the event, Mesut Gulact? presented thank-you plaques to Sakit Mammadov and Siyavush Kerimi, recognizing their contributions to Azerbaijani culture and the arts. BEIRUT, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Three Hezbollah members were killed, and a fourth was wounded on Sunday in Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon, Lebanese officials and security sources said. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said an Israeli drone struck a motorcycle in the village of Yater in the Bint Jbeil district, killing one person and wounding another. A second Israeli drone hit a car between the towns of Safad al-Battikh and Baraachit, also in the Bint Jbeil district, killing one person. A third person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the village of Jouaiyya, the agency said. A Lebanese security source said all three people killed were members of Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it had struck three Hezbollah militants in several areas of southern Lebanon. "The militants were involved in attempts to re-establish Hezbollah's terror infrastructure, and their activities constituted a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon," it said, referring to a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024. A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel has been in force since Nov. 27, 2024. Despite the deal, Israel has continued to carry out occasional strikes in Lebanon, saying they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah threats. The Indo Daily: Melania: The Movie We saw it, so you dont have to... Virginia Giuffres family hit out at UKs Met Police for dropping investigation into Andrew smear campaign Relatives of Jeffrey Epstein victim say justice has not been served as Scotland Yard opts to shelve probe Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor seen leaving Windsor Castle. Photo:: Kelvin Bruce/Bruce/Bennett Patrick Sawer Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 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. Police hold person of interest after Brown University shooting leaves two dead Two students dead and nine people wounded in shootingPerson of interest detained; shelter-in-place order liftedIncident happened while exams were taking place Police search Brown University after gunman kills two and wounds nine on US campus Mrinmay Dey Reuters Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 16:05 Providence police have detained a "person of interest" in connection with the Brown University shooting that left two students dead and another nine people wounded at the U.S. Ivy League school. Image credit : Netflix | One Hundred Years of Solitude part 2 poster One Hundred Years of Solitude Part 2 release The book One Hundred Years of Solitude is based on Image credit : Netflix | A snippet from One Hundred Years of Solitude What to expect from One Hundred Years of Solitude Part 2? Image credit : Netflix | A scene from One Hundred Years of Solitude Did viewers like One Hundred Years of Solitude? One Hundred Years of Solitude Part 2 is all set to return on Netflix, continuing the epic tale of the Buendia family and the mystical town of Macondo. The series, based on Gabriel Garcia Marquezs acclaimed novel, blends magical realism with generational drama, exploring love, power, and destiny across decades. Heres what we know so far about the release and what fans can expect from the next installment.One Hundred Years of Solitude Part 2 is set to be released in August 2026. The exact release date has not been announced yet.One Hundred Years of Solitude is adapted from Gabriel Garcia Marquezs acclaimed 1967 novel of the same name. The book, a landmark of magical realism, chronicles the multi-generational saga of the Buendia family in the fictional town of Macondo.Directed by Laura Mora and Carlos Moreno, One Hundred Years of Solitude stands as one of the most ambitious audiovisual projects ever produced in Latin America, filmed entirely in Colombia with the support and collaboration of the Garcia Marquez family. Despite the armistice and the signing of the Treaty of Neerlandia, peace eludes Macondo. The Conservatives, wary of Colonel Aureliano Buendias threats, plot an attack that, by a twist of fate, brings Fernanda del Carpio from Bogota to the town. When she marries Aureliano Segundo, one of Arcadios untamable twin sons, she gives Ursula Iguaran her first legitimate heirs.Meanwhile, the other twin, Jose Arcadio Segundo, immersed in Jose Arcadio Buendias manuscripts, pursues the patriarchs visionary dreams of connecting Macondo to the outside world. The arrival of the railroad opens the town to the banana company, triggering its eventual downfall and ultimately fulfilling Ursula Iguarans curse: the generations condemned to one hundred years of solitude are not granted a second chance on Earth.Netflixs adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude has been met with largely positive reviews, earning a Metacritic score of around 80/100 and a Rotten Tomatoes critics rating of approximately 84%, with an audience score near 90%. Critics have praised the series for its ambitious visuals, faithful capture of Gabriel Garcia Marquezs magical realism, and its immersive portrayal of the Buendia family saga. The show has been described as stunning, epic, and beautifully crafted, with particular acclaim for its performances, cinematography, and authentic Colombian setting.However, some reviewers and viewers have noted challenges in translating the novels intricate narrative and inner monologues to the screen. A few have pointed out issues with pacing or the adaptation of the books more repetitive and complex story elements. Despite these criticisms, the series is widely regarded as a bold, visually striking, and largely successful adaptation that brings Marquezs legendary work to life. Erika Kirk pushes back on conspiracy claims in CBS townhall CBS Image credit : X | @itsrosesm | Erika Kirk Denies Any Foreign Involvement in Husbands Death Erika denies any foreign involvement, saying evidence leaves no doubt Image credit : X | @merissahansen17 | Erika Kirk Breaks Silence on Husbands Killing Erika Kirk rejects claims that Israel was behind the assassination of Charlie Kirk and rejects accusations that she is a Mossad agent or that she served as his handler. Kirk agrees with Bari Weiss that the case is open and shut, saying she has seen the autopsy results and has pic.twitter.com/R8wYWUg1uY Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) December 14, 2025 Internet questions timing of Erika Kirk's Town Hall Why is Erika Kirk doing a town hall? This is all a WWE script... pic.twitter.com/MLGQiCftz3 Truth Seeker (@_TruthZone_) December 14, 2025 Image credit : X | @_TruthZone_ | Charlie Kirks Widow Pushes Back Against Mossad Claims It has been over three months since the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and his widow, Erika Kirk, has now stepped into the public eye in a moment charged with emotion and resolve. During a recent television interview that quickly spread online, her reserved grief shifted into a firm dismissal of conspiracy theories surrounding his death, including claims involving Israel. However, apart from this, her townhall appearance has fuelled online questions about why she is choosing to speak out now. Let's find out more.In the upcomingprimetime special hosted by Bari Weiss, Erika Kirk addressed the narratives that have circulated around Charlie Kirk's death, pushing back against what she describes as deliberate misinformation.She also accuses Candace Owens of amplifying false claims and exploiting the tragedy for personal benefit, stating plainly that Owens has been one of the primary figures driving conspiracy theories about the case.In one of the clips from the interview circulating online, Erika Kirk is seen firmly dismissing the claims that Israel was involved in Charlie Kirk's assassination, also rejecting accusations that she is a Mossad agent or that she acted as his handler.Echoing Bari Weiss, she describes that case as straightforward and resolved, noting that she personally reviewed the autopsy findings and remained in contact with the prosecuting team throughout the process.Emphasising her certainty, Kirk simply said, Ive seen it all.Erika Kirk's decision to hold a town hall has drawn scepticism online, with some observers questioning why she is choosing this moment to speak publicly. Many commentators have compared the event to a scripted spectacle, likening it to a WWE storyline, and are scrutinising whether the timing is intended to shape the narrative rather than provide new information.One said, "A Town Hall!! That clearly means she coordinated the assassination of her husband. "Good call." While another added, "Omgosh, imagine a JD Vance and Erika Kirk ticket in 2028 .""Maybe because every single day a lunatic with one of the top podcasts in the US is on the air or on social media accusing her of being in on her husband's murder, and it is her turn to reply," one wrote."Grieving widows with children always immediately do national press tours." "The whole of America is ONE BIG JOKE. I'm beginning to understand why they want to eliminate us all." BBC 'Keep all doors locked' warning issued following the incident Image credit : X | @JoshHall2024 | Sam Hyde Name Circulates Online as Hoax Social media abuzz Sam Hyde's name as the Brown University shooter BREAKING: Brown University shooter has been identified as Sam Hyde, a transgender student who recently underwent gender reassignment surgery. Again, we have a serious mental health epidemic in this country right now. Woke leftist culture is making our young people VERY SICK. pic.twitter.com/TLmmjPxpsK Joshua Hall (@JoshHall2024) December 14, 2025 In yet another shocking incident at Brown University's Providence campus in Rhode Island on Saturday, December 13, a mass shooting left at least two people dead and eight others injured. According to the latest police report, despite the continuous search, the suspect could not be found, reported. Meanwhile, as per social media claims, the shooter has been identified as Sam Hyde, a transgender student who recently underwent gender reassignment surgery. Let's find out how true this is.In the middle of all this, the Providence Mayor Brett Smiley issued a shelter-in-place warning for the greater Brown University area, advising residents in the vicinity to remain indoors and urging those who were outside the area not to return home until the alert is lifted.Brown University confirmed that two people were killed in the shooting and urged everyone to keep all doors locked. In a statement, the university expressed profound sorrow, calling it "a deeply tragic day" for the Brown community, families and local residents, mourning the victims of the Barus & Holley Engineering and Physics building attack.Amid the ongoing investigations into the Brown University shooting, several social media posts have circulated claiming that the shooter has been identified as Sam Hyde, a transgender student, and linking the attack to broader social and political issues.As per a social media post, "The Brown University shooter has been identified as Sam Hyde, a transgender student who recently underwent gender reassignment surgery. Again, we have a serious mental health epidemic in this country right now. Woke leftist culture is making our young people VERY SICK." Image credit : X/@TSwiftEdits_13 | Harckers used AI-generated voices, images, and fake social media accounts to sell non-existent tickets, merch and more. A billion-dollar illusion built by AI Who are the most impersonated artists? Image credit : Instagram/bts.bighitofficial | In many cases, fans believed they were interacting directly with an artist's team. The hidden cost: brand damage Not an isolated problem Image credit : Instagram/billieeilish | As AI tools become more sophisticated, the line between real and fake continues to blur. Music fandom became a hunting ground in 2025. Hackers posing as global superstars like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, BTS, Billie Eilish, and more allegedly scammed fans out of more than $5 billion, using AI-generated voices, images, and fake social media accounts to sell non-existent tickets, merch, and "exclusive" experiences across platforms like TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram.According to a new report by social media security firm Spikerz, AI-powered impersonation scams raked in an estimated $5.3 billion (4 billion) in 2025 alone. With deepfake technology becoming cheaper, faster, and harder to detect, fraudsters have learned to convincingly mimic artists' voices, faces, and online behavior - turning fan trust into their most profitable weapon.Once limited to poorly designed fake profiles, scams now appear as polished accounts complete with "verified"-looking badges, realistic livestreams, and urgent calls to action that pressure fans into quick purchases.Spikerz identified Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter as the most frequently impersonated artists this year, with scammers exploiting their massive online followings and active touring schedules. Rounding out the top ten were Billie Eilish, BTS, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, BLACKPINK, Ariana Grande, and Drake - artists whose global fanbases make them prime targets.In many cases, fans believed they were interacting directly with an artists team, only to realise too late that the tickets, meet-and-greets, or limited-edition merch never existed.The damage extends far beyond stolen money.When fans are tricked into buying fake tickets or merch, artists suffer reputational harm that can erode trust and long-term engagement."When fans are duped, the artist not only loses revenue," the report noted, "but suffers a blow to reputation that undermines future sales, sponsorships, and collaborations."In an industry where image and credibility are currency, repeated scams can quietly weaken an artist's brand - even when they are not at fault.This year's findings build on a troubling trend.In 2024, Arctic Monkeys were targeted by scammers posing as the band's agent, falsely advertising a 2025 world tour. Oasis fans also lost money during the frenzy surrounding reunion tour tickets, with victims losing an average of 346.A Lloyds Bank report found that 90% of Oasis ticket scams began with fake social media ads, disproportionately targeting users aged 35 to 44.As AI tools become more sophisticated, the line between real and fake continues to blur. For fans, spotting a scam now requires constant vigilance.For artists, protecting their digital identity has become an ongoing battle.Unless platforms strengthen safeguards and accountability, experts warn that AI impersonation scams will only grow - turning the very spaces meant to bring artists and fans closer into some of the most dangerous corners of the internet. JERUSALEM, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it killed a Palestinian militant during a raid in the northern West Bank on Saturday evening. The Israeli army said in a statement that its elite paratrooper unit carried out an operation in the village of Silat al-Harithiya near Jenin and the militant "hurled an explosive" toward the soldiers. It said the soldiers responded with fire and killed the militant, with no injuries caused on the Israeli side. On the same day, the Israeli military in Gaza killed Ra'ad Sa'ad, head of Hamas' weapons production headquarters. The IDF said Sa'ad was one of the planners of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and described him as "one of the last remaining senior militants" in the besieged enclave. Image credit : X | @elordislutt | Inside Jacob Elordis Uncomfortable Encounter With a Photographer in Paris Jacob Elordi's awkward exchange with a photographer goes viral Prime Timer Image credit : Instagram | @taoualit__amar | Jacob Elordis Paris Photographer Clash, Explained Elordi's blunt reply to the photographer sparks online debate Image credit : Instagram | @taoualit__amar | Inside Jacob Elordis Viral Paris Confrontation How Jacob Elordi transformed early stardom into a serious film career Jacob Elordi is currently making headlines after, in a shocking incident, he found himself at the center of an unexpected confrontation while trying to keep a low profile in Paris this week. On December 10, a tense moment took place when a photographer erupted at the busy Gare du Nord station, and the typical encounter was caught on camera, which instantly went viral across the internet. But let's find out what actually happened.Recently in Paris, Jacob Elordi appeared visibly uncomfortable during an interaction with a photographer whose repeated compliments seemed to unsettle the actor. According to the, the moment captured on video quickly went viral after someone posted about the same on social media.Not only this, but the video also sparked discussions and prompted many fans to rally behind Elordi, praising his raw, unfiltered reaction. In the clip, the photographer can be heard saying, Jacob, we love you to which Elordi responds, You make it really hard for me to live.As seen in the viral video, the photographer is seen repeating the sentiment when Elordi replies bluntly, "I dont love you. You make it really hard for me to live.One Instagram user wrote, "All this drama and there is no one there ." While someone else said, "This bodyguard guy is super extra. Id be more annoyed by him than fans."" he would've been fine all alone. The security made everyone notice him and look at him, and the security looks ridiculous, like a publicity stunt . "This whole thing is so cringe," one quipped.Elordi first gained global attention via Netflix's The Kissing Booth franchise before earning critical respect for his performance on HBO's Euphoria. Since then, he has transitioned into major film projects, including Saltburn, Priscilla, and Frankenstein, the latter earning him a Golden Globe nomination and solidifying his status as a serious actor. Amid the chaos, one bystander has emerged as a hero. Viral videos circulating online show the man pinning one of the gunmen to the ground as he hid behind a tree, then turning the rifle back toward him to prevent further harm. Australian media have identified the bystander as Ahmed El Ahmed, with social media users widely praising his actions for helping stop the attack. Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting kills at least 11 in suspected antisemitic terror attack According to Reuters, the shooting began just after 6:30 pm (local time) on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing at least 11 people and injuring 29 others, including police officers. Authorities quickly launched a major response, urging the public to take shelter and avoid the area as officers secured the scene and arrested two suspects, one of whom died and the other was critically wounded. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the attack as a deliberate act targeting the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, calling the reports and images coming from Bondi deeply distressing, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned it as an act of evil antisemitism and said emergency services were working to save lives. Police labelled the incident a terrorist attack and confirmed there was no ongoing threat after the shooters were neutralised. Bondi Beach hero goes viral after confronting gunman Amid the tragic scenes at Bondi Beach, a dramatic moment captured on video has gone viral as a civilian heroically confronted one of the gunmen during the mass shooting. Footage circulating on social media shows an unarmed bystander approaching a shooter from behind, grappling with him, wrestling away his rifle and briefly aiming it back at him before the attacker retreated, all while shots continued to ring out nearby. The clip, widely shared online, has drawn widespread admiration for the mans courage in the face of extreme danger, with many saying his quick action may have prevented further casualties during the chaos. Dont share the shooters at bondi beach today Share this straight up fucking hero What a legend#bondibeach pic.twitter.com/u1BVtn03Yj wesley frost (@originalfrostie) December 14, 2025 At least 11 people have been killed and 29 others injured in a mass shooting at Australias Bondi Beach on Sunday, police said. The attack erupted without warning as hundreds gathered to observe the first day of Hanukkah, sending the area into panic and chaos. Authorities have since declared the incident a terrorist attack, saying the Jewish community was deliberately targeted as gunfire tore through the crowd and left the beach in a state of fear and confusion.Amid the chaos, one bystander has emerged as a hero. Viral videos circulating online show the man pinning one of the gunmen to the ground as he hid behind a tree, then turning the rifle back toward him to prevent further harm. Australian media have identified the bystander as Ahmed El Ahmed, with social media users widely praising his actions for helping stop the attack.According to Reuters, the shooting began just after 6:30 pm (local time) on Sunday, December 14, 2025, when gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered at a Hanukkah celebration atin Sydney, killing at least 11 people and injuring 29 others, including police officers.Authorities quickly launched a major response, urging the public to take shelter and avoid the area as officers secured the scene and arrested two suspects, one of whom died and the other was critically wounded.New South Wales Premierdescribed the attack as a deliberate act targeting the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, calling the reports and images coming from Bondi deeply distressing, while Prime Ministercondemned it as an act of evil antisemitism and said emergency services were working to save lives. Police labelled the incident a terrorist attack and confirmed there was no ongoing threat after the shooters were neutralised.Amid the tragic scenes at, a dramatic moment captured on video has gone viral as a civilian heroically confronted one of the gunmen during the mass shooting. Footage circulating on social media shows an unarmed bystander approaching a shooter from behind, grappling with him, wrestling away his rifle and briefly aiming it back at him before the attacker retreated, all while shots continued to ring out nearby. The clip, widely shared online, has drawn widespread admiration for the mans courage in the face of extreme danger, with many saying his quick action may have prevented further casualties during the chaos. Who is Ahmed Al Ahmed? 7News It's hard to imagine the fear at Bondi Beach as the attack during Hanukkah unfolded. Still, Sutherland fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed chose couragelunging forward, disarming the shooter, risking his life for strangers. He is a hero. He is the Australia we all know & believe in. pic.twitter.com/P8TU6FubV8 Sahar A (@Sahar_A_Writes) December 14, 2025 Our brother Ahmed El Ahmad the one who put his life in jeopardy at Bondi beach Australia may Allah increase him and his family in good in this life and the hereafter pic.twitter.com/5YoZOSSoHb Mahad (@itsMahadSalah) December 14, 2025 He was shot twice during this unbelievable act of disarming one of the terrorists and is currently undergoing surgery.The man hailed online as the Bondi hero has now been identified as Ahmed El Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two and a local fruit shop owner, according to Australian media.He was shot twice while carrying out the act and is currently undergoing surgery, with reports describing his condition as serious as doctors work to stabilise him following the attack.Ahmed's cousin, Mustafa, spoke to, said that he does not have any experience with gyns but was simply walking past when he decided to step in. "He's in hospital and we don't know exactly what's going on inside." "We do hope he will be fine. He's a hero 100 per cent."Praising his heroics, one user wrote, "It's hard to imagine the fear at Bondi Beach as the attack during Hanukkah unfolded. Still, Sutherland fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed chose couragelunging forward, disarming the shooter, risking his life for strangers. He is a hero. He is the Australia we all know & believe in." Image credit : Netflix | Daniel Craig in Wake Up Dead Man Will there be Knives Out 4? Image credit : Netflix | Wake Up Dead Man poster Wake Up Dead Man cast Image credit : Netflix | A scene from Wake Up Dead Man All about Knives Out movies The release of Wake Up Dead Man has once again put the spotlight on the Knives Out franchise, leaving fans curious about what lies ahead for the popular mystery series. With audiences eager to see more of Benoit Blancs investigations, speculation around a potential fourth installment has begun to grow. Heres what we know so far about the chances of Knives Out 4 following the latest release.With Wake Up Dead Man, Rian Johnson completes his USD 400 million two-sequel deal with Netflix, but the filmmaker has emphasized that the Benoit Blanc universe is far from over. At the Los Angeles premiere of the third film, Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter that he felt creatively energised and confirmed that he had already started discussing future ideas with Daniel Craig.Although Johnson stated in October 2025 that he had no concrete plans for a fourth Knives Out film, joking that journalists could pitch him ideas, industry updates by November 18, 2025, indicated a change in pace, with Johnson and Craig beginning early development discussions.The key uncertainty now is the timeline. Johnson has opted to focus on an original project next rather than immediately returning to the franchise. Speaking to Variety ahead of the films limited theatrical release in November, he clarified that the decision was not due to burnout, noting that he remains excited about exploring new possibilities within the murder mystery genre, but wanted to take a brief break after completing three films in a row.Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, the third installment in Rian Johnsons Knives Out series, boasts a star-studded ensemble cast combining familiar faces and newcomers. Daniel Craig returns as detective Benoit Blanc, alongside Josh OConnor as Reverend Jud Duplenticy, Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix, Josh Brolin as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, and Mila Kunis as Chief Geraldine Scott. The film also features Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, and Daryl McCormack, with supporting roles by Thomas Haden Church, Jeffrey Wright, Bridget Everett, and James Faulkner.The Knives Out franchise, created by Rian Johnson, has revitalized the classic murder-mystery genre with its sharp writing and memorable characters. The series began with Knives Out (2019), which introduced detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, and became both a critical and commercial success. Its first sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), brought a fresh set of characters and a glamorous, suspenseful setting, while the third film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (2025), delivered a darker, more intricate storyline involving a church and complex mysteries, continuing the franchise under Netflix. To strengthen relations between Greece and Albania, which can be expanded into strategic areas, as she points out, the new Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Elisa Spiropali, is coming to Athens next Tuesday. In view of her first meeting with Giorgos Gerapetritis, she opens up to NEA Weekend, stating that she is willing to discuss about everything with the Greek Foreign Minister. How important do you think is the countrys accession to the European family both for Albania and the EU, given the broader unstable geopolitical landscape, and how close are you to your national goal? Two hundred years ago, when the founding fathers of the modern Greek state proclaimed their independence, on our side of the border, our own forefathers, moved by the same longing for freedom, wrote that the sun of the Albanians rises in the West. This was not merely an inspirational quote. It was a historical vocation, a compass that has guided us through centuries. And today, that vocation is stronger than ever. So strong, in fact, that EU Barometer shows up to 93% support for Albanias European integration, an almost unmatched consensus anywhere in Europe. For Albania, integration is also a practical necessity. Since accession talks began in October 2024, we opened all 33 chapters in just 13 months, an achievement that shows both readiness and ambition. Of course, opening chapters is one thing, closing them another. The challenge now is to deliver tangible results in areas like media freedom, anti corruption and fundamental rights. Still, the EUs 2025 Progress Report confirms Albania as one of the most advanced Western Balkan countries in aligning with EU standards and recognizes our ambition to close all chapters by 2027. I believe that integration, it will be beneficial to all parties involved. And, in my humble opinion, I also believe it will be a win for Greece. It is in the best interest of Greece and Greek citizens to have a wider European space at their border, where to interact, engage, cooperate and grow. To have a stronger, European partner at the border. For the moment, Bulgaria is the only EU neighbor or Greece. Creating a secondary corridor of trade, energy, transport and digital connectivity that stretches from Greece through Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and further into the heart of Europe would bring additional benefits to all of our countries, Greece involved. Are there areas regarding Albanias accession process in which Greece could help, in view of its EU presidency in the second half of 2027? We do not forget the crucial help that Greece has given to us in difficult moments of our history. We do not forget, for instance, that almost 40 years ago, in 1987, Karolos Papoulias became one of the very first western leaders to visit Communist Albania and articulate our European perspective when no one else was doing that. Fortunately, he is not the only Greek leader who has actively supported the creation of a strategic and wide-ranging partnership between our two countries. Without the Greek political, economic support, without the half a million Albanians that live already in European space in Greece, we probably would have needed more time to get to where we are. So, for us, the Greek Presidency is really great news. We expect it to use its voice and political weight to advance this idea of a common European space in our region, where Greece and the Western Balkans are treated as one strategic whole, not as separate peripheries. We trust that under Greek leadership, the Western Balkans will remain at the top of the European agenda, in enlargement, in connectivity, in energy and security, not as a footnote to other priorities, but as a core investment in Europes own stability and future. What is the agenda of the issues on which you will make your first official visit to the Greek Foreign Ministry for bilateral talks with Giorgos Gerapetritis, and to which further areas (e.g. energy) could it be expanded? I was asked recently in Albania about my upcoming visit and my answer was straight and clear. I am coming to Athens to discuss 360 degrees, about everything. About our many, I emphasize, very long list of collaboration and strong points. As well, as the areas where we can improve. For Albania, Greece is a strategic partner, a neighbor of immense importance and our willingness is to move forward in the spirit of close cooperation, friendship and European values. Our relations are already very close. Yet, I believe our relationship can expand into strategic fields such as energy, especially renewables and regional energy security, environmental protection, digital transformation, tourism, security and much more. That is exactly what we will discuss. How to start a new chapter, allow me to say, the best chapter to date, in the relations between Albania and Greece. What could be the next steps in the pending issue between Greece and Albania regarding the delimitation of maritime zones and is it a pending issue that you believe could begin to be resolved as agreed in 2020 by submitting the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague within 2026? Albania remains strongly committed to resolving all pending issues with Greece, including the delimitation of maritime zones and the agreements related to several aspects of land border, in a manner that is consistent with international law and the principles of good neighborly relations. We are fully open to constructive dialogue with Greece and are dedicated to continuing the cooperative approach we have long shared in addressing these matters. Both Albania and Greece are countries that strongly align with the EUs core values, including the respect for international law, peaceful dispute resolution, and the promotion of stability in the region. The spirit of friendship and mutual respect between our two countries provides a solid foundation for addressing any outstanding issues. In the coming period, both sides should continue to foster open channels of communication to ensure that the path forward remains constructive, respectful, and in line with the shared European aspirations of both our nations. Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has rejected the allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of operating 46 unlawful bank accounts. According to his media aide, Bello Doka, Malami has no link with the loot of the late dictator Gen. Sani Abacha or has a hand in any financial misconduct as alleged by the EFCC. Doka maintained that the former minister has only six bank accounts to his name which are known to the commission and anyone close to him. Advertisement The EFCC knows his six bank accounts that are to his name; the allegations of operating six unlawful forty-six bank accounts are ridiculous and baseless, and for the record, the former minister has no hand in Abacha loot or any other recovery, Doka said. He noted that the commission did not officially notify the ex-minister of the allegations of operating the alleged 46 bank accounts when he was invited for questioning. Bello challenged the EFCC to publish at least 23 accounts out of the so-called 46, representing 50 per cent of the alleged bank accounts. He further said the commission should, as a matter of transparency and justice, disclaim or withdraw the allegations of 46 bank accounts, adding that media engagements on the issue by the commission are insufficient to prove their allegations. He noted that Malami would continue to cooperate with investigators, while thanking his followers for their support. The immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, on Saturday emerged as the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election. Oyebamijis emergence followed a motion moved by two governorship aspirants, Kunle Adegoke (SAN) and Senator Babajide Omoworare, at the primary election venue located within the premises of Ebunoluwa Group of Schools, Osogbo. The Chairman of the APC governorship primary committee and Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, thereafter subjected the motion to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from party members present at the primary. Advertisement Okpebholo subsequently declared, By the power conferred on me, I present to you Bola Oyebamiji, as the governorship candidate of our party. The APC governorship primary in Osun State commenced in Osogbo, the state capital, with the arrival of the committee chairman, Monday Okpebholo, who noted that the candidate will emerge by affirmation. He arrived at the venue alongside the co-chairman of the committee, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, and other members of the governorship primary committee, including Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who represented the Lagos State Governor, and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. Earlier on Tuesday, 1660 delegates that would elect the APC candidate in the December 13 governorship primary of the party emerged. There were also clear indications that the seven APC governorship aspirants in the state had stepped down to back a consensus flagbearer after a late-night meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday. A former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, on Wednesday, speaking on a TVC News programme, Politics Tonight, declared his support for the partys arrangement to choose a consensus candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election. Omisore, who was among seven aspirants disqualified by the APC Screening Committee for alleged violations of party guidelines and electoral provisions, said he accepted the decision following guidance from President Bola Tinubu. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation, is yet to meet his bail requirements. The EFCC was responding to Malamis claim that his bail was revoked because of his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi state. Malami is being probed for 18 alleged offences, including money laundering, abuse of office, and terrorism financing. Advertisement In a statement on Friday, Mohammed Bello Doka, his special assistant on media, had said the former AGF did not default on any bail requirements. For the avoidance of doubt, Abubakar Malami, SAN did not default on any bail condition. His bail was revoked by the EFCC following his attendance at a political gathering in Kebbi State, not because he failed or refused to comply with any lawful requirement, he had said. However, in a statement on Saturday, the EFCC described the claims as false. Administrative bail is a discretionary temporary reprieve that allows a suspect to be released on stated conditions pending conclusion of investigation and arraignment in court, the EFCC said. To this effect, after his brief interrogation on November 28, 2025, Malami was offered provisional bail hinged on five requirements. He has neither met any of the requirements nor shown readiness to keep faith with them. He was due back for further interrogation on December 1, 2025 , but in a curious twist, the former Minister pleaded with his investigators through a letter written to the Commission on December 4, 2025, to allow him to attend to his ill-health. The Commission compassionately granted his plea even while his bail conditions had not been met. He was initially required to commence reporting for further investigations on December 1, 2025 but this had to be deferred to December 4, 2025 largely owing to his Request for an Adjournment on Grounds of Ill- Health. The anti-graft agency added that Malami neither provided a medical report nor credible proof of ill-health to the EFCC. The EFCC cannot allow the latitude granted the former Minister on his health stand in the way of investigations, EFCC said. On this score, he was invited again on December 8, 2025 for further interrogation and detained until the pending bail conditions are met. Evidently, the former ministers claims of revocation of bail by the EFCC are untenable. It is equally ridiculous to insinuate that the Commission barred him from granting media interviews and from participating in political activities in Kebbi State. Such bogus claims from a former chief law officer of the nation are strange, as the EFCC has no interest in the political affiliation of its suspects. It bears reiterating that the Commission is apolitical. A former governor and ranking member of the ruling party was recently arraigned for alleged contract fraud. The Commission wishes to advise Malami to expend his energy on meeting the five bail conditions he acknowledged and signed on November 28, 2025. It would also serve his interest to cooperate with his team of interrogators rather than dissipate energy in whipping up sentiments through false claims in the media. Nigerian soldiers have arrested a group of suspected bandits allegedly found patrolling with AK-47 rifles in a local security patrol vehicle in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. The suspects were intercepted during a military operation in the area and immediately taken into custody. A video of the arrest, which has since surfaced online, shows the men lying face down on the ground with their hands restrained as soldiers questioned them about their activities and how they obtained the weapons. Advertisement During the on-the-spot interrogation, one of the arrested men claimed that both the patrol vehicle and the rifles were supplied by the Kwara State government. He further alleged that they had been operating in the community under the guise of providing security patrols. The suspect also stated that the weapons were not collected personally by him but by their superior, suggesting that several people were involved in the operation. We have been here for quite a while. We are using the vehicle for patrol. Wallahi, na the truth I dey tell you Ilorin government na him give us this motor and the weapons. They were the ones that gave us the rifles. We are not the ones that collected the rifles; it was our oga that collected them. I know because I was with them. We go patrol many times with them, including oga Victor. All of them are involved. The weapons are theirs, he claimed. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident, and investigations are reportedly ongoing to verify the claims and determine the true nature of the suspects activities. Watch video below: https://x.com/instablog9ja/status/1999932299757154645?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1999932299757154645%7Ctwgr%5Ebe66e9e2b6b5739a04fb261e1c3aec798a8ea874%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gistreel.com%2Farrested-bandits-allege-kwara-government-gave-them-weapons-trucks%2F PRESS RELEASE YULETIDE SECURITY: ENUGU POLICE OPERATIVES UNCOVER CULT GROUPS FORCEFUL INITIATION, ARREST INITIATORS, RECOVER FIREARM, OTHER WEAPONS AND INCRIMINATING EXHIBITS Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, on 5th December 2025, acted on credible information, uncovered, and arrested six (6) male suspects for forcefully initiating victims into the Supreme Vikings Confraternity on 25th November 2025, in a forest at Ugwu Peak, Iva Valley, Enugu North Local Government Area (LGA). One (1) locally made double-barrelled pistol and four (4) cutlasses used for their criminal activities, and two (2) empty bottles of Squadron rum used for the initiation, were recovered from the suspects. The suspects include Edeh Francis Chigbo, a.k.a Saint (aged 22), Ogbu Fabulous, a.k.a. Nwakanwa (aged 23), Odom Chiemerie, a.k.a Coded (aged 28), Nweke Anayo, a.k.a Chaplet (aged 22), Obumneme Obiechina, a.k.a Biggy (aged 30), and Chigozie Ugbene, a.k.a God bless (aged 20). They all confessed to membership of the secret cult group and their involvement in the criminal acts, and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, reiterates his firm commitment to rid the state of unrepentant criminals and their activities, especially during this festive season and beyond. He urges citizens to remain law-abiding, vigilant, cooperate with the Police, and promptly report criminals and suspicious activities. SP DANIEL NDUKWE, anipr, mnisma Police Public Relations Officer Enugu State Police Command 13th December 2025 President Bola Tinubu has approved the special presidential promotion of his aide-de-camp (ADC), Nurudeen Yusuf, from the rank of colonel to brigadier-general. The approval was conveyed in a letter from the office of the national security adviser (NSA) to the chief of army staff. The leaked letter was dated December 12, 2025, and was signed by Nuhu Ribadu, the NSA. Advertisement In the letter, Ribadu said Yusuf will be retained as the presidents ADC despite the promotion. I wish to convey Mr Presidents approval of Special Presidential Promotion of Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf to the rank of Brigadier General and retention as ADC C-in-C with effect from 12 December 2025 for your necessary action as enclosed. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards, the memo reads. TheCable understands that the development is causing a ruckus in the Nigerian Army as several personnel are said to be displeased over the favouritism. The special presidential promotion was said to have violated the principles of promotion in the armed forces. Per army rules, Yusuf is to meet some requirements before being promoted from colonel to brigadier-general, which include the completion of a war college or a senior staff course, and completion of a strategic course at the National Defence College or its equivalent. A colonel in the Nigerian Army is also expected to spend a duration of four to five years before becoming eligible for promotion. In January 2025, Tinubu decorated Yusuf with the rank of colonel after he was promoted in December 2024. The decoration ceremony took place at the presidential villa, Abuja. In April 2023, Yusuf, who was then a lieutenant colonel, was appointed as the ADC to Tinubu barely a month before the inauguration of Tinubu as president. Yusuf was crowned as the monarch of Ilemona land in Oyun LGA of Kwara state in July 2024. However, he is expected to fully assume the traditional role when he retires from the military. MINSK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States has decided to lift sanctions previously imposed on the Belarusian potash industry, U.S. special envoy for Belarus John Coale said here on Saturday. Coale said the move came in accordance with the instructions of U.S. President Donald Trump, and described it as a "very good step by the United States for Belarus," according to media reports. Following his meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, he further emphasized that the restrictions would be lifted immediately, adding that Washington and Minsk will continue dialogue regarding other sanctions. In a reciprocal gesture following the U.S. move, the Belarusian president has decided to pardon 123 citizens of various countries convicted under national laws for crimes including espionage, terrorism and extremist activities. The presidential press service said that this goodwill gesture was made in response to requests from other heads of state and is based on humanitarian principles and universal human values, aimed at accelerating positive momentum in relations with partner countries and stabilizing the European region. The potash industry, particularly the state-owned producer Belaruskali, has been under extensive sanctions from countries including the U.S. over the past few years. These measures forced Minsk to seek new markets and develop alternative logistics channels. Dimitry Etienne (center) is embraced while speaking to guests during a memorial for Amadou Thiam as a video plays depicting his drag queen persona "Ama-Diva" at Voyeur Nightclub on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 in Philadelphia. Read more Amadou Thiam lived the American dream and then some. The immigrant from Cote dIvoire worked his way up at a major airline as a flight attendant, purchased a home in South Philadelphia, and traveled to exotic locations when his schedule allowed it. Advertisement He danced with friends at Phillys nightclubs, even crafted a stage name for a yearly drag performance he gave at Voyeur Ama-Diva, a play on his name that Thiams loved ones say reflected the 50-year-olds playfulness and unapologetic charm. That dream was cut tragically short last month. A quiet neighborhood of rowhouses was rattled Nov. 10 when neighbors found Thiam lying naked on the pavement behind his home on the 2400 block of Federal Street suffering severe injuries to his face, neck, and body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and died from his injuries. The medical examiners office has yet to release the cause and manner of Thiams death. But homicide detectives are investigating, and police believe Thiam either fell or was thrown out of his third-floor window. They have identified two men they believe may have been involved. It was jarring news for those who knew Thiam, a beloved member of Philadelphias flight attendant community who had worked for American Airlines since 2011. A group of his loved ones gathered at Voyeur on Saturday to memorialize their friend, sipping drinks and sharing stories beneath the shimmering glow of a disco ball. A DJ played soulful dance music. Some of Thiams acquaintances, his chosen family, donned dresses, high heels, and flashy jewelry. In the face of tragedy, they were celebrating in style the way Thiam would have wanted them to. He was just a happy person, and he took advantage of his environment and did the best with it, said Barry Rucks, Thiams partner of five years. You and me take things for granted he didnt take anything for granted." Rucks said Thiam started at American Airlines as a baggage claims worker but quickly rose to become one of their number one flight attendants. A native French speaker, Thiam worked on international flights to Paris and Zurich, posting photos to social media of the luxury hotels and historic monuments he visited along the way. It was a life he could have hardly imagined in western Africa, Rucks said, where he was raised alongside nine brothers and sisters. After getting his American citizenship, Thiam was proud to vote in elections and serve on jury duty, Rucks said. He marveled at the economic opportunity here, and developed an affinity for purchasing lavish clothing items on Amazon when he wasnt helping siblings out with money. He would never say no to anyone, because he knew how hard it was to be an American, Rucks said. Voyeur was a fitting setting for Thiams memorial. The Center City nightclub is where Thiam and a friend once dressed as Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked and performed during an annual drag benefit for flight attendants who had fallen on hard times. He was just such a shining star in this community, said Aurore Dussh, one of Thiams friends. She said Thiam performed at Voyeur on numerous occasions, balancing his diva reputation with an undeniable sweetness in his relationships. He was such a superstar, Dussh said. Yet he made everyone else feel seen. Police continue to investigate Thiams death In the weeks since Thiams death, police have sought two men they believe are connected to the unusual circumstances surrounding his death. Sources familiar with the investigation say investigators have evidence that suggests Thiam was assaulted that night. That evidence includes video footage showing the men outside Thiams home around the time his body was found. The two, an older and younger man, appear to be carrying clothing from Thiams home, according to those sources. Neighbors, too, recalled seeing the men leaving Thiams home. Finding Thiams door cracked open, the neighbors entered to find blood smeared across his kitchen and third-floor bedroom. Back outside, they noticed a stream of blood that led them to Thiams body on the pavement. Rucks, Thiams partner, said he has been in touch with investigators and that none of Thiams friends and acquaintances recognized the two men in the video. Rucks, who lives in Montgomery County, lived separately from Thiam, who prized his independence, he said. He recalled Thiam was nothing but happy the Sunday morning he left his house to return to Philadelphia, a day before his death. It was the last time Rucks saw his partner alive. I cant speculate and Im refusing to, Rucks said. We will find out what happened. A funk show had just started at MilkBoy Thursday night, when a fan fell near the stage, quickly losing consciousness. Thats when a group of off-duty nurses, relaxing after a shift at nearby Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, did something the hospital staff is becoming famous for during their off-hours at the Market East bar and live music spot: They saved a life. It was shortly after 8:30 p.m., said MilkBoy owner Jamie Lokoff, when an older man watching a performance by Owls by Day, a New York-based band opening for the funk group Polyrhythmics, suddenly collapsed. Alerted that a fellow customer had gone into cardiac arrest, a trio of nurses at a downstairs table quickly rushed upstairs to help, he said. As the band turned up the lights, the nurses used cell phone flashlights to assess the stricken fan. Advertisement The nurses went to work on the guy, said Lokoff, who reviewed video of the life-saving incident. They started doing CPR, pumping his chest. Here they were downstairs having a good time and, boom, they got to run upstairs and you got a guy who has no pulse. More off-duty nurses quickly joined to help, said MilkBoy general manager Anna Reed. They did chest compressions for eight to 10 minutes, she said. They were tagging in and out. Eric Lense, who plays drums in Owls By Day, said the man was in very bad shape. It was scary and intense, Lense said. But also amazing to watch these professionals step in so quickly and save this mans life. By the time paramedics soon arrived, the nurses had resuscitated the man, Lokoff and Reed said. Fans and customers cheered as the man, awake and responsive, was carried out to an ambulance. The bar had an emergency response certified staffer working the show, who helped clear room for the ailing patron. The condition of the man, who had been at the show with his wife, is not known. Remarkably, its the third time in recent memory that nurses and doctors from the hospital, located about a block away on 11th Street, helped save a customers life at the club, Lokoff said. An off-duty Jefferson doctor used a defibrillator they had in their bag to save the life of a patron who had been drinking Titos vodka on the rocks when he went into cardiac arrest about a year ago, Lokoff said. On another occasion, nurses aided an older regular, who fell unconscious and was also revived. MilkBoy, which opened in 2011 and serves from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., is a popular hangout for Jefferson staff, who come for postshift drinks and food. Neither Lokoff nor Reed knew the names of the nurses who helped revive the man. Bar staff comped much of the large groups bill, they said. A Jefferson spokesperson could not identify the nurses either. But they said the hospital was proud. We are proud of our clinicians and the lifesaving skills they bring in our hospitals as well as the community, they said in a statement. These acts of courage and quick thinking are a powerful reminder of the dedication and training that define the Jefferson Nurse and our physicians. Its pretty remarkable to see these nurses go into action in real time, Lokoff said. We just want to express our gratitude to the Jefferson nurses and staff that has been there to step in when needed. They just do what they do, and we want to give them a hug. I joke that were the safest bar around. BEIRUT A man who carried out an attack in Syria that killed three U.S. citizens had joined Syrias internal security forces as a base security guard two months earlier and was recently reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with the Islamic State group, a Syrian official told the Associated Press Sunday. The attack Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra killed two U.S. service members and one American civilian and wounded three others. It also wounded three members of the Syrian security forces who clashed with the gunman, interior ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said. Advertisement Al-Baba said that Syrias new authorities had faced shortages in security personnel and had to recruit rapidly after the unexpected success of a rebel offensive last year that intended to capture the northern city of Aleppo but ended up overthrowing the government of former President Bashar Assad. We were shocked that in 11 days we took all of Syria and that put a huge responsibility in front of us from the security and administration sides, he said. The attacker was among 5,000 members who recently joined a new division in the internal security forces formed in the desert region known as the Badiya, one of the places where remnants of the Islamic State extremist group have remained active. Attacker had raised suspicions Al-Baba said the internal security forces leadership had recently become suspicious that there was an infiltrator leaking information to IS and began evaluating all members in the Badiya area. The probe raised suspicions last week about the man who later carried out the attack, but officials decided to continue monitoring him for a few days to try to determine if he was an active member of IS and to identify the network he was communicating with if so, al-Baba said. He did not name the attacker. At the same time, as a precautionary measure, he said, the man was reassigned to guard equipment at the base at a location where he would be farther from the leadership and from any patrols by U.S.-led coalition forces. On Saturday, the man stormed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards, al-Baba said. The attacker was shot and killed at the scene. Al-Baba acknowledged that the incident was a major security breach but said that in the year since Assads fall there have been many more successes than failures by security forces. In the wake of the shooting, he said, the Syrian army and internal security forces launched wide-ranging sweeps of the Badiya region and broke up a number of alleged IS cells. A delicate partnership The incident comes at a delicate time as the U.S. military is expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces. The U.S. has had forces on the ground in Syria for over a decade, with a stated mission of fighting IS, with about 900 troops present there today. Before Assads ouster, Washington had no diplomatic relations with Damascus and the U.S. military did not work directly with the Syrian army. Its main partner at the time was the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the countrys northeast. That has changed over the past year. Ties have warmed between the administrations of U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former leader of an Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that used to be listed by Washington as a terrorist organization. In November, al-Sharaa became the first Syrian president to visit Washington since the countrys independence in 1946. During his visit, Syria announced its entry into the global coalition against the Islamic State, joining 89 other countries that have committed to combating the group. U.S. officials have vowed retaliation against IS for the attack but have not publicly commented on the fact that the shooter was a member of the Syrian security forces. Critics of the new Syrian authorities have pointed to Saturdays attack as evidence that the security forces are deeply infiltrated by IS and are an unreliable partner. Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, an advocacy group that seeks to build closer relations between Washington and Damascus, said that is unfair. Despite both having Islamist roots, HTS and IS were enemies and often clashed over the past decade. Among former members of HTS and allied groups, Moustafa, said, Its a fact that even those who carry the most fundamentalist of beliefs, the most conservative within the fighters, have a vehement hatred of ISIS. The coalition between the United States and Syria is the most important partnership in the global fight against ISIS because only Syria has the expertise and experience to deal with this, he said. Later Sunday, Syrias state-run news agency SANA reported that four members of the internal security forces were killed and a fifth was wounded after gunmen opened fire on them in the city of Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province. It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were or whether the attack was linked to the Saturdays shooting. Atlantic City firefighters battled a Dec. 5 blaze at the iconic Peanut World souvenir Boardwalk shop. The shore resort is facing a myriad of problems as it enters 2026. Read more ATLANTIC CITY The journey through Atlantic City is bumpy these days, and not only because Atlantic Avenue is desperately in need of paving. Ducktown Tavern owner John Johnny X Exadaktilos has one wish for Atlantic City that has nothing to do with the gut-jarring avenue that runs in front of his bar. Advertisement Just normal, says Exadaktilos. I just want things to be normal. Atlantic City, a place of historic mayoral misdeeds, multimillionaire overreach, and chronic unwanted attention, has managed in this waning year, even as its workers string up holiday decorations, to come up with a new plot twist: Its newly reelected Democratic Mayor Marty Small Sr. is on trial for alleged physical abuse of his teenage daughter. The trial has left Small untethered from his cell phone as new casinos have been green lit in New York City, and the state moves to tighten its authority over the town. Another trial, of Smalls wife, LaQuetta Small, who is the superintendent of schools, is set for Jan. 12. With Small reporting to an Atlantic County courthouse each day to face his daughter, who spent seven hours testifying against him on Tuesday, a bit of a hush has fallen on the city as it awaits the outcome, which could come this week. The sentiment in City Hall, where many employees owe their jobs to Small, leaned toward the assumption that Small would beat this charge like hes beaten two previous indictments on voter fraud charges. But will the city emerge unscathed? Every day, people who live in Atlantic City want to know what those of us are elected are doing to make their lives better and respond to their issues and concerns, said council member Kaleem Shabazz, who was going from a planning board meeting to a mayor-less City Hall last week. Whatever will happen will happen. The city still has to function. People have to be responsible. On Dec. 1, as Small readied for jury selection in Mays Landing, New York City approved three casinos, two for Queens and one for the Bronx, a development long feared in Atlantic City. On Dec. 5, with the jury picked, the iconic Peanut World on the Boardwalk erupted in flames. On Dec. 9, with the mayor listening to his daughter, legislators in Trenton were proposing more state oversight of A.C. including a surprise provision that would give the state the power to pick developers for major projects. The biggest threat may come from the New York casinos, which some in the industry estimate could threaten as much as 30% of A.C.s business and lead to the shuttering of one casino, if not more. Small, meanwhile, took the stand took the stand in his own defense on Friday, testifying that his daughter was his best friend, until becoming involved with a boy the family disapproved of, and denied he had abused her. The same day, community group El Pueblo Unido Of Atlantic City posted photos of ICE agents making car stops in city neighborhoods. Small could face jail time and be forced to step down as mayor under New Jersey law, if convicted. He and his wife, who has been attending her husbands trial, taking notes in the back, have resisted calls to relinquish their powerful roles as mayor and superintendent. Its not ideal obviously, said Shabazz. If you had to pick a multiple choice question what would you want to be happening in your public schools, that wouldnt be something you would pick, if youre a parent or a taxpayer. A wake-up call Early one morning last week, having just come from a planning board meeting, Shabazz said the city was going about its business. Im not at the trial, Im on my way to City Hall, he said. The work of government has to go on. Shabazz, whos been focused for years, even decades, on some of the same intractable problems of the resort, remains optimistic. Its a city where it can be hard to read the scorecard: progress seems to be there, but not there, at the same time. The citys only full-size supermarket, the beleaguered Save A Lot is under new management, and the adjacent nuisance liquor store is expected to close. High-profile developers like Jared Kushner and K. Hovnanian appear to be going forward with residential projects in the citys Inlet section. There are new restaurants, like the Byrdcage in Chelsea and Simpsons, relocating next month to Atlantic Avenue. Shabazz is hoping the state will return zoning authority back to the city after years of the Casino Reinvestment Control Authority overseeing planning and zoning in the citys tourism district. But last week, as the mayor listened to his daughter testifying that he struck her in the head with a broom, after she threw detergent at him and refused to go to a community march, the state went in the opposite direction: a bill to renew the states takeover of Atlantic City for another six years that would allow the state to pick a master developer to oversee big projects, the Press of Atlantic City reported. We have to be competitive, Shabazz said. We have to let people know that were open for business and were safe and secure. Crime is down significantly. Like others interviewed, he believes Atlantic City can sell itself as a safe and affordable seaside destination. We still have a free beach, he said. We have to let people know what we have. What the city has, chronically, is mayors under indictment. Small is the fifth mayor since 1981 to face indictment, following in the dubious footsteps of Michael Matthews (taking bribes), James Usry (accepting bribes, a charge later dropped), Bob Levy (defrauding the Veterans Administration), and Frank Gilliam (wire fraud). Small has defended himself by describing this latest situation as a private family problem, not related to his job performance. He has called the prosecution politically motivated and an overreaction. A jury will now weigh in. John Boyd Jr., a principal in the Boyd Co., which advises companies on where to locate, said many developers (and homeowners) continue to balk at Atlantic City, despite the upward pressure on Jersey Shore real estate that has left the city as arguably the last affordable seashore town in the entire Northeast. He called the three New York City casino licenses a wake-up call for New Jersey, and advocates a plan where the state allows casinos at the Meadowlands and/or Monmouth Park but shares the revenue with Atlantic City. If you ask national developers their opinion of Atlantic City, it wouldnt be a very positive one for a myriad of reasons, he said. Good governance is fundamental to economic development success. Companies want to minimize risk. Its more than the mayor being on trial. Its the uncertainty. Meanwhile at the slots Inside Hard Rock casino during a blustery stretch last week, people were three deep at the holiday-branded Mistletoe Bar in the lobby, and nine guitars had become a menorah in the atrium. Gamblers were locked in as names were called for a random spin-the-wheel drawing every half hour. A convention of real estate agents brought lines to the check-in desk. The trial was off in the distance, invisible to most. I do love coming to Atlantic City, said Adam Druck, 33, a Realtor from York, Pa. I hope the trial doesnt make too much difference to whats going on here. Asked about New York casinos, Joe Pendle, 71, a retired police officer from North Jersey, said he was comfortable with his routines at Hard Rock, where free rooms and meals anchored his pleasant stays. (Hard Rock itself has one of the three licenses in New York City, an $8.1 billion project near Citi Field in Queens, which it projects will result in $1 billion a year in tax revenue.) I have a three-room suite upstairs, noted Pendle. I like the beach. Arthur Austin, 70, of Old Bridge, said he had worked for decades on Wall Street and had no desire to travel to New York for a casino weekend. I worked in the city for 20 years, he said. I only go into the city if I have to. Out-of-towners like Austin hadnt heard about Smalls trial, but the local gamblers at Hard Rock sure had. Atlantic City is a crooked place, and its always gonna be crooked because of what everybodys into, said a 57-year-old woman who lives locally and was playing the slots. She did not want her name used so that she could speak her mind in a small town. People want their guy to stay in there, said the woman. He gives everybody a job. You could flourish, but only if you are with the right people. I dont think that it hurts Atlantic City, said Seng Bethia, 40, of Atlantic City, who was at the slots. His daughter is such a sweet girl. It was bad, just the whole thing. Are you kidding me right now? Exadaktilos, the Ducktown Tavern owner who is Smalls loudest detractor, said he had taken things down a notch of late, putting aside his popular weekly Facebook live rants that he said had started consuming him. Still, last week, as the prosecution wound up its case, the city sent out a contractor to do some temporary filling in of cracks on Atlantic Avenue in advance of the citys holiday parade, and Exadaktilos found himself back on Facebook live. Are you kidding me right now? he said over footage of the roadway. What happened to Atlantic Avenue is going to be paved? Horrible. Boyd, the location consultant, points to bright spots. The national developers are a vote of confidence, as is the September opening of the SeaHaus boutique hotel on the Boardwalk, a Marriott property. Showboat and the Sheraton near the Convention Center are converting rooms to residences. Boyd sees potential for Atlantic City to follow the likes of Coney Island, which has seen a renaissance, to attract film business, to market itself as a live-work-play destination. Outgoing council member George Tibbitt looks at the Kushner plan, a 180-unit apartment complex, as another missed opportunity. No vision there, he said. Thats desperate development. The property is on the inlet near Gardners Basin and at one point was viewed as a potential spot for an ambitious mixed-use development similar to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. New York City definitely makes me afraid, said Tibbitt. Theres only so many gambling dollars to go around. Adding more casinos is going to be devastating. We have to clean the city up. We have to get the neighborhoods filled back up. One industry the city bet heavily on was cannabis: Its midtown quickly filled with 16 dispensaries. But after complaints from the cannabis entrepreneurs themselves, city council capped the number at 16, leaving many that have been approved but have yet to open (including one that necessitated the demolishing of a historic church) in limbo. Atlantic City is a place where things can seem to be finally coming together, while simultaneously unraveling. Big plans vaporize, like the highly touted gym and nightclub outside Showboat, where last summer, the owner set up couches, DJ booths, and exercise machines, got stalled by permitting issues, and quietly dismantled them. Miguel Lugo, general manager at AC Leef, which held out for a strategic spot on Albany Avenue, said his cannabis business has been good. He looks forward to the dispensary running financial literacy classes for the community, and getting its cultivation license. On this side of the town, everythings been phenomenal, Lugo said. Im super focused on AC Leef. I dont know whats going on with the mayor. Gov. Josh Shapiro gives his annual speech to the 127th annual Pennsylvania Society dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Read more NEW YORK The first time Gov. Josh Shapiro attended the glitzy Pennsylvania Society dinner in midtown Manhattan, he was a young lawmaker invited by David L. Cohen. Fifteen years later, Shapiro again sat front and center with Cohen, on Saturday night in New York Citys Waldorf Astoria hotel. The governor and the former U.S. ambassador to Canada celebrated Cohens receipt of a gold medal award, which has typically been given to the likes of former presidents, prominent philanthropists, and influential businesspeople. Advertisement I still remember that feeling of sitting here, in this storied hotel, inspired not just by this grand, historic room, but most especially by the people in it. I just felt honored to be here, Shapiro recalled in his remarks Saturday night to the 127th annual Pennsylvania Society dinner. Weve come full circle. The Pennsylvania Society, which began in the Waldorf Astoria in 1899 by wealthy Pennsylvania natives who were living in New York and hoping to effect change in their home state, returned Saturday to the iconic hotel for the first time in eight years to honor Cohen for his lifetime of achievement and contributions to Pennsylvania. The $1,000-per-plate dinner closed out the Pennsylvania Society weekend in New York City, where the states political elite local lawmakers, federal officials, university presidents, and top executives travel to party, fundraise, and schmooze across Midtown Manhattan, with the goal of making Pennsylvania better. Each of the approximately 800 attendees at Saturday nights dinner was served filet mignon as their entree and a cherry French pastry for dessert. The candlelit tables in the grand ballroom had an elaborate calla lily centerpiece a flower often symbolizing resurrection or rebirth, as the society had its homecoming after years away while the hotel was closed for renovations. Shapiro, who has delivered remarks to the Pennsylvania Society dinner each year of his first term as governor, focused on the polarization of the moment. He said the antidote that Pennsylvanians want is for top officials to work together and show the good that government can achieve to make peoples lives better. Let us be inspired by that spirit and take the bonds we form tonight back home to our cities, towns, and farmlands, and continue to find ways to come together, make progress, and create hope, Shapiro said. Shapiro also thanked the members of the society for their support after an attempt on his life by a man who later pleaded guilty to setting fires in the governors residence on Passover while he and his family slept inside. READ MORE: Cody Balmer, who set fire to Gov. Josh Shapiros mansion, pleads guilty to attempted murder Cohen was honored as a Philadelphia stalwart whose long career includes stints as an executive at Comcast, chair of the University of Pennsylvanias board of trustees, and five years as Ed Rendells chief of staff during his mayorship. He was recognized in a prerecorded video featuring praise from former U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey and Bob Casey, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany and former University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann, Rendell, and others the 70-year-old Cohen has worked with throughout his career. Rendell attended the dinner with his ex-wife and federal appellate court Judge Marjorie Midge Rendell. In his prerecorded remarks, Ed Rendell credited Cohen as the true governor and mayor of Philadelphia for all of his work behind the scenes. Cohen, who continues his work to promote the relationship between the United States and Canada since his return to Philadelphia this year, began his remarks following his introduction with a joke: Its sort of nice to hear a preview of your obituary, he said with a laugh. Cohen gave an impassioned speech defending democracy and recognizing Americas position in the world, even as polarization reaches a fever pitch in the country. He credited the society as a place where Americas founding tenets are achieved. These Pennsylvania Society principles represent what the United States is supposed to stand for as a country, a promoter and defender of democratic values, values that have special residence in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, where our country was born almost 250 years ago, Cohen said. And Cohen had a dispatch from his years as an ambassador, followed by a call to action: From our comfortable perch in Pennsylvania, I dont think we always appreciate what we have here in the United States and the critical role that America plays on the global stage in promoting democracy. Rabbi Mendel Mangel speaks during the lighting of an 18-foot menorah by Chabad Lubavitch in Cherry Hill on Sunday. He studied in Australia in the 1980s. Read more As Jews around the world celebrate Hanukkah, a deadly attack in Australia has shocked Jewish communities in the Philadelphia region, leading some to increase security at services. Authorities said two gunmen opened fire at an event on Bondi Beach in Sydney at 6:45 p.m. local time, killing at least 15 people. Advertisement Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan of the Chabad in Medford said the attack on a Chabad Hanukkah celebration in Australia was devastating. Kahans son Yosef is studying in and running youth programs in Melbourne, and had communicated with one of the victims shortly before the attack. A yeshiva student who was later shot in the attack had asked Yosef Kahan to deliver menorahs to Melbourne residents, Yitzchok Kahan said. The fact that it comes as we Jews are beginning the holiday that conveys just the opposite of what this did it conveys light. It conveys positivity. It conveys making a difference in a good and kind way," Yitzchok Kahan said. So the message we must take from it: not to capitulate to darkness, not to capitulate to hate; rather to strengthen our commitment, our dedication to who we are as Jews. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, said the story of Hanukkah is a story of resilience and strength in the face of adversity, and one that reminds us to be proud of our faith. Those lessons are so important today. Shapiro was the target of an assassination attempt in April, when a man set the governors mansion ablaze while Shapiro and his family slept, hours after celebrating Passover. Cody Balmer, who told investigators that he harbored a hatred for the governor, pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the attack. On Sunday, Shapiro urged Pennsylvanians to pray for the loved ones of those killed and for a full recovery for those injured in Australia and continue to bring light into the world. The frigid weather in Cherry Hill did not dissuade some 100 people from coming out to the Barclay Farms Shopping Center for Chabad Lubavitch of Camden Countys 32nd annual Hanukkah celebration with a menorah lighting ceremony, car parade, latkes, hot chocolate, and LED sticks. Rabbi Mendel Mangel, founder and codirector of the Chabad, addressed the crowd of bundled-up families alongside his son Laizer Mangel and his father, Nissen Mangel, a survivor of the Holocaust who lives in Brooklyn. I spent two years beginning my rabbinical ordination in a yeshiva in Sydney, Australia, and I know some of those friends, some of those fellows, [whose] lives were cut short today, no different than it was 2,000 years ago, he said, referencing the origins of the holiday. But my friends, we know we never back down in the sight of evil. While they take out the fires of AK-47 we take out the fire of light, of holiness and goodness. Cherry Hill Mayor David Fleisher and other local officials joined the event as well. Very simply, I want you to know that we will light the menorah as a celebration, said Fleisher. Tonight, we will light the menorah with determination, and tonight, we will light the menorah in defiance of hate and in the belief that life will prevail. They prayed for the recovery of those injured in Australia. Rabbi Laizer Mangel helped organize the event, and said it was particularly painful to learn of the attack on another Chabad, which is a Jewish outreach organization with local affiliates around the world. Mangel said Cherry Hill police planned to provide additional security for the celebration. The Cherry Hill Chabad has increased security over time as a result of previous antisemitic attacks, Laizer Mangel said. Its security team met Sunday to discuss taking further steps as a result of the Australia attack, though hadnt made a final decision on what they would be, he said. For Jonathan Bloom, 57, a Cherry Hill resident who works in finance, it was an emotional evening that brought him to tears. It was his first time attending the menorah lighting ceremony. Theres not a lot of Jewish people in the world, so its important that I show strength, Bloom said. Danielle Margulis, 42, a financial planner in Mount Laurel, brought her 6-year old daughter Raya to participate in the car parade for a third year in a row. They had already planned to attend, but following the Sydney events, she felt it was even more important to show youth that you have to persevere, she said. Light in the face of darkness is a lot of what Judaism is about, Margulis added. Mendel Mangel founded the Chabad Lubavitch of Camden County in 1993, shortly after he studied in Sydney in the late 1980s. One of the victims in the shooting was the son-in-law of a close mentor. Its very, very painful, but you know, Im sure I hold hands with people around the entire world Jews, non-Jews alike who are disgusted by this kind of evil, this absolute hatred for no reason, said Mendel Mangel. In a day like today, when theres so much darkness, in the last year, too, and the pain and the suffering, evil, and cruelty the message is that light can dispel all of that. I would add how proud I am of our community to come out and celebrate. Its very impressive to see that we all get together and hold hands and support each other, and generations support each other. Weve overcome hardships in the past, and we will overcome hardships again. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement he was horrified by the attack, adding that antisemitism is a growing global problem that must be condemned forcefully and unequivocally. Murphy said that while there were no specific threats to New Jersey at this time, out of an abundance of caution, we are boosting security at synagogues and community Hanukkah celebrations throughout the state. Murphy directed state officials to meet Sunday with rabbis concerned about the safety and security of their houses of worship. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said in a statement it and other Jewish federations were on full alert for holiday celebrations in their communities, and working with local law enforcement. We will use every tool at our disposal to make sure our communities are safe and that our lights burn all the brighter, the statement read. In Montgomery County, Chabad of Penn Wynne planned a menorah lighting Sunday at the Penn Wynne Library. Darkness does not win by force it loses when light appears, said Rabbi Moshe Brennan. A Philadelphia city police spokesperson said the department is actively monitoring the situation after the Australia attack, and maintaining communication with law enforcement partners. We will continue to be vigilant in safeguarding our local Jewish places of worship to ensure the safety of all community members, the spokesperson said, adding that there is no known connection to Philadelphia with the attack. Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this report. Sigrid Gonzalez, second from right, part of an immigrant court accompaniment program, speaks with Noemi, an immigrant from El Salvador, inside the Richard C. White Federal Building in El Paso, Texas, in November. Read more EL PASO, Texas A small group of immigrants gathered in the lobby of the Richard C. White federal building downtown here on a cool early morning in November. They waited to be allowed up to the seventh floor, where they would appear before a judge as their case made its way through the immigration system. Among them were Noemi and her 6-year-old daughter, Abigail. They had driven more than four hours to get to their court date and were hoping to head back the same day. While Noemi was soft-spoken, Abigail was sharp and spirited, more than willing to answer all the questions she was being peppered with by strangers. Advertisement She spoke about where she was from (El Salvador), her favorite show (Bluey), about school (Its all right), and about her older best friend (Shes 8). Abigail has been in the U.S. since 2021, arriving with her mother in search of a better life. They were welcomed by a Biden administration that, despite its many faults, initially asserted an immigration policy that was deeply humanitarian. But that was then. While the immigrants sat and waited, Sigrid Gonzalez introduced herself. She was a volunteer doing court accompaniment. They could not offer legal advice but were there to observe and help immigrants plan did they bring a car? Do they have kids in school? Do they know whom to call? in case they were detained. ICE is here. They have a list. We dont know who they will take, Gonzalez said. This is not to frighten you, but to let you know. Later, as the elevator doors opened on the seventh floor, a group of about half a dozen Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were indeed there. Dressed as civilians but still in uniform: blue jeans, sneakers, and dark jackets. El Paso has not seen the kind of excessive use of force seen in places like New York, but as in immigration courtrooms across the country, ICE agents stand in wait to arrest people who are following the rules. The governments strategy is to ask the court to dismiss an immigrants case, making them eligible for expedited removal, a relatively quick process under which a noncitizen can be deported back to their country, potentially without any additional immigration court hearings, Emmett Soper, a former immigration judge in Virginia, told me. In practice, however, ICE agents regularly detain immigrants regardless of a judges decision on dismissal. I denied every single motion to dismiss. I set the case for a further hearing. I gave all the required advisal, things like that, Soper said. Every single person was arrested, to my knowledge, after I denied the motion to dismiss. The Trump administration is not stopping at ignoring due process, it is also working to reshape the immigration court system. Soper is one of about 100 immigration judges fired this year. There is no explanation for the dismissal of the judges, other than many of them having a record seen as out of step with the administrations hard-line approach. Instead of an experienced jurist like Soper, who took the bench in 2017 and understands that every case should be given a fair hearing according to the law, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is looking for people who want to be a deportation judge and want to restore integrity and honor to our Nations Immigration Court system. In case there was any doubt what the Trump administration wants to restore, DHS clarifies in a recruitment ad: Defend your communities, your culture, your very way of life. As Abigail sat next to her mother inside Judge Judith F. Bonillas courtroom, coloring an image of two cats sitting side by side handed to her by the court clerk, it was hard to see what the White House is so afraid of. Noemi was so concerned about her legal case that she would only speak with me on the condition that her last name not be used. She did not have a lawyer. The judge asked her a series of questions and she responded in turn: She had no family in the U.S., she had not been a victim of a crime, it was her first time in the country, she had never been arrested. She was not afraid to go back to El Salvador. It was clear from her answers that Noemi did not want to fight her case. The only relief available for her, the judge said, was voluntary departure. If she took that option, Noemi waved her right to appeal but it left the door open for them to return legally in the future. I want voluntary departure, she said. Noemi and her daughter had 90 days to leave the U.S. Outside the courtroom, Noemi met with Gonzalez, who asked her if she wanted to share any contact information in case they were detained by ICE. Noemi looked confused. I have voluntary departure; can they still take me? she asked. Based on experience, Gonzalez did not hesitate to answer: Yes. I have been thinking for weeks about Noemis face at that moment. How to describe what it looks like when someone who has gone through the legal process and made peace with the fact she cannot stay in the U.S. must still face the random cruelty of an administration that sees her and her 6-year-old as a threat. Crestfallen, Noemi shared her information with Gonzalez. Across the hall, the ICE agents began to move toward the elevator. Apparently, they were leaving. Everyone around Noemi and Abigail sighed in relief. The mother and daughter were not among those taken, which that day included a man and a mother and her older son. As Noemi and Abigail left the federal building to drive back home through the west Texas desert back to the life they had built for themselves over four years and now had 90 days to leave the only thing I could think was, how does this benefit America? More from the border: Trump may have shut down the border to asylum-seekers, but he cant end immigrants hope During his appearance at the Munich Security Conference in February, Vice President JD Vance spewed charges of German censorship of free speech from the stage, writes Trudy Rubin, in defense of the neofascist Alternative fur Deutschland party. Read more After World War II, the United States and its allies occupied West Germany and helped its post-Nazi leaders build a successful democracy out of the ruins of fascism. What a difference 80 years makes. Advertisement In an astonishing role reversal, German leaders, along with those of Denmark, the Baltics, Poland, and other European allies, have become the global defenders of liberal democracy meaning free elections, free press, and free speech. Meantime, the White House embraces extremist far right parties across Europe, including in Great Britain and France. Yet nowhere is this mind-bending shift as stunning as in the continuing White House slander against the democratic government of Germany, long one of Americas closest allies. The Trump administration is demanding that Germanys governing parties welcome the unapologetically neofascist Alternative fur Deutschland party (known as the AfD) into their coalition government. The new U.S. National Security Strategy labels the German governments refusal to do this as a subversion of democratic processes. This Trumpian newspeak about Germany to use George Orwells term for the distorted terminology of authoritarians reveals an indifference to (or ignorance of) history that endangers not only Europe but the United States. After the Nazis defeat, the Allied occupation of West Germany (which lasted until 1955) focused on rebuilding the German economy, and building democratic governing institutions; it was aided by German opponents to Adolf Hitler who returned from exile. READ MORE: New U.S. National Security Strategy slams Europe as greater threat than Russia or China | Trudy Rubin Given that history, Germans have been very sensitive to any hint that neofascist parties could rise again and take power in their country. It is important to understand, I was told by Anna Sauerbrey, the foreign editor of Die Zeit newspaper, that Germany has a tradition of noncooperation with [such] parties and right-wing extremists. We have legislation and a domestic intelligence agency whose job is to monitor anything of danger to our constitutional values. Following a multiyear investigation, German intelligence formally classified the AfD as a proven right-wing extremist organization, which is a main reason why other parties refuse to join with it in forming coalition governments. Moreover, the phrase never again born out of the Holocaust has deep meaning to older West Germans. I have met Germans who volunteered to work in Israeli kibbutzim in the 1960s and 70s as a repudiation of the beliefs of their parents or grandparents, and have heard the term never again repeated fervently by German politicians over decades. The German school system still teaches civic education, including basic knowledge of democratic institutions and rule of law, along with the bleak history of Hitlers fascism. Would that American schools did the same. As for the AfD, far from being suppressed, as the Trumpers charge, the party is free to run for local, state, or federal office and make its voice heard in the press. In March, at the Munich Security Forum, where Vice President JD Vance was spewing charges of German censorship of free speech from the stage, Sauerbrey told me she had just run her interview with AfD leader Alice Weidel in Die Zeit, along with those of other candidates. In other words, the party is free to operate but other parties observe an informal firewall against aligning with it. That is because of the extremism of the party that the White House chooses to embrace. It is important for Americans to understand what the AfD stands for, and why it becomes so disturbing to have any American suggest to Germans that they should be more open to the AfD, I was told by the former U.S. ambassador to Germany and former president of the University of Pennsylvania, Amy Gutmann. The AfD is an antisemitic party that loves Russia and hates the United States. Some examples of the AfDs antisemitism: Leading AfD figure Bjorn Hocke called the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin a monument of shame and demanded a 180-degree turn in Germanys culture of remembrance of Nazi crimes. Alexander Gauland, a cofounder of the party, infamously called Hitlers crimes a speck of bird poop in more than 1,000 years of successful Germany history. Last year, a leading AfD candidate for the European Parliament insisted that not all members of the Nazi SS paramilitary (responsible for rounding up and exterminating Jews) were criminals. AfD party leaders keep doubling down on such antisemitic rhetoric, unwilling to expel well-known figures who propagate it. It is true that the party won 20% of the vote, coming second in parliamentary elections in March. Its rise is partly due to its strong, virulently nativist campaign against immigrants, calling for mass deportation. This endears it to the White House, even though the current German government has sharply curtailed immigration. The partys rise has come predominantly in the former communist East Germany, which has never fully caught up economically with the western part of the country since unification. East German bitterness contributes to the AfD tally, as does the fact that decades of Soviet rule never instilled in East Germans a sense of responsibility for Hitlers crimes. READ MORE: The question Trump and Hegseth wont answer: Why is that flotilla in the Caribbean in the first place? | Trudy Rubin But no matter the AfDs tally, the German electoral system has no requirement that any party must form a coalition with any other party in building a majority in parliament. German parties are consistent in holding a firewall against aligning with the AfD, whose antisemitic, white nationalist values are inconsistent with ours, said Gutmann. Yet the administration is pressuring Germany to let down its guard. No doubt thats because Donald Trump and his team share the AfDs values. After his pro-AfD speech in Munich, Vance made a point of visiting party leader Weidel, but no other German political leader. Elon Musk called the AfD Germanys best hope when he attended one of its national campaign rallies in January. More recently, senior AfD leaders have been courting eager MAGA supporters on trips to the U.S., building on a growing alignment of interests. On Saturday one of the AfDs leaders was honored at a gala held by the New York City-based Young Republican Club. The club issued a statement earlier this year calling for a new civic order in Germany and declaring AfD uber alles" (meaning AfD above all), a play on a phrase associated with the Nazis. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the partys classification as extremist was tyranny in disguise and urged Germany to change course. Thus, we have the Trump team and MAGA acolytes praising an antisemitic German party that downplays Hitlers crimes and echoes Russian talking points, while Germany holds the line on democracy and the values it absorbed from the United States after World War II. Too few Americans are aware of the growing MAGA links to neo-fascist political parties in Europe. They should serve as a warning to those in our country who still deny the acute danger of the anti-democratic values the Trump team is promoting at home. MOSCOW, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Russia will take swift retaliatory measures against the European Union's illegal freezing of Russian assets, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned on Saturday. In a statement on the ministry's website, Zakharova condemned the EU's actions as a serious violation of international law, saying that any freezing or confiscation of Russia's sovereign assets constituted illegal disposal without Moscow's consent. "Our response will not be delayed," she said, noting that the Bank of Russia had already filed a lawsuit against Brussels-based central securities depository Euroclear for damages in Moscow's Arbitration Court. The lawsuit addresses Euroclear's unlawful activities and the European Commission's consideration of using Russia's assets without authorization. Zakharova also criticized EU officials, particularly European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for hindering peaceful efforts to resolve the Ukraine crisis. She warned that the EU's actions would damage not only its own financial system but also its global reputation, impacting its status as a reliable trade and investment partner. On Friday, the EU announced it would indefinitely freeze Russian assets to facilitate the use of those funds for Ukraine's financial and military needs. This move bypasses the previous requirement for unanimous approval from all EU members to extend asset freezes. At an upcoming EU Summit on Thursday, leaders will discuss using the frozen assets as collateral for "reparation loans" to Ukraine. Greetings from the land of the squid-flavoured crisp, the bum gun, the tourists in ill-advised elephant-print trousers. The land of tuktuks, ladyboys, bargirls, seaweed snacks, Chang beer, meat on a stick, giant gold Buddhas, orange-robed monks, mango sticky rice, mad traffic, and legendary massage. All in a single afternoon, if you like. Thailand. Where something as innocent-sounding as papaya salad will blow your head off, and where people in shiny shorts perform a sacred ritual dance in a boxing ring before kicking each others heads off. A place thats more fun than a barrel of monkeys but better organised. Where sunshine and rooftop pools come as standard, and the people are insanely nice. No wonder we farangs keep coming back. There are three kinds of us here. The younger ones who hang out in backpacker places, drinking iced coffee and smoking weed, swapping island and waterfall stories. They sleep in beach huts and poshtels and homestays, and zip around on rented mopeds. At least half of them will fall off. On the tiny island of Koh Tao, the hills are so steep and gravelly there are medical centres around every hairpin bend for fallen farangs... motorcycle scars and scrapes are known as the Koh Tao tattoo. The other category of farang is the one I fall into. Older, with better credit, more experienced on a bike. Still keen on iced coffee but long since swapped weed for HRT, and traded the giant backpack for a small thing on wheels. Sun-damaged skin and a travel yoga mat. We semi-oldies are everywhere in Thailand travelling solo or in couples, wintering on the cheap, wandering around the hallucinogenically kitsch temples of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, our mouths shaped in a permanent wow. Choosing islands the opposite of our rave days that dont have full moon parties. And then theres the third category of farang the older solo man. Hes here for a specific reason, and its not the temples or the Muay Thai. No, hes here because in Thailand he goes from being Dave-down-the-pub to being the Adonis of the go-go bar, sought after in a way he could only dream of in Manchester or Munich. He makes up one half of one of Thailands most ubiquitous sights... the Improbable Couple. Men who back home could not pull a curtain, walking out with smoking hot Thai women a generation younger. These men are somewhat unkindly known as Losers Back Home. In places such as Pattaya, Phuket, and Hua Hin and the infamous Nana district of Bangkok their Western wallets have transformed them into winners. You'll see such Improbable Couples everywhere; endless iterations of Jabba the Hut and Princess Leia, Shrek and Princess Fiona, Beauty and the Beast. Men of astonishing unattractiveness paired with Thai goddesses. And while its only fair to acknowledge that old bags my age do the same thing in the Gambia and the Ivory Coast with young local guys, the internet tells us that 90%-95% of sex tourists are men. Looking at the positives, a farang husband even Dave, a Tinder-fail back home is often a status symbol in Thailand. If youre from an impoverished background, bagging a Westerner can be a lottery win. It can mean a house, siblings being educated, elderly parents being able to retire. So despite the visual dissonance of the Improbable Couple, the rest of us, with our credit cards and our life options, need to wind our necks in. Because when it works, it works. And its not you who has to shag Dave. The 2 Johnnies star Johnny Smacks has announced that he and his wife Annie have welcomed a baby boy named JJ. The podcaster and entertainer, whose real name is Johnny McMahon, said JJ was diagnosed with gastroschisis when he was born and praised the staff at Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) in Crumlin for their care of his son. "Im delighted to share some incredibly special news. A few weeks ago, Annie and I welcomed our little boy, JJ, into the world, and Im officially a dad," he said. "Its been a whirlwind, but the best kind. From early in the pregnancy, we knew there would be complications, and when JJ was born he was diagnosed with gastroschisis. "He needed a couple of operations straight away, and hell be in hospital for a while yet, but hes already shown unbelievable fight. Im happy to say hes doing well and getting stronger every day." Gastroschisis is a type of abdominal wall defect that occurs when a childs abdomen does not develop fully while in the womb. It can lead to the intestines developing outside, leaving them open to the air when the child is born. Mr McMahon said he was so proud of his wife, Annie, and grateful to the health care staff at Crumlin. "I want to give a massive thank-you to the amazing staff in Childrens Health Ireland at Crumlin. The care, support, and kindness theyve shown us has been outstanding, and well never be able to thank them enough. "Most of all, I want to say how proud I am of Annie. Shes been incredible throughout everything strong, calm, and absolutely heroic. JJ is lucky to have her as his mam. For now, were just taking it all in, celebrating our little man, and looking forward to bringing him home when hes ready." As a thank you for the care Mr McMahon and his family received, the 2Johnnies are set to organise a charity family show in the 3Arena next Easter with proceeds going to the Childrens Health Foundation. Mr McMahon's podcast partner Johnny B said: "Im over the moon for Smacks and Annie, they will be great parents. Theyve been unreal the last few months. That child is gonna have the best runners in Ireland." Mr McMahon said he will discuss his son's diagnoses and share more about his and Annie's fertility journey on his podcast on Monday. Read More 41552755[/redmore] A book about the Limerick music scene is being reprinted this Christmas in order to raise much-needed funds for local charities. A River Runs Through It by Keith Kelly aims to spotlight Limerick talents while also delving into the city's history, through the eyes of its own artists. An encapsulation of the Treaty Citys burgeoning music scene, the book features 40 photographs of artists holding their favourite Limerick album, with each album picked leading to the next artist. First published last Christmas, the collection includes artists such as The Cranberries Noel Hogan, Hermitage Greens Barry Murphy, Emma Langford, and the late Johnny Duhan of Grannys Intentions. Keith Kelly's book features 40 photographs of artists holding their favourite Limerick album, with each album picked leading to the next artist. For the second year, all proceeds will go to The Learning Hub Limerick and The Limerick Civic Trust. Mr Kelly told the Irish Examiner : I actually started with Noel Hogan of The Cranberries just to see what he would pick. "He picked Woodstar, and then I asked the lead singer of Woodstar Fin Chambers, he picked Bleeding Heart Pigeons. It was trailing along, and I was just so excited about who was going to pick next. Last year, the proceeds of the book raised 6,500 for The Learning Hub which offers after school programmes to children, and for the Limerick City Trust, which aims to improve the look of the city. Barry Murphy, who is featured in the book, said Limerick is home to unbelievable talent. Barry Murphy of Hermitage Green. I'm incredibly proud of the music scene in Limerick. I think we're very much our own thing, it's hard to describe. Theres unbelievable talent, whether it's hip hop, folk, electronic, trad, metal. "The studios, especially around the market area, have some of the best producers in town," said the Hermitage Green musician. Before covid, you might have had 10 gigs in Limerick over the summer that were relatively big. "Now we have Thomond Park, the Docklands, probably 15 King John's Castle gigs, and a ton of gigs in Dolans and The Commercial, he told the Irish Examiner. The limited reprint will be stocked in O'Mahonys Booksellers, Steamboat Music, Re-Story Limerick, and the People's Museum. Mary Holt had a heart of gold, her funeral mass in Edenderry has heard. The 60-year-old was killed alongside her four-year-old great-nephew Tadgh Farrell in a fire attack on a Co Offaly home shortly before 7.45pm on December 6. They were discovered dead in the front room of the house where the fire had been deliberately started, gardai said. Her funeral cortege stopped at Ofalia House care home, where Ms Holt worked, on its way to St Marys Church on Sunday. Staff dressed in scrubs formed a guard of honour as the hearse pulled into the church grounds. Addressing the congregation, Ms Holts niece, Tiffany, said: Mary had a heart of gold, she cared for everyone. She described a close-knit family, and how Ms Holt had cared for her mother Peig, saying: I know for many years after Mary gave up her whole life, she cared for my nanny and other people in the community. She adored her work colleagues and residents in the Ofalia House. She was happy with the small things in life, a cup of tea and a chat. Mary Holt was remembered as someone who "cared for everyone". She read a letter from Ofalia House, where Ms Holt started working aged 15, which described her as a gentle soul whose kindness and compassion touched every resident. Four-year-old Tadghs funeral was held on Friday, and mourners on Sunday heard how Ms Holt built up a beautiful relationship with him. Prayers were also said for those killed in a collision in Co Tipperary at the weekend, and for the victims of the gun attack at Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday. Sean Glennon, whose wife lives at the care home where Ms Holt worked, described her as having an aura of calmness and friendliness lifted the spirits of visitors and staff, adding the ripple effects of her death will be immense. John Nolan, a musician who performed at both family funerals, described the past week as very emotional, adding he and the wider community were shattered. After the fire, Tadghs grandmother was taken to hospital for treatment of serious burn injuries. On Wednesday, gardai released CCTV footage of the attack that appears to show two hooded individuals smash a window before lighting an object on fire and throwing it into the property. Gardai are increasing patrols at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community following a shooting that killed at least 12 people at Bondi Beach in Australia. Two individuals armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach at 6.47pm local time (7.47am Irish time) on Sunday, New South Wales (NSW) police said. The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, the force confirmed. Speaking on Sunday evening, justice minister Jim O'Callaghan said that he had spoken to the Garda commissioner about further protection for the Jewish community in Ireland. Gardai said in a statement on Sunday that Liaison Inspectors have been appointed to ensure An Garda Siochana "continues its on-going engagement with the Jewish community to provide them with re-assurance and support". Mr O'Callaghan said: "The commissioner has assured me and the Chief Rabbi of his commitment to the safety of the Jewish community. I am attending an Hanukkah event tomorrow (Monday) to sympathise and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Ireland. I want to reassure them of our support in the aftermath of the appalling terrorist attack in Sydney." Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly is scheduled to speak to Chief Rabbi of Ireland Yoni Wieder to express his sympathies to the Irish Jewish community and speak about these measures. It comes as the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is not aware of any citizens who have been impacted directly the gun attack in Sydney. In a statement on Sunday morning, Helen McEntee said: Our consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally. The foreign affairs minister said she was in shock and horror at the antisemitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating the first day of their Hanukkah festival of lights. She added: All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia. New South Wales Police confirmed at least 12 people have been killed in the attack which was targeted at the Jewish community. President Catherine Connolly said she was "deeply shocked and saddened following the appalling and antisemitic attack" at Bondi. "I wish to offer my deepest sympathy to the Jewish community everywhere at this time, mindful of the beginning of this Hannukah period. I offer these condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Australia, especially all who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured," President Connolly said. "I particularly join with all those Irish people living in Sydney who will be appalled by this horrific act of violence. Such violence is to be utterly condemned and has no place for all of us who are committed to peace in our world." In a statement on the social media site X, the Taoiseach said he was shocked and appalled by a gun attack. Micheal Martin said: Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated. Taniste Simon Harris said he was horrified by the incident. In a social media post he said: Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families, with the people of Australia and the Jewish community during this time of profound pain. The spectre of hate and violence must never be tolerated. At least 12 people have been killed and 29 injured in the terrorist attack, which targeted a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach. The Hanukkah event, which took place at a park next to the beach, marked the first day of the Jewish festival of lights. Two men armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area at 6.47pm local time (7.47am Irish time) on Sunday, New South Wales Police confirmed. It was full of grandparents and grandchildren celebrating their religious event together, said witness, Gil, who did not provide his surname, It was a community event. As families look ahead to Christmas reunions, late nights out, and a visit from Santa Claus, this Christmas will be very different for one Waterford priest. Fr Stuart McGovern was ordained for the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore on November 23, just four weeks from one of the busiest times in the liturgical calendar. The 52-year-old will spend Christmas in the parish of Tramore and Carbally not far from Waterford City before moving to his first appointment as a curate in Lismore in the new year. It is very exciting to have my first Christmas as a priest and it is a great time of hope. That has been a big part of it for me hope, Fr McGovern told the Irish Examiner. If I was to say what probably inspired me most in my life was that I have a cousin, Fr Martin McGowan, who is a missionary priest in Zambia and I spent time with him and I saw the work he was doing and the hope he was bringing to people and I experienced the Church at work in a phenomenal way over in Zambia. Fr Stuart McGovern with members of his family including his mum, Yvonne, and three siblings during his ordination late last month. Picture: John Power Prior to his decision to enter the priesthood, Stuart lived in Wicklow and worked in the telecommunications industry with Ericsson as a mechanical engineer, having studied in Trinity College. He spent time in Australia and travelled through Europe and the US, as well as Africa, before running his own home maintenance business for almost 20 years. He describes experiencing a call to religious life which strengthened as the years went by as he sought a peace which he felt was eluding him. He recalls always having a strong faith as a child but he describes the death of his dad, when Stuart was just 15, as a turning point in his life. Newly-ordained priest Fr Stuart McGovern with his mother Yvonne at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford City. Picture: John Power After he died, the following years, I lost a bit of trust I didnt really believe that God had my best interests in mind. But he always had an unsettling feeling and I longed for the peace I had known. I had lost that deeper peace and joy that I had known when I was younger and was practicing my faith. That always bothered me and I was probably in my late 20s when I got to a point where I felt there was something more. He had a long-term girlfriend and was working with Ericsson but felt a deep desire for more than what the world had to offer. He continued: I struggled for a long time with it and there wasnt just a moment where I dropped everything because I resisted. Following Jesus Christ is a more difficult journey. He says his journey has given him meaning and purpose that he didnt feel when I was just living for myself. He added: I spent long enough before wondering but, once I made my mind up, I never really had too many doubts after that. This was where I was meant to be. Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan celebrated the ordination of Fr Stuart McGovern at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford City in November. Picture: John Power He spent two years in St Patricks College in Maynooth where he undertook philosophical studies. He followed up with three years of theological studies in Rome before being ordained a deacon for the Waterford and Lismore diocese in April. He returned from Rome to Ireland in June and has since been ministering in the Ballybricken and St Johns parishes in Waterford. His move to Waterford came about after meeting with the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Alphonsus Cullinan, during a trip to Medjugorje in 2019. He was trying to decide at the time which diocese to apply to and was impressed by events happening in the Waterford and Lismore diocese, leading to him applying to be a priest in the diocese. It seemed to be a good fit and it felt right for me, he recalls. More than 60 clergy joined Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, who celebrated the ordination of Fr Stuart McGovern marking what the diocese called 'a significant moment in the life of the local Church'. Picture: John Power During the weekend of his ordination, more than 20 men from across the country visited St Patricks College for its Come and See discernment weekend, hosted by the Council for Vocations of the Irish Bishops Conference and supported by the Knights of Saint Columbanus. His ordination also took place just days ahead of the launch of a new book edited by Bishop Cullinan, Priesthood in Ireland Today. Bishop Cullinan led Fr Stuarts ordination in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford City. Reflecting on how things have changed even in the short few years since he began his training to be a priest in 2019, he says: The tide is turning a little bit certainly when I was in Maynooth, the numbers were very low but at the moment there are well over 30 there. I think there is definitely a searching for something more going on and people are really starting to realise that depending on the world and everything in the world does not fulfil the deep yearning in us for the spiritual life and it doesnt give too much hope either. People are looking for something more substantial. Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore with Fr Stuart McGovern after his ordination. Picture: John Power Proud family and friends, including his mother and three siblings, were joined by more than 60 clergy marking what the diocese called a significant moment in the life of the local Church. In his sermon, Bishop Cullinan said: This is the day the Lord has made a day of joy for Stuarts family, his parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and also his wider family: The people of this diocese of Waterford and Lismore, whom he will now serve. Stuart is a believer. He trusts God. He is willing to commit his life to Jesus in the priesthood and that takes courage. Following the ceremony, Bishop Cullinan said that an occasion such as Fr Stuarts ordination brings hope to the Catholic Church. He described the ordination as a joyful and hopeful moment for the diocese, of Waterford and Lismore and a strong sign of ongoing vocations within the Church in Ireland today. Gardai are investigating after a car was set on fire outside Limerick's University Maternity Hospital. Firefighters in Limerick responded to the blaze, which occurred on the Ennis Road shortly after 6pm. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, gardai said they were "alerted to an incident of criminal damage of a vehicle outside a premises on Ennis Road". They said the fire brigade put the fire out and that investigations are ongoing. A spokesperson for the Limerick Fire and Rescue Service confirmed to the Irish Examiner that they got called to the scene of the incident at the maternity hospital. It is understood that the fire was started when an incendiary device was used on the vehicle following a row in the car park. A Cork man living close to Bondi Beach has expressed his shock at the mass shooting in an area which is so full of Irish that some call Bondi the "33rd county". Construction worker Jean-Noel Murphy, who is originally from Bishopstown, says he visits the beach every week and he would often be on the balcony of the Pavilion Hotel which overlooks the bridge from which two men launched the attack. At least 16 people have been killed and 40 injured in the terrorist attack, which targeted a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach. They call Bondi the 33rd county because its where all the Irish go, he told the Irish Examiner. This might as well have happened in Kinsale. We often go down there to watch the sun rise. "It was a place where everyone came together from around the world but the shooters have taken all that away. Its really sad." The Hanukkah event, which took place at a park next to the beach, marked the first day of the Jewish festival of lights. Two men armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area at 6.47pm local time (7.47am Irish time) on Sunday, New South Wales Police confirmed. I wasnt there when it happened but its a place I know very well. I worked on a renovation right on Bondi Beach, across the road from the bridge where the shooting happened. The Pavilion Hotel directly overlooks this so if I was on the balcony, I would have been looking directly at the shooters. "Its a big thing to go down to Bondi Beach on a Sunday, have a few beers and watch the sunset. We are all in shock. Ive been getting alerts on social media for the last few hours. Read More Watch: Bystander who tackled armed man at Bondi Beach shooting hailed as hero "It has hit home for all of us because there is such a large community of Jewish people in Bondi. My ex-boss is Jewish so Im worried that his family might have been there. I know there are 12 people dead so far. He described the sense of shock locally: I had lived in Bondi since 2002 and only moved to Little Bay, which is a little further away from Bondi, because it is quieter. Everyone celebrates Christmas Day in Bondi, but its going to be very different now. "People are calling this a massacre here and they have every right to. I have spent many a Christmas Day on Bondi Beach. I literally lived a one-minute walk from it. I have done a lot of building work around there too. I think it will be a while before it really hits people properly. Jean-Noel Murphy (left) from Bishopstown socialising close to Bondi Beach with his colleague Michelle in recent weeks. The shootings come more than a year and a half after the killings in the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. On Saturday, 13 April 2024, 40-year-old Joel Cauchi stabbed and killed six people and injured a further 12. A nine-month-old baby girl was among the fatalities. I went to the candlelit vigil that was held after the Bondi junction knife attack because I wanted to show my respects after what had happened, Jean-Noel told the Irish Examiner. Its really hard to believe that something like this is now happening again. Upon hearing about Sunday's attack, he said the first thing he did was text friends to make sure they were okay. "We have been watching the news all night. This is going to hit home for anyone who is Irish. It has tarnished a place where everyone goes. "You meet Brazilians, French, the English, the Irish, the Germans, people of all nationalities can be found at Bondi Beach. Its a place where everyone comes together. Now, there is a sense of it not being safe anymore. "This was a crime -- a real crime." "It's a very painful and heavy chapter in modern Chinese history." Moscow residents told Xinhua ahead of China's 12th National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre. #GLOBALink If you are one of thousands of workers currently worrying about your job in the age of artificial intelligence, then the utterances of some of its creators will only add to that anxiety. Regarded as the godfather of AI, Geoffrey Hinton firmly believes that job displacement from AI is more probable than job replacement. If I worked in a call centre, I would be terrified," Hinton said. It is already getting hard for university graduates to get jobs and part of that may be that people are using AI for the jobs they would have got. Asked What would you tell your kids to do? Hinton quickly summed up his advice in just five words.... train to be a plumber. So when the man who helped create the very neural networks behind AI recommends his children work as plumbers, is it time to worry? Digitisation One Irish academic who thinks not is Sarah Kieran, associate professor and Director of Executive Education with the University of Limericks Kemmy Business School. She urges caution to those who fear the worst and believes much of what is impacting the workforce is not so much AI but simply a growing digitisation of work practice. This process has in fact been around for years, and is not as new or scary as people might want to think, Prof Kieran said. This isn't even about AI. Really, this is just digitisation of work, which has been around now for almost 10 years. Research I would have done back in 2018 for (the national talent development agency) Skillnet Ireland was looking at digitisation in shared services. Shared services are essentially kind of global call centres that may be servicing customers, or they may be servicing the organisation itself. So that would include things like IT, supply chains, HR, finance, that are servicing either customers or or the actual organisation. I always think that the easiest analogy is banking because we all understand how our behaviour has changed as consumers of banking. That's not AI. That's just basic digitisation. So anything that is routine and that can be standardised, can be digitised. Displacement and replacement She said people need to understand there are two key issues around jobs the displacement of jobs, and the replacement. Displaced means the jobs have gone. There's a lot of very standard, routine work that happens in the likes of banks and shared services type centres, call centres that just don't really exist anymore. Also, look at the way a lot of IT support work has gone. Our laptops are upgrading, our satellite boxes are upgrading, and we barely even know. A lot of the little bugs in technology are being handled for us without us even knowing. So that's been taken away, and as a result, a lot of IT support work and all those routine service transactions are now gone. So there's already been a huge amount of jobs displayed. However, the interesting aspect about all this is not so much the number of jobs that have been displaced, she says, but the jobs that have been replaced. She references the World Economic Forums Future of Jobs Reports as being one of the most accurate predictors around work and related trends globally. Care economy jobs, such as nursing professionals, social work and counselling professionals, and personal care aides are also expected to grow significantly over the next five years. File photo The 2025 edition, a deep dive into the future of work over the next five years, predicts roughly 170 million new jobs will be created by global macro trends this decade while 92 million roles will be displaced by these same trends. The report, based on a survey of more than 1,000 of the largest employers around the world, representing 22 industry clusters and more than 14 million workers, says this means there will actually be a net employment increase of 78 million jobs. The report predicts that frontline job roles will see the largest growth roles that include those carried out by farmworkers, delivery drivers, construction workers, salespersons, and food processing workers. Care economy jobs, such as nursing professionals, social work and counselling professionals, and personal care aides are also expected to grow significantly over the next five years. So too are the roles of second and third-level teachers. Technology-related roles are seen as the fastest-growing jobs in percentage terms, such as expert data analysts, fintech engineers, AI and machine learning specialists, and both software and app developers. The WEF also believes green and energy transition roles, including autonomous and electric vehicle specialists, environmental engineers, and renewable energy engineers also feature within the fastest-growing roles. The biggest cohort of workers who can expect to see the biggest decline include clerical and secretarial workers, cashiers and ticket clerks, and admin assistants. Other roles expected to shrink include postal clerks, bank tellers and data entry clerks. Skill changes On average, workers can expect that two-fifths (39%) of their existing skill sets will be transformed or become outdated over the 2025-2030 period. However, the WEF says, this measure of skill instability has slowed compared to previous editions of the report, from 44% in 2023 and a high point of 57% in 2020 in the wake of the pandemic. This finding could potentially be due to an increasing share of workers (50%) having completed training, reskilling or upskilling measures, compared to 41% in the 2023 edition. Analytical thinking remains the most sought after core skill among employers, with seven out of 10 companies considering it as essential in 2025. This is followed by resilience, flexibility and agility, along with leadership and social influence. AI and big data top the list of fastest-growing skills, followed closely by networks and cybersecurity as well as technology literacy. Complementing these technology-related skills, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, along with curiosity and lifelong learning, are also expected to continue to rise in importance over the 2025-2030 period. While global job numbers are projected to grow by 2030, existing and emerging skills differences between growing and declining roles could exacerbate existing skills gaps. Prof Kieran said: You know that the adage of robots taking our jobs is true, but we are also creating as many, if not more, new jobs. We might be losing basic routine, moderately skilled jobs like call centre agents, IT technicians, finance clerks, accountants, clerks because their work is being digitalised. But we're creating a lot of jobs, like software engineers, biomedical experts, cyber security experts, financial analysts. If anybody is particularly worried about the job situation, all they have to do is look at employment levels in Ireland. People are being employed, and it hasn't been a cliff edge. Its not that organisations are making swathes of people redundant. There are longer term strategies in play. The banking sector has had, for example, voluntary redundancy schemes running for years. So there's natural attrition of people just resigning and retiring, and there are ad hoc, voluntary redundancy schemes, where people are being encouraged to leave early. But at the other end of the spectrum they're not recruiting. They're not bringing in swathes of 18-year-olds anymore to do really basic low skills jobs because they don't really exist anymore. Job losses What might be fueling workers' anxiety is the continuing drip feed of job cuts associated with AI. Tech giant HP, for example, only recently announced plans to shed 10% of its worldwide workforce globally as it embraces AI. While this will lead to up to 6,000 jobs being slashed, other tech firms like Google and Amazon have also announced they are reducing staff numbers. But while headlines will grab the attention of anybody worried about their future, caution is advised. The recent publication of the results of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study into the impact of AI on jobs is a case in point. If you just read the headlines, you would be understandably terrified. The study appeared to predict that just under 12% of the US jobs market will be replaced by AI. The study results came from the so-called Iceberg Index, which is based on analysis of 151 million workers across 923 occupations in 3,000 counties covering more than 32,000 skills. But the study came with some important caveats. MIT researchers actually pointed out some obvious caveats about Project Iceberg. The Index captures technical exposure, where AI can perform occupational tasks, not displacement outcomes or adoption timelines. The Index does not predict job losses, adoption timelines, or net employment effects. Actual workforce impacts depend on firm adoption strategies, worker adaptation, regulatory choices, societal acceptance and broader economic conditions." Ripe for a bust? Barry OSullivan, a professor at University College Corks School of Computer Science, is another sceptic of the doom-mongery around AI and job losses. In fact, he believes AI has been so over-hyped, and so much more money has been invested in it than is showing a return, that the time is ripe for a bust. Companies are laying off thousands of people because AI is replacing them, really? he asks. Don't believe everything you read, or everything companies will tell you. Besides, where's the actual evidence? Also, who are these people? What are they doing? What have they done before? People should look at the detail behind these announcements and the detail just isnt there. You also have to ask who is sending out these messages about massive job cuts because of AI? I believe the people sending out the scary messages that AI is going to be enormously impactful on jobs tend to be companies who have a vested interest in that narrative. Professor Barry OSullivan: 'Don't believe everything you read, or everything companies will tell you.' File photo Its a narrative that generates business. It also generates investment, and generates public sector investment, because, you know, governments don't want bad things to happen, so they'll invest in these companies. He says there is another source for the bad news narrative, and it is the Geoffrey Hintons of this world. There's a group of voices who don't want to be caught on the wrong side of something in the future, if it all goes horribly wrong, he said. Its like a dying atheist who decides it is better to hedge their bets than get it wrong. "Also, you look at the likes of Open AIs Sam Altman, the man behind ChatGPT. He was before the US Congress a few years back, warning of the dire consequences of the existential threats posed by AI, including the massive impact on jobs. Now, if he really believed that, don't you think he'd have gone home and plugged out ChatGPT? As to the future, he said people need to remember back to the 1980s when workers were promised that paperless offices and increased automation would give everyone so much more free time. Geoffrey Hinton: 'If I worked in a call centre, I would be terrified.' They need to remember because there in lies what he believes is a cautionary tale that contrasts with the doom-mongering. Despite the promises, the paperless office, the increased automation in the office never did end up giving us more free time, he said. I think we're actually working harder now than we ever ever did, and that's because there's a fundamental law in work called Parkinson's Law. A reference to naval historian Northcote Parkinson who, in an essay published in The Economist in 1955 said: Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. It has various corollaries, including one that states if you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute to do and another that states that data expands to fill the space available for storage. Professor OSullivan said: Basically work fills the space, the time available to us. So if you save time, work fills the time. So if AI is capable of replacing 50% of the tasks in our jobs, we might actually get the amount of hours we work each day down from 10 to five hours. Wed then get home sooner, and wouldnt that be a good thing? And his prediction of an AI boom turning into a bust has been mirrored by various recent headlines. Just last month, it was reported that more than $1 trillion had been wiped off US tech giants in what the UKs Telegraph called an AI rout". It reported that America's eight largest AI-linked stocks had slumped by $1.2trn as investor concerns are mounting over the sky high valuations of AI-related stock. One leading US business website also reported that a number of top Wall Street CEOs were warning that a market pullback could be on the horizon. Professor OSullivan said: I think there's absolutely a bubble there, because they've over-promised that generative AI is the path to artificial general intelligence, which it is not. I think that they are frantically trying to find a way of recouping the absolutely enormous amounts of money that have gone into it. "There's investments in the trillions but returns in the millions and theres just simply no way of earning back the investment. These companies are overvalued and people are in deep. Whether or not the bust comes soon or not is anybody's guess, but predictions made by the likes of Geoffrey Hinton and Elon Musk have not come true. Hinton predicted nine years ago AI would render radiologists obsolete. The Nobel Prize winner famously said people should stop training radiologists now because it was obvious AI would outperform human radiologists within five years. That, however, hasnt happened and neither has the self-driving car revolution promised by Musk. Prof OSullivan points out that there are now more radiologists employed in the Irish health service than ever before. Elon Musk's self-driving car revolution has not come to pass. File photo: AP/Jeffrey Phelps When he presents his vision for AI in the job market, for example, he draws on the two men for a jokey reference to fantastic AI predictions. He uses predictions about self-driving cars and radiologists and jokes about how there are more likely to be radiologists stuck in traffic jams driving themselves to work around Cork City than not. As far as what any worker needs to do, however, he has some basic advice. "Its very simple. I think anybody who's working in an environment where AI is relevant needs to do some training. "Just attend training courses and educate yourself. I think people always educate themselves about what's new, regardless of what the doommongers have to say. He also points out that the EU AI Act, which came into force in February, states that any organisation deploying or developing AI has to provide training to their employees. But, for the fearful, and the curious, Prof Kieran suggests a handy website people can search. Its called willrobotstakemyjob.com. A gunman dressed in black killed at least two people and wounded nine others at Brown University on Saturday during final exams on the Ivy League campus and police were searching for the suspect, officers said. University president Christina Paxson said she was told that 10 people who were shot were students. Another person was injured by fragments from the shooting, but it was not clear if that victim was a student, she said. Officers scattered across the campus and into an affluent neighbourhood filled with historic and stately brick homes, searching academic buildings, backyards and porches late into the night after the shooting erupted in the afternoon. The suspect was a man in dark clothing who was last seen leaving the engineering building where the attack happened, said Timothy OHara, deputy chief of Providence police. Emergency personnel responded to the incident (Mark Stockwell/AP) Security footage showed the suspect walking away from the building, but his face was not visible. Some witnesses reported that the man, who could be in his 30s, may have been wearing a camouflage mask, Mr OHara said. Investigators were not yet sure how the gunman got inside the first-floor classroom where he opened fire. Outer doors of the building were unlocked, but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Providences mayor said. Authorities believe the suspect used a handgun, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorised to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. The unthinkable has happened, said Democratic Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, who vowed that all resources were being deployed to catch the suspect. Mayor Brett Smiley said a shelter-in-place order remained in effect and encouraged people living near the campus to stay inside or not return home until it is lifted. Streets that normally bustle with activity on weekends were eerily quiet. The Brown communitys heart is breaking, and Providences heart is breaking along with it, Mr Smiley said. Nine people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was in critical condition, said Kelly Brennan, a spokesperson for the hospital. Six required intensive care but were not getting worse, and two were stable, she said. University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, but later said 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 centre. The suspect was a man in dark clothing who was last seen leaving the engineering building where the attack happened (Mark Stockwell/AP) The shooting occurred in the Barus and Holley building, a seven-storey complex that houses the School of Engineering and the 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. 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, 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. Everyone is the same as me, shocked and terrified that something like this happened, she said. Brown, the seventh-oldest higher education institution in the US, is one of the nations most prestigious colleges, with roughly 7,300 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students. President Donald Trump told reporters that he had been briefed and all we can do right now is pray for the victims. Rhode Island has some of the strictest gun laws in the US. 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. At least 12 people have been killed and 29 injured in a terrorist attack targeting a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australian police have said. Two individuals armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach at 6.47pm local time (7.47am Irish time) on Sunday, New South Wales (NSW) police said. The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, the force confirmed. NSW police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, said on Sunday that police were investigating a possible third gunman. He said police believed they had located several improvised explosive devices in a vehicle near the shooting shortly after the incident. I have also authorised special powers to ensure that if there is a third offender, and we are currently investigating that at the moment, we will make sure that we prevent any further activity. A small Christmas tree is at the center of an abandoned holiday picnic at Bondi Beach. Picture: AP Photo/Mark Baker The co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said: I think this was very deliberate and very targeted. Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee said that at this stage, the Government is not aware of any Irish citizens who have been impacted directly "by these awful events". Ms McEntee said in a statement: "I want to express my shock and horror at the antisemitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating first day of Hanukkah which took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney over recent hours. All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia." She said the Irish consulate in Sydney "is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally". Gardai in Ireland are also increasing patrols at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community following the attack. Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a reported shooting at Bondi Beach, in Sydney. Picture: AP/Mark Baker NSW premier Chris Minns told reporters that at about 6.47pm local time (7.47am Irish time) individuals began firing on a crowded group of families on Bondi Beach at Archer Park. This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney, Mr Minns said. Our heart bleeds for Australias Jewish community tonight. I can only imagine the pain that theyre feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday. Mr Lanyon confirmed the dead included a man believed to be one of at least two gunmen, with the second alleged shooter in a critical condition. Two police officers were among 29 people transported to various hospitals, including at least one child. Police said they had located a number of suspicious items in the vicinity, which were being examined by specialist officers. An exclusion zone is in place, they said. Police said there were no reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to the Bondi shooting. More than 40 ambulance resources were scrambled to the incident, including helicopter and road units and specialist and intensive care paramedics. The beach was packed with tourists and locals enjoying what had been a 32C day when the shots began. Olivia Matis told The Guardian she had been out for a run on the promenade when she heard what she thought were fireworks. Then I could see people crouching down and then people said: Run. There were just shots, shots, shots I ran and just sprinted. Ms Matiis said she heard about 50 shots. People and emergency workers on Bondi Beach in Sydney. Picture: AP/Mark Baker In a statement shared to X at about 7pm local time (8am Irish time) on Sunday, police advised there was a developing incident at Bondi and they urged the public to avoid the area. Anyone at the scene should take shelter, NSW police said. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand. In a statement shared about 40 minutes later, police said two people were in custody. However, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area, police said. Please obey ALL police directions. Do not cross police lines. At 8.30pm local time (9.30am Irish time), a NSW police spokesperson said there are no more active shooters. Footage of the incident was shared online following the shooting. Video seen by Guardian Australia showed two men in black clothes crossing a bridge at Bondi beach and firing. Twelve shots could be heard. People could be heard screaming and one man shouted fuck. Other footage appeared to show a man tackling an alleged gunman to the ground and disarming him. On Sunday evening, police appealed for anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage to share it with them. In a statement, prime minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. The national security committee of federal cabinet met on Sunday evening. Mr Albanese said he had spoken with the Australian Federal Police commissioner Krissy Barrett and NSW premier Chris Minns. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected, he said. In a statement, Mr Minns said the reports and images coming out of Bondi tonight are deeply distressing. Police and emergency services are responding and the public should follow official advice, the premier said in a statement. We will update the public as soon as more information becomes available. Sunday was the first day of the Jewish festival Hanukkah. Join Chabad of Bondi for our Annual Chanukah Festival as We Celebrate Jewish Life by lighting up the Iconic Bondi Beach, an advertisement for the event stated, with a start time of 5pm. Speaking to 2GB, the co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said the shooting happened during the event. Mr Ryvchin, who was not there, said he had spoken to the ECAJs director of media, who he said had been shot during the incident. Hundreds of people were gathered. Its a family event, Mr Ryvchin said on Sunday evening. They heard like dozens of popping sounds. And people just started running, running over barricades, grabbing their children. It was mayhem. I dont think this was an attack that just happened to occur at Bondi beach. I think this was very deliberate and very targeted. The Guardian Read More 41759759; 41759900 [#embed9] US envoys have arrived in Berlin for another round of talks intended to secure a deal to end the war in Ukraine. American president Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner were spotted in central Berlin by a photographer for German news agency dpa. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian, US and European officials would hold a series of meetings in Berlin in the coming days. US president Donald Trump has been pressing for months for a swift end to Russias war and grown increasingly exasperated by delays (Alex Brandon/AP) 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. Washington has 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. The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces, and security guarantees for Ukraine. The chance is considerable at this moment, and it matters for our every city, for our every Ukrainian community, Mr Zelensky said. US special envoy Steve Witkoff, right, and Jared Kushner, second left, were spotted in central Berlin (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) 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. Russian president Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the part of the Donetsk region still under its control and abandon its bid to join Nato among the key conditions for peace demands Kyiv has rejected. Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told the business daily Kommersant that Russian police and national guard troops would stay in parts of eastern Ukraines Donbas even if they become a demilitarised zone under a prospective peace plan a demand likely to be rejected by Ukraine as US-led negotiations drag on. 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. We will strongly insist on our considerations. Russian president Vladimir Putin has denied plans to restore the Soviet Union or attack any European allies (Alexei Nikolsky/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) German chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has spearheaded European efforts to support Ukraine alongside French president Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, said on Saturday that the decades of the Pax Americana are largely over for us in Europe and for us in Germany as well. He warned that Mr Putins aim was a fundamental change to the borders in Europe, the restoration of the old Soviet Union within its borders. If Ukraine falls, he wont stop, Mr Merz warned on Saturday during a party conference in Munich. Mr Putin has denied plans to restore the Soviet Union or attack any European allies. As peace efforts continued, Russia and Ukraine exchanged another round of aerial attacks. Ukraines air force said overnight that Russia launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones at Ukraine. In its daily report, the air force said 110 had been intercepted or downed but missile and drone hits were recorded at six locations. Since yesterday, all our services have been working to restore electricity, heating, and water supply to the regions following Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. The situation remains difficult hundreds of thousands of families are still without electricity in Mykolaiv, pic.twitter.com/vZotX4Zxal Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2025 Mr Zelensky said on Sunday that hundreds of thousands of families were still without power in the south, east and north-east regions and that work was continuing to restore electricity, heat and water to multiple regions following a large-scale attack the previous night. The Ukrainian president said that in the past week, Russia had launched more than 1,500 strike drones, nearly 900 guided aerial bombs and 46 missiles of various types at Ukraine. Ukraine needs peace on decent terms, and we are ready to work as constructively as possible. These days will be filled with diplomacy. Its very important that it brings results, Mr Zelensky said. Russias defence ministry said that air defences had downed 235 Ukrainian drones late on Saturday and early on Sunday. The terrorist gunmen who killed 16 people including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi in the Bondi Beach attack were father and son, police have confirmed. The gunmen, armed with what police have described as long guns, opened fire on the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said. The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, also known as Chanukah, the force confirmed. A total of 42 people were taken to hospital where the 10-year-old girl was among those who died, according to New South Wales Police. A spokesman for the force said one of the gunmen, a 50-year-old man, was shot by police and died at the scene, while the second attacker, a 24-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard. Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which were found at Bondi Beach were removed and made safe, New South Wales Police commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference in Sydney. They were found to be active devices so they were were taken back and rendered safe, he said. He said the IEDs were fairly basic in terms of construction and added: Im very glad that those devices were not activated. He said officers were not looking for anyone else in relation to the Bondi Beach attack. I can say that we are not looking for a further offender, he said. We are satisfied that there were two offenders involved in yesterdays incident. One is deceased, the second is in a critical but stable condition in hospital at the moment. Mr Lanyon added: The 50-year old male is a licensed firearms holder. He has six firearms licensed to him. We are satisfied that we have six firearms from the scene yesterday. After a search warrant was carried out in Campsie, a suburb in New South Wales, he said ballistic and forensic investigations had determined that the six firearms were the ones licensed to the man and had been used in the attack at Bondi Beach. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said Sunday had been a dark day in our nations history. He told reporters: What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location. He said Bondi Beach is associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations, and it is forever tarnished by what has occurred last evening. Mr Albanese continued: The Jewish community are hurting today. Today, all Australians wrap our arms around them and say, we stand with you. We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism. It is a scourge, and we will eradicate it together. Yesterday was indeed a dark day in our nations history, but we as a nation are stronger than the cowards who did this. The Australian prime minister said flags will fly at half-mast, and thanked world leaders who had sent their condolences. Man who tackled gunman hailed as hero Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, has been hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling the weapon away from him. Video shared on social media shows the gunman then backing away. His family have said that the 43-year-old fruit shop owner remains in hospital for bullet wounds to his arm and hand and called him a 100% hero, while New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised him as a genuine hero. Mr Minns told a press conference: This attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack. Mr Minns confirmed one of the alleged gunmen has been killed while the other is in police custody. Our heart bleeds for Australias Jewish community tonight, he added. Mr Lanyon told reporters: We will continue to investigate this matter thoroughly. Its important for the community to have the reassurance that New South Wales Police, working with our Commonwealth partners, will not stop until we understand the reasons behind this senseless incident, and take any available action that we need to do. He continued: Sixteen deceased persons is obviously a great tragedy for this state. Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to all of the families of the deceased. We pray that those who are injured recover quickly. He added: I have two police officers currently in hospital. At the moment, both are in a critical but stable condition, and again, the thoughts of the New South Wales Police are very much with those officers and their families. Witness Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, told the Associated Press: You heard a few pops, and I freaked out and ran away. I started sprinting. I just had that intuition. I sprinted as quickly as I could. Everyone just dropped all their possessions and everything and were running and people were crying and it was just horrible. Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, said the Bondi Beach attack was an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, he said. An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life. Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of light usually observed in December. I gave an online talk to the `Inekas [Reflection] Study Group of scholars in Iran on a chapter of my book, Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires.. They have kindly put it up at YouTube, so I am mirroring it here. YouTube provides a computer-generated transcript. I asked Open AIs ChatGPT to clean it up as a transcript. I think it is pretty accurate, but Caveat Emptor. `Inekas: Juan Cole | Conflict in Mecca: Muhammad and Soft Power Please enable JavaScript play-sharp-fill Embed Copy and paste this HTML code into your webpage to embed. Juan Cole | Conflict in Mecca: Muhammad and Soft Power Thank you so much for that very kind introduction. I want to talk today about this period, which traditionally in Islamic sources is given as 628 through 630 a couple of years towards the end of the Prophet Muhammads life, when, after a period of hostilities and battles, peace broke out. What might have been the context for this? The Quran as a Primary Source Id like to propose that we use the Quran itself as our primary source. You know, historians weigh sources. Theyre interested in documents that survive from the past. But we want to know: how close are they to the events they describe? A memoir written 30 years after the event is not as valuable as a quick account written right after the event happened by an eyewitness. And then things written by grandchildren, who remember the stories their grandparents told, are not as valuable as the eyewitness accounts. A lot of contemporary academic scholars of early Islam feel as though the practice has been to privilege secondary sources, the sources from the Abbasid period. Some of them may be late Umayyad, but there was a proliferation of writing about early Islam after the Abbasids came to power. These accounts are 130, 150, 200 years after the fact. And I believe that they often have been influenced by later events, because memory changes over time. There was a long period of time when entire books were not written about this subject. People depended on oral transmission or some kept notes. But, of course, notes are scattered and need to be put into final form. So, the first biography we have of the Prophet Muhammad of any length is that of Ibn Ishaq, which is preserved in later renditions of Tabari and Ibn Hisham. There are some other biographies of the Prophet, which are relatively early, and one recently has been found in Damascus - a manuscript of al-Sira [the biography of the Prophet], which may predate Ibn Hisham. But they are all post-750 of the Common Era. These are at least 150 years later than the Hijra. I believe that the earliest source we have for the life of the Prophet is the Quran itself. And I believe the Quran is early. There have been scholars, and there still are some, who have attempted to argue that the Quran, like the Gospels, developed over time and is relatively late. But I think the predominance of evidence points to it being a contemporary source with the Prophet, for the most part at least. Things look very different if you privilege the Quran because many of the stories told in the Abbasid period are not in the Quran, and many of the attitudes displayed in the Abbasid texts are not in the Quran. Or by check: Juan Cole P. O. Box 4218, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548 USA (Remember, make the checks out to Juan Cole or they cant be cashed) Qurans Stance on Warfare & Pagans For instance, I believe that the Quran disallows offensive warfare - that only defensive warfare is permitted in the Quran. This is not what the Abbasids thought. In fact, theyand later Muslim thinkersoften thought there was an obligation to attempt to expand the sphere of the Muslim Empire. I dont believe thats a Quranic attitude. Moreover, the Abbasids and later sources often depict the relationship of the Prophet Muhammad with the pagan community, who still worshipped the old North Arabian gods, according to the Quran, as consistently hostile and as imposing thought and religion on them. I dont find that attitude in the Quran either. To give an example, we have Surah 4, verse 94, which is a late Surah from the period Im talking about, which says: Do not say to one who offers you peace, You are not a believer.' That is to say, the Quran is saying that if a Muslim party, out on their horses or camels, a war party comes upon a pagan group and the pagan group says, Assalamu alaykum [Peace be upon You] -- and the Muslims reject this greeting and say, Youre not believers; why should we accept your salam [wish of peace]?the Quran says, no, you cant do that. They have a right to a presumption of innocence. They may not be allied to your enemies. If they greet you with peace, you have to greet them with peace, and you cant just loot them. So, the Quran maintains that peace is possible with pagans who arent hostile, who arent at war with the Muslim community. I find it amusing that at some points in the Quran, theres an attitude of understanding or sympathy for the plight of the pagans, who are set in their ways, which the Quran believes are wrong. But it says at one point, Dont curse the gods of the pagans because theyll curse Allah in turn - just as a tit-for-tat. And it says, Every people thinks their own gods are beautiful. So the Quran has this kind of humanistic gaze at some points and holds out hopes for peace with pagans. By this time - 627, 628 - the Muslims and the pagans, according to the Quran, have fought three major battles and some minor ones. The later Abbasid stories say that there were over 40 raids, but thats not apparent in the Quran. And incidentally, I didnt get to hear the presentation on the caravan raids, but I dont believe that any caravan raids are referred to in the Quran. I dont see that. Geopolitical Context: Rome vs. Persia But in any case, I think one of the geopolitical contexts for this period was the amazing defeat by the Roman Emperor Heraclius of the Sasanian Empire. Emperor Khosrow II had invaded the Roman Near East in 603. It wasnt the first time, but remarkably, this time in the 610s, they made it stick. They were able to take substantial amounts of territory in Anatolia and then to go south into Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. In 614, Jerusalem fell to the Sasanian Zoroastrians, which was a traumatic event for the Christian world. I, and some other historians, including Glen Bowersock, the great classicist, believe that there is evidence in the Quran that the Prophet Muhammad and the early community of believers tilted in their sympathies toward Constantinople, towards the Romans. Of course, famously in Surah al-Rum ([Chapter of Rome] the 30th chapter of the Quran), the first few verses predictand Ill come to thisthat although, at the time of writing, the Romans had been defeated, this is likely a reference to events in Syria and Jordanthe Romans would come back after a few years, and remarkably, I read the Quran to say that the victory of the Romans would be considered the victory of God, and the believers would rejoice at it. This is very strong evidence of a pro-Roman attitude in the Quran. I think its possible that the Quran sees Khosrow II as an aggressor. Hes the one who broke the previous peace treaties by invading Roman territory and usurping it. Theres also some evidence from an early work of tafsir (exegesis), one of the earliest that exists, by Makhlid bin Salim of Bal, who says that, according to traditions that reached him allegedly from Urwah bin Zubayr, the pagans of Mecca were at that point allied with the Persians. And because the believers around Muhammad sympathized more with the Romans, that was one of the roots of the conflict between the two. This seems eminently plausible and helps to explain some things. The Defeat of the Sasanian Empire In 628, as I said, Heraclius brought his armies down, and in late 627, he had defeated the Sasanians at Nineveh, in what is now Iraq. Then, the way was open for him to take his army all the way down to Ctesiphon, the capital. Khosrow II was on the western side of the Tigris at one of his favorite palaces, the Dastgerd, and when he heard that the Romans were coming, he fled that palace across the Tigris to Ctesiphon, his fortified capital. He had imprisoned his son, Shiroyeh, who was the crown prince. But some courtiers freed him, and they made a coup against Khosrow II. Once Shiroyeh was on the throne, he took the name Kavad II. He had his father executed on February 28, 628. I think, by this time, the Sasanian elite was really tired of war. Since 603, they had been at war for a quarter of a century. Although they had largely won, it was deadly in terms of loss of life and the amount of treasury spent on these wars of conquest. I suspect that some of the functions of government back in Iran were neglected - maybe the government wasnt keeping up the qanats [irrigation canals] the way it used to. There was also dissatisfaction, compounded by the fact that, during the time of Justinian, a century before, there had been an outbreak of bubonic plague, which devastated the Roman Empire. The plague didnt go away; there were continued waves of it for decades, into the 600s. My suspicion is that, by going there, the Iranian army contracted a lot of the plague and ultimately brought it back to Iran. That, too, may have been a source of discontent. Quranic Reflection on Roman Defeat This is the verse from Surah Ar-Rum (30:30): Rome lies vanquished in the nearest province, but in the wake of their defeat, they will triumph after a few years. Before and after, it is God who was in command. On that day, the believers will rejoice in the victory of God. Typically, Muslim commentators on the Quran havent read this as I am, as a political statement of support for the Roman Empire. But I believe theres reason to think that thats exactly what it was. If, as Ibn Sulayman suggests, the pagans of Mecca were allied with the Sasanians, then this defeat of Khosrow II was significant for Arabia. The Sasanians had Yemen and their allies in Mecca and Taif, who were tied to trade with Yemen. When Shiroyeh came to power as Kavad II, he pledged to withdraw from the Roman Near East - Syria, Palestine, and so forth - which I dont believe happened immediately, but the pledge was made. So, the likelihood that Kavad II was going to give any help to the Meccan pagans was low. He was getting out of the Middle East. Impact of Defeat on Mecca I think that this change made the Meccan pagans more willing to make peace with the Muslims in Medina. Up until that point, they were confident in having an external backer, convinced they would win. But now their ally had thrown in the towel. I think they were more open to compromise than they had been before. Again, the Quran in Surah Al-Fath [Chapter of Success] (48:10) had indicated that peace was possible with the enemy: If they incline to peace, then you should incline to it, and put your trust in God. The wars had continued not because the Muslims were bloodthirsty or aggressive but because the pagans had continued to attack Medina. The Quran is saying that if the pagans stand down, then so will the believers around Muhammad. And I think thats maybe what happened. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah Now, the sira [biography of the Prophet] tells a story thats not in the Quran. In March of 628, two months after the fall of Khosrow II, the Muslims from Medina peacefully set out for a pilgrimage to the Kabah in Mecca. The sira makes it very clear that they didnt go as a war party; they went as pilgrims. In ancient Arabian custom, pilgrims were under the sign of peacethey werent part of any military conflict. If it happened as the sira says, this is a remarkable event because the pagans had made it very clear that the followers of Muhammad were banned from Mecca and were not allowed to worship at the Kabah. This stance of the pagans contradicted Hijazi custom. As far as we can tell, the custom in the Hijaz was that a sanctuary like the Kabah, a shrine, should be a place of peace, where feuding was forbidden. It was also a hima, a nature preserve where you couldnt cut down trees or hunt animals. It was a place of peace, and everyone should have equal access to it. They had to put aside their feuds when they went to such a sanctuary. Weve found inscriptions, such as Nabataean inscriptions, which describe other such sanctuaries of peace in southern Jordan. My reading of the Quran is that the pagans, in banning the followers of Muhammad from coming to the Ka`bah for pilgrimage, were contravening the rules that governed religious life in the Hijaz. The Quran really minded that. The Peace Process at Hudaybiyyah So, the Muslim army came out and stopped the followers of Muhammad from entering Mecca in 628. The Prophet Muhammad then diverted to Hudaybiyyah. The sira says that his camel stopped there, and Muhammad took it as a sign. Rather than fightof course, they werent prepared to fight, they were in pilgrimage clothes and unarmedthe Prophet sought peace and began negotiations with the pagans. This time, the pagans were willing to negotiate. They said, Well, you cant just show up unannounced. Were not going to let you into Mecca this year, but you can come next year. They then concluded a peace treaty. Never miss an issue of Informed Comment: Click here to subscribe to our email newsletter! Social media will pretend to let you subscribe but then use algorithms to suppress the postings and show you their ads instead. And please, if you see an essay you like, paste it into an email and share with friends. Interestingly, the provisions of the peace treaty sound a lot like the provisions of the peace treaty reached between the Sasanians and the Romans in the middle of the 6th century. This may have been modeled on that Roman-Sasanian peace treaty. And if its true that the followers of Muhammad and the pagans were tilting towards Rome and Ctesiphon, then that would make sense. The Negotiations and the Terms of Peace Famously, in that negotiation, the Prophet began by saying In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. The pagan interlocutor refused to have that language in the treaty, so it simply said In the name of God. Then, Muhammad described himself as Allahs Messenger, but the pagans wouldnt accept that, so it simply said Muhammad, the servant of Allah. The sira tells us that some of the followers of Muhammadlike Abu Bakr and Umarwere upset that the pagans were dictating this neutral, even secular language in the treaty. But it seems clear, as the story is told, that the Prophet valued the possibility of peace more than standing on these principles. Interestingly, Saudi archaeologists exploring the rock carvings around Mecca and Medina have discovered a number of inscriptions that begin In the name of God, without the Merciful, the Compassionate. Its not entirely clear whether these are post-Muhammad, but they may date to the late 500s. That could have been the custom in the region, as Allah was considered the patron god, and perhaps invoked for treaties and other agreements. The Treaty and Its Provisions According to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, there would be no fighting for 10 years. People were free to ally with Muhammad or with the Quraysh as they pleased. The sira says there had already been some converts to Islam in Meccacovert Muslims who were under pagan rule. Some of the tribes that hadnt yet converted were starting to give Muhammad their allegiance secretly. This point becomes important later on when we read the Quran about it. The treaty also specified that the youth would need their familys permission to join Muhammad in Medina and leave Mecca. If they came to Medina and their family objected, they would be sent back to Mecca. However, if someone left Islam, they were considered apostates and could remain in Medina. The Muslims also agreed to delay their entry into Mecca for one year. At Hudaybiyyah, they sacrificed their camels. Some of Muhammads followers, according to the sira, were uncomfortable with doing this, because sacrifices were typically made in Mecca, not at Hudaybiyyah. But since the Prophet did it, they were shamed into doing it as well. The Following Year: Pilgrimage to Mecca The treaty also stipulated that, when they came back the following year, the Muslims would be allowed to circumambulate the Kabah, but they would need to do so as part of a pilgrimage and under the conditions agreed upon. The Peaceful Conversion of Yemen Tabari has an intriguing story, though I cant find direct evidence for it in early sources like the Quran. Tabari preserves a lot of Sasanian material, and as an Iranian historian himself, we must consider it. He says that the Sasanians sent a navy to conquer Yemen in the early 570s. The Iranian admirals and generals who came with the expedition became an oligarchy, the huthah, that ruled Yemen during the lifetime of the Prophet. According to Tabari, the Prophet reached out to the general in charge of Yemen, a Sasanian officer named Ban ibn Sassan. The Prophet explained the principles of Islam, and the Iranian officer corps in Yemen accepted the new religion. They converted to Islam, and the Prophet appointed them as his representatives in Yemen. There was never a battle for Yemen. It was through the peaceful conversion of the ruling class that Yemen began to adopt Islam. The only kind of evidence that I see in the Quran for this sort of event is in al-Hajj 22:17, the chapter of Pilgrimage, which is the only place in the Quran that overtly mentions the religion of Sasanian Iran, which was Zoroastrianism. And it says: The believers, the Jews, the Sabians, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, and the pagansGod will decide among them on the Resurrection Day. God sees all things. And Im not alone in making the observation that the majus, the Zoroastrians, are here being distinguished from al-ladhina ashraku (the pagans). So it seems like theyre being accepted as one of those monotheistic religions like Christianity and Judaism, and were not categorized as pagans. And that may be a sign that there was in the time of the Prophet a proto-Islamization of Zoroastrians, an attempt to bring them into the new religion. And you know, it makes sense to me. Its just a little speculative, but Zoroastrians had many of the same beliefs as Islam. They believed in an afterlife. In fact, I think some of the descriptions of the heaven in the Quran are drawing on Iranian traditions, because it mentions silk and brocade and those things came from Iran. And then it talks about burzakh [barrier] -thats a Persian word. And so theres something specially Iranian about the Quranic heaven. And then we know that Zoroastrians often had millenarian tendencies, and they were expecting this Saoshyant, the kind of Zoroastrian messiah, to come at the end of time. Maybe they thought that Muhammad was it. So this event that al-Tabari tells us about - and we cant be sure it happened or happened in this way - but if its true, it shows a side of early Islam thats usually not appreciated, which is how often peaceful acquiescence to the new religion and to the Prophets leadership occurred. The Treaty Violation and the Move Toward Mecca So that Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, according to the later sources, was violated by allies of the Quraysh in late 629, who attacked a tribe that was in Mecca but was allied with Muhammad. And it is said by the Sira that the Prophet considered this a breach of the treaty. And so in January of 630 he went with his followers to Mecca. Qurans Narrative of Meccas Entry I think that this story of the Prophet and his followers going to Mecca in January of 630 is told as a narrative in the Quran itself. People often say there isnt much history in the Quran, but I think actually theres quite a lot if you read it as history. And I think that Surat al-Fath, the chapter of Success, is narrative history. Its telling the story of how the Prophet and the followers went to Mecca. And its not the way that the Muslim commentators in the Abbasid period and after have read it. There has been a tendency to read this surah as about the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. That makes no sense to me, because it talks about being inside Mecca, and at least as the Sira [biographical literature] tells the story of Hudaybiyyah, they didnt get to Mecca. So I think this is about the later event of the entry of the Muslims into Mecca. And if you read it this way, it casts a very different light on this event. Quranic Description of the Peaceful Entry The surah begins with a kind of vision the Prophet had of being in Mecca and doing the rituals of pilgrimage, having his hair cut and so forth. And then it goes into an excursus, which is a complaint about the Muslims allies. The Quran says, those who stayed behind will assert, When you plan to take booty, then let us follow you. So I read this as a suggestion that the Prophet had announced to his followers: were going to go to Mecca, but we wont go as an armed group; we wont go to conquer Mecca; were going there peacefully. And the Bedouin allies of the Prophet, who were willing to fight the pagans of Mecca for him, were in it for the loot. They were in it for the booty. And so they tell him, No - well, if youre going to Mecca and youre not going to take any booty, then why would we go with you? Were not coming. And so the Quran scolds them about this. Then, a bit later in verses 2224, I think the Quran makes it clear that this entry into Mecca was peaceful: If the pagans had fought you, they would have turned and fled; nor would they have found any protector or helper. This is the tradition of God as ever before, and you will find no change in the tradition of God. He it is who withheld their hands from you and your hands from them in the heart of Mecca after He made you ascendant over them. Well, what is it saying? It is saying, first of all, that God had a custom which prevailed in Meccathere was no fighting in Mecca, no fighting around the Kabaand that God arranged for this custom to be implemented again. Its not a changeable custom. Mecca is a sanctuary; you dont fight there. And so God arranged for the pagans not to oppose the entry of the Muslims into Mecca, and moreover arranged for the Muslims not to fight the pagans. Why the Later Accounts Conflict Now, this is not exactly what the Sira and the later biographies of the Prophet assert. There are sayings, and some scholars like Gregor Schoeler have tried to show that they are very early, from Urwa b. al-Zubayr, that he is alleged often to have gotten from Aisha. They say that his father - al-Zubayr - is buried in the Kaba, that he carried a battle standard into Mecca, and that there was a skirmish at some point. But thats not what the Quran says. The Quran is speaking about the same events; it says there was no skirmish, that nobody took up arms, and that this was arranged by God. So why would Urwas account differ from that of the Quran? Well, the Zubayrids had political aspirations. Al-Zubayr rebelled against the early Islamic state and was put down by Ali, and then Urwas brother later led a revolt against the Umayyads and was put down. So the Zubayr family remembered al-Zubayr as the conqueror of Mecca. The family had a right to the Kaba maybe, because their ancestor was the one who brought the battle standard in and subdued the pagans. And so I think the later history of the Zubayrids colored this account of the initial return of the Muslims to Mecca. But it colored it in an inaccurate way. They remembered things differently than they actually occurred. Because I think the Quran is the primary source, and it says there was no fighting. And I think it strongly implies that the Prophet had announced before they left Medina that there would be no fighting, no looting; that a peaceful entry into Mecca was planned. So this tendency of the later tradition to read militancy into early Islam is consistent, and we have to revise our idea of the religion in the time of the Prophet in light of what the Quran says, which is often very different from what the later tradition says. And by the way, those Saudi archaeologists are finding a lot of Zubayrid inscriptions in the region, including ones that have Urwa in the genealogy. So the historicity of that familys participation is not in doubt, but we dont have to take their account of their ancestors role verbatim. The Culmination of Sacred History Finally, Ill just come to the last part of my talk. At the end of Surat al-Fath, after the Qurans description of what I believe to be the entry of the Prophet and his followers into Meccafinally, after having been exiled to Medina in 622 - theres a very interesting passage in the 29th verse. It says that the believers in the Prophets mission prostrate themselves to God as in the Torah, in the Hebrew Bible. And theres a passage in Nehemiah 8:6 that says they bowed their heads and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So theres a commonality between the humility and worshipfulness of Muhammads followers and the ancient children of Israel. Then it says they are like the people in the Gospel, in being fruitful seeds. The parable for them in the Gospel is as a seed that puts forth its shoot. In Mark 4:58 it says that Jesus gave the parable and says, other seed fell onto good soil and brought forth grain. Well, that seems to me clearly that the Quran is referring to this passage in Mark. And what is it saying? It is saying that the believers, after they have entered Mecca peacefully and reestablished their worship of the one God at the Kaba, have come to exemplify the religious, moral, and ethical virtues of the previous religious dispensations. Like the Hebrews, they pray with their faces to the ground. Like the early Christians, they are the good seed that falls on fertile soil and gives forth fruitfulness. I think Surat al-Fath is saying that at that point, the believers, having come into Mecca, are exemplifying the fruition of sacred history. Not only is the chapter about this incident, but it is also a commentary on its significance. Conclusion So thats my summary of some of the main points in my chapter. And again, Im doing a number of things here as a historian. Im insisting on the primacy of the Quran as our primary source, but Im contextualizing it in what we know from contemporary Greek and to some extent Sasanian sources about these events, and trying to set the Hijaz in this geopolitical context. And I am not ruling out some of the material that appears in the later sources. Im saying that we have to read that material with suspicion, with a hermeneutics of suspicion, and we have to carefully compare it to whats in the Quran. Where theres a contradiction, we have to prefer the Quran. And so I am ruling out that al-Zubayr b. al-`Awwam marched into Mecca with a battle standard, or that there was a skirmish between the pagans and the Muslims when they went inthat seems to me just not what the Quran says. And to the extent that Im willing to consider stories like that one al-Tabari tells about the Sasanians in Yemen, that doesnt mean that I accept everything al-Tabari says. I reject a lot of things al-Tabari says because they dont make any sense in the light of the primary sources, whether they be Roman or the Quran itself. But where its plausible, where there doesnt seem to be a contradiction, then I think we can consider some of this material. I think we have to have a moderate position on this matter. BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Sunday made public a circular urging stronger coordination between the commerce and financial sectors to step up support for consumption, a key driver of the country's economic growth. The document, jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce, the People's Bank of China, and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, outlines measures to guide financial institutions in focusing their support on key consumption areas and facilitating the expansion of domestic demand. The circular calls for establishing sound coordination mechanisms between local commerce and financial authorities. It encourages local governments to utilize various policy tools, such as financing guarantees and loan interest subsidies, to guide credit funds toward critical consumption sectors. Notably, the document highlights the use of digital RMB in enhancing the efficiency of consumption-promotion policies. To upgrade goods consumption, financial institutions are urged to optimize services for big-ticket durable goods and electronics. The authorities emphasized support for trade-in programs, suggesting reasonable determination of loan rates and terms based on borrowers' creditworthiness. In the services sector, the policy stresses innovation in financial products for industries such as elderly care, catering, tourism, and education. It encourages the cultivation of new consumption models, including the "debut economy," green consumption, and digital scenarios, while promoting the application of artificial intelligence in driving consumption. The circular pledges more financial support for the "Shopping in China" campaign and the development of international consumption center cities. It also highlights measures to promote inbound consumption, vowing to continuously improve payment convenience for visitors from overseas. Furthermore, the circular aims to promote joint promotional activities involving government bodies, financial institutions, and merchants to create a synergy in boosting consumption. It also calls for improved information sharing regarding credit for micro and small enterprises in the commerce sector to ensure financing reaches those in need more precisely. One recurrent theme in the unconventional quatrains that were later gathered under the rubric of the The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam is surprise at having come into being unasked, and at being sentenced to non-being at the end of this bewildering life. This sentiment to my mind is a sign of medieval Persian secularism. The anonymous authors rejected the sacred history of the religions that aimed at explaining why being came into existence and at arguing for eternal life. This poetry does not show signs of belief in an afterlife. Edward FitzGerald, in his first edition of the Rubaiyat drew on a stanza in the Calcutta manuscript, no 240, to express this sentiment, according to A. J. Arberry: XXIX Into this Universe, and why not knowing, Nor whence, like Water willy-nilly flowing: And out of it, as Wind along the Waste, I know not whither, willy-nilly blowing. The Persian original in the manuscript Edward Cowell sent back from India went like this: except that it incorrectly had nadanam (I do not know) for nadanim (we do not know). A version of it is online here . Here is my interpretation of the original as an alexandrine: He brought me first into being, to my alarm. This life increased nothing but my bewilderment; for we were forced to leave, and we do not know what the purpose was of all this coming and going. - Order Juan Coles contemporary poetic translation of the Rubaiyat from Bloomsbury (IB Tauris) or Barnes and Noble. or for $16 at Amazon Kindle - As an undergraduate, I took a course on phenomenology, and we read Martin Heideggers Being and Nothingness (1927), written before he joined the Nazis. There, he termed individual being that displays itself to others the Dasein, and said it is characterized by thrownness (Geworfenheit). Katherine Withy explains, That Dasein is thrown means primarily that its birth is something past and something that Dasein passively undergoes. First, coming into Dasein is not the result of Daseins agency. It did not choose either to be or to be what it is. Second, coming into Dasein is something that has already happened. To have been thrown into existence is for the throw to have already occurred (even if, strictly, it has not yet finished). Because the throw has already been executed, that it is is now something that Dasein is stuck with or has to put up with. The individual being displayed to the world is also thrown into a situation where it will face the possibility of death. Two young princes receiving the blessing, by Adrianus Canter Visscher, c. 1675 c. 1725. Drawing from the manuscript of the VOC servant Adrianus Canter Visscher, with twenty-eight Indian miniatures and two maps of locations on the Coromandel Coast at the back. Via the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Heidegger had been a Catholic but gradually relinquished conventional Christianity and, indeed, conventional religion, speaking of the death of God. The ideas sketched above were published well before he joined the ascendant Nazi Party in 1933, and are part of the quandary secular moderns have had to work through. Some of this conundrum is also visible in the work of the French existentialist Jean-Paul Sartre, who was as far to the left as Heidegger came to be to the right. There is a clear resemblance between the medieval unconventional quatrains in Persian, produced by a variety of hands perhaps some philosophers were involved and the metaphysical bewilderment and skepticism of modern existentialists and some phenomenologists. This aspect of FitzGeralds book was one of its attractions for those intellectuals experiencing the Victorian crisis of faith, including poet Algernon Swinburne and novelist Thomas Hardy, among many others. A lot of European thinkers only study the history of Europeans of Christian background, even though there have been Muslim Europeans for some 1400 years. Shockingly, a lot of the thinking produced in Europe and the Americas is ignorant of the Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Islamic traditions despite all the modern translations and studies produced in English and other European languages in the past 65 years in particular. So it may come as a shock that medieval Persian poetry contained sophisticated critiques of the theological worldview and presaged a kind of secularism. In contrast, when existentialism reached modern Iran, as with authors such as Sadeq Hedayat (d. 1951), the latter clearly reached for The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam as part of their intellectual heritage of skepticism. - For more commentaries on FitzGeralds translations of the Rubaiyat, see FitzGeralds Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: Commentary by Juan Cole with Original Persian Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Popular socialite Huddah Monroe has joined the long list of Kenyans mourning the death of veteran politician and former Lugari MP, Cyrus Jirongo. In a heartfelt message on social media, Hudddah revealed that Jirongo was more than just a political figure. She claimed that he was a generous individual who had a significant impact on her life. Watu husema Luyhas hawatoi pesa but this one alinitoa block. Ile block serious, she wrote. The post sparked widespread speculation among her followers, with many curious about the type of business they may have transacted. Jirongo died in a fatal road accident after his Mercedes Benz collided head-on with a bus. It is believed that he was driving under the influence of alcohol when the accident occurred. Videos of his last moments before the accident have surfaced online. He was indulging in hard liquor with friends at a party, only to die a few hours later. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Members of the Pentecostal Voices of Kenya (PVK) have launched a scathing attack against President William Rutos administration over the proposed Religious Organisations Amendment Bill 2024. Speaking during a media interview on December 13th, 2025, PVK leaders claimed that the bill is a deliberate attempt to muzzle the church and restrict constitutional freedoms and demanded that the Bill, currently being drafted, be scrapped in its entirety. PVK Secretary General Habil Olembo accused the Government of vilifying the church, saying, They have opted to arbitrarily enact draconian bills and regulations that trample on the freedom of worship and muzzle the church. PVK Chairperson Peter Manyuru added that the Government was expending too much energy on curtailing religious institutions instead of addressing pressing national challenges. If you can use the same force and energy that you are using to curtail the church in solving the problems of Kenyans, I want to say that Kenya would be very far, he said. The clergy argue that the Bill threatens their constitutional right to worship and introduces vague offences that could be used to harass religious leaders. They further claim that the church was excluded from consultations during the drafting process, despite being a key stakeholder. The Religious Organisations Amendment Bill was first sponsored in 2024 by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana but withdrawn after public outcry. The Government is now working on a new draft policy based on recommendations from the Presidential Task Force formed after the Shakahola massacre. The proposed law seeks to establish an Advisory Board under the Office of the Attorney General, appoint a Registrar of Religious Organisations, and enforce governance structures. It also prohibits religious institutions from engaging in political activities. PVK leaders insist the Bill undermines the churchs role as a societal watchdog and vowed to resist its implementation. The Kenyan DAILY POST JERUSALEM, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military confirmed that its forces killed a senior Hamas militant in a strike in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet security agency said in a joint statement that Ra'ad Sa'ad, head of the weapons production headquarters in Hamas' military wing, was killed. Sa'ad was described as one of the planners of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and "one of the last remaining senior militants" in Gaza. The Israeli military claimed that Sa'ad was "directly responsible for violations of the ceasefire agreement" by Hamas in recent months, accusing him of leading the continued production of weapons during the ceasefire. A joint statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said the elimination of Sa'ad was in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive device that wounded Israeli forces on Saturday in Gaza. Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military said two reserve soldiers were lightly injured as a result of the explosive device that detonated during an operation to clear the area of militant infrastructure in southern Gaza. 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. Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Kenyan media personality and influencer, Maureen Waititu, has strongly condemned the culture of shaming single mothers. In a candid Instagram post shared on Saturday, December 13th, 2025, she declared, People who do this to single mothers make me sick. Maureen described single-mothers as hardworking and noble, insisting that they deserve respect rather than ridicule. Single moms are the most noble, hardworking women I know, she added, directly challenging societal attitudes that often stigmatize women raising children alone. To reinforce her message, Maureen shared a video of a man passionately defending single mothers. In the clip, he questioned why society continues to treat them with cruelty, asking, Why do we have to be this way? Why is there a culture of dehumanising single mothers? He explained that many women become single mothers due to painful circumstances - such as leaving abusive marriages or losing their husbands - yet they still face harsh judgment. The man further condemned stereotypes that unfairly label single mothers as promiscuous, stressing that such views are harmful and misguided. Maureen is a single mother of two boys, whom she co-parents with ex-partner, Frankie Just Gym It. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, December 13, 2025 - A young Kenyan woman has ignited a heated debate on social media after sharing a recorded phone conversation with her mother, exposing what many online users have described as an example of toxic and entitled parenting. In the audio recording, the womans mother is heard angrily scolding her, accusing her of neglecting her siblings despite being financially stable. The mother laments that one of the children had been sent home over unpaid school fees and questions why her daughter could not step in to help. Huezi saidia mtoto mwingine na uko na pesa, the mother is heard saying. She further complains that the daughter recently sent the family Ksh 5,000, dismissing the amount as insufficient. The conversation takes a dramatic turn when the mother angrily tells her daughter to block them and never call again. Tublock na usiwahi tupigia, she declares. The leaked conversation has triggered widespread reactions online, with many Kenyans criticizing the parents tone and perceived sense of entitlement to her childs income. Why is the mother so entitled to her daughters money? It is the parents' responsibility to educate their children, not to burden older siblings, one user wrote on X. Parents, your children are not your retirement plans, another commented. A Kenyan lady shares a conversation with her mum, highlighting how toxic some parents can be! pic.twitter.com/KsgcmEEECN The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) December 13, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Senator Patricia Stephenson has warned that out-of-hours GP services in Carlow and Kilkenny are at serious risk of being severely disrupted in the coming weeks unless the Minister for Health takes immediate steps to resolve an escalating industrial dispute. Staff at Caredoc, the out-of-hours GP provider for Carlow and Kilkenny, are due to begin intermittent strike action from December 18 into the new year due to the continued failure to implement the 2023 Workplace Relations Commission pay agreement for Section 39 organisations. This agreement included an 8% pay increase, which staff have still not received. Senator Stephenson said: This should never have been allowed to reach crisis point. Caredoc staff in Carlow and Kilkenny provide an essential frontline service for families across both counties every evening, night and weekend. They were promised an 8% pay rise more than two years ago, and it is simply unacceptable that this money has not been delivered. If this strike goes ahead, our communities in Carlow and Kilkenny will be left without a vital out-of-hours GP service at the height of the winter surge. Without Caredoc, people will have no option but to turn to already overloaded emergency departments. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS Senator Stephenson highlighted that St Lukes General Hospital in Kilkenny is already operating at or above safe capacity, with sustained overcrowding pressures throughout the year. St Lukes is under enormous strain even before the Christmas period begins. Any loss of out-of-hours GP care will drive more patients into its emergency department, worsening delays and increasing risks for patients and staff alike. The Minister for Health must intervene immediately to ensure this pay agreement is implemented and to avert strike action. The people of Carlow and Kilkenny cannot be left facing a collapse in out-of-hours services at the very moment they are needed most. Senator Stephenson concluded: Caredoc staff in Carlow and Kilkenny deliver an invaluable service and deserve fair pay and working conditions in line with their HSE colleagues. A swift resolution is essential to protect patient safety and maintain healthcare access for our communities over Christmas and into the new year. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. People view a poster of the Chinese historical film "Dead To Rights" in Minsk, Belarus, Dec. 12, 2025.(Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua) MINSK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Belarusian premiere of the Chinese historical film "Dead To Rights," which depicts the horrific events of the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, became a profound moment of shared historical reflection and solidarity. Held at the Pioneer Cinema in Minsk on the eve of China's national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre, the screening attracted a diverse audience of over 200 people, including students, government officials and workers, who gathered in solemn remembrance of this dark chapter in human history. Based on historical accounts, the film graphically portrays the systematic atrocities committed by Japanese militarist forces during the six-week massacre, in which an estimated 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers were killed. From the opening scenes to the final credits, the cinematic portrayal held the audience in rapt attention. The emotional weight was palpable throughout the screening, as viewers reacted with distress, anguish and deep empathy. Many were moved to tears during the particularly brutal sequences depicting the suffering of women and children. For many Belarusian viewers, the tragedy of Nanjing resonated profoundly with their own national trauma. During World War II, Belarus lost approximately one-third of its population. Belarusian stage director Vera Tkachenko, visibly shaken after the screening, said this film reveals the brutal truth about the Nanjing Massacre that must be known and remembered. "The systematic violence against civilians, the destruction of cultural heritage, and the immense human suffering must never be forgotten," she said. Tkachenko also shared a personal connection to wartime loss, noting that her great-grandfather never returned from the Battle of Stalingrad. "Just as China remembers Nanjing, Belarus remembers Khatyn and the countless other villages destroyed during the war," she said, adding that Belarusians share the pain of the Chinese people from that devastating conflict. Vadim Borovik, a deputy of the Minsk City Council who has previously visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, said the film's historical authenticity left a profound impact on him. "Seeing the brutal depiction of Japanese fascists' violence against civilians made my heart bleed," he said. "The experiences shown on screen -- the mass executions, torture of prisoners and destruction of homes -- resonate with our own history of occupation and suffering. Belarus and China share a common historical memory of enduring unimaginable horrors yet emerging with strengthened resolve to preserve peace." The screening highlighted a shared commitment to guarding the historical truth against distortion and denial. Ivan Gancheryonok, deputy chairman of the Belarusian Society of Friendship and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, expressed particular outrage at ongoing attempts to rewrite the history of the massacre. "The film's portrayal of Japanese war criminals attempting to deny their atrocities in court mirrors contemporary efforts to whitewash this history," he said. "Some Japanese politicians still refuse to acknowledge the full extent of these war crimes. Through cultural exchanges and films like this, we can ensure the truth prevails." The premiere concluded with a moving video presentation contrasting the ruins of Nanjing in 1937 with the modern, prosperous city of today -- a powerful visual testament to resilience, recovery and renewal born from profound tragedy. In his remarks, Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan stressed the enduring importance of remembering history. He reaffirmed China's commitment to working with the international community, including Belarus, as guardians of historical truth and defenders of world peace. He expressed hope that future generations "may forever bask in the sunshine of peace, achieved through remembering the lessons of history and honoring the victims of past atrocities." Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan speaks at the premiere of the Chinese historical film "Dead To Rights" in Minsk, Belarus, Dec. 12, 2025.(Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua) People attend the premiere of the Chinese historical film "Dead To Rights" in Minsk, Belarus, Dec. 12, 2025.(Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinhua) Very sad that Hamish Price has died. Ive known him for almost 30 years. My strongest earliest memory of Hamish was at a public meeting in Loaves and Fishes Hall in Wellington where he loudly asked Winston Peters if he would apologise to Selwyn Cushing (whom he had been found guilty of defaming). Winston got Hamish evicted. Hamish was Nikki Kayes campaign manager for Auckland Central all four successful campaigns. It is fair to say that being Nikkis campaign manager wasn;t the easiest job in politics, but Hamish would spend months working full-time for no pay to help get Nikki over the line. He had a wicked, often inappropriate, sense of humour. He blogged for a few years as Insolent Prick and not even his friends could work out when he was being serious and when he was trolling. Despite his ability to be extremely undiplomatic, he also had the ability to be very diplomatic. He was one of the brightest people around on foreign policy and trade (his father was a diplomat) and he was a very trusted advisor to Todd McClay in the Key/English Government. He went out of his way to be as bipartisan as possible, and I recall him saying he always pressed MFAT to give Jane Kelsey access to documents etc despite their different worldviews. In the 2020 election he hit the spotlight while with Judith Collins, and his blue shoes even got their own Twitter account. A nice tribute to him from Kate Freeman and also from Aaron Gilmore. He had been battling Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma this past year, and generally responding well to treatment. But sadly it spread quickly, and he died very suddenly. He will be missed by his many many friends. BLACKPINK's Rose and Bruno Mars have confirmed they are working on another collaboration, though they have not revealed a release date yet. In a recent Billboard interview published on December 11, 2025, the duo revealed that they have created additional songs together beyond their massive hit "APT." When asked if they had worked on other tracks that did not make it onto Rose's debut album "rosie" or if they had collaborated since the album's release, Rose responded with a knowing laugh. Bruno Mars then confirmed the news, saying, "Oh, yeah, there is. And we love that song that we worked on I won't say the title... We're just trying to figure out when, or how." The original collaboration between Rose and Bruno Mars, "APT.," has been one of the biggest success stories of 2025. The collaboration for the massive hit "APT." began in a Los Angeles studio in 2024, sparked by a simple Korean drinking game. During a session with producers and songwriters, Rose taught the room her favorite game, "Apartment" (pronounced apateu), leading the group to spontaneously chant the now-famous hook. Although Rose initially hesitated to release a song based on a drinking gameeven asking her team to delete it from their phonesthe track found its way to Bruno Mars when she pitched him three potential songs for a collaboration. Released on October 18, 2024, as the lead single from Rose's debut studio album "rosie," the track achieved remarkable commercial success. The song topped Apple Music's 2025 year-end charts across multiple categories, including Top 100: Global 2025, Top 100: Shazam, Top 100: Radio Chart, and Top 100: Most-read Lyrics. It also made history by reaching number nine on Billboard's 2025 Year-End Hot 100 chart, marking the first time a K-pop act has broken into the top 10 of this prestigious ranking. "APT." earned three Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, making Rose the first lead K-pop artist to receive nominations in the Grammys' main six categories. The song also won Song of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, another first for a K-pop artist. Beyond "APT.," Bruno Mars also contributed to Rose's solo track "Number One Girl" as a co-writer and co-producer. During a phone call about other work, Rose mentioned she was stuck on the song, and Mars offered his creative input to help complete it. BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Beijing's Great Wall section of Jiangjunguan, a historically strategic pass, will open to the public, authorities announced on Sunday. Following restoration work, emergency reinforcement and environmental improvement, the section in Pinggu District is scheduled to open as early as the end of 2026, according to the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau. The Great Wall in Beijing, primarily built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), stretches over 500 kilometers across several districts. Pinggu District boasts rich resources with more than 200 sites spanning over 50 kilometers. The pass of Jiangjunguan is the first major gateway at the eastern end of the Ming Great Wall within Beijing. A critical thoroughfare historically, it was a strategically vital location contested by military forces. Shi Qiang, deputy head of the district's cultural relics management bureau, said recent preparations to open the previously closed section have included clearing weeds and laying gravel paths while preserving the structure's original features. Promoting the opening of Great Wall sections and designating them as visiting areas is an important way to inherit cultural heritage, said Bi Jianyu, an official at the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau. In recent years, several opened sections of the Great Wall in Beijing have integrated culture and tourism by tapping into their historical and cultural significance through activities such as night tours and study visits, transforming the resources into an advantage for development, Bi added. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, Dec. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wen Xinnian) ABU DHABI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, paid a visit to the UAE from Dec. 12 to 13. Wang and Sheikh Abdullah had in-depth exchanges on the overall development of friendly relations between the two countries and their peoples, as well as on issues of common concern. Both sides noted that the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has registered positive progress across various fields, meeting the shared expectations of the two countries' leaders and peoples for development and prosperity. They agreed to implement the important consensus reached during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to China and meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May 2024, and to work together to elevate bilateral relations across all fields and at both bilateral and multilateral levels to a higher level. The Chinese side voiced its firm support for the UAE in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The UAE stressed its firm adherence to the one-China principle, noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. It also expressed firm support for the Chinese government in achieving national reunification, and voiced its opposition to external interference in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side backed the UAE's efforts to peacefully resolve the issue over the three islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa through bilateral negotiations in accordance with the UN Charter and other international law. The Chinese side spoke highly of the UAE's development achievements in various fields, and expressed its willingness to further align the Belt and Road Initiative with the UAE's "We the UAE 2031" vision and the "Principles of the 50," so as to jointly promote development to higher levels. The UAE spoke highly of the successful convening of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, calling it a boost to China's high-quality development and mutually beneficial cooperation within the international community. The UAE commended the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi. The Chinese side invited the UAE to participate in cooperation under the frameworks of the four initiatives. Both sides highly appreciated the positive outcomes of bilateral practical cooperation across various fields, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in economy and trade, investment, oil and gas, renewable energy, water resources, infrastructure, scientific research, military, law enforcement and security, counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, and expand exchanges in Chinese language education, tourism and civil aviation, so as to constantly enrich the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership. The UAE voiced support for China in hosting the second China-Arab States Summit in 2026, and for the concurrent convening of the second China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, and expressed its willingness to work with China to ensure their success. The Chinese side said it is ready to work with the UAE to promote the early completion of talks on a China-GCC free trade agreement. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, and to establishing, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, which enjoys full sovereignty and a viable living environment, and coexists peacefully and securely with Israel. They welcomed the global efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, and stressed that all parties should abide by the ceasefire agreement, so as to alleviate humanitarian suffering and create conditions for lasting peace. The Chinese side commended the UAE's positive and influential role in regional affairs, while the UAE praised China's active efforts and important contributions to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large. Both sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on multilateral platforms such as the UN, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and to jointly work for a more prosperous and progressive world. Hundreds of handmade ornaments created by older adults from across Pennsylvania now adorn the Christmas tree in the State Capitol Main Rotunda, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced. The decorations came from seniors at 93 community centers in 36 counties, continuing an annual tradition where the department invites older adults to contribute their handcrafted creations. The tree will remain on display through Jan. 8, 2026. The Department of Aging is grateful for the older adults from across the Commonwealth who dedicate their time and talent to create ornaments for the Capitol tree, Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich said. The ornaments and the tree will help spread good cheer and unity to the hundreds of thousands of visitors to our State Capitol during this holiday season. Centers from counties including Allegheny, Philadelphia, Montgomery, York, and dozens of others submitted ornaments. Some counties had multiple centers participate, with Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services contributing from six senior centers: Cedar View Senior Center, Coopersburg Senior Center, Fountain Hill Senior Center, Gross Towers Senior Center, Ridge Manor Senior Center and Slatington Senior Center. From Northampton County, ornaments were created by program participants at the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley and Park Plaza Senior Community Center. Gov. Josh Shapiro, first lady Lori Shapiro, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Department of General Services Sec. Reggie McNeil host the annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in the Main Rotunda of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg. This year's 25-foot Douglas fir, grown in Carbon County, features more than 2,440 LED lights and approximately 1,700 handmade ornaments created by children and seniors from across the Commonwealth. Kevin Rist photo courtesy Commonwealth Media Services (PAcast) Kavulich said the display showcases the creativity of older adults who handmade the ornaments. He thanked all who contributed to the annual holiday tradition and acknowledged the Area Agencies on Aging and Senior Community Centers that helped coordinate the submissions. Older adults interested in finding a senior community center in their area can contact their local Area Agency on Aging or visit the Department of Agings website. Photos of some ornaments are available on the Department of Agings Facebook page. Some residents of one small Warren County township say they are struggling to find harmony living beside the quarry next door. Complaints include that gravel strewn along the road has turned into projectiles capable of shattering car windows. Residents told officials the heavy truck traffic created by the company has been a risk to their safety, property, and peace of mind. At a Dec. 8 meeting, Harmony Township committee members agreed the situation had become a problem and voted to put new regulations in place. The new restrictions target operations on Route 519 near the quarry. The ordinance will limit truck traffic at Harmony Sand and Gravel to roughly 25 trucks per day, down from upwards of 100 per day, Mayor Brian Tipton estimates. Scott Wilhelm, the attorney for Harmony Sand and Gravel, called the decision to limit truck traffic anti-Harmony Sand and Gravel and a mistake that could potentially put the company out of business. Wilhelm claimed that neither the township nor the business had provided a traffic study or engineering report to support the new limits. Tipton called those statements laughable, saying the companys operations are exporting and they always have been exporting, not importing. He accused the quarry owners of stockpiling more fill than they require and said the issues only arose several months ago. A mechanic appeared in court accused of stealing four kegs of beer and 36 bottles of alcohol from a pub in Laois. Conor McMahon (36) of Kilpatrick, Kildangan, Kildare is accused of stealing 12 bottles of Smirnoff vodka valued at 364.99, 24 bottles of Bulmers valued at 206.14 from the Vintage Inn, Stradbally on October 9 last and four kegs of beer valued at 710 from the Rock Inn, Dublin Road, Portlaoise on November 2, 2025. He is also accused of having no insurance or driving licence in Stradbally on October 9, 2025. Andrew Dunne BL said the man wished to vary his bail conditions. He said the man also had a new address at Maryville, Kildare and he asked about easing the mans curfew. He has been abiding by all of his bail conditions including only being in Laois for court, said Mr Dunne. Judge Susan Fay said she had imposed the curfew with good reason. Mr Dunne said his client had found a job in Dublin. He was recovering from addiction and wished to exercise but could only do so in the evenings due to work and family commitments. He said the man wished to join a gym. Judge Susan Fay said she wasnt convinced of the need to vary bail and she adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on January 5 when she said the matter could be revisited. 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, Azernews reports, citing Arab News. Poland, a strong supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Moscow, announced plans in May last year to bolster a long stretch of its border that includes Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The main task of the German soldiers in Poland will be engineering activities, a spokesman for the defense ministry in Berlin said late Friday. This could include constructing fortifications, digging trenches, laying barbed wire, or erecting tank barriers, he said. 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 modernized its army and hiked defense 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 defense systems to armored vehicles. Faustin-Archange Touadera, incumbent President of the Central African Republic, speaks to his supporters in Bangui, Central African Republic on Dec. 14, 2025. (Str/Xinhua) BANGUI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The campaign for the presidential, legislative, regional and municipal elections scheduled for Dec. 28 in the Central African Republic began on Saturday. Seven candidates are vying for the presidency, including incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadera, who has been in power since 2016 and is seeking a third term. Touadera launched his campaign in Sibut, the capital of Kemo prefecture, some 186 km north of the country's capital, Bangui, saying he will intensify efforts to restore peace and order in the country if reelected. His main opponents are Anicet-Georges Dologuele and Henri-Marie Dondra, both former prime ministers who have pledged to fight poverty and improve living conditions for the population. The campaign will last for two weeks. Approximately 2.3 million voters have registered on the electoral lists for the elections. Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is marking a remarkable family milestone this week, with two sisters from Co. Kildare advancing their healthcare careers under the same roofone finishing her nursing degree as the other progresses through her medical training as a doctor. Among the 64 new nurses graduating from TUH is Kate Cribbin from Leixlip in Co. Kildare, who will officially receive her hospital badge and certificate during a special ceremony on Thursday, December 11. Making the occasion even more special, Kate recently helped her sister Eve settle into the hospital as she began her on-site training as a junior doctor and medical intern. For the Cribbin family, this moment is particularly meaningful. Kates path into nursing began at just 16, inspired by the time she spent caring for her grandfather, who lived with Alzheimers disease. That experience, she says, shaped her determination to work in healthcare and support families going through challenging moments. Eves decision to pursue medicine was sparked during her Transition Year, when she undertook a placement at TUH. The exposure to patient care, teamwork, and the hospitals fast-moving clinical environment left a lasting impression and set her on course to return years later as a medical intern. READ NEXT: 19.3m planning application for Phase 2 of residential development in Kildare A new cohort of nurses joins TUH Today, TUH will proudly celebrate the graduation of 64 newly-qualified general staff nurses, each of whom completed a four-year degree programme delivered jointly between Trinity College Dublin and TUH. Throughout their studies, the students divided their time between university lectures and clinical placements across the hospitals wards and specialist departments. In their final year, students spent one semester on campusaside from a six-week supernumerary placementbefore transitioning to a nine-month internship at TUH beginning last January. The graduates were formally conferred with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Nursing by Trinity College Dublin in November and now return to TUH to mark the completion of their clinical nurse training. Hospital leadership welcomes the new graduates Speaking ahead of the ceremony, TUH Director of Nursing Aine Lynch commended the dedication shown by this cohort: It is wonderful to stand alongside our new nursing graduates who have worked extremely hard to reach this moment. This is an important and proud milestone, not just for the graduates themselves but for their families and the colleagues who supported them along the way. I am especially delighted that 87% of our new graduates will begin their professional careers here at TUH. Their commitment to our hospital and our patients is deeply valued. Details of the Graduation Ceremony The Nursing Graduation Ceremony will take place in the Main Lecture Theatre within TUHs Centre for Learning and Development at 3:00 pm on Thursday, December 11. Following the ceremony, graduates and their families are invited to a reception in the Dodder and Tolka Rooms, where refreshments will be served. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the hospitals Heartbeats Choir will perform two pieces during the event. Ceremony Highlights Include: Announcements of graduates by Helen Teague, Assistant Director of Nursing and Nurse Practice Development Coordinator. Presentation of hospital badges and certificates by Aine Lynch, Director of Nursing and Integrated Care. A keynote address by Professor Anne-Marie Brady, Chair of Nursing & Chronic Illness at Trinity College Dublin where she is also the Director of the Trinity Centre for Practice & Healthcare Innovation. Professor Brady is also the Chairperson of the TUH Board. Professor Bradys involvement underscores the strong academic partnership between TUH and Trinity College Dublin, a cornerstone of nursing education at the Hospital. This years ceremony not only marks the beginning of 64 new nursing careers but also highlights the inspiring Cribbin sisters, whose parallel journeys in healthcare reflect the compassion, dedication, and family support at the heart of the profession. A TD based in North Kildare has revealed that he will visit a refuge which is run by a Kildare-based domestic violence support service next month. Fianna Fail TD Naoise O Cearuil's announcement comes following the news that the government currently has no plans to open a new domestic violence refuge space in North Kildare next year. That answer was given by the Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim OCallaghan TD, in response to a question which was submitted by Deputy O Cearuil. Specifically, the Minister outlined plans to deliver new family refuge units and safe homes throughout Ireland by the end of 2026. However, he also revealed to the Maynooth-based Deputy that North Kildare is not included in those plans. Speaking further about the matter with the Leinster Leader, Deputy O Cearuil, who is based in Maynooth, said that Teach Tearmainn, an organisation which currently provides domestic violence support services for the entirety of Kildare, is currently looking for extra refuge spaces for the county. "They have a refuge in Kildare town and an outreach centre in Naas," he added. "I'll be visiting them in Kildare town in January [of 2026] to work with them on securing more spaces, and seeing if there is a way of expanding the outreach service to the most populated part of the county in the North-East." Anyone seeking to find out further information about Teach Tearmainn can do so by visiting the organisation's official website. Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North, Naoise O Cearuil. File photograph READ NEXT: Kildare County Council urged to replace bridge Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Gardai are to increase the number of patrols at centres and events for members of the Irish Jewish community. The decision comes in the aftermath of the fatal terrorist attack on members of the Jewish community on Bondi Beach in Sydney this morning. As part of the new safety measures, liaison inspectors have also been appointed to ensure An Garda Siochana continues its on-going engagement with the Jewish community to provide them with re-assurance and support. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly is scheduled to speak to the Chief Rabbi of Ireland Yoni Wieder this Sunday to express his sympathies to the Irish Jewish community and to peak about the newly-announced measures. Officials in Australia have said the Bondi Beach shooting was a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish who were reportedly celebrating Hanukkah in the area. Two shooters opened fire on the beach killing a dozen people and wounding multiple others who were brought to various hospitals in the vicinity. READ MORE: LIVE: 'Shocked and appalled' Irish politicians react to terrorist attack at Bondi Beach New South Wales Police have said that one of the shooters was killed and the other is in critical condition. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee said her department are not aware of any Irish citizens directly impacted by the shooting. She stated: "At this point, we are not aware of any Irish citizens who have been impacted directly by these awful events." "Our Consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally." Sinn Fein Leitrim Councillor Padraig Fallon has urged the Government to immediately reverse its decision to withdraw funding supports for blister packs and monitored dosage systems for people with a clinical need. He warned that the move will cause significant distress and hardship for some of the States most vulnerable households. The call comes after a decision to end State funding for blister packs provided by pharmacies under the Community Pharmacy Agreement, a change that could leave patients facing a 20 charge from pharmacists to have their medication dispensed in this format. We have heard stories from across the country in recent days. People who have relied on blister packs now feel abandoned, said Cllr Fallon. READ NEXT: Cancelled sale sees Leitrim holiday village complex re-enter the market For thousands of people in Ireland, blister packs are a lifeline. They are not a luxury. People rely on them every day older people managing multiple medications, people living with dementia or Alzheimers, people with disabilities, mobility issues, brain injuries, or mental health challenges, he added. For many, blister packs are what allow them to live independently and safely in their own homes. Instead of tackling waste in the health service, they are tackling those most in need, he concluded. Following backlash in the Dail earlier this week, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the issue would be revisited in discussions with the HSE and the pharmacy union. READ NEXT: Young Leitrim woman leads Christmas Day swim for Gaza Appeal BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China, a civilization with more than 5,000 years of history, is accelerating efforts to protect and carry forward its cultural heritage through stronger institutions, new technologies, expanding public cultural services, and deeper international cooperation. From 2021 to 2025, four cultural sites -- namely the Beijing Central Axis, an ensemble of ancient landmark structures; the Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er; the Xixia Imperial Tombs dating from the 11th to 13th centuries; and the ancient maritime trade center of Quanzhou -- were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Boasting a total of 60 sites, the country now ranks second globally, just behind Italy with 61 sites. According to Xie Bing, deputy head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), steady progress is being made to nominate additional sites, including Jingdezhen's handmade porcelain industry heritage sites in Jiangxi, the Sanxingdui and Jinsha ruins in Sichuan, the ancient waterfront towns south of the Yangtze River, and the Maritime Silk Road. Behind the expansion of China's World Heritage roster is a growing national commitment to cultural heritage preservation. China has proposed advancing cultural heritage protection more systematically and placing it under unified supervision and inspection during the 2026-2030 development period. This move builds on changes over the past five years, as the country moves away from a model focused mainly on emergency restoration toward one that integrates both rescue and preventive conservation, while placing greater emphasis on the meaningful use of cultural relics. The legal framework has been strengthened. Sun Deli, deputy head of the NCHA, noted that China has now established a comprehensive legal system centered on the Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, supported by six administrative regulations, 10 ministerial rules and more than 400 local regulations. In March, a revised cultural relics protection law came into force, reaffirming the principles of prioritizing protection, strengthening management, and unlocking the value of cultural heritage. A series of policy documents at both national and local levels has ensured that territorial spatial planning aligns with cultural relics protection requirements. Technological innovation has become another pillar of heritage protection. Satellite remote sensing, drone-based aerial surveys and AI-powered data analysis now enable continuous monitoring of the conditions of heritage sites, allowing risks to be detected and addressed at an early stage. Digital technology is also transforming public access to cultural heritage. At the Longmen Grottoes in Henan, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, more than two decades of 3D scanning and photogrammetry have created detailed digital archives of its Buddhist sculptures. In Gansu Province, the Dunhuang Academy has released high-definition images of 30 Mogao Grottoes -- a World Heritage site since 1987 -- allowing global audiences to explore the ancient caves virtually. Meanwhile, expanding public cultural services have made heritage more accessible. Across China, more than 7,000 museums -- over 91 percent offering free admission -- now receive nearly 1.5 billion visits annually. The country has also developed 65 national archaeological site parks and more than 200 themed cultural relic tourism routes, linking urban and rural areas through shared historical and cultural resources. China has expanded its international cooperation on cultural heritage preservation. It has taken the lead in establishing the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia -- the continent's first intergovernmental organization in the field -- as well as the International Organization for Standardization's technical committee on cultural heritage conservation. From 2021 to 2025, Chinese specialists have carried out six conservation and restoration projects in four countries, while 49 joint archaeological programs involving 28 countries and regions were launched, contributing Chinese expertise to global heritage protection. Efforts to recover lost cultural relics have also yielded results. Over the past five years, 35 batches totaling 537 cultural relics and artworks lost overseas have been brought back to China. "We will continue to improve institutional arrangements and strengthen coordination among all parties to bring more lost cultural relics home," said Xie from the NCHA. KABUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have initiated construction on a major trading center for petroleum and gas dealers in northern Balkh province, the official media outlet Bakhtar News Agency reported on Sunday. The 5-acre complex, sited in Mazar-e-Sharif, the provincial capital, is being built at 15 million U.S. dollars. Sayed Karim Hashemi, head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said the government has created a secure and favorable environment for investment, adding that businessmen are partnering with authorities to drive the country's economic growth, according to the report. Many petroleum and liquefied gas traders hailed the new center as a significant step toward regulating the market, improving services, and boosting national economic development. Balkh is considered one of the key provinces that plays a crucial role in oil and gas refining, as well as exports and imports with Central Asian countries, owing to its control over the strategic Hairatan port. A DRONE enthusiast was fined 4,000 after he was convicted of multiple offences arising from an incident during a concert at Thomond Park last year. While Krzysztof Luszczki, aged 45, of Mount Kennett, Dock Road, Limerick admitted flying a drone to record aerial footage as Snow Patrol played to more than 28,000 people, he denied breaching safety regulations. The father-of-four was prosecuted by the Irish Aviation Authority following a complaint from gardai over the use of a drone at the venue during the concert on July 12, 2024. He was alleged to be in violation of three aviation offences as he initiated three separate flights before and after the concert - at 5:23pm, 9:06pm and 10:18pm. Regulations governing the use of drones require that they be operated within the parameters of an open category and that operator maintains a line of sight with the drone at all times. Another regulation, which Mr Luszczki breached, requires all drone operators to keep their drones a safe distance from and to not fly over an assembly of people in a public place without the necessary authorisation by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). Two of the three charges before the court were contested with solicitor Darach McCarthy stating: "We acknowledge that we fell out of the open category exceeding the 120 metre (height) threshold," which resulted in a guilty plea being entered. That regulation requires that drones, unless authorised, must stay below 120 metres at all times but data from Mr Luszczki's drone, showed he exceeded that barrier for 2.6 seconds during his second flight before immediately correcting the error. READ NEXT: Young motorist avoids ban after careless manoeuvre on busy Limerick road Sergeant Sean OSullivan, who specialises in event and emergency management, said he was on duty in the control room when he became aware that a drone was flying over the stadium. "I saw a drone under the South End terrace. It alternated in altitude and wasn't static. There was concerns over how close it would get to patrons and the stage," he said Mr Luszczki, who is a qualified graphic designer, initially operated the drone from an area surrounding King John's castle but the guards were alerted and he was asked to move on. The defendant set up once again this time on Mayorstone Avenue before later moving some 800m away from the stadium with the intention of capturing the end of the concert. Inspector Padraigh Sutton, who oversees major event management in the Limerick garda division said he was on the pitch around around 9.20pm when he was alerted to the drone. I was very concerned as I knew no license was issued. Insp Sutton said he immediately radioed all garda personnel - inside and outside of Thomond Park - in an effort to identify the person in control of the drone. After Mr Luszczki was observed at nearby Mayorstone Avenue, Insp Sutton left the venue and went to his location. He initially denied he was flying a drone but I could see Thomond Park on the screen. I asked him to fly the drone back and he complied, he said adding: There's no way he could have maintained a line of sight (with the drone) with houses and trees in the area. While it was accepted that Mr Luszczki did not fly the drone over the main crowd or close to the stage, it was the State case that the drone was over a bar area and close to a location earmarked for emergency access. It was flown (over) where people were transiting and moving, said Sgt O'Sullivan who added gardai would not have permitted the use of a drone had it been included in the event licence application. READ MORE: New wastewater treatment plant for County Limerick will support future housing plans Brian Thornton, an investigator at the Irish Aviation Authority, told the court he received a phone call from Insp Sutton on July 22 and that he explained what happened. Inspector Sutton also supplied a witness statement on August 25. This prompted an investigation into the incident with which the defendant fully cooperated answering questions and providing data and video footage from the flights. Mr Thornton stated in court that based on the data, he believed the defendant's "intention was to operate within the grounds" and that his proximity to people "was an unsafe distance". Giving evidence to the court, Mr Luszczki insisted he could see the drone the whole time and that he did not believe it was a safety risk as he could see what was below the drone on his screen. It had very bright beacons. The end of the concert was dusk, it was perfect conditions for flying and you can see it better than during the day, he said. However, Judge Catherine Ryan said: "I do not accept that he could have maintained the line of sight, the first flight was 17:23pm which would clearly be a bright evening in July and the same for 21:06pm, as for the last flight at 22:18pm, one can only assume there was other lights at that time of night." Regarding Mr Luszczki claim that he was flying at a safe distance and not over an assembly of people, Judge Ryan remarked: "Its clear that the drone flew to at the very least the perimeter of what is allowed, its understandable that with 28,000 people present, there would have been all kinds of people assembling in different areas where it was flying." Barrister Eoin Morris, representing the Irish Aviation Authority, assured the court that the authorities "are not out for blood" adding that such prosecutions are "more to educate people on these matters." Having convicted the defendant of the two offences he had denied, Judge Ryan said she was taking into account his previous good record as well as his cooperation with the investigation, conceding that he didn't operate in a clandestine manner on the night. She further commented that she had to consider the fact that the IAA "wouldn't have authorised a drone license for the event and even though the defendant tried to get permission, he proceeded anyway after failing to do so." Judge Ryan imposed a 4,000 fine and directed that Mr Luszczki make a 1,000 contribution towards the costs of the IAA. GARDAI have launched an investigation after an arson attack on a vehicle in the grounds of University Maternity Hospital Limerick. It occurred shortly before 6pm on Saturday evening. There are no reports of any injuries. READ NEXT: Two members of Limerick organised crime group denied bail following shoot out Following a query from Limerick Live, a garda spokesperson said: I can confirm gardai were alerted to an incident of criminal damage of a vehicle outside a premises on Ennis Road, Limerick city on the evening of Saturday, December 3, 2025. The spokesperson went on to say that the fire brigade put out the blaze and investigations are ongoing. Limerick Fire and Rescue Service received the call-out at 5.59pm with two appliances rushing to the scene. Firefighters were back at base in Mulgrave Street at 6.51pm after extinguishing the fire. A video of the car ablaze has been widely circulated on social media. There are unconfirmed reports that the incident is linked to an ongoing feud between rival groupings on the southside of the city. It is not known if the car is owned by the family of an expectant or new mum, or if somebody was visiting a woman in the maternity hospital. The HSE and HSE Mid West have been contacted for comment. AN XL Bully dog which viciously attacked a woman in County Limerick is to be euthanised, Limerick Live has learned. According to one local, the dogs owner suffered serious bite-related injuries to her arm. READ NEXT: BREAKING: Car torched outside Limerick maternity hospital "It was a horrific scene. The poor woman," they told Limerick Live. A garda spokesperson said gardai were alerted to an incident involving a dog that occurred at a residential property in the Pallaskenry area of County Limerick on Friday, December 12. A woman, aged in her 30s, was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of injuries believed to be serious but non-life-threatening, said the garda spokesperson. It is understood that the woman remains in the care of hospital staff for treatment of serious injuries to her arm. The dog was removed by the dog warden, said a garda spokesperson. After a number of attacks by XL Bully type dogs in Ireland, new rules were brought in to help keep people safe and prevent further incidents. Nicole Morey, aged 23, was tragically killed by her own XL bully dogs at her home in Fedamore in June 2024. On October 1, 2024, it became illegal to import, breed, rehome or resell an XL Bully dog. On February 1, 2025, it became illegal to own an XL Bully dog unless you have a certificate of exemption which means you can keep your XL Bully at your home address until the end of their natural life. After February 1, 2025, you can only apply to a local authority for a certificate of exemption in exceptional cases. A WEST Limerick councillor has said communities along the countys Kerry border are being left behind and must receive fairer treatment from state agencies if towns like Abbeyfeale are to reach their full potential. Cllr Liam Galvin said that while recent progress includES the opening of a temporary town-centre car parK is welcome, it only highlights the wider lack of sustained investment in the west of the county. He described Abbeyfeale as the furthest town from the local authority and said residents often feel forgotten when compared with communities closer to Limerick city. According to Cllr Galvin, towns and villages along the Kerry border are effectively caught in no mans land between counties, despite being firmly part of Limerick. Read More: Push to reopen a Limerick Laneway amid calls for public takeover and revitalisation plan We just want fairness and equality, he said, adding that west Limerick deserves the same level of support from local authorities, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and other state bodies as other parts of the county. Cllr Galvin also highlighted Abbeyfeales strategic role as a gateway town to Kerry, one of Irelands most popular tourist regions, saying this made traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure even more frustrating. He said long-standing delays to major projects, including the Abbeyfeale bypass, are holding the town back, with queues of traffic regularly impacting daily life and discouraging visitors. If west Limerick is given a fair chance, it will thrive, he said. All were asking for is to be treated equally. A PENSIONER who was pronounced deceased at the scene of a road traffic collision just a 100 yards from her home is being remembered as a very special, happy person. She has been named locally as Eilish Cooney (nee Keays), of Abington, Murroe, County Limerick. READ NEXT: County final and All-Ireland wins lit up latter years of a true Limerick GAA man The single vehicle fatal road traffic collision occurred on the Abington Road, Murroe at around 4.10pm on Thursday, December 11. The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 70s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her body has been removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post mortem will take place, said a garda spokesperson. Mrs Cooneys funeral arrangements have been announced with reposal at Meehans Funeral Home, Newport on Monday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Arrival on Tuesday to the Holy Rosary Church, Murroe for Requiem Mass at 11.30 am, which will be live streamed here Burial afterwards in Abington Cemetery. Predeceased by her husband Tommy, Mrs Toomey is sadly missed by her son Thomas, daughter Breda, daughter-in-law Grace, son-in-law Michael, grandchildren Aoife, Tom, Katie and Ellie, sisters Mary, Eileen, Josephine, and Teresa, brothers John, Paddy and Richard, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours, relatives and friends. Countless tributes have been paid to Mrs Cooney following her tragic passing. Cllr Martin Ryan, in paying his condolences to her family, said its a very sad time coming up to Christmas. Eilish was always a joy to meet and to talk to. She was a great character, a lovely lady, very well-got and very well-liked, said Cllr Ryan from Cappamore. Fellow councillor, Noreen Stokes, Pallasgreen, expressed her deepest sympathies to the family of Mrs Cooney on her untimely passing. Eilish was a great community lady, and was always willing to help anyone that needed a helping hand. Eilish loved to chat to people and will be a huge loss to her family and friends, said Cllr Stokes. Mrs Cooney, who ran Millbank House B&B for many years, was very well-liked in her own parish and across east Limerick. One mourner wrote on rip.ie: I was so shocked and devastated to hear of Eilish's sudden death as I was only laughing and enjoying her company an hour before. She was a wonderful kind lady and will be sadly missed by all. May her gentle soul rest in peace Another person wrote of the sad and sudden death of a loving mother, grandmother and sister. Eilish was such a lovely lady, warm-hearted and a friend to all. May her kind and gentle soul enjoy eternal peace. Mrs Cooney truly was a very special, happy person recalled a sympathiser, who described her as a lovely neighbour who was full of friendship and fun. A former work colleague for many years said Mrs Cooney was always such a beautiful, kind, and caring lady. May she rest in peace. Skoda is reportedly preparing a mid-cycle update for the Slavia sedan, which currently ranks as the second best-selling car in its segment. According to Rushlane, fresh spy images of the Slavia facelift, shared by automotive enthusiast Harsh Shah, offer early insight into the design and feature updates expected when the car launches in 2026. Exterior As per the publication, the test mule suggests changes at both the front and rear of the sedan. While Skoda could retain its familiar grille, the headlamps and LED daytime running lights appear to feature a revised design. Details remain partially hidden due to camouflage, but the fog lamp housings may look different from the current version. The lower air intake now seems to sport a more sculpted, three-dimensional pattern finished in piano black. From the side, the Slavia facelift could remain largely unchanged. The overall silhouette stays intact, preserving its coupe-like roofline and sporty stance. The main visible update could be a fresh set of alloy wheels, as the test car was seen with blacked-out wheels featuring a new spoke design. Other elements, such as conventional door handles, blacked-out B-pillars, dual-tone ORVMs with integrated indicators and rounded wheel arches, appear to be carried over. At the rear, the facelifted Slavia is expected to receive updated tail-lamps along with minor revisions to the bumper design. The boot lid shape and the placement of the number plate seem unchanged, suggesting Skoda is opting for evolutionary styling rather than a full redesign. Also Read | Skoda Kushaq facelift launch likely in January 2026. Top 3 facts to know Interior and features Inside the cabin, the Slavia facelift could introduce a revised dashboard layout, alongside an updated touchscreen infotainment system and a refreshed digital instrument cluster. However, the biggest highlight is likely to be the addition of Level 2 ADAS. Expected ADAS features may include lane keeping assist, forward collision warning with autonomous braking, blind spot detection, driver attention warning, high beam assist and safe exit alerts. Engine details Under the bonnet, the Slavia facelift is expected to continue with the same powertrain options. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 115 PS and 178 Nm, paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The more powerful 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit delivers 150 PS and 250 Nm and comes mated to a seven-speed DSG automatic. (Bloomberg) -- Italys foreign minister said the Agnelli familys Gedi Gruppo Editoriale SpA media company should stay in Italian hands to safeguard press freedom, as sale talks continue with Greeces Antenna Group. If Italian dailies remain in Italian hands thats better for everyone, for press freedom, for the national interest, Antonio Tajani, also a deputy premier, told reporters Saturday. However, unless the law is broken, itll be the market which decides. Gedi, owned by the Agnellis Exor NV investment vehicle, holds both La Repubblica and La Stampa, two of the countrys most influential newspapers. Theyre are also seen as some of the most adversarial outlets towards the government of Giorgia Meloni. The newsrooms of both papers went on strike this week to protest the potential sale, asking for job assurances and criticizing how the exclusive talks had been kept under wraps until Gedi was forced to confirm them last week. Matteo Salvini, another deputy premier who heads the far-right League, responded to Tajanis remarks by saying he was focused on protecting jobs but that it was surreal that the government should decide who acquired the group, according to reports. The government could technically apply its so-called golden power to the transaction if it deems the sale to be strategic to the national interest. Though the opposition has called on it to apply the laws, theres no indication yet that will happen. Rome has come under close scrutiny from the EU for its application of the laws, which it is now re-evaluating. Italian media have reported that Antenna has signaled an interest in valuing Gedi at about 140 million ($164 million), though the companies havent publicly commented on the value of the transaction. Antenna has been eyeing at least three potential targets in Italy amid an expansion push, Bloomberg has reported. Journalist unions have long decried political interference in the countrys media landscape. Italy ranks 49th out of 180 in the world press freedom index compiled by Reporters without Borders, the lowest ranking in western Europe. That compares to a ranking of 46 in 2024. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com BAGHDAD, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iraq and the United Nations on Saturday officially marked the conclusion of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), signaling a shift from crisis-management to a "new chapter" focused on development and sustained partnership. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and visiting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres participated in a ceremony held in Baghdad marking the end of the mission, according to a statement by al-Sudani's media office. During a joint press conference, al-Sudani said that the conclusion of UNAMI's mandate "does not mean the end of the partnership between Iraq and the United Nations." "It marks the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation, particularly in the fields of development, economic growth, and advisory support," he said, adding that the partnership has shifted from crisis-management efforts to long-term development planning and reliance on national capabilities. For his part, Guterres underscored the profound changes in Iraq, saying that Iraq is now a "normal country," and relations between the UN and Iraq will become normal relations with the end of UNAMI. "Many UN agencies, funds and specialized programs will remain here, continuing their vital development work in support of Iraq and Iraqis," Guterres said. In May 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously decided to extend UNAMI's mandate for a final 19-month period to Dec. 31, 2025, after which the mission will cease all work and operations. UNAMI is a political mission established by the Security Council in 2003 at the request of the Iraqi government in the wake of the invasion by a U.S.-led coalition. Its main mandate is to provide advice, support, and assistance to the government and people of Iraq in various fields. New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) India is positioning itself as a potential export hub for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), leveraging surplus ethanol capacity and lower carbon intensity compared to rivals like Brazil, according to Sameer Sinha, CEO (Sugar Business) of Triveni Engineering and Industries Ltd. In an interview with PTI, Sinha outlined India's competitive advantages in the emerging SAF market. The earliest alcohol-to-jet SAF plants could become operational by 2029, he projected, assuming policy clarity emerges by the end of the current financial year. Until then, India will rely on limited SAF production from used cooking oil for 1-2 per cent blending. "India has very significant potential to emerge as an export hub for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We can start exporting on the East Coast to Southeast Asian countries, where Singapore is a major aviation hub. Similarly, on the West Coast to countries like Dubai," said Sinha. Triveni is among 2-3 Indian companies exploring SAF production facilities, though no formal board proposals have been submitted yet. The company produces approximately 23-24 crore litres of ethanol annually, making it one of India's largest producers. India's key strength lies in substantial ethanol surplus. With ethanol production capacity built for E30-E35 blending targets but current usage at E20, ample feedstock is available for alternative applications. "The first big benefit is a surplus of ethanol. The capacity is already done," Sinha explained. "India has capacities equivalent to support E30, E35 ethanol supply, which means we are in an oversupply situation." More significantly, Indian sugarcane-derived ethanol has lower carbon intensity than Brazilian ethanol. "If my CI number is lower than Brazil's, the pollution reduction is far larger if I use Indian ethanol versus Brazilian ethanol," he said. "If you look at the US, unless it imports Brazilian 2G ethanol, it will largely be maize-driven SAF where carbon intensity will be very high. My carbon intensity of Indian sugarcane ethanol is the lowest. That's a very big advantage we bring to the table." Setting up an SAF facility with 80 tonne per day capacity would require about 1,400 crore investment and 200 kg per day ethanol supply, Sinha said, and stressed that policy support is essential, including 100 per cent offtake guarantee, viable pricing, viability gap funding and preferential pricing for first movers. "The earliest plant, from alcohol to jet, can come up in 2029. That big quantum jump will take place in 2029, when people would be available to produce SAF from ethanol," he said. Five-year SAF demand for international flights is estimated at 50-60 crore litres, requiring 120 crore litres of ethanol -- a fraction of available surplus. "SAF is not taking away too much ethanol. But the abundance of ethanol shows why India has that comparative advantage," Sinha noted. With ethanol capacity built for higher blending but current usage at E20, the industry faces idle assets. Sinha advocated for faster adoption of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), calling for GST cuts and state-level benefits in road tax and registration to match electric vehicles. "FFV is the right way forward. Give them greater attractiveness in terms of GST cuts and road tax and registration tax benefits," he said, suggesting a dual dispensing system offering E20 and E100 options. "FFVs have been there in Brazil for very long. They have been extremely successful and in India we believe that would be the right pathway for enhancing offtake." He also pointed to ethanol-diesel blending up to 5 per cent, which has been successfully tested. "Can we look at creating an ecosystem for safe usage of diesel blended with ethanol?" On feedstock availability, Sinha expressed confidence that the sugar industry can supply around 500 crore litres even at demand levels of 900 crore litres, after accounting for potable and industrial uses. Currently, India's total distillery capacity is approximately 1,900 crore litres, including 900 crore litres from sugar feedstock and 1,000 crore litres from grain feedstock. With 1,048 crore litres of ethanol contracted by OMCs in 2024-25 ESY (Ethanol Supply Year November-October) and 330 crore litres of ethanol for alternative uses, there is a surplus of 450-plus crore litres of ethanol in the country. Yields are set to improve. Sugarcane yields are expected to rise from the current 75 tonnes per hectare to 85 tonnes over the next decade, while maize yields could increase from 3.4-3.5 tonnes toward the global average of 6-7 tonnes per hectare. However, Sinha stressed the need for price adjustments. "If my input prices increase, there has to be a corresponding increase in the output price. Otherwise, it becomes very unviable." Triveni was among pioneers in setting up multi-feed distilleries, enabling flexible feedstock conversion between sugary feedstocks like cane syrup B or C heavy molasses and grains such as maize and rice. "That has helped us maximise utilisation of our distillation assets," Sinha said. The company has secured approximately 80 per cent of its contracts with public sector and private oil marketing companies for ESY 25-26, and expects to reach 100 per cent capacity utilisation once the second cycle of ethanol tenders is announced. Sinha believes India should leverage initiatives like the Global Biofuels Alliance to showcase its leadership in biofuels, with SAF ideally positioned for this role. "The country being a signatory to Corsia, and we believe that used cooking oil with a very fragmented supply chain in an unorganised sector will not be in a position to take India beyond one, two, three per cent numbers. Therefore, when the 5 per cent target comes into force 2030 onwards, we believe ethanol to jet would really be the right pathway," he said. At the global level, used cooking oil is being used for making SAF, especially in Europe and China, while others are looking at ethanol. The first SAF plant has been commercialised at Atlanta in the US. Actor Peter Greene, who died on Friday at 60, was reportedly discovered lying face down on the floor when police found him, his neighbour recalled. A strange handwritten note was also found at the scene. He was best known for his intense portrayals of villains in films such as Pulp Fiction, The Mask and Training Day. According to the New York Daily News, one of Peter's neighbours described the gruesome scene inside the actor's Lower East Side apartment in New York, saying there was blood everywhere. Peter was lying on the floor, facedown, facial injury, blood everywhere the neighbour told the outlet. They also reported that a strange handwritten note was found on the scene along with the actors body Im still a Westie, it read. The note referred to the 1970s Irish-American gang that operated out of Hells Kitchen. Also Read | Pulp Fiction actor Peter Greene dies at 60: Career highlights and net worth Peter Greene was the father of a 16-year-old son, Ryder. No foul play: Police His long-time manager, Gregg Edwards, said Peter was found in his apartment following a wellness check after music had reportedly been playing for more than 24 hours. The police told The Post that no foul play was suspected, but that the cause of death is yet to be determined by the medical examiner. Peter's death came as a surprise to Gregg, who told the media that the actor was originally scheduled to film with Mickey Rourke on an independent thriller called Mascots. Upon learning of the actors passing, Gregg said the films writer-director, Kerry Mondragon, was very upset. Heart as big as gold Peter Greenes career may have been defined by dark and dangerous roles, but colleagues and fans alike remember him as a powerful performer who brought unsettling realism to every character he played. Aditya Dhars Dhurandhar has ignited an intense online debate following its release, with viewers dissecting a key narrative thread involving a mysterious figure known only as Bade Sahab. Who is Bade Sahab? Internet debates The character is repeatedly referenced in the film by Sanjay Dutts SP Chaudhary Aslam, but never fully revealed on screen a choice that has since fuelled speculation across social media platforms. Soon after the film hit theatres, Reddit threads and posts on X began examining the possible real-life inspirations behind Bade Sahab. Several users have pointed to historical and geopolitical parallels woven into Dhurandhar, arguing that the unnamed figure could be linked to notorious individuals such as Dawood Ibrahim or Masood Azhar, while others have floated even more expansive theories. View full Image Reddit debates who is Bade Sahab in Dhurandhar. The speculation gained further traction after viewers noticed that Wikipedias cast list as well as the films end credits mention Dawood Ibrahim being portrayed by Danish Iqbal. This discovery has led many to believe that the filmmakers may have deliberately embedded clues while stopping short of explicit confirmation within the film itself. One widely shared theory connects the character to Masood Azhar, drawing on events depicted early in the film. Fans theorise who Bade Sahab in Dhurandhar is As one Reddit user wrote, "'Bade Sahab' could either be Dawood Ibrahim or Masood Azhar. The IC 814 hijackers sought release of terrorist Masood Azhar. We see that event right in Chapter 1 of 'Dhurandhar'. So, showing Azhar as Bade Sahab could meaning a full circle moment. That's more appealing storywise. Sanyal must have personal animosity against Azhar for sure. But, could be very much Dawood Ibrahim too (sic)." Other theories have ranged far wider. One user speculated, My wild wild guess - bade sahab is Osama. Another comment focused squarely on the casting detail spotted in the credits, stating, "It's obvious that jaskirat will be caught and tortured and killed... Danish iqbal, a very good actor is going to play dawood's role" Some fans have gone beyond individual names, suggesting the character may represent a composite of power rather than a single person. One post read: "Idk man. Dawood Ibrahim makes sense cause of the financial power. Maybe he could be even ISI/Pak army chief as well. Even Nawaz Shariff could be one of the guys. The film can end with him getting in exile and Imran Khan taking over." The debate has also spilled onto X, with users speculating about what the sequel could explore. One reaction read, "Is there is scene related to Dawood in part 2 than it's gonna be very lit" Another added a note of caution about expectations, Let's see if Dawood Ibrahim is just the bade Sahab villain or just a reference character in the movie Given Dhurandhars stated inspiration from real-world geopolitical events and covert operations, the ambiguity around Bade Sahab appears deliberate. New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) The NCLAT has set aside an appeal by SEBI, where the markets regulator had asked the tribunal to recover the penalty imposed by it against an entity related to the diversion of funds in the Religare Finvest matter, saying such claims cannot be filed once the liquidation process begins under IBC. There was no infirmity in the decision of the liquidator in not admitting the claim of SEBI arising out of the order passed by the Adjudicating Officer (AO) and filed after a delay of 797 days after the liquidation commencement date, it said. The appellate tribunal upheld the order by NCLT and the liquidator of Annies Apparel, observing that the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) clearly freezes all claims as on the liquidation commencement date. The statutory provisions of the IBC read with attendant Liquidation Process Regulations, we are clear that the statutory intent of the IBC clearly freezes all claims as on the liquidation commencement date, said NCLAT. This accords inviolable sanctity to the liquidation commencement date and does not give any flexibility or latitude to the Liquidator to entertain claims beyond this particular date. The Liquidator has acted squarely within the four corners of IBC and LPR (Liquidation Process Regulations) framed thereunder and the Adjudicating Authority has not committed any error in affirming the decision of the Liquidator to reject the claims of SEBI basis the AO, said NCLAT. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) direction came over an appeal filed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which had moved NCLAT to recover a penalty of 21.80 lakh from Annies Apparel, going to liquidation after it failed to attract a buyer during insolvency process. SEBI had received certain complaints regarding financial mismanagement and diversion of funds in Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL), which was a subsidiary of Religare Enterprises Ltd. (REL). An investigation was conducted, after which Annies Apparel (Corporate Debtor) was served a show cause notice on February 15, 2021, purportedly for diversion/misutilization of funds of REL through RFL. While SEBI had proceeded with their inquiry against Annies Apparel, the latter came under liquidation on March 15, 2021. The Liquidator appointed for the company has fixed April 14, 2021 as the last date for submission of claims for the stakeholders after making public announcements. Meanwhile, the Adjudicating Officer of SEBI passed an Adjudication Order on October 31, 2022 imposing a monetary penalty of 21.80 lakh on Annies Apparel. Claiming that SEBI was unaware of the liquidation proceedings of Annies Apparel, they filed their claim with the Liquidator on June 20, 2023. There was a delay of 797 days in filing the claim from the public announcement by the liquidator. The Liquidator rejected the claim filed by SEBI on June 22, 2023 on the ground that the amount claimed vide the AO was not a debt which had arisen prior to the liquidation commencement date. This was challenged by SEBI before the Delhi bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). However, the insolvency tribunal rejected the claims of SEBI on June 4, 2024. SEBI subsequently moved to the appellate tribunal NCLAT by filing an appeal against the NCLT order. The market regulator submitted that the liquidator of Annies Apparel was aware of the ongoing SEBI proceedings and he was duty-bound to comply with the provisions of the SEBI Act, including payment of penalties on behalf of the Corporate Debtor. The delay in the filing of the claim form before the Liquidator was neither deliberate nor an attempt to stagger and delay the liquidation proceedings. However, NCLAT also did not accept SEBIs submission and dismissed its petition, observing that the statutory intent of the IBC clearly freezes all claims as on the liquidation commencement date. The $901 billion defense-policy bill passed by the House would codify more than a dozen of President Trumps executive orders, authorizing major weapons programs, troop deployments and international-security assistance. The Senate is expected to take it up in the week ahead. The 3,086-page National Defense Authorization Act authorizes $8 billion more than what Trump requested in May and contains a 3.8% pay increase for troops. While the bill authorizes spending levels in defense accounts, actual appropriations must be passed separately by Congress. Here is what is in the bill: Boat strikes The legislation would withhold some Pentagon funds until Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth turns over unedited video footage of military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The move reflects growing bipartisan frustration with how little the administration has disclosed about its expanding campaign of boat strikes. Support for Ukraine The bill sets a floor for U.S. force levels in Europe of 76,000 troops and bars the Pentagon from cutting forces, closing facilities or moving equipment without consulting NATO allies and certifying that such moves are in the national interest. It extends through 2029 the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, authorizing $400 million annually to buy weapons from U.S. defense companies. Congress would have to be informed if U.S. intelligence provided to Ukraine is paused or scaled back. Military presence in Asia The bill extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, which highlights military spending in Asia, and orders a military exercise testing the Pentagons readiness to effect a surge in troops and supplies in the event of a crisis with China. It calls for a review of how well the military can move and keep forces supplied across all branches in a major conflict or emergency, and requires the Air Force to integrate new tasks into exercises with Japan, Australia, South Korea, the U.K. and others. Iraq war authorizations The legislation scraps the decades-old authorizations for the use of military force that provided the legal basis for the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Presidents from both parties have relied on these authorizations for military operations long after major combat ended. Partnership with Israel The bill boosts U.S.-Israeli cooperation on defense technology, provides $80 million for joint research into countering adversaries in underground tunnels and $70 million for counterdrone programs. Repeal of Syria sanctions The bill repeals the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, which imposed sanctions on Syrias government and other entities related to the countrys civil war. D.C.-area airspace The bill rolls back some safety rules for military helicopters in the busy Washington, D.C., area airspace that were put in place after a midair collision in January 2025 in which 67 people died. The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, along with the bipartisan Senate committee that oversees aviation, warned that this change would make the airspace less safe. Restrictions on outbound investment The legislation empowers the president to block Americans from buying significant equity or debt in some foreign companies, particularly those that are based in China, Hong Kong or Macau, operating in defense or surveillance sectors or controlled by state actors or Chinese Communist Party officials. The bill requires U.S. companies to report national security-sensitive" transactions. Diversity, equity and inclusion The bill broadly prohibits Pentagon programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, though it preserves existing Equal Employment Opportunity offices and those focused on the Americans with Disabilities Act. It extends merit-based decision-making to command selection in addition to accession and promotion. Shipbuilding authorization Lawmakers authorized up to five Columbia-class submarines and two Ford-class aircraft carriers, and multiyear procurement of munitions including SM-3 and SM-6 missiles, Tomahawks and both air-to-air and standoff missile systems. The legislation directs the Army to produce critical materials currently sourced solely from China, such as propellants and some precursor chemicals. Prohibition on foreign components The bill restricts purchases of critical materials and components from foreign entities of concern," including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. New acquisition programs starting in 2028 cant use advanced batteries linked to these countries. It calls for eliminating the purchase of optical systems, computer displays and other equipment by 2030 from foreign adversaries. Seafood for military dining facilities may not be sourced from these countries. Drones defense The bill creates a task force to approve and oversee technology that can detect and stop small drones, as well as measures to protect bases and other sites from them. The legislation calls for tighter rules and research on protecting nuclear facilities from unmanned systems. What didnt make it in Several proposals were removed during negotiations, including expansion of military coverage of in vitro fertilization, collective-bargaining protections for Defense Department civilian employees, military-housing changes and language governing a potential central-bank digital currency. The bill refers to the Pentagon chief as the secretary of defense rather than Trumps preferred title for the role, secretary of war. This explanatory article may be periodically updated. Write to Anvee Bhutani at anvee.bhutani@wsj.com Clerks working for family court Judge Amy Pellman were reviewing routine surrogacy petitions when they spotted an unusual pattern: the same name, again and again. A Chinese billionaire was seeking parental rights to at least four unborn children, and the courts additional research showed that he had already fathered or was in the process of fathering at least eight moreall through surrogates. When Pellman called Xu Bo in for a confidential hearing in the summer of 2023, he never entered the courtroom, according to people who attended the hearing. The maker of fantasy videogames lived in China and appeared via video, speaking through an interpreter. He said he hoped to have 20 or so U.S.-born children through surrogacyboys, because theyre superior to girlsto one day take over his business. Several of his kids were being raised by nannies in nearby Irvine as they awaited paperwork to travel to China. He hadnt yet met them, he told the judge, because work had been busy. Pellman was alarmed, according to the people who attended the hearing. Surrogacy was a tool to help people build families, but what Xu was describing didnt seem like parenting, the people said. The judge denied his request for parentagenormally quickly approved for the intended parents of a baby born through surrogacy, experts say. The decision left the children hed paid for to be born in legal limbo. The court declined to comment on Xus case. Xu, an online megaposter but real-life recluse, has rarely spoken with reporters and hasnt been photographed in public for nearly a decade. A representative of Xus company, Duoyi Network, didnt respond to specific questions about the hearing or Xus use of surrogacy. The boss does not accept interview requests from anyone for any purpose," the representative said in an email to The Wall Street Journal, adding that much of what you described is untrue." The representative, who didnt provide a name, didnt respond to repeated requests to clarify what was inaccurate. Pellmans decision in the confidential case, which has never been reported, was a rare rebuke to a little-known trend in the largely unregulated U.S. surrogacy industry: Chinese elites and billionaires who are going outside of China, where domestic surrogacy is illegal, to quietly have large numbers of U.S.-born babies. Since U.S. court proceedings for surrogacies are usually private, often taking place without even a mention on the courts public docket, oversight is limited. Some Chinese parents, inspired by Elon Musks 14 known children, pay millions in surrogacy fees to hire women in the U.S. to help them build families of jaw-dropping size. Xu calls himself Chinas first father" and is known in China as a vocal critic of feminism. On social media, his company said he has more than 100 children born through surrogacy in the U.S. Another wealthy Chinese executive, Wang Huiwu, hired U.S. models and others as egg donors to have 10 girls, with the aim of one day marrying them off to powerful men, according to people close to the executives education company. Other Chinese clients, usually seeking more typical numbers of babies, are high-powered executives lacking the time and inclination to bear their own children, older parents or same-sex couples, according to people who arrange surrogacy deals and work in surrogacy law. All have the wealth to go outside China while maintaining the privacy needed to manage potential logistical, publicity and legal issues back home. Some have the political clout to avoid censure. The market has grown so sophisticated, experts say, that at times Chinese parents have had U.S.-born children without stepping foot in the country. A thriving mini-industry of American surrogacy agencies, law firms, clinics, delivery agencies and nanny serviceseven to pick up the newborns from hospitalshas risen to accommodate the demand, permitting parents to ship their genetic material abroad and get a baby delivered back, at a cost of up to $200,000 per child. The growing Asian market for international fertility services has drawn the attention of American investors, including Peter Thiel, whose family office has backed a chain of IVF clinics across Southeast Asia and a recently opened branch in Los Angeles. Most U.S. states dont bar international parents from working with American surrogates. Chinese law doesnt strictly prohibit its citizens from going overseas for surrogacy, but officials have criticized it. Stories of Chinese celebrities or government officials working with overseas surrogates have sometimes caused scandal among the public at home, which tends to view surrogacy as ethically dubious and exploitative. The babies born in the U.S. are U.S. citizens by virtue of the 14th Amendment. The idea of foreign nationals using the Constitutions guarantee of citizenship has long been a political flashpoint. In 2020, the State Department moved to curb so-called birth tourism, tightening visa rules for women suspected of visiting the U.S. to give birth. In January, Donald Trump issued an executive order denying citizenship to children born in the U.S. unless one of their parents was a citizen or permanent legal resident, which is being reviewed by the Supreme Court. Its unclear if either regulation would apply to foreigners working with surrogates who are Americans. Last month, Sen. Rick Scott, the Florida Republican, introduced a bill in the Senate to ban the use of surrogacy in the U.S. by people from some foreign countries, including China. He cited an ongoing federal human trafficking investigation into a Chinese-American couple in Los Angeles who have more than two dozen children, nearly all born through surrogacy within the past four years, as reported by the Journal. Law enforcement is more broadly looking at some Chinese parents working with American surrogates. Investigators with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security have interviewed some surrogates who have worked with Chinese parents, according to the surrogates, though the purpose of those investigations is unclear. The FBI declined to comment, and DHS didnt respond to a request for comment. Were not Costco Nathan Zhang, the founder and CEO of IVF USA, a network of fertility clinics in the U.S. and Mexico that cater to wealthy Chinese and partner with surrogacy agencies, said his clientele in the past were largely parents trying to bypass Chinas one-child policy. Babies brought back to China, as U.S. citizens instead of Chinese citizens, fell outside the countrys penalty system. The one-child policy was abolished in 2015. More recently, a new clientele has emerged. Elon Musk is becoming a role model now," said Zhang. An increasing number of crazy rich" clients are commissioning dozens, or even hundreds, of U.S.-born babies with the goal of forging an unstoppable family dynasty," he said. One wealthy businessman in China, who like Wang is also in the education business, wanted more than 200 children at once using surrogates, envisioning a family enterprise, Zhang said. I asked him directly, How do you plan to raise all these children? He was speechless," said Zhang, who said he refused him as a client. Other surrogacy professionals described similarly head-spinning numbers. The owner of one agency in California said he had helped fill an order for a Chinese parent seeking 100 children in the past few years, a request spread over several agencies. A Los Angeles surrogacy attorney said he had helped his client, a Chinese billionaire, have 20 children through surrogacy in recent years. Amanda Troxler, a Los Angeles-based surrogacy lawyer, said her firm consulted with a hopeful Chinese parent who said she wanted eight or 10 surrogacies and asked for a discount. I was like, No, were not Costco," said Troxler, who didnt take the client because she rejects those looking for more than two surrogacies at once. Oversight of the industry is so scant that its almost impossible to figure out whether parents are working with multiple surrogates, across different agencies and law firms, people in the industry said. California surrogacy agency owner Joy Millan said she was approached by a single father in China seeking to hire four surrogates. She agreed to connect the father with one, only to learn later that he had gone to another agency to find more. When we contacted him saying this is your due date, the baby is on the way, he panicked and was like, Were already taking care of two babies!" Millan said. Its not like you cant have four kids, there are families that have four or five, but if you regret, theres no way back." Industry groups recommend that agencies and IVF clinics not work with parents seeking more than two simultaneous surrogacies, because of the logistical and emotional challenges, and the risk that it will increase the perception that surrogacy commodifies pregnancy. But Millan said the suggestion lacks teeth. The harshest penalty for failing to follow the groups recommendations is to be removed as a member. Lisa Stark Hughes, a surrogacy agency owner and board member of the Society for Ethics for Egg Donation and Surrogacy, acknowledged the difficulty of ensuring those recommendations are followed. The group has been discussing ways to more proactively detect when parents are pursuing multiple simultaneous surrogacies across different agencies without violating patient privacy laws, she said. Some agencies dont hesitate. Hu Yihan, the CEO of New York IVF clinic Global Fertility & Genetics, who helps connect Chinese parents with surrogacy agencies, said that when one of her clients wants three or four simultaneous surrogacies, the reaction is often enthusiastic. Im getting positive feedback from the surrogacy agencies, theyre like, This is a big one! I want to do this!" she said. Agencies typically receive $40,000 to $50,000 per surrogacy, separately from payments made to the surrogate carriers. Girls for future world leaders The Chinese government usually turns a blind eye to citizens who pursue surrogacy abroad, even allowing foreign agencies to quietly market their services at home. Still, Chinese parents who work with surrogates sometimes face blowback. Liu Pengyu, the spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., said in a statement to the Journal that the governments health authorities believe surrogacy can lead to a number of negative outcomes, including serious family and social ethical crisis." Wang, who fathered the 10 girls through U.S. surrogacies, purchased dozens of eggs from models, a finance Ph.D. and a musicianat a cost of between $6,000 and $7,500 each, according to the people close to his company. He is the president and CEO of Sichuan-based education group XJ International Holdings, formerly known as Hope Education Group, which owns and operates universities and technical colleges. Wang preferred girls, the people said, and hoped they would grow up to marry world leaders. Screenshots purporting to be of messages from a person claiming to share a nanny with Wang, discussing Wangs use of surrogacy in the U.S., went viral on social media in 2021. Chinese media criticized the executive, saying that commercial surrogacy exploits women and violates Chinese public order and morals. Shares at Wangs company plunged around this time. XJ International Holdings, which previously dismissed the claims as rumors, didnt respond to requests for comment. Around the start of 2019, Zheng Shuang, an actress and model who briefly signed with Prada, hired two U.S. surrogates with her boyfriend, Zhang Heng. Before the children were born, the couples relationship began to deteriorate, and Zheng had second thoughts, according to documents in a Colorado custody suit over the two children after their births. Zheng allegedly considered asking one of the surrogates to terminate the pregnancy, but the baby was too far along, according to email correspondence with the surrogacy agency included in the court documents. Ultimately, Zhang, the father, flew to the U.S. to attend births in Colorado and Nevada, and stayed in the country to care for the two babies. After he posted on the Chinese social-media site Weibo that Zheng had contemplated seeking abortions, the Chinese Communist Party released a statement criticizing them. For Chinese citizens to exploit legal loopholes and flee to the United States simply because surrogacy is prohibited in China is by no means abiding by the law," the statement from the partys Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission said. Zheng was dropped by fashion labels. The couple were investigated for tax evasion; she was ordered to pay a nearly $46 million fine and he was fined $5 million in the tax case. Zhang, the boyfriend, eventually received sole parenting responsibility for the children, according to court documents, and went on to co-found a California surrogacy agency focused on Chinese parents. Even some Chinese government officials have turned to the U.S. for surrogacy, industry lawyers and agencies say. Surrogacy was a key component in the scandal surrounding the 2023 disappearance of Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Qin, once a trusted aide to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, fell from grace after a Communist Party investigation found that he had been having an affair with prominent newscaster Fu Xiaotian. Fu had a child in the U.S. via surrogacy in late 2022. While the Chinese government never disclosed the childs paternity, the incident fueled speculation that Qin was the father and prompted wider scrutiny within the party regarding whether other top officials had used surrogates to have children overseas, according to officials briefed on the matter. Both Qin and Fu vanished from public view when the scandal erupted. Meanwhile, some older Chinese parents, who were restricted in their younger years by the one-child policy, are looking to surrogacy to expand their families beyond typical child-raising years. Any household thats middle-upper income, any guy whos 60 years old, theyre having one-child policy revenge," said Hu, the New York fertility CEO. Theyre trying to make up for something that they wanted when they were young but it was severely restricted, there was no way out, the tech was not there, the market was not there." Regulatory arbitrage Researchers at Emory University found that international parents use of U.S. surrogacy quadrupled from 2014 to 2019, when IVF clinics started 3,240 cycles for surrogate carriers working with international parents, making up almost 40% of the U.S. total. The number dipped during the pandemic amid global travel restrictions. Of international parents between 2014 through 2020, 41% were from China. Some investors are betting those numbers will continue to rise. In 2018, Jinxin Fertility Group, based in Sichuan and publicly traded in Hong Kong, purchased HRC Fertility, a chain of fertility clinics in Southern California whose doctors already had a substantial Chinese client base. Jinxin partnered with a U.S. surrogacy consultant in 2020, according to a corporate filing. Wang Bin, Jinxins chairman between 2018 and 2021, had previously been a high-ranking official at Chinese state-owned enterprises, and the companys investors have included state-owned banks. Jinxin didnt respond to a request for comment. The family office of Thiel, who voiced concerns about falling birthrates on Joe Rogans podcast last year, has participated in two fundraising rounds totaling $30 million for Rhea Fertility to open a chain of international fertility centers in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines focused on Asian parents. Rhea CEO Margaret Wang said Rhea, which opened an IVF clinic in Los Angeles late last year, targets parents interested in what she called regulatory arbitrage" to access fertility and surrogacy services that may be illegal in their home countries. The U.S. remains the destination for people who have the resources and need to go down that path," Wang said. A representative of Thiel Capital didnt respond to a request for comment. 50 high-quality sons Xu, the Chinese online gaming billionaire, has for years broadcast his ambitions to build a sprawling dynasty of children. On Weibo, accounts linked to Xu have written that Having more children can solve all problems" and fantasized about Xus children marrying Elon Musks children. Another, earlier Weibo account verified as being operated by Xu wrote in 2023 that he hoped to have 50 high-quality sons." That same year, Judge Pellman denied Xus parentage petition in Los Angeles. But a later post on one of the Weibo accounts linked to him said he successfully appealed. Xu Bo had several children (all of mixed Chinese and Jewish descent) who were taken away in the United States due to sabotage by feminists and malicious rulings by a female judge," the account posted in April 2024, seeming to refer to the confidential hearing that Xu had attended the year before. Later, appeals were filed, and all the cases that went to trial were won. I heard that another case was won today, and one child was awarded to Xu Bo; he has already received the child." The user has denied being Xu, but a Journal analysis linked this and another Weibo account to him. Xus companys Weibo account has reposted one of them, and the accounts shared details of the confidential U.S. court hearing attended by Xu, a cropped photo of Xus passport, photos and videos of Xus children and other personal documents. The children are shown in the company of nannies or in daycare-like settings eating meals, playing or reciting homework assignments. The Journal couldnt find any public records of Xu appealing the judges decision. Such an appeal would normally be public in Los Angeles. Surrogacy attorneys say it is possible that if Xu were denied parental rights in Los Angeles courts, he could have tried filing the same paperwork in a different jurisdictionchoosing from among the locations of the surrogate, the IVF treatment or the babys birth. Courts in different jurisdictions dont necessarily have visibility into parentage applications filed elsewhere. Last month, Xus ex-girlfriend, Tang Jing, alleged in a post on Weibo that he had 300 children, living across numerous properties in multiple countries. Xu has previously accused Tang of theft and the two have ongoing lawsuits. Tang didnt respond to requests for comment. In a statement on Weibo at the time, Duoyi Network said the 300 figure was wrong but confirmed a stunning fact: After many years of effort" through surrogacy in the U.S., Xu has only a little over 100" children. Later in November, the user linked to Xu posted a video of more than a dozen toddler or early grade-school-age children playing on an outdoor patio in an unknown location. What the truth is, everyone can see for themselves," the user posted. As the camera panned around the patio, the childrenwho appeared to be mostly boysbegan running toward it. Daddy!" they yelled. Daddy!" Write to Katherine Long at katherine.long@wsj.com, Ben Foldy at ben.foldy@wsj.com and Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com KYIV, UkrainePresident Volodymyr Zelensky, with the help of his European allies, has carefully crafted a response to President Trumps peace plan that essentially boils down to: Yes, but Zelensky is prepared to hold elections, but would need a cease-fire. He says Russia can maintain some involvement in Europes largest nuclear plant, which it currently occupies, but Ukraine and the U.S. should be in control. The size of Ukraines military can be capped, he concedes, but at its current size. The approach has enabled Zelensky to get on board with Trumps vision of peacebut not at the expense of political credibility at home. We do not betray our country, do not surrender our independence, which is important, but we are constructive," Zelensky told reporters Thursday. Zelenskys negotiating hand was strengthened this week by a successful Ukrainian counterattack in the city of Kupyansk, which Russia said it had captured last month. All our strong positions within the country translate into strong positions in the negotiations to end the war," Zelensky said Friday during a visit to the embattled city. This weekend presents Zelensky an opportunity to set out his case to Washington in person when he meets U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Berlin. How the Ukrainian leader handles Trumps demand for a quick peace will be a pivot point in Kyivs efforts to get an end to the war without bargaining away its sovereignty. The challenge for Zelensky has been that the 28-point plan first proposed by the U.S. in late November was created with Russian input. The document contained land mines for Zelenskysuch as barring Ukraine from NATO, insisting on elections within 100 days and demanding Ukraine withdraw from some parts of its territory that Russia hasnt captured. In the past week in talks with European leaders, Zelensky has rewritten the plan to make it acceptable to Ukraine without rejecting it in a way that would alienate Trump. Addressing one of the thorniest issues, territorial control of Ukrainian-held parts of the Donetsk region, Zelensky emphasized the need for monitoring and fairness in the U.S.-led search for an end to the war. The U.S.-backed proposal suggests turning the area into a free economic zone," or demilitarized zone," from which Ukraine would withdraw and the Russian military would be barred. Instead of ruling that out completely, Zelensky asked for more detail. For instance, if Ukraine pulls back, what would deter Russian forces from advancing? Or what prevents Moscow from infiltrating the zone under the guise of civilians to control it? It is not a given that we as Ukraine will accept this, but when you speak to us about compromise, then the compromise you propose must be a fair one," Zelensky told reporters on Thursday. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and one of the lead negotiators for the Kremlin in the peace talks, said Friday that Russian police and the Kremlins national guard would likely be deployed on the territories. In an echo of earlier comments from Putin, he said Moscow would control the area through negotiations or by force. Zelensky has employed his yes, but" negotiating tactic in the past. When pressed by the Trump administration to do a deal to grant the U.S. access to Ukraines mineral wealth, Kyiv won more favorable terms by resisting the demand to sign up right away. We respect you very much, but we cannot just sign it, because we have restrictions" has become a familiar refrain of Ukraines negotiators, said Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. Russias response to new versions of the peace plan is more blunt, he added. The Kremlin, which relies on its slow advances on the battlefield, sticks to its core demands no matter what, Fesenko said. Putin has said some parts of the U.S. proposal arent acceptable and that any peace agreement must address what he calls the wars root causes," Moscows shorthand for Kyivs Western tilt and the eastern expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Kremlin repeatedly calls into question the legitimacy of Ukraines government, and Zelensky in particular, to explain its hesitation in engaging directly with Kyiv in the peace process. Russia has zeroed in on the lack of elections in Ukraine since Zelensky came to power in 2019 to dismiss him as an illegitimate leader with whom it cannot negotiate. Ukraine has been under martial law since Russias full-scale invasion, preventing it from holding elections. But Zelensky, presented with a call for elections in the peace plan, has taken a pragmatic path. This week, he said he was ready to hold the vote, but only if parliament presented a legal pathway and partnersmost of all the U.S.ensured a cease-fire during elections. We think here in Ukraine that America should speak to the Russian side about this," Zelensky told a group of European allies on Thursday. Hours earlier, he had said that the U.S. and Ukraine believed that Russia wouldnt agree to a cease-fire before a peace agreement is reached. Lack of clarity in the proposal about how the U.S. plans to demilitarize Europes largest nuclear power plant and create a consortium to jointly manage the facility has also provided room for Zelensky to reshape the terms. Ukraine opposes putting the Zaporizhzhia plant under Russian control, Zelensky said. But, if the deal involved the U.S. in the management, details of a joint operation at the plant would need to be worked out, he added. Fesenko, the analyst, said Zelenskys method of pressing partners on specifics, including about the mechanics of the implementation of the stickiest points, has allowed him to continue constructive conversations without folding on key issues. We simply need to psychologically withstand this pressure, pause briefly, and say that we are ready to discuss," Fesenko said. And then lets sit down and discuss each specific point." Write to Anastasiia Malenko at anastasiia.malenko@wsj.com New Delhi: Two men dressed in golden livery stand at the doorway of a hall, blowing trumpets as if announcing the entrance of royalty. A grey-haired, medium-built man saunters in, swaying to the beat of a peppy Bollywood number as the packed hall erupts in cheers. He dances his way to the front stage, where a giant LED screen flickers with stock tickers and candlestick charts. He grabs the mic and fires off stock tips between sudden, jerky dance moves. A few attendees start swaying in their seats, and before long, half the front row has leapt up to join the gentleman boogying on stage. Only in India can a stock-trading workshop be almost indistinguishable from a wedding sangeet. And why not? In a country where every moment, from birth to funeral feasts, plays out at full volume, why should the stock market be left out? But the real problem with celebrations is not that they inevitably come to an end, but that someone always has to foot the bill. Great Indian rope trick Earlier in December, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), Indias market regulator, came down against Avadhut Sathe, the grey-haired, dancing finfluencer mentioned above, and his trading academy. They were accused of running unregistered investment advisory and research operations dressed up as stock market education. The regulators interim order stated that through slick advertising, Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy Pvt. Ltd had amassed an enormous 601.37 crore from more than 337,000 individuals since 2015. The regulator zeroed in on eight courses offered between January 2020 and October 2025 that accounted for 546 crore in collections, and ordered the seizure of this amount. View Full Image A screengrab from Avadhut Sathe Trading Academys website. To check the trading academys claims regarding its courses on options trading and other strategies, Sebi obtained the profit and loss data of participants for a period of six months following completion of its most expensive mentorship course, for which Sathe charged a hefty fee of 6.75 lakh. The firm did not share PAN details, but exchanges records helped identify 186 of the 311 participants. Their combined outcome? A net loss of 1.93 crore. A total of 121 of the 186 traders (roughly 65% of the batch) ended the six-month period in the red. In FY25 and FY26 (up to November 2025), Sathe and his company recorded steep cumulative trading losses of over 6.19 crore, even as they promoted themselves as market maestros capable of teaching others to beat the system. Sathes firm said it will challenge Sebis order. He did not respond to an email seeking clarification from Mint. But this was not an isolated case. Among the defining moments for Indias markets in 2025 was the regulators crackdown on Jane Street, the Wall Street-based high-frequency trading (HFT) giant. In an interim order in July, Sebi barred Jane Street from the domestic markets, accusing it of manipulating benchmark indices such as the Nifty and Bank Nifty between August 2023 and May 2025, and asked it to disgorge unlawful gains of a whopping 4,844 crore. Jane Street paid the amount but has challenged the order in the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). The episode pulled back the curtain on just how exposed small traders are when pitted against sophisticated global firms armed with cutting-edge strategies and lightning-fast execution at speeds ordinary investors cant even fathom. A study from the regulator released earlier this year, covering FY22 to FY25, delivered a stark statistic: 91% of individuals trading derivatives lost money. The average loss per trader climbed to 1.06 lakh in FY25, up from 74,812 the previous year. A study from the regulator released earlier this year, covering FY22 to FY25, delivered a stark statistic: 91% of individuals trading derivatives lost money. In other words, the Indian futures and options (F&O) market can be considered a unique wealth transfer scheme where the poor (retail investors) bankroll the ultra rich (multibillion dollar algo firms). The regulator has taken multiple measures in recent times to cool the frenzy in the derivatives market, but the lure of supposedly quick gains seems too seductive for retail punters. I get very nervous when I see youngsters and even housewives venture into risky segments like derivatives, crypto, etc. People must understand that F&O is a zero-sum game, meaning someone has to lose in order for someone else to make money," Kranthi Bathini, director, equity strategy, WealthMills Securities, told Mint. As a newbie, you might be making some money initially, but one wrong trade will wipe you out completely. It will be better for you to heed the regulators multiple warnings on the dangers of the derivatives segment, otherwise the market will sooner or later teach you a very expensive lesson," he added. Circle of life With gains of nearly 10% in 2025, the Nifty has now delivered a decade of uninterrupted positive returnsan extraordinary streak by any measure. But peel some layers, and the story is more sobering. India was the worst performing major market globally this year in dollar terms, and has among the most underweight positions in global portfolios. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have sold a record $17.7 billion of domestic stocks this year amid single-digit earnings growth, elevated valuations and absence of thematic plays like artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors. Beyond the benchmarks, the pain is more evident. The mid-cap index has inched up just 3%, while the small-cap gauge has tumbled 10%. While the Nifty has managed to hit its all-time highs in the past few weeks, the small-cap and mid-cap indices are languishing up to 12% from their 52-week highs, with many constituents losing a whopping 50-60% valuea grim reminder of just how narrow this years rally has been. After years of loading up on small- and mid-cap stocks, many investors overlooked a stubborn truth about the market: its always cyclical. Mid- and small-caps had already vaulted more than 40% in 2023, 20% in 2024, after similar outsized moves post the covid-19 pandemic outbreak. To expect this party to go on indefinitely is akin to expecting a bachelor with steady bathing habits during winters. It happens, but its very rare. Cyclicality, in fact, is the defining trait of most assetsa lesson that caused considerable heartburn this year. Having already watched real estate prices race ahead in recent years, many equity investors found themselves doubly frustrated in 2025 as gold, with a scorching 60%-plus rally, comfortably outshone their carefully chosen stocks. Asset allocation and diversification will always be the most important part of wealth creation. In 2025, gold witnessed a very strong rally largely driven by central-bank buying, macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical risk, currency/de-dollarization trends, and real-yield dynamics. Investors bought Indian equities during the year on the back of economic recovery and growth in corporate earnings," Nandish Shah, assistant vice president, PCG research and advisory, wealth management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, told Mint. He pointed out that diversification and asset allocation help reduce the volatility and guard against single-asset ownership risk. By owning a mixequities, commodities (gold), real estate (or real estate investment trusts), maybe even bonds or alternativesthe impact of a bad outcome in one asset class can be partially offset by gains (or stability) in another. A well-constructed diversified portfolio tends to have smoother returns over time and lower drawdowns relative to a concentrated bet," Shah added. V for valuation Ask any old hand on Dalal Street and theyll tell you that markets generate lessons before they generate returns. And in 2025, one of the loudest lessons has been that valuations matter. If investing were merely about owning quality companies, it would be the easiest job in the world. Just buy names like HDFC Bank, Titan, Nestle and Hindustan Unilever, and relax. But investing is not about what you buy but what you pay. A wonderful business bought at unreasonable prices can mean years of underperformance, while an average company bought at a giveaway price can deliver life-changing returns. When the price you pay for a stock is modest, mistakes get forgiven and time works in your favour. But if valuations are stretched, the margin for error vanishes and a company would need everything going in its favour for a long time to justify the stock price. As Wall Street legend Peter Lynch explained succinctly, if a company is growing at a commendable 25-30% a year, but youve bought the stock at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 50 or 60, this essentially means youve paid for the next 10 years of growth in advance. One little mistake and youre staring at either a huge loss or years of waiting for the stock to recover. But the same company growing 25-30% a year available at 12 or 15 times earnings will be a multibagger. A lot of celebrated names blew up investor portfolios this year, chiefly because of nosebleed prices they paid for those stocks. Look at the Niftys biggest laggard of 2025Trent, the Tata group-owned retailer which for some unfathomable reason was trading upwards of 150 P/E for the past many quarters. After a 40% slump this year, it still trades at a hefty 90-times earnings. Nowhere was the valuation mania more starkly at play than in the initial public offering (IPO) market. With a wave of listings and a record 1.7 trillion capital raised, India was one of 2025s liveliest IPO arenas. Yet around half of the stocks are trading below their issue price, including the biggest IPO of the year, Tata Capital. Lenskarts richly priced offering and subsequent underperformance once again showed how the price you pay is (or should be) the most important variable for retail investors. There cannot be a template methodology for pricing these offerings by new age companies. Investors have realised that when companies are well governed, backed by strong business fundamentals and a scalable business model, valuations are a derivative of such a growth story," Neha Agarwal, managing director and head, equity capital markets, JM Financial Institutional Securities, said. Furthermore, companies in sectors with real, structural demand continue to deliver, but that outcome depends heavily on company selection and valuation discipline. This, in turn, helps retail investors by creating a more liquid, accessible and confidence-driven market," she added. Her message to investors is to go beyond the buzz and prioritize companies with credible business models, sustainable growth paths and reasonable valuations. Also crucial is adopting a long-term horizon and treating IPOs as part of a wider portfolio, not a quick-flip gamble. Many IPOs may need two-three years for business performance to play out before meaningful value accrues," she added. Home and the world Home is where the heart is. And increasingly, where the ownership sits. FPI ownership of the Indian equity markets fell to a 15-month low of 16.9% in Q2 FY26, as per National Stock Exchange data. In contrast, domestic mutual funds, buoyed by record systematic investment plan (SIP) inflows, extended their overall ownership to 10.9%their ninth consecutive quarterly high. Promoter holdings and direct ownership by individuals were broadly steady at 50.1% and 9.6%, respectively. Taken together with mutual funds, individual investors now account for 18.75% of listed equitiesthe highest in 22 years. Its tempting to read this as a sign of a newly self-reliant" market, one where domestic institutions can easily offset even record bouts of foreign selling. Yet, as 2025 showed, Dalal Street remains acutely exposed to global crosswinds. From Donald Trumps tariff pirouettes to the rapid shifts in AI that have dragged down Indias information technology (IT) heavyweights and the recent plunge in the rupee, the market is nowhere close to being decoupled from the world. India is more insulated than it once was deepening retail participation, pension reforms, insurance penetration and systematic SIP culture have created a stable domestic bid. But markets remain global theatres. Foreign capital is still dominant in large-cap ownership; currency and commodities are external variables; geopolitics can swing sentiment in minutes," Pradeep Gupta, co-founder and vice chairman at Anand Rathi, stated. Compared with peers, India may be less fragile, but it is not unshakable. The structure is sturdier, yet the winds still matter. The sensible conclusion is neither triumphalism nor fatalism. India is building a resilient base but resilience is not the same as decoupling," he added. Self-reliance, it seems, does not grant immunity. Road ahead 2025 was a year of consolidation and recalibration where fundamentals replaced frenzy for Dalal Street, and broad-based rallies were replaced by sector and stock-specific opportunities. Experts say this trend is expected to continue in the new year, even as the overall outlook remains optimistic. With sectoral returns diverging, a diversified portfolio is wiser than concentrated sector bets. Pradeep Gupta After having reclaimed the highs, we expect a new leg of uptrend in markets, especially as corporate earnings environment has improved owing to multiple factors such as stimulative fiscal and monetary measures, better liquidity, a likely thaw in the abruptly strained Indo-US relationships and a softer base for demand and earnings," Motilal Oswals Shah said. He also suggests adopting a sector-specific approach. We raise Indian IT services to mild-overweight by trimming our position in consumer discretionary and healthcare names. Our preferred sectors are diversified financials, IT services, automobiles, telecom and capital goods, whereas our key underweights are energy, metals and utilities," he added. For retail investors, the present market calls for balance rather than bravado, Anand Rathis Gupta opined. With sectoral returns diverging sharply, a diversified portfolio is wiser than concentrated sector bets. Systematic investingthrough SIPs or staggered entry helps counter volatility and avoids the trap of timing peaks. High-quality businesses with strong cash flows and reasonable valuations remain safer than momentum-driven plays. Keep expectations moderate; 2025 has rewarded selectivity, not indiscriminate enthusiasm," he said. Most importantly, investors would do well to stay anchored to asset allocation, maintain an emergency fund, and resist reacting to every global tremor. In uncertain markets, discipline, patience and process often outperform cleverness, he added. MUMBAI : Acko, a digital insurer backed by private equity firms including General Atlantic and Multiples Alternate Asset Management, has begun prepping for an initial public offering to raise $300-400 million, according to two people close to the development. The company is in discussions with bankers, and the talks are still preliminary. Formal pitches are expected to happen next month (January) with appointments in the subsequent weeks," one of the two people said on the condition of anonymity. The issue is likely to be a mix of primary capital fundraise and secondary transactions through which some of the earlier investors are expected to offload some stake," the second person said, also on the condition of anonymity, adding the insurer is targeting a listing in 2026-27. Acko did not respond to Mints requests for a comment. Booming IPO market Acko seeks to join an expanding list of startups going public in India. The country's IPO market has seen companies, including new-age platforms such as Meesho, Pine Labs, Groww, Physicswallah, Ather Energy, Bluestone, Urban Company and Lenskart, raise a record $21 billion in 2025 so far, Mint reported earlier. The public markets have also seen other large high-quality issuances such as LG Electronics, Tata Capital, and HDB Financial Services. The line-up remains strong, with more than 30 companies, including Milky Mist Dairy Food, Curefoods India, Shiprocket, Shadowfax Technologies, and Gaja Capital, having secured regulatory approval, setting the stage for a robust listing calendar in 2027. Founded by Varun Dua and Ruchi Deepak, Acko has raised more than $450 million so far and counts prominent names as investors, including US tech giant Amazon.com Inc., venture capital firms Accel, Elevation Capital, Munich Re Ventures, Catamaran Ventures, RPS Ventures, Intact Ventures, private equity firm SAIF Partners, and M.S. Dhoni (through his family office), Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal, and former CaratLane chief executive Mithun Sacheti. Over the past nine years, the Bengaluru-based unicorn has served more than 78 million customers and issued over a billion insurance policies. New-age insurer The company, which began with auto insurance in 2016, is also working on integrating the entire process of buying health insurance, from picking a lab for medical testing to interacting with a hospital for claims. It acquired Better Capital-backed chronic-care startup OneCare in 2024 to double down on health insurance offerings, expanding partnerships with hospitals and clinics to tap into the growing opportunity in the space. Acko already claims to have one of the largest market shares in embedded insurance products like mobility and gadget insurance, and has partnered with more than 50 players, including redBus, Zomato, HDB Financial Services, and Urban Company. Within two years of its launch, Acko's group health insurance product has also onboarded over 200 companies, including Swiggy, Razorpay, and CRED. The integration of its various insurance services in auto and healthcare is expected to result in customers engaging with the platform more regularly, which is typically an annual activity. In 2024-25, Acko narrowed its consolidated net loss to 424 crore from 667 crore a year earlier. Its operating revenue rose to 2,836 crore from 2,106 crore in 2023-24. Acko competes with Tata AIG and Bajaj Allianz as well as digital-first insurance companies such as Go Digit Insurance, InsuranceDekho, CarDekho and Spinny, and PolicyBazaar. Indias insurance sector is projected to reach $222 billion by 2025-26, with the domestic market expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% over the last two decades, according to a report by India Brand Equity Foundation, a government-backed trust promoting the 'Made in India' brand globally. Rich Asian investors are plowing record money into complex stock bets that saddled them with big losses just a few years ago. Issuance of structured products linked to Hong Kong and Singapore equities has surged 80% this year to a record of more than $200 billion, according to estimates from BNP Paribas SA, one of the top issuers. Products known as accumulators which make their holders continuously buy stocks at preset levels and fixed-coupon notes that offer monthly returns are particularly popular. The revival coincides with a surge in Asias equities driven by the artificial intelligence frenzy. Typically marketed by private banks to wealthy clients, structured-note bets this year have been concentrated in Chinese mega-caps such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd., a shift away from US names like Nvidia Corp. The instruments help holders build exposure to stocks in a more controlled way, though their complex structure means losses can worsen under certain conditions. Issuance was very limited for the last few years, up until September of last year, said Tony Lee, head of global equity-derivatives strategy at JPMorgan Chase & Co., referring to notes tied to Asian stocks. Because of the recovery of the Chinese market, the product underlyings have shifted from US stocks into Hong Kong stocks. While US investors appetite toward structured products has been growing, Asia remains the main market. More than 60% of the global sales came from the region in the first seven months of 2025, led by China and Hong Kong, according to industry data provider SRP. The instruments generally offer a smaller maximum payout than stocks, but some investors are lured by their regular, fixed payments that are usually higher than bond yields, or by the embedded protection they offer. Yet the risks can be overlooked: The Lehman Brothers collapse in 2008, the Covid outbreak and Chinas internet crackdown that triggered a multi-year stock slump are just a few incidents that handed steep losses to investors. Traded over-the-counter, accumulators are contracts that force investors to buy a set amount of underlying securities at a fixed price over regular intervals. In a rising market, the purchase price is usually at a discount. During downturns, however, holders are often locked into buying at above-market prices. At CA Indosuez Wealth Management, some of the most-traded accumulators require investors to purchase double the initially agreed amount of Alibaba shares if the stock price drops more a certain amount, often between 10% and 20% of the level at the start of the investment, according to Ting May Woo, the firms head of advisory solutions in Singapore. For fixed-coupon notes, the return is typically tied to an asset such as an equity gauge, single stock or group of shares. Barclays Plc recently offered one that pays an annualized coupon of 9% every month and has the principle linked to the performance of Alibaba, Tencent and Meituan, according to a term sheet seen by Bloomberg. If any of the three stocks drops 28% or more from its price at the investment entry, holders have to buy its shares at a higher price than the current trading level or settle in cash at losses. AI Concentration Alibaba is the most popular underlying asset among the structured notes issued in Asia this year, according to Daniel So, senior trading strategist at Goldhorse Capital Management, which runs a fintech platform that offers pricing of structured notes. The coupon offered by notes tied to Chinese AI names often ranges between 10% and 20% annualized, higher than the 10% to 12% for those tracking an index, he said. Demand is surging as the stocks rally. Alibaba shares jumped nearly 90% this year in Hong Kong, while the Hang Seng Tech Index rose 26% to end years of underperformance against US peers. At Royal Bank of Canada, between 30% and 40% of the equity-linked notes tracked Hong Kong-listed equities in 2025, according to Kin Lok Lee, head of structured products for the wealth-management arm in Hong Kong. Thats up from about 20% in 2024, when around 80% of the fixed-coupon products were linked to US names, he added. Investors who buy these notes usually can accept the worst-case scenario which is to buy these shares at pre-determined strike levels higher than market prices because they hold the belief that these stocks will eventually recover, Goldhorses So said. Its not uncommon for wealthy investors to take on leverage, allowing them to boost bets and amplify returns, according to CA Indosuezs Woo. Of course, the losses would also get amplified in an adverse scenario. The challenge for BNP Paribas is to manage risk given that the current notes are concentrated on a small number of names, according to Charles-Edouard Garnier, the banks head of equity-derivatives sales for Asia-ex Japan. Still, this years market gains have spurred risk taking and reinvestment as products terminated early with share prices climbing beyond knock-out levels before maturity. I wouldnt be surprised to have another very decent growth next year, assuming that the market doesnt collapse, he said. With assistance from Sangmi Cha, Kiuyan Wong and Denise Wee. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei is pictured during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Dec. 14, 2025. Iran's Foreign Ministry on Sunday dismissed accusations by Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji that Tehran is interfering in Beirut's internal affairs, characterizing the nations' diplomatic ties as "age-old" and enduring. (Xinhua/Shadati) TEHRAN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry on Sunday dismissed accusations by Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji that Tehran is interfering in Beirut's internal affairs, characterizing the nations' diplomatic ties as "age-old" and enduring. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei addressed the tensions during his weekly press conference in Tehran. The remarks followed public claims by Rajji of Iranian "interference" and media reports suggesting the Lebanese minister was blocking Iran's new ambassador from assuming his post in Beirut. Baghaei stated that the exchange of ambassadors is proceeding normally, noting that the new Lebanese envoy recently assumed his position in Tehran. Regarding the Iranian ambassador to Beirut, Baghaei said Iran has "submitted the relevant requests and completed the necessary procedures," adding that he hopes the process will "proceed in its natural course." Responding to Rajji's accusations, the spokesman said Iran refuses to engage in rhetoric that diverts attention from Lebanon's national interests. He argued that the priority must be "defending Lebanon against Israel's ongoing crimes" and safeguarding its sovereignty. Baghaei urged Lebanese factions to prioritize dialogue to confront "Israeli dominance." Tensions flared late last month after Rajji shared a post on social media platform X referencing alleged warnings from Iranian officials about the repercussions of disarming Hezbollah, which he characterized as foreign interference. He reiterated these allegations in a recent interview with MTV Lebanon and invited his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to meet in a third country. Araghchi denied interfering in Lebanon's domestic affairs. While he rejected the need for a third-party location, he welcomed dialogue to strengthen bilateral relations and invited Rajji to visit Iran. However, the Lebanese minister declined the invitation on Wednesday, insisting on a neutral venue. On Thursday, Araghchi took to X to describe his counterpart's rejection of the visit as "bemusing." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei is pictured during a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Dec. 14, 2025. Iran's Foreign Ministry on Sunday dismissed accusations by Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji that Tehran is interfering in Beirut's internal affairs, characterizing the nations' diplomatic ties as "age-old" and enduring. (Xinhua/Shadati) Swiggy share price will remain in focus on Monday after the company announced that it has completed Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP) of equity shares, raising 10,000 crore. The shares of food delivery company was up nearly 4% on Friday, closed at 416.7. Swiggy stock has rallied over 6% in a month and 15.45% in last six months. However, Swiggy share price has fallen 3.25% since its listing in November 2024. Also Read | Stocks to buy under 100: Sumeet Bagadia recommends 3 shares to buy on Monday Swiggy QIP details In an exchange filing on December 13, Swiggy informed the exchanges that the QIP saw a strong and diversified participation from marquee global and domestic institutional investors. The issue was participation from 21 mutual funds, including each of the top 10 MFs in the country viz. SBI MF, ICICI Prudential MF, HDFC MF, Nippon India MF, Kotak MF, Mirae MF, Axis MF and Birla MF among others. The QIP also saw interest from more than 80 investors with allocations to 61 investors - out of which over 15 are new shareholders. The issue witnessed interest from 8 domestic insurance companies including ICICI Prudential Life Insurance and HDFC Life Insurance, among others and key global investors showed interest, including Capital Group, Government of Singapore (GIC), BlackRock, Nomura Asset Management, Temasek, Fidelity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management among others, according to the exchange filing. The issue was launched on December 9 and closed on December 12, with a price of 375 per share, which is 4% discount to the floor price of 395 per share, according to Sebi regulations. The company informed that the proceeds from the QIP will be utilised for - Investment in the expansion and operations of the quick commerce fulfilment network, including dark stores and warehouses, investment in technology and cloud infrastructure, brand marketing and business promotion expenses to enhance the brand awareness and visibility of the platform, across the segments, funding inorganic growth through unidentified acquisitions and general corporate purposes. "The strong response to our QIP from both global and domestic institutional investors, including new investors since our IPO last year, reflects deep confidence in Swiggys business fundamentals, disciplined execution, and long-term value creation roadmap. The additional capital provides us the flexibility to strengthen our core businesses, scale Instamart while maintaining financial prudence, and invest in innovation to continue to deliver unparalleled convenience, said Sriharsha Majety, MD & Group CEO at Swiggy. Also Read | Buy or sell: Ganesh Dongre of Anand Rathi recommends 3 stocks to buy on Monday Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited, J.P. Morgan India Private Limited and Citigroup Global Markets India Private Limited acted as Book Running Lead Managers to the QIP. Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas was the Legal Counsel to the Company while AZB & Partners and Latham & Watkins were the Legal Counsels to the Book Running Lead Managers. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave alert for Karnataka. Temperatures across Bengaluru are expected to remain around 28 degrees Celsius during the day and drop to about 14 degrees Celsius at night over the coming week. According to the weather department, no warning has been issued for Karnatakas capital city Bengaluru until December 20. Very cold weather is likely in some places in Telangana and interior Karnataka on December 15 and 16. North interior Karnataka may face severe cold wave conditions on December 15, a press release issued by the IMD said. Bengaluru weather Bengaluru is expected to witness misty mornings and pleasant daytime temperatures over the next few days. Daytime temperatures are likely to hover around 28 degrees Celsius, while nights will remain relatively cool. Minimum temperatures are expected to range between 14 degrees Celsius and 16 degrees Celsius, with the lowest likely on December 15. Which regions face severe cold wave conditions? In its forecast, the weather agency has also issued a very cold weather warning for Telangana on December 15 and 16, while eastern Uttar Pradesh is likely to experience dense fog during the mornings from December 14 to 16, with very dense fog expected on December 14 and 15. Meanwhile, cold wave conditions have gripped parts of Odisha, with at least 12 locations recording temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. Also Read | Parts of Delhi covered in smog, air quality remains poor G Udayagiri in Kandhamal district emerged as the coldest location in Odisha, with temperatures dropping sharply to 4.2 degrees Celsius. Daringbadi and Phulbani, also in Kandhamal, followed closely, each recording a minimum temperature of 6 degrees Celsius. In Koraput district, Semiliguda registered a low of 6.1 degrees Celsius, while Koraput town saw the mercury dip to 7 degrees Celsius. Rourkela recorded a minimum temperature of 8.2 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Also Read | Bengaluru weather update: Coldwave conditions intensify in Karnataka Chiplima recorded 8.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Jharsuguda at 8.9 degrees Celsius. Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi district registered 9 degrees Celsius, while Angul logged 9.6 degrees Celsius. Both Boudh and Kirei recorded minimum temperatures of 9.8 degrees Celsius, the weather office added. Temperatures ranging between 10 and 11 degrees Celsius were reported from Nabarangpur, Bolangir, Sundargarh and Keonjhar. Meanwhile, the state capital, Bhubaneswar, recorded a minimum of 13.2 degrees Celsius, while neighbouring Cuttack saw the temperature fall to 13 degrees Celsius. Arrest of a dismissed police constable in connection with the codeine-laced cough syrup case in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow has revealed a trail of European-style interiors and spiral staircases to handbags of major brands Prada and Gucci, Rado watches, which were seized by officials. According to a report by news wire PTI, the 7,000-sq-ft home of the constable has ornate European-style interiors and spiral staircases, plus vintage-style lights. View full Image Lucknow: An armed security official stands guard during a raid at the palatial residence of dismissed Uttar Pradesh police constable Alok Pratap Singh, an accused in the codeine-based cough syrup trafficking case, in Lucknow, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (PTI Photo/Nand Kumar)(PTI12_12_2025_000331A) ( PTI ) UP Police's Special Task Force arrested constable Alok Pratap Singh, who has been dismissed from service twice, on 2 December. The dismissed constable's name cropped up during the interrogation of another accused, Amit Kumar Singh alias Amit Tata, in the ongoing probe into the cough syrup racket. He is currently lodged in Lucknow jail. What is the cough syrup racket? The cough syrup racket, which allegedly laundered 1,000 crore, is about selling codeine-based cough syrups (CBCS) as intoxicants for drug abuse. To date, around 3.5 lakh bottles of cough syrup, valued at approximately 4.5 crore, have been seized, and 32 people have been taken into custody in connection with the racket. How Alok Pratap Singh is linked to the case? Police officials claimed that Alok Pratap Singh was part of this network and ran wholesale cough syrup units in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. From these units, the syrup was allegedly smuggled to other states and even trafficked across borders into Bangladesh and Nepal. Not just a part of the cough syrup racket, Alok Pratap Singh allegedly even mentored young men from Chandauli, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, and Varanasi, leveraging his connections in police and political circles, to facilitate the operations, officials have said, as per PTI. Who is Alok Pratap Singh? Singh who hails from Chandauli had a career in the police force that was marked by controversy. He was first arrested in 2006 in connection with a case involving 4 kg of looted gold and was dismissed from service, though he was later reinstated after being acquitted. Fresh allegations led to his second dismissal in 2019, after which he reportedly turned to business ventures, cultivating connections that allegedly facilitated his role in the syrup network, reported PTI. Cough syrup case - Who all have been arrested? The prime accused in the case Shubham Jaiswal, is believed to have fled to Dubai, while his father, Bhola Jaiswal, has been taken into custody. The CBI has filed a chargesheet against 17 people, including four Chinese nationals, and 58 companies for their alleged roles in a transnational cyber fraud network that siphoned off over 1,000 crore through a sprawling web of shell entities and digital scams, officials said on Sunday. After busting the racket in October, investigators unravelled a single, tightly coordinated syndicate that relied on an elaborate digital and financial infrastructure to run a range of frauds. These included misleading loan applications, fake investment schemes, Ponzi and multi-level marketing models, bogus part-time job offers and fraudulent online gaming platforms. According to the probe agency's final report, the group layered the flow of illicit funds through 111 shell companies, routing about 1,000 crore via mule accounts. One account received more than 152 crore in a short span. The shell companies, the CBI said, were incorporated using dummy directors, forged or misleading documents, fake addresses and false statements of business objectives. "These shell entities were used to open bank accounts and merchant accounts with various payment gateways, enabling rapid layering and diversion of proceeds of crime," a CBI spokesperson said in a statement. Investigators traced the origins of the scam to 2020, when the country was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The shell companies were allegedly incorporated at the direction of four Chinese handlers -- Zou Yi, Huan Liu, Weijian Liu and Guanhua Wang. Their Indian associates procured identity documents from unsuspecting individuals, which were then used to establish the network of shell companies and mule accounts to launder proceeds from the scams and obscure the money trail. The investigation exposed communication links and operational control that, the agency said, nailed the role of Chinese masterminds running the fraud network from abroad. "Significantly, a UPI ID linked to the bank accounts of two Indian accused was found to be active in a foreign location as late as August 2025, conclusively establishing continued foreign control and real-time operational oversight of the fraud infrastructure from outside India," the CBI statement said. The probe found that the racketeers employed a highly layered, technology-driven modus operandi, using Google advertisements, bulk SMS campaigns, SIM-box-based messaging systems, cloud infrastructure, fintech platforms and multiple mule bank accounts. "Each stage of the operation -- from luring victims to collection and movement of funds -- was deliberately structured to conceal the identities of the actual controllers and evade detection by law enforcement agencies," the spokesperson said. The chargesheet names 17 individuals, including the four Chinese nationals, and 58 companies. The investigation was launched on the inputs from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which flagged large-scale cheating of citizens through online investment and employment schemes, resulting in the arrest of three individuals in October. "Though initially appearing as isolated complaints, detailed analysis by CBI revealed striking similarities in applications used, fund-flow patterns, payment gateways and digital footprints, pointing towards a common organised conspiracy," the agency said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) named Nitin Nabin, a cabinet minister in the Bihar government, as the party's national working president on Sunday. The appointment was made by the BJP parliamentary board. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nabin on his appointment, calling him a "hardworking Karyakarta" and expressing confidence that his commitment and vigor will reinforce the party. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil people's aspirations, PM Modi said on X. "He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working. I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our Party in the times to come. Congratulations to him on becoming the BJP National Working President," he added. Nitin Nabin reacts after being appointed as BJP national working president As per ANI, Nabin said that the accomplishments are due to the hard work of party workers and expressed his belief that when one works as a dedicated worker, senior leaders of the party always recognise it. He added that he will continue to work alongside them. Nabin is expected to succeed the current party president, J P Nadda, and is among the youngest leaders to hold this position, according to PTI citing party sources. Also Read | JP Nadda lists key milestones as PM Modi govt completes 11 years | 10 points Who is Nitin Nabin? As per the report, party leaders said that Nabin, 45, is young yet brings substantial experience in governance and serving both the people and the party. Nabin hails from the Kayastha community. He has also been actively involved with the Yuva Morcha and has experience handling responsibilities as a state-in-charge. Also Read | Bihar polls: Women lead record voter turnout Nabin serves as a minister in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, handling the Road Construction portfolio. He is also an MLA representing the Bankipur constituency in Patna district. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued cold wave and dense fog warnings for several states in northern India, along with snowfall alerts for parts of the northeastern region and the Western Himalayan areas. Light rain or snowfall in J&K Light rain or snowfall is expected at isolated locations across the Western Himalayan regionincluding Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzaffarabadfrom December 14 to 18. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may experience similar conditions on December 14, while Arunachal Pradesh is likely to see snowfall between December 15 and 17. View full Image Kashmir, India - November. 05, 2025: A view of the snow-covered ski resort,in Gulmarg,during season's First Snowfall on,05 November 2025. (Photo By Waseem Andrabi /Hindustan Times)-- Additionally, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 3040 kmph are very likely at isolated places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from December 13 to 15. Dense Fog & Cold wave warning warnings Cold wave conditions are expected at isolated locations across Telangana and Interior Karnataka on December 14 and 15, while Chhattisgarh and Odisha are likely to experience similar conditions on 14 December. North Interior Karnataka may face severe cold wave conditions on 14 December. Additionally, isolated pockets of eastern Uttar Pradesh are likely to see dense fog during the mornings from December 14 to 16, with very dense fog expected on December 14 and 15. Delhi's weather today The sky is expected to be partly cloudy, with moderate fog in the morning. The maximum temperature is likely to range from 23C to 25C, while the minimum temperature is expected to range from 9C to 11C. View full Image New Delhi, India - Dec. 13, 2025: A view of Kartavya Path amid cold and Dance foggy morning in New Delhi, India, on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Foggy morning challenges Delhi-NCR with intensifying cold wave, mercury dips further across North India (Photo by RAJ K RAJ / Hindustan Times) ( RAJ K RAJ /HT PHOTO ) GRAP Stage IV invoked in Delhi-NCR The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday invoked the strictest measures under its air pollution control plan, GRAP, including a ban on all construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR, PTI reported. The ban came after pollution levels rose sharply amid unfavourable meteorological conditions. The Sub-Committee on GRAP had earlier in the day decided to invoke Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire NCR with immediate effect as air quality continued to worsen. Also Read | Parts of Delhi covered in smog, air quality remains poor However, noting a further sharp rise in pollution levels since morning, the sub-committee held an urgent meeting at 6.30 pm to review the situation and weather forecasts by the IMD and IITM. Northeastern states Dense fog is very likely during morning hours in isolated areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura from 14 December to 18. Similar fog conditions are expected in Assam and Meghalaya, as well as western Uttar Pradesh, from December 14 to 16, and in Himachal Pradesh on December 14. Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi may also experience dense fog on December 15 and 16, IMD said in an official release. Fisherman Warning Fishermen have been advised to avoid venturing into certain areas between December 13 and 18. In the Bay of Bengal, this includes the Gulf of Mannar and the adjoining Comorin region from December 13 to 16. A complaint lodged in the Lok Sabha has brought Indian laws around vaping into focus. Vapes or e-cigarettes are banned in India, yet a Member of Parliament (MP) was allegedly using one openly in the premises. Is it illegal to use these smokeless devices? Not quite. Mint explains. Q. What was the complaint in the Lok Sabha all about? Last Thursday, during Zero Hour, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur lodged a verbal complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. He that an MP belonging to the Trinamool Congress was openly using e-cigarettes inside Parliament. He pointed out that e-cigarettes are banned throughout the country, and asked if they were allowed in Parliament. Thakur did not identify the MP by name, but a day later, a video TMC MP Saugata Roy surfaced, in which he was smoking an e-cigarette in front of reporters, while two Union ministers confronted him. Thakur has filed a written complaint as well. Q. What does Indian law say about e-cigarettes, vapes, and other smokeless electronic devices? India passed the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) or PECA Act in 2019. It defines an e-cigarette as any electronic device that heats a materialwith or without nicotineto release aerosol that a user can inhale. These include vapes, e-hookahs, other smokeless inhaling products and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems or ENDS. Unlike cigarettes, these products don't produce smoke and are usually flavoured. This law has detailed provisions banning companies and people from making, importing, storing, selling or advertising the use of vapes and e-cigarettes. First-time violators can be imprisoned for up to one year and be fined up to 1 lakh; repeat offenders can face a three-year jail term and 5 lakh in fines. If one is caught just stocking such goods, then the jail time is six months and a fine of up to 50,000. Also Read | Creative churn: Indian advertising agencies dread layoffs as AI upends industry Q. What does the law say about usage? Nothing explicitly. PECA does not clearly spell out that using or having an e-cigarette or vape is a crime. This is a grey area and could mean that an MP using or having an e-cigarette may not technically be committing a crime, although it may be against the rules of conduct for people inside Parliament. Q. But if importing, making, selling and stocking these products are banned, how are people buying them? There is a thriving illegal trade of vapes, e-cigarettes, and other electronic smokeless devices in India and globally too. The numbers are hard to come by, given that the sellers are skirting the law. However, various research firms say this market is already worth an estimated $20-30 billion in India. In a report this August, research firm Euromonitor said over three-fourths of the worlds e-vapour" market by volume was driven by illicit sales. In Asia Pacific, this number was much higher at 82%. Globally, this market is worth just over 800 billion sticks equivalenta measure that compares its size to the cigarettes marketand is likely to grow to over 1,200 billion sticks equivalent by 2029. Only about 16% of that global market will be made up of legal products. Q. Does that mean people such as the Trinamool MP can use e-cigarettes legally? Not quite. Having or using a banned product can still attract the attention of the authorities, even if the law does not explicitly say anything. In October 2023, the health ministry had issued a clarification, saying the possession of e-cigarettes and similar devices is also a violation of PECA. They argued that the ban on possession was implicit in the law because no one can buy such a device without someone violating provisions of PECA. However, as Euromonitor pointed out in its August report, consumers around the world are not aware of the provisions of the law and how it can be enforced in real life. In August this year, the minister of state for the health ministry told the Rajya Sabha that authorities had recorded 384 cases of PECA violations between 2021 and 2025, and seized 1,248 stocks of these banned goods. Hours after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that it would be assisting law enforcement authorities in the investigation into the Brown University shooting, a person of interest was detained over the tragedy that killed two and left nine injured. Taking to X shortly after the announcement of the detention, FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the role that the bureau had played in the investigation, leading up to the person's detention on Sunday. What is the FBI's role in the investigation? As per Patel, the FBI office in Boston established a command post to collect, develop, analyse, and chase leads "and run them to the ground". In addition the Bureau mobilised its Cellular Analysis Survey Team to provide "critical geolocation" capabilities, Patel said, with CNN reporting that geolocation helped in the detention of the person of interest on Sunday. "As a result, early this morning, FBI Boston's Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from the US Marshals Service & the Coventry Police Department, detained a person of interest in a hotel room in Coventry, RI, based of a lead by the Provide Police Department," the FBI Director announced in a post on X shortly after authorities held a press conference confirming the detention. Furnishing more details, Patel said that the FBI had mobilised local and national resources to reconstruct the scene of the shooting, with elements from the FBI headquarters and forensic lab providing assistance. The FBI also set up a digital media intake portal to collect images and video material related to the shooting from the larger public. Patel further added that the bureau's victim specialists were "fully integrating" with FBI partners to provide resources to victims, as well as survivors. What do we know about the person of interest? Authorities have yet to release details about the person of interest, or whether the detainee will be formally charged. In a news conference on Sunday while announcing the detention, Providence Police Chief Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr. declined to share details, saying that authorities would "continue to build that" case against the person who was taken into custody. Authorities also said that detained individual was a male in his 20s. No questions on the person's identity were answered, with the police chief saying, "I have responsibility to respect the integrity of this investigation." He also refused to share any information on whether the person would be charged. "Im not going to speculate on something without grounded facts. If were going to charge someone, then were going to charge somebody, and Im going to come here again," Perez Jr said, as per CNN. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley also maintained the same, saying, "it is frustrating the we cannot share additional information on the investigation to date". Meanwhile, CNN, citing law enforcement sources, reported that a revolver and a small Glock handgun with a laser sight attached were found in the detained person's hotel room. One remains critical The shooting on the campus of the Brown University in Rhode Island took place on 13 December at around 4 pm while final exams were underway. Specifically, the incident took place in the Barus and Holley engineering building on the Ivy League school's campus in Providence. Two students were killed in the mass shooting while nine others nine wounded. Brown University shooting LIVE: Two people were reported dead and eight sustained injuries after multiple people were shot near the Brown University campus in Rhode Island on Saturday, police said. Multiple shot in the area of Brown University, the Providence Police Department said in a post on X. A spokesman added, Currently, we have multiple people shot. Brown University shooting happened during final exams. Brown University Provost Frank Doyle said final exams were taking place in the engineering building Saturday afternoon when a shooter opened fir. What did Donald Trump say? In his initial statement posted on TRUTH social media, US President Donald Trump said, "I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island. The FBI is on the scene. The suspect is in custody. God bless the victims and the families of the victims." In another post, he claimed, The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement The suspect is NOT in custody. Security for Hanukkah events was ramped up across the biggest cities in the US on Sunday after a terrorist attack on a Jewish gathering in Sydney's Bondi Beach killed at least 15. Cities across the country, from New York City in the east coast to Los Angeles and San Francisco in the west, ramped up security arrangements for Jewish sites of worship and Hanukkah events, condemning the attack. New York City The New York Police Department (NYPD) on Sunday greeted the Jewish community and marked the first day of Hanukkah, providing a threat assessment and an update on security arrangements. "While there is currently no specific or credible threat to Hanukkah celebrations here, the NYPD will be out in full force at events and synagogues so that our communities can gather safely," the department said. "The story of Hanukkah is an important reminder of the power of light over darkness, and that message is especially significant today," the NYPD further said. The department urged residents to report any suspicious activity at its terrorism hotline, 888-NYC-SAFE. Los Angeles On other side of the country, the Los Angeles Police Department also announced heightened security arrangements for Hanukkah. "While there is no known threat to Los Angeles at this time, the LAPD remains vigilant and committed to protecting our diverse communities. As part of this commitment, the LAPD will provide extra patrols at Jewish facilities, schools, synagogues, and at Hanukkah events throughout the city," the department said, adding that it stood in solidarity with the Jewish community. "Together, we can honor the spirit of Hanukkah by standing united against hate and violence," the department said. It further urged all residents, especially those visiting synagogues and attending Hanukkah celebrations to stay alert and report suspicious activity. The LAPD also urged community and faith leaders to review security protocols and contact the department for additional patrols or support. Chicago The Chicago Police Department on Sunday also announced "special attention" to certain locations in the aftermath of the shooting at Bondi Beach. "The Chicago Police Department is monitoring the situation in Sydney, Australia. While there is no actionable intelligence at this time, there is a special attention on places of worship and faith-based community centers," the department said. San Francisco The San Francisco Police Department also issued a strongly worded warning against anti-semitism and informed people about increased security at places of worship and at Jewish events across the city. "he SFPD has increased patrols at places of worship and Jewish events throughout the city. Our officers remain vigilant and are prepared to respond to any emergency," the department said. It also asked residents to report suspicious activities at 415-575-444 or text a tip to TIP411. For emergencies, the SFPD advised people to contact 911. Dallas The Dallas Police Department to issued a public communication regarding heightened security. "With the start of Hanukkah this evening, the department will maintain an established presence and heightened awareness at related events and locations across the city. We are proactively assessing and enhancing safety measures and maintaining close communication with our public safety partners," the Dallas PD said, adding that there were "no credible threats" at the moment to the city. "Following recent acts of violence in the United States and abroad, including the attack at Bondi Beach and the shooting at Brown University, the Dallas Police Department continues to remain vigilant by closely monitoring events nationwide for any potential impact to our diverse city," the department added. Phoenix The Phoenix Police Department extended its compassion to the victims' families and the Jewish community, adding that it would be stepping up patrols at potential targets. "Out of an abundance of caution and in partnership with community leaders, the Phoenix Police Department will be increasing patrols and visibility around synagogues and other faith-based institutions and events across our city as we enter this season of religious observances," the Phoenix PD said. "At this time, there is no known threat to our community," it added. San Diego The San Diego Police Department condemned the "horrible attack" in Sydney and said that while there were no threats in the city, it would continue to remain vigilant. "While there are no known threats, the San Diego Police Department is working closely with our law enforcement partners, and out of an abundance of caution will be increasing patrols near houses of worship and community events," the department said. "We understand the real fear that acts of violence like this spread among our communities. It is a reminder for all of us to remain vigilant," it added. Miami The Miami Beach Police also extended its prayers in the aftermath of the attack, and said that it was stepping up security at key locations across the city. "As a precautionary measure, we have increased our uniformed presence at synagogues, schools, and other key locations citywide to help ensure the continued safety of our residents and visitors," the department said, confirming that there were no credible threats to residents' safety. "As we observe the first night of Hanukkaha time of light, reflection, and resiliencewe encourage everyone to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious or unlawful activity," it said. The police also advised people to contact 911 in cases of emergency and reach out on 305.673.7901 for other needs. SYDNEY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Sunday night that 12 people have died following a shooting targeting Sydney's Jewish community at Bondi Beach. One of the offenders was among the dead and another one is in custody, Premier of NSW Chris Minns said at a press conference. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the attack to be "a terrorist incident," adding that 29 more people were hospitalized with injuries. Minns said that the incident occurred at around 6:40 p.m. when a crowd gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. "What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack," he said. Lanyon said that police are investigating whether other offenders were involved in the attack. He said that officers at the scene located a vehicle near the beach, believed to contain several improvised explosive devices, and that the bomb disposal unit was continuing to work on it. Corresponding Hanukkah events that were due to take place in Melbourne were cancelled due to safety concerns, and additional police resources were deployed to the city's southeast suburbs with large Jewish populations. Following the incident, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee. At a press conference later, he called the attack "an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation." Australian Security Intelligence Organization Director-General Mike Burgess said the national terrorism threat level would remain at "probable," which means there is a greater than 50 percent chance of an onshore attack or attack planning in the next twelve months. The Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney said it had not received reports of casualties involving Chinese citizens by early Monday morning local time. H-1B and H-4 visa holders in the US reportedly received emails from the consulate informing them that temporary working visas had been prudentially revoked amid the postponement of H-1B visa interviews. The US Embassy in India announced on December 9 that many H-1B visa appointments have been postponed until next year. This comes as US authorities prepare to start social media vetting of applicants from December 15. We are seeing more prudential visa revocations for H-1Band H-4 holders who had a past interaction with law enforcement, even with no conviction. Many of these incidents were already disclosed and cleared in earlier visa stamps, immigration attorney Emily Neumann said in a post on X, while sharing an earlier US State Department statement. The statement said, visa screening does not stop after a visa is issued. We continuously check visa holders to ensure they follow all U.S. laws and immigration rules and we will revoke their visas and deport them if they dont. What is a prudential visa revocation? A prudential visa revocation is a temporary, precautionary measure driven by prudence and does not constitute a permanent denial of the visa. It is done as a precautionary measure, typically in cases where the government suspects an issue with the visa holders eligibility. Will prudential visa revocation affect stay in US? A prudential revocation does not impact an individual's legal stay in the US, but it does mean the case will be reviewed again during the applicant's next visa appointment. A revocation does not affect lawful stay in the United States, but it means the issue will be reexamined at the next visa appointment. Hard to see how this is an efficient use of government resources when the incident was already previously vetted, Neumann said. When is a visa typically revoked? According to a report by Reddy Neumann Brown PC, a US-based immigration law firm, the State Department has extensive authority to revoke visas under US law. Typically, a visa can be revoked if the holder becomes ineligible, such as through violations of their status, committing fraud, or falling into a ground of inadmissibility. The Departments rules, outlined in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), specify the common reasons for visa revocation, including loss of entitlement or recognised ineligibility under the law. When to expect prudential visa revocation? The FAM also explains prudential revocation, which allows the Department to revoke a visa if there's suspicion of ineligibility or lack of entitlement, sometimes even before proof is confirmed or in other justified cases. This process, known as a prudential revocation,'enables the department to revoke your visa as a security measure if they receive information indicating you might not qualify, even prior to a final decision. Venezuelan Nobel laureate and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Sunday voiced support for the Donald Trump administration's pressure campaign against President Nicolas Maduro. Machado's comments, which were aired on Sunday, comes amid increasing pressure by the Trump administration on the Maduro, with the latest action being the seizure of an oil tanker, which Venezuela decried as an act of "international piracy". In an interview on CBS show 'Face the Nation', Machado, the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, said that she "absolutely" supported Washington's pressure on Maduro. "I absolutely support President Trump's strategy, and we, the Venezuelan people, are very grateful to him and to his administration, because I believe he is a champion of freedom in this hemisphere," said the Venezuelan leader who won the prestigious honour that the US President had openly claimed to deserve. Asked about potential US military intervention in Venezuela, the opposition leader said, "I will welcome more and more pressure so that Maduro understands that he has to go, that his time is over," Machado said she not just welcomed US pressure on Maduro, but also called on the entire international community to step in. "We want every legal action through law enforcement approach, not only from the United States, also from other Caribbean, Latin American and European countries that further block the illegal activities of the regime," the Nobel laureate said. "Why? Because we need to increase the cost of staying in power by force," she added. Machado's comments were given from Oslo after she defied a 10-year travel ban to secretly depart Venezuela and collect her Nobel Prize. Asked at a press conference in the Nordic capital whether she was open to US military intervention, the Nobel laureate had echoed what she told CBS, saying, We are asking the world to help us. Also Read | Russia reaffirms support to Venezuela's Maduro after US seizes oil tanker US-Venezuela tensions The recent seizure of the oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela took place after a sustained campaign of US military strikes on alleged drug boats from the country. So far, there have been over 20 US military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have killed over 90 people. The Trump administration does not recognize Maduro, a known strongman, as the legitimate leader of Venezuela and alleges that the President heads a drug cartel. Apart from the drug boat strikes, the US has also significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean, with Trump threatening intervention on multiple occasions and even authorising operations by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In addition, the US has also sanctioned several oil tankers linked to Maduro's family and has signalled that further seizures could be in order. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy guidance "to address a change in the agencys photograph reuse policy." It tightens rules on photographs used for immigration documents setting new limits on how old an image can be and ending the acceptance of self-submitted photos. What does new policy on 'Photograph Reuse for Identity Documents' say? The US Department of Homeland Security released a press release on Friday (December 12), saying that the USCIS is now changing its photograph reuse policy. It said the USCIS may only reuse a previously collected photograph if, at the time of filing, no more than 36 months (3 years) have passed since the date the photograph was collected at the biometric services appointment (BSA). The revised policy also clarified that the reuse of photographs is no longer automatic. The agency retains discretion to require a new photograph at any time, even if the existing image falls within the three-year window. It "removes the requirement to calculate both the age of the photograph and the secure document validity time frame." It further provides that the USCIS will not use or reuse a self-submitted photograph. What are the exceptions? The policy applies to all immigration benefit requests, with the exception of the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400), the Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600), the Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90), and the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). These forms require the collection of new biometrics, including a new photograph. What were the old rules? The USCIS had earlier limited the reuse of photographs to a maximum of 10 years on any agency-issued secure document. This was after the end of COVID-19 flexibilities, in September 2024. The USCIS used to then consider the age of the photograph at the time of initial reuse and ensured it did not exceed 10 years during the validity period of the secure document for requestors 26 years of age and older. Also Read | Trumps crackdown on immigration is taking a toll on child care workers Hours after a mass shooting rocked Australia's Bondi Beach, police issued a statement regarding reports another shooting at Dover Heights. Dover Heights is just minutes away from Bondi Beach. In a statement on X, police said: There have been NO reports of any incidents at Dover Heights please do NOT share unconfirmed rumours. Bondi Beach shooting At least 10 people were killed after multiple gunshots were fired at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, 14 December during Jewish holiday event, Reuters reported, citing Australian police. According to the New South Wales ambulance spokesperson,13 people were taken to the hospital after the shooting, AFP reported. Police are responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach and are urging the public to AVOID the area, the New South Wales police said in a post on X. Anyone at the scene should take shelter. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand. Bondi Beach shooting - What footage showed? The Australian Broadcasting Corp. showed footage of two black-clad gunmen firing on people from a footbridge near the beach. In another unconfirmed clip, a bystander is shown tackling and disarming one of the gunmen, mentioned a report by Bloomberg. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the scenes from Bondi are shocking and distressing. Gunmen opened fire just after 6.30 p.m. local time as hundreds of people attended the Chanukah by the Sea event to celebrate the start of the Jewish festival, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Speaking at an event, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the shooting was a cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi Beach. Syria on Sunday arrested five suspects in connection with an attack on a military convoy that left American troops and a civilian dead in the town of Palmyra. The arrests were announced by the country's interior ministry, as per a report by Reuters. "Our units carried out a precise and decisive security operation in the city of Palmyra, following a cowardly terrorist attack carried out yesterday by an individual affiliated with the Islamic State," the ministry was quoted as said in a statement. "The operation was conducted in full coordination with the General Intelligence Service and international coalition forces, and resulted in the arrest of five suspects, who were immediately referred for questioning," the statement added. The arrests come after US President Donald Trump vowed to pursue very serious retaliation. There will be very serious retaliation. Thank you for your attention to this matter!, the US President had written on his social media platform Truth Social, commenting on the attack and providing and update on injured American troops. Also Read | Person of interest detained in Brown University shooting that killed 2 Is ISIS behind attack on US troops? While an investigation is underway to determine whether the Palmyra attack was carried out by the Islamic State, Trump on Saturday had blamed the group. 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 of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack, Trump had said. It was not immediately clear whether the arrested suspects were linked to ISIS. As of writing this, the Islamic State had not claimed responsibility either. The attack in Palmyra, which took place on 13 December, left two US soldiers and an American civilian interpreter dead, marking the first US casualties in Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad a year ago. Also Read | Bondi Beach shooter identified as Naveed Akram, another killed In addition, three US military personnel were injured in the attack, as well as at least two Syrian soldiers. The lone gunman, meanwhile, was killed. In the aftermath of the attack, US Central Command said that the gunman had been be a lone wolf from ISIS. News agency AFP, however, reported that that the gunman had been part of Syria's security forces, citing the interior ministry. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also corroborated the the AFP report, writing 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. Following the attack, interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba told state television reported said on state television that Syrian authorities "had decided to fire" the perpetrator on Sunday for holding extremist Islamist ideas. At the time, AFP had also reported citing unnamed interior ministry sources that 11 members of the country's general security forces had been arrested and brought in for questioning after the attack. It was not immediately unclear whether the five arrests on Sunday were in addition to the 11. At least 11 people were killed in a deadly terrorist incident at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Chaos ensued as two gunmen opened fire earlier today around 6:30 pm (local time). Australia police said officials found 'improvised explosive device' in a car linked to the Bondi shooter, with Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales state labelling the death toll as fluid a fatality count that is expected to keep changing, reported AFP. One of the shooters have been identified as Naveed Akram. "As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight at 9:36 pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident," New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a news conference. Bondi Beach Sydney shooting - 10 points Death toll rises - Many reports mention that the death toll from the shooting has risen to 12, while 30 others were wounded when gunmen fired on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday. Bondi Beach is one of the world's most famous beaches and is typically crowded with locals and tourists. 2. One accused killed, another critical - One suspected gunman was killed and another was in a critical condition, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference. 3. 10 minutes, around 1000 people - Eyewitnesses said the shooting lasted about 10 minutes, sending hundreds of people scattering along the sand and into nearby streets and parks. Police said around 1,000 people had attended the Hanukkah event alone. View full Image TOPSHOT - People stand on a street after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025. Australian police said two people were in custody following reports of multiple gunshots on December 14 at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach, urging the public to take shelter. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) ( AFP ) 4. IEDs found - Australia police said they found improvised explosive device in a car linked to the shooter. 5. Semi-automatic rifles spotted - A British tourist told AFP he saw "two shooters in black" after the gunfire broke out. "There was a shooting, two shooters in black with semi-automatic rifles," Timothy Brant-Coles told AFP, saying he saw multiple people who had been shot and wounded. 6. Shooting area turns into crime zone - Several police rescue vans arrived at the car park near the bridge where the gunmen opened fire, close to the vehicle in which the IEDs were found. According to a report by BBC, police said that the devices have been secured and are being removed. The area is no longer an exclusion zone but has been declared a crime scene, with investigators expected to remain on site throughout the night, mentioned the outlet. 7. Third gunman involved? So far, police have released information about two gunmen. Earlier, a report by BBC mentioned that police commissioner for New South Wales Lanyon ad said that authorities were investigating if a third gunman was involved. 8. Hero who saved lives- Hours after the shooting, a video emerged on social media showing how a person is trying to disarm one of the gunmen. The video, posted by Spectator Index on X, displayed how a bystander ran towards the gunman, grabbed the arms and shot the perpetrator multiple times with many netizens hailing him as a hero. 9. Shocking and distressing- Australian PM Anthony Albanese condemned the loss of lives in the terrorist attack, and called the scenes in Bondi shocking and distressing. Bondi Beach mass shooting LIVE: 9 people were killed after multiple gunshots were fired at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, 14 December during Jewish holiday event, AP reported, citing Australian police. According to the New South Wales ambulance spokesperson,13 people were taken to the hospital after the shooting, AFP reported. Police are responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach and are urging the public to AVOID the area, the New South Wales police said in a post on X. Anyone at the scene should take shelter. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand. Catch all live updates on Bondi Beach mass shooting: 16:27 One gunman fatally shot; second arrested Police fatally shot one gunman and arrested the second, who was reported to be in critical condition, as per AP. Authorities said a large-scale emergency response was in progress, with the injured being transported by ambulance. 16:15 Eyewitness recounts the incident I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere, Harry Wilson, a 30-year-old local who witnessed the shooting, told the Sydney Morning Herald. 16:05 Attack on Jews? Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Jewish people who went to light the first candle of the Hanukkah holiday on the beach were attacked by vile terrorists, Reuters reported. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed shock over the tragedy. Also Read | Another shooting at Dover Heights after Bondi Beach shooting? What police say These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of 'Globalise the Intifada' that were realised today, the news portal quoted Saar. 16:00 Australian PM reacts Expressing sorrow over the Bondi Beach incident, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in a statement, said, The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected." The two gunmen who opened fire on a Jewish gathering in Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday are reportedly a father-son duo. The mass shooting, declared a terrorist attack by Australian authorities, killed at least 16, including one of the two gunmen, and 15 civilians. The deadly attack unfolded on Sunday afternoon when hundreds of people had gathered at the popular Bondi Beach to attend the Chanukah by the Sea event, marking the first day of Jewish festival of Hanukkah. ABC, which first reported on the relationship between the two gunmen, cited law enforcement sources. Some more details about the two shooters were shared on Monday morning (local time) by New South Wales Premier Chris Minn and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who also confirmed that there was no third suspect in the case. What we know about the two gunmen so far In an update on Monday morning, NSW Premier Minn said that one of the two gunmen remains in the hospital under guard. ABC confirmed that the hospitalised gunman was the suspect identified earlier as 24-year-old Naveed Akram. The gunman's reported father, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, was 50, and was shot dead during the exchange of gunfire with the police. Authorities further said that the duo, whose Bonnyrigg residence was earlier raided by police, were staying at an address in Campsie. Motives, however, remain unclear at the moment: We'll look at the motives behind the attack and that's really as part of the investigation, NSW police chief Lanyon said, declining to comment on a black Islamic State (IS) flag reportedly seen at the scene. Lanyon added that the older shooter had a gun licence for 10 years, taking the total number of registered firearms in his name to six, as per ABC. While it is unclear for what purpose the older gunman used firearms, no incident was reported in his 10 years of gun licence ownership. In addition, police said two basic explosives were found at the duo's suburban home, but none were triggered during recovery. Victims ranged from children to the elderly NSW Premier Minn also shared some details about the victims following Sunday's horrific shooting, confirming earlier reports that a child had been killed. Minn said that the ages of the victims ranged from 10 to 87 years, adding that 42 people were treated in hospitals overnight. Earlier it had been reported that a British Rabbi Eli Schlanger was one of the victims, along with a 10-year-old girl. After multiple shots were fired at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, a chilling video emerged on social media. It showed blood splattered on the ground, with white sheets covering bodies as police investigated the incident. NSW police confirmed that two people were taken into custody. Two people are in police custody at Bondi Beach; however, the police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area. Please obey ALL police directions. Do not cross police lines, NSW police stated. It also asked people to avoid the area and take shelter as they responded to a "developing incident" at Bondi beach. Also Read | Bondi Beach mass shooting LIVE: 10 dead after multiple gunshots fired Thirteen people were rushed to hospital following the horrifying shooting, a New South Wales ambulance spokesperson confirmed, a report by Reuters noted. A total of 9 people are dead, AP cited Australian Police as saying. Bondi beach shooting shocking and distressing, says Australian PM Anthony Albanese Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Sydney's Bondi beach shooting "shocking and distressing". In a statement shared by his office, Albanese stated, Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the (New South Wales) Police." Harry Wilson, a 30-year-old local, who saw the shooting, informed the Herald, I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere." Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, mentioned in an interview with Sky News that the shooting occurred during a beach event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which began at sundown. He stated, This is the Jewish community at its best coming together to mark a happy occasion. If we were targeted deliberately in this way, it's something of a scale that none of us could have ever fathomed. It's a horrific thing. Alex added his media adviser had been injured in the attack. Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that Jewish people who had gone to light the first candle of the Hanukkah holiday on the beach were attacked by vile terrorists". A couple from Gujarats Mehsana district and their three-year-old daughter were allegedly taken into hostage in Libya while trying to immigrate to Portugal, with the abductors allegedly demanding a ransom of 2 crore, officials said on Saturday, PTI reported. Kismatsinh Chavda, his wife Heenaben and daughter Devanshi were kidnapped in the North African nation, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, en route to Portugal, where the mans brother is settled,Mehsana Superintendent of Police Himanshu Solanki said. He said that the family from Badalpura village in the district was travelling with the help of a Portugal-based agent with the plan to settle in the European country, PTI reported. The official said Mehsana Collector SK Prajapati has been informed about the incident. The family took a flight to Dubai from Ahmedabad on November 29. From there, they were taken to Benghazi City in Libya, where they were kidnapped, Solanki said. Chavdas brother is settled in Portugal, and he was travelling with the help of an agent based in Portugal. The family was travelling with the intention to settle there, and the agents involved in the case are not Indians, Solanki said. The official said that the kidnappers have contacted the relatives of the family in Mehsana, demanding 2 crore as ransom. Collector Prajapati said that Chavdas kin approached him on Friday, and that he has informed the state government and the Ministry of External Affairs about their case. DHAKA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Six peacekeepers from the Bangladesh Army were killed and eight others were injured after attackers targeted a United Nations base in Abyei, Sudan, the Inter Service Public Relations of the Bangladesh Army said in a statement Saturday night. "War is ongoing," added the statement. No further details were immediately available. Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep shock over the incident. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday expressed shock over Sydney's Bondi beach shooting, linking it to the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Australia over the past two years, according to Reuters. He suggested that the violent outcome was influenced by repeated anti-Semitic and provocative slogans, such as Globalise the Intifada", which had been circulating and were realised in the attack. The Australian Government, which has received countless warning signs, must come to its senses, Saar stated. Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that Jewish people lighting the first Hanukkah candle on the beach were targeted by vile terrorists. A yearly event called "Chanukah by the Sea," celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, was scheduled to take place at the beach on Sunday afternoon. Authorities have not commented on whether the incident had an antisemitic motive. Meanwhile, officials mentioned that one of the suspected shooters was killed, while the other remains in critical condition, but no further details about the motive have been released, a report by AFP noted. A total of 12 people were killed, reported Reuters citing Australian Police. Police stated that their operation was ongoing and that a number of suspicious items located in the vicinity were being examined by specialist officers. Dramatic footage, reportedly captured by a member of the public and aired on Australian television, showed someone seemingly tackling and disarming one of the gunmen, then pointing the man's weapon at him. Authorities said emergency services were called to Campbell Parade around 6:45 pm (local time). Local news outlets interviewed distressed and bloodied bystanders who had witnessed the incident. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the reports and images from the scene as deeply distressing". PM Anthony Albanese reacts Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his sympathy for those affected, saying, The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing, and added, Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. Mass shootings resulting in multiple deaths are extremely rare in Australia. A 1996 massacre in Port Arthur, Tasmania, where a lone gunman killed 35 people, led the government to implement strict gun laws, making it far more difficult for Australians to obtain firearms. Other notable mass shootings this century included two murder-suicides with death tolls of five in 2014 and seven in 2018, in which the perpetrators killed their own families before taking their own lives. Australia: One of the two shooters in Bondi Beach terror attack has been identified as Naveed Akram. The horrifying tragedy on Sunday killed 12 and injured 29 others on Hanukkah holiday in Sydney. Akram is a man from the city's south-west, according to a senior law enforcement official, reported ABC News. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Akram's home in the suburb of Bonnyrigg was being raided by police on Sunday evening. According to NSW Police, one of the two gunmen was killed at the scene, while the other was critically injured and taken into custody. At this time, reports have not confirmed which of the two is Akram. An image of Akram has surfaced on social media. Mint couldn't independently verify the authenticity of the viral image. As per ABC News, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon indicated that one of the shooters was known to authorities; however, "the person that we know has very, very little knowledge to the police". "So he's not someone that we would have automatically been looking at at this time," he stated. Albanese reacts PM Anthony Albanese stated he was distressed by the terrorist attack, stating, This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, [...] An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. Israel slams Australian govt Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Sunday expressed shock over Sydney's Bondi beach shooting, linking it to the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Australia over the past two years, according to Reuters. He suggested that the violent outcome was influenced by repeated anti-Semitic and provocative slogans, such as Globalise the Intifada", which had been circulating and were realised in the attack. The Australian Government, which has received countless warning signs, must come to its senses, Saar stated. Also Read | Bondi Beach Shooting LIVE: Gunman identified as Naveed Akram Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that Jewish people lighting the first Hanukkah candle on the beach were targeted by vile terrorists". As per AFP, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Australian government of contributing to antisemitism in the lead-up to Sundays shooting in Sydney, which targeted a Jewish celebration and resulted in 11 deaths. "Three months ago I wrote to the Australian prime minister that your policy is pouring oil on the fire of antisemitism," he said, referring to a letter he sent to Anthony Albanese in August after Canberra announced it would recognize Palestinian statehood. "Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders are silent and do not act," Netanyahu added during a televised public address at an event in southern Israel. Meanwhile, United States, India, New Zealand, United Kingdom and others condemned the deadly shooting that took place. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio took to X and said, Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia. Renewed hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia are a wake-up call for Southeast Asia about the costs of letting historical border disputes fester. The century-old conflict, rooted in colonial-era cartography, is flaring at a time when the region is already straining from US President Donald Trumps trade war and intensifying rivalry between the US and China. Fighting erupted last week along their shared frontier and so far has killed at least 11 people. Both sides have exchanged artillery fire and Thailand carried out air strikes with F-16 jets after accusing Cambodia of firing rockets into civilian areas. The neighbours have clashed repeatedly before, most recently in July, when dozens were killed and tens of thousands displaced. A fragile ceasefirebrokered in part with Trumps self-touted involvementhas collapsed, and there is no clear diplomatic off-ramp in sight. Also Read | Why central banks in Southeast Asia keep wrong-footing economists Washington is concerned by the continued clashes and casualties along parts of the 800km border. US secretary of state Marco Rubio urged both sides to immediately cease hostilities and to return to the measures outlined on 26 October in the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, which were one of Trumps more prominent successes in branding himself a global peacemaker. But a return to calm looks unlikely, at least in the near term. Both governments are leaning on deeply rooted nationalist sentiment to shore up support. The hardened rhetoric lays the groundwork for a prolonged and destructive conflict. Like many disputes in Asia, this one is a hangover from Western imperialism, though the roots go back further. The once-powerful Khmer Empire declined and what was left was being nibbled away for centuries by the ascendant Siam in the west and what is now Vietnam in the east. In colonizing Indochina, France made the land in-between" a protectorate in 1863 and expanded its shrunken frontiers. Siam, now Thailand, remained independent despite pressure from France and also Britain, which ruled over Burma and India. A Franco-Siamese treaty signed in 1904 proposed the frontier would follow the watershed line of the Dangrek Mountains. But another map produced by French officials in 1907 deviated from that, placing key landmarks, including the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, on the Cambodian side. Thailand later argued the map was never properly approved, while Cambodia maintained it was binding because Siam did not formally object at the time. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled in favour of Phnom Penh, a decision it reaffirmed in 2013. But the surrounding border area was never fully demarcated, laying the groundwork for recurrent tensions. The danger this time is how much more firepower is being used. Thailands forces are far larger and better equipped; the country is a longstanding ally of the US. Much-poorer Cambodia fields a smaller military and relies on Chinese assistance. The risks of escalation cannot be overstated. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has historically avoided wading into the affairs of other members because of its policy of non-interference. But fighting between two member countries cannot but be of concern. As it intensifies, voices within the region are calling for stronger intervention. This years chair, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, says hes ready to help (as he did with the Trump deal) and is urging de-escalation. His efforts are sensible, but ultimately insufficient. Its a longstanding complaint, but the bloc has to stop managing crises and start resolving them. Installing an independent observer mission along the border and creating a mechanism to verify and publicly report violations would be a start towards real accountability. Some Asean states have been involved in monitoring the ceasefire, but thats a long way from enforcement. Resolving the border dispute would be even harder. It would need buy-in from both governments. Any demarcation process should be conducted by neutral surveyors, anchored in the existing world court rulings. Both Bangkok and Phnom Penh would need to commit publicly to accept the outcome and refrain from inciting nationalist sentiment further. This wont be easy. Both sides have compelling domestic incentives to let the fighting go on. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is using the conflict to tap nationalist sentiment before an election as early as 2026. Cambodias most influential politician, Hun Sen, has exploited the violence to reassert himself in politics, portraying himself as a national defender. Until Southeast Asia confronts its unresolved borders with some real determination, the war over a line on a map will remain a recurring threat the region can no longer afford. Bloomberg The author is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asia politics with a special focus on China. As the year draws to a close, tradition demands that General Disequilibrium provide a perspective on the year gone by. However, in the spirit of bygones being bygones, it might be instructive to dwell on some of the issues that raised their ugly heads during the year and are likely to keep popping up in some form or another during the new year. The ignoble gong for most dangerous trend of the year must go to the stubborn conflicts that have refused to settle for a peaceful resolution, despite global intermediation and mass decimation of life and property. Many of these conflicts are likely to continue well into 2026. During his first papal tour overseas, Pope Leo XIV told a gathering of Turkish authorities, civil society delegates and members of the diplomatic corps at Ankara that, piecemeal, a third world war is being waged. We are now experiencing a phase marked by a heightened level of conflict on the global level, fuelled by prevailing strategies of economic and military powerThe future of humanity is at stake. The energies and resources absorbed by this destructive dynamic are being diverted from the real challenges that the human family should instead be facing together today, namely peace, the fight against hunger and poverty, health and education, and the protection of creation." On one side, there is the unrelenting Russia-Ukraine war in which thousands of young lives continue to be snuffed out daily, not to mention the widespread destruction of habitat, irreversible damage to the environment and long-term harm to economic or productive energies. Israel continues to wage a cruel and unjust war on Gazas hapless, defenceless citizens by blithely violating ceasefire agreements. Across the Red Sea, Sudan has been in the throes of a deadly civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, a conflict that has claimed close to 21,000 lives in 2025 and displaced over 12 million people. A global seam of bloodlust and wanton hostility seems to have seeped across many national boundariesMyanmar, Yemen, Ethiopia and Somalia, among others. While the demon of war and bloodshed is proving to be indomitable, the ghost in all our machinesartificial intelligence (AI)will acquire ubiquity during the coming year by either making or breaking fortunes. Doubts and suspicions have started surfacing over whether 2026 will usher in a sobering morning for the AI euphoria that has sent capital markets into bullish territory over the past few months, disregarding the dampening effect of US President Donald Trumps tariff tantrums. As reservations and misgivings arise, an uncertain and indistinct pall now hangs over the capital markets globally. Many tech companies have rushed herd-like to build massive AI infrastructure, the desperation resembling a gold rush. Every tech company is in a tearing hurry to stack up AI infrastructure and cash in on what is viewed as an inevitable future revenue source. There is only one problem in this desperate scramble: a substantial part of this capital expenditure is being financed by borrowing billions of dollars. According to some reports, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Google alone are estimated to have spent $350 billion as capex during 2025. But heres the nub: OpenAIs commitment to spend $1.4 trillion over the next eight years sits uneasily with its $20-billion revenue projected for 2025. This, and many other similar examples, have spooked markets. Apprehensions that many of these companies may not be able to generate revenues commensurate with their borrowings have multiplied after independent surveys showed that enterprise investment in AI has had no significant impact on bottom-lines so far. This has sparked off a nervousness about the likelihood of a meltdown resembling the dotcom bust. Also Read | Why OpenAI's circular deals are emblematic of an artificial intelligence bubble What has added to the fears are two other factors. First came statements from OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and Google chief Sundar Pichai cautioning markets about an irrational AI boom. Second, the word circularity has cropped up a lot in AI discussions, indicating that companies have invested in each other in an incestuous loop that multiplies risks to systemic stability. For example, chip-maker Nvidia has committed a $100-billion investment in OpenAI, with the money being used to buy processing units from Nvidia. OpenAIs circularity touches other tech companies as well, like Oracle and AMD. Competitor Anthropic flipped back the investment it received from Microsoft and Nvidia as payments for Azure cloud and chip purchases. If any one piece of this domino topples, it could bring down the entire chain. But a counter-narrative also has emerged. Many analysts feel that even after an AI bubble bursts, there will be value available in the rubble and that an industry shake-up will throw up more efficient and productive AI companies. For instance, writing in the New York Times, bond-trader-turned-professor Mohamed A. El-Erian argues that though some tech companies will definitely lose after the bubble bursts, mankind would be left better off overall from the benefits of AIs transformative power." It is now certain that bloody wars and big investments in AI technology will continue well into 2026. Hopefully, Russia will heed global demands for a long-term ceasefire. Likewise, let us pray the AI meltdown has a soft landing, without displacing too many jobs and deepening an economic crisis. After all, hope is all we can do. The author is a senior journalist and author of Slip, Stitch and Stumble: The Untold Story of Indias Financial Sector Reforms @rajrishisinghal. David Michael Malone, my friend and mentor, elected to die with dignity on 24 November at the age of 71. The veteran scholar-diplomata former Canadian high commissioner to Indiahad been diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple of years ago and Alzheimers disease more recently. He was spared the pain but did not want to suffer the loss of memory and degradation of the quality of life that comes with Alzheimers. He invoked Canadas right to die when he was still in control of his mental faculties and passed away a day after spending an enjoyable evening out with his close friends. As much as I will miss his long-distance friendship and sage advice, I was not unhappy to see him depart the way he did. Death is an important subject, but there is both a psychological and social aversion to discussing it. It is inadequately discussed in the public sphere, and even in policy debates, we engage with the topic more in the context of healthcare than something in and of itself. As a consequence, we continue to hang on to old mindsets, norms, social attitudes and laws concerning death even though the world around us has changed. Now, there is a case to be conservative in matters of life and death. But there is also a need to be responsive to our present and future contexts. Also Read | Wholesome care: All hospitals should help their patients make living wills Nearly two-thirds of deaths in urban India occur in hospitals. Even in rural areas, more than four out of ten are hospital deaths. Frequently, family members feel compelled to continue with medical treatment even for terminal conditions because they feel it would not be morally appropriate to do otherwise. Hospitalization turns a person into a patient, with an attendant loss of dignity. Families incur medical expenses even if they are aware of a negligible chance of recovery. Patients sufferand not just pain. Scarce medical facilities, from hospital beds to intensive care units, mean others are deprived who might have a better chance of survival. Yet, this way of dying appears to have an unspoken family or social consensus. Unless the individual is able to clearly express a desire not to be hospitalized, or has left written instructions to such an effect, families do whatever they can to ensure medical treatment until the very end. Also Read | Welcome to Canada, the doctor will kill you now So it is a good sign that the Supreme Court of India ruled some years ago that the fundamental right to life guaranteed by the Constitution includes the right to die with dignity. Kerala and Karnataka, among other states, have implemented this through orders enabling an individual to record an Advance Medical Directive (AMD) or living will stating precise preferences of medical treatment in the future. Families can request Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapy (WLST) through a due process that involves approvals by medical boards. The Supreme Court has relaxed AMD norms from requiring registration with a judicial magistrate to a gazetted officer or notary, but state governments still require multiple government officials to sign off on a WLST. Procedural safeguards and bureaucratic hurdles are perhaps warranted at the outset. It is better to be prudent in such a sensitive matter. At the same time, policymakers must recognize that a deep involvement of our heartless bureaucracy in such matters at emotionally fraught moments can have unintended but anticipable consequences. Indeed, political leaders should resist the temptation to tighten regulations or roll back this policy merely because of a few high-profile instances of malpractice. Canada and a few European countries allow Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). This goes beyond an AMD. Here, like David, a person can decide to terminate their life with medical assistance. A decade after its implementation, the MAID death rate has risen to around 5% of all deaths in Canada and is stabilizing at this level, according to its government. Critics point out that only a fifth of the people who request MAID had serious medical conditions, a quarter did so out of loneliness and isolation and half because they didnt want to burden their families and caregivers. Even so, if there is a right to die with dignity, it is for the individual to decide what dignity is. Society can try to dissuade a person from opting out of life, but the old notion that suicide is a crime, and people should not be allowed to end their lives under any condition, is not only illiberal, but also sadistic and cruel. Do we have the right to insist that another person live in unending pain, indignity and dependence? Who gave us that right? The Roman philosopher Seneca wrote, Life, if well lived, is long enough." It is not the duration of ones life that matters, but its subjective quality. I like to think of human life on earth as being similar to a good guest at a party: make your presence enjoyable for everyone and leave before the hosts get tired. There is such a thing as overstaying. Even the new billionaires who are preoccupied with longevity are merely pursuing what old potentates did. Even if scientific advances extend lifespans, they cannot resolve the issue of overstaying. Wisdom lies in knowing whats a good time to leave and leaving at that time. Like David Malone did. The author is co-founder and director of The Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy. In a Netflix documentary that celebrates one hundred years of The New Yorker magazine, its staff writer Andrew Marantz says that he has often been in places where people would say All you elite [expletive], you dont know the first thing" about America. It is the kind of magazine, he says, that would faithfully quote that expletive, but place an accent on the first e of elite, thereby confirming at least one part of the abuse. The documentary, The New Yorker at 100, though insipid, will baffle millions who have not heard of the magazine, who are far removed from arts or journalism or the West. It is not only a revered magazine, but also one of the most revered things the upper crust has ever created. Also Read | Manu Joseph: America and the bearable loneliness of losing the West The New Yorker is evidence that there are some things only the cultural elite can do very well and that an exceptional product does not need geniuses, just an exceptional system. It carries, apart from poems, short fiction and cartoons, articles that are at times over 10,000 words long about anything that might interest a curious American. In return, the magazine actually makes money. It is probably the most imitated product in the field of print media, except the profits part. Many magazines have tried to be The New Yorker and generations of writers have spent months writing long and soulless articles that often begin with an anecdote. I have been in rooms where Indians have tried to understand how they may recreate the success of The New Yorker, only to come to the conclusion that the magazine is successful because it is simply very good, a realization that oddly made them sad. But I dont think that is the actual reason why the magazine is inimitable. The New Yorker cant be imitated because its allure comes from the nature of prestige. Prestige can come only from the cream of a society. In fact, when other kinds of people take over a prestigious institution, it ceases to be prestigious. In the case of this magazine, it emerges not from any ordinary elite, but the elite of the financial and cultural centre of the worlds most powerful nation. Also Read | Manu Joseph: Why South Bombay is the only Indian city where life has improved The magazines impact on popular culture is far deeper than even its admirers realize. Rachel Carsons articles about the impact of fertilizers, first on birds, then on the rest of the environment, evolved into the book Silent Spring, which eventually created modern environmental activism. The magazine launched or rebirthed James Baldwin, John Cheever, J. D. Salinger, Malcolm Gladwell, Hannah Arendt, Truman Capote and many others. Capotes In Cold Blood began as a series of articles around the mysterious murder of a family for the magazine. It would be an exaggeration to say that Capote and The New Yorker invented narrative crime journalism, but that is the sort of hyperbole that goes with its aura. It is remarkable that this publication has survived these democratic times, when most other structures of the cultural elite have collapsed or lost their monopolies. The reason it has not only survived but thrived is that it appeared to recognize that adaptation is a form of death. Evolution, which at first glance appears to be a form of survival, is essentially the extinction of a species and the birth of something new. The New Yorker changed very sparingly; it only grudgingly allowed photographs into its pages, for instance. The magazine offers glaring proof, like bestselling books, that the shortened attention span of people is a poor analysis of the crisis in media, whose real problem is that most of it is not worthy of attention. The New Yorker did not fear changing times, nor adapt too much. As a result, it is now a rare antidote, like the dense novel, to mindless scrolling. The magazine also has a snappier online edition, which I feel is a mistake that has somewhat diluted its brand in the name of capturing the young. Some things we still do or see are from another time. Just as in the poverty of some is the heritage of us all, in the elitism of The New Yorker is a rare preservation of the golden years of a cultural aristocracya time when some people from good families could create something beautiful, a whole new profession where the elite held all the cards. The magazine is also a living relic of a time when a handful of people had an extraordinary impact on society. Future generations may not fully fathom the influence that elite American journalism had over American politics and culture and to an extent on the rest of the world. It could change governments, destroy films, create stars, decide what was considered art and tell you what you should read. Facebook ended this. That is why the US legacy media has a problem with Mark Zuckerberg, though it may cite more respectful reasons. In a world where some people regulated who got to speak and be heard, Zuckerbergs Facebook converted every user into a journalist. Suddenly, the world experienced an unimagined form of equality, where ordinary people could challenge the pundits, even replace them. In their desperation to explain their fall, the Western media found a villain in Zuckerberg. The New Yorker, too, seems to nurse some disdain for him, as the magazine is not entirely unaffected by the rise of social media. The magazines diminished influence is not because it has lost anything in absolute terms. It has more subscribers than ever and probably more fans. More writers, agents and publishers send short stories and poems to the magazine than ever. What it has lost is the gift of deep inequality. For a class of people to wield power, it is not enough for them to thrive. Others must recede. The author is a journalist, novelist and screenwriter. His latest book is Why the Poor Dont Kill Us. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), Keralas primary Opposition bloc, secured victory in the crucial local body elections, the results of which were announced on Saturday. The results assume significance as they come ahead of next years Kerala Assembly elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also scripted its first win in a municipal corporation (Thiruvananthapuram) in the state in what Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as a watershed moment.' Many rural and urban local bodies that were long considered strongholds of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and had withstood repeated electoral challenges have been taken over by the UDF this time. The Results The Congress-led UDF emerged as the biggest winner in the heart of the battle, leading in 505 of the 941 Grama Panchayats, 79 of 142 Block Panchayats, seven of 14 District Panchayats, 54 of 87 Municipalities and four of six Corporations, according to the State Election Commission, Kerala. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) suffered a setback, with a majority in only 340 Grama Panchayats. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led with 26, while AAP won three, according to the State Election Commission. In the 101-member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 50 wards, falling just one short of an absolute majority, while the LDF was pushed back to 29 and the UDF to 19, with two independents. Also Read | Tharoor congratulates BJP for Thiruvananthapuram win in Kerala civic polls The oath-taking of elected panchayat members and municipal councillors will be held on 21 December. The results are a setback for the LDF, which has been in power in the state since 2016 and ruled a majority of local bodies for a decade. The LDF setback against the UDF in Kerala reflects a mix of local anti-incumbency, organisational weaknesses and shifting voter priorities, especially in urban and semi-urban areas. Here are 5 reasons for the defeat: 1- Anti-incumbency at the local level After years in power, voter fatigue began to set in against the LDF-run local bodies. The anti-incumbency at the grassroots level played a decisive role. Many LDF-led local bodies had been in control of the bloc for multiple terms, leading to voter fatigue. The Pinari Vijayan-led LDF government appears to be at the receiving end of anti-incumbency. The CPI (M) recently launched a social media campaign for a third term in the state assembly, which has seemingly not gone down well with voters, at least in the local body polls. Everyday issues, such as roads, waste management, and civic services, hurt incumbents more than big policy decisions, as has been the trend in local body polls. The ruling dispensation in Kerala faced backlash over rising prices. The number one reason for the LDF defeat is that the people hate the current government. In the past, people have often given mandates opposing a government. But this time, the verdict underlines that the people hate the administration. The CPMs communal tendencies led to this result, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan said after the results. 2- Strong UDF mobilisation The UDF ran a better booth-level campaign, stitched together caste- and community-based support, and capitalised on dissatisfaction among traditional LDF voters, according to political observers. The Left largely fought the campaign on its development and welfare agenda, highlighting what it described as its achievements over the past decade in power. It, for example, highlighted the monthly pensions of 2,000 for 49 lakh beneficiaries with the introduction of a monthly assistance of 1,000 for women from below-poverty-line (BPL) families. However, the welfare schemes launched during the COVID-19 pandemic may have already helped the LDF win the 2020 local body and the 2021 Assembly elections. They, however, clearly failed to resonate with voters this time. The UDF, on the other hand, ran a sharper, better-coordinated campaign focusing on hyper-local issues. The Congress-led mobilised minority and caste groups more effectively, and benefited from better booth-level coordination. It successfully managed to consolidate anti-Left sentiment without significant vote leakage. Prof Sajid Ibrahim K M of the University of Keralas Department of Political Science told Onmanorama that the LDFs drubbing was a course correction. The LDF has been soaring for the past 10 years. Some course correction was needed to restore its connection with the people, he said. Its campaign, at least in Thiruvananthapuram, lacked vigour, he said. The LDF has been soaring for the past 10 years. Some course correction was needed to restore its connection with the people, he said. Its campaign, at least in Thiruvananthapuram, lacked vigour, he said adding, the UDF was the natural beneficiary of the anti-incumbency votes. 3- The Muslim and Christian Voters The CPI(M) has faced a body blow in Muslim-dominated areas. According to a report in the Indian Express, it was mainly due to the impression that the Left bloc had pulled back in its fight against the Hindutva agenda. In particular, controversies, including the one over the PM-SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India), a Central programme that the Kerala government joined after years of pushing against it, raised suspicions about the CPI(M)s stand against the saffron party Vijayan and the CPI(M)s silence after prominent Hindu leader Vellappally Natesan, general secretary of the social organisation Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, targeted Muslims in Malappuram did perhaps not go well with Muslim voters. The Christian vote in central Kerala, which has been divided among the Congress, CPI(M), and BJP in recent elections, appeared to rally behind the Congress in these local body elections. In the 2020 local body and 2021 Assembly elections, the UDF lost central Kerala after the regional, Christian-oriented party, Kerala Congress (M), joined the LDF. This time, despite the Congress having no prominent central Kerala Christian faces, the party managed to win back the community. The BJP, with 15 per cent of its candidates coming from the community, also saw its Christian outreach fail to pay dividends. 4- Sabarimala gold scandal The alleged gold theft from the Sabarimala temple also seemed to have worked against the Left, more so in central and southern Kerala, where the CPI(M) has had a strong Hindu vote base. Both the Congress and the BJP aggressively highlighted the scandal which led to the arrest of two Left leaders during the local body election campaign. The CPI(M), meanwhile, tried to shore up its Hindu vote base by accusing the Congress of enjoying the backing of the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, an issue Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan repeatedly raised at rallies and press briefings. The Congress hit back by claiming that the CPI(M) itself had relied on Jamaat-e-Islamis support for decades, until 2019. 5 - The Urban Voter Trends One of the most notable features of the Kerala local bodies election results is the extent of the LDFs defeat in key urban centres. In cities and semi-urban areas, it is said, younger voters and the middle class have moved away from the LDF, responding to UDF promises on job creation, governance reform, and transparency. The UDF wrested control of the Kollam, Thrissur, and Kochi municipal corporations from the Left, while retaining control of Kannur. Kollam and Thrissur, in particular, had been governed by the Left for 25 years and a decade, respectively. In the Kozhikode Corporation, the contest was close, although the LDF managed to secure the seat in the end. The number one reason for the LDF defeat is that the people hate the current government. The biggest jolt for the Left came from Thiruvananthapuram, where the BJP-led NDA surged ahead in the corporation, which had been held by the CPI(M) for 45 years. Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman has discussed how he sees his peers in the AI industry, including Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and xAI chief Elon Musk. Suleyman went on to call Musk a bulldozer while stating that Altman may turn out to be the greatest entrepreneurs of this generation. Speaking to Bloomberg in a recent interview, Suleyman, when asked to describe Musk in a word, said, I guess, as a bulldozer. The Microsoft AI CEO then went on to explain what he meant by that description, stating, I mean, hes kind of got superhuman capabilities to bend reality to his will and has, you know, a pretty incredible track record. And somehow he sort of mostly manages to pull off what appears to be impossible, probably with a different kind of set of values. I kind of like that he speaks his mind. I mean, hes very unfiltered, Suleyman added. Suleyman also talked about the role of government regulation in the field of AI, saying, I believe that government plays an important role in society. Its a controversial thing to say in Silicon Valley, but I think regulation is necessary and it has made most technologies better. Suleyman on Sam Altman: Suleyman was also full of praise for Altman, whom he described as courageous. Hes obviously growing his data centre fleet very, very aggressively. And I think he may well turn out to be one of the great entrepreneurs of our generation. But hes certainly achieved a lot, Suleyman said about the OpenAI CEO. I think now hes building data centres at a faster rate than I think anyone in the industry. And if he can pull it off, it will be pretty dramatic, Suleyman added. Microsoft AI chief on his ex-partner: Suleyman was among the co-founders of DeepMind along with Demis Hassabis. While Hassabis has continued to lead the company even after Googles acquisition, Suleyman has gone on to chart his own course. However, the Microsoft AI chief was full of praise for his former co-founder and said he still chats with Hassabis, including recently congratulating him on the launch of Gemini 3 and Nano Banana Pro models. When asked to describe Hassabis, Suleyman said, Probably a great scientist. I think hes a great thinker and a good polymath. Hes made massive contributions in the field multiple times. I think hes truly exceptional. IFA President Francie Gorman (pictured) said that the EU Commissions response to finding illegal hormones in beef imported into the EU is pathetic. He stated the Commission must publish the full audit immediately. The Commission response, as carried in the recent Farmers Journal, that it is up to Brazil to remedy the situation beggars belief. This was the same rhetoric we heard last year when the EU found that the procedures Brazil allegedly had in place to prevent this particular hormone, Oestradiol, from entering the EU food chain could not be relied upon, he said. We were told then, in late 2024, by the Commission that Brazil stopped sending beef from female animals into the EU until the matter was resolved. Yet product with this exact hormone has now turned up in Europe and has been belatedly recalled with some of the meat already consumed in some Member States. Now the Commission tell us that they have been engaging constructively with the Brazilian authorities. The Commission is telling us again, one year on, that these same Brazilian authorities have now committed to ensuring corrective measures and an effective action plan are in place. "This is a pathetic response. The latest recalls back up the findings of wild west controls from the IFA and the Farmers Journal investigation in Brazil last month and which are comprehensively detailed in the report launched this week. READ NEXT: Local Longford fundraiser for hospice announces final figure READ NEXT: Big relief for residents of Longford housing estate "It is also notable that the Commission has said that the full report on this audit and it wont be published until early in 2026 which is after the Mercosur vote in the EU Council. This is totally unacceptable. "The Commission must publish this full report now and pause all beef imports from Brazil. The time for relying on assurances from the Brazilian authorities is over. "The EU Commission found their assurances were unreliable last year, and now again this year and here they are engaging constructively with them on putting an action plan in place. This approach is making a laughing stock of the EU Commission, he said. JERUSALEM/GAZA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military confirmed that its forces killed a senior Hamas commander in a strike in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. The Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet security agency said in a joint statement that Ra'ad Sa'ad, head of the weapons production headquarters in Hamas' military wing, was killed. The Israeli military described Sa'ad as one of the planners of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and "one of the last remaining senior militants" in Gaza. It also claimed that Sa'ad was "directly responsible for violations of the ceasefire agreement" by Hamas in recent months, accusing him of leading the continued production of weapons during the ceasefire. Hamas did not confirm the death of Sa'ad, but accused Israel of attempting to derail the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. "The continued crimes in Gaza, including the attack on a civilian vehicle in western Gaza City, constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement signed according to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan," Hamas said in a statement. "The Israeli government bears full responsibility for the consequences of its crimes against the Palestinian people, including harm to civilians, leadership and activists," the group added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that he and Defense Minister Israel Katz had personally ordered Sa'ad's assassination in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive device that wounded Israeli forces on Saturday in Gaza. Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military said two reserve soldiers were lightly injured by explosive device detonated during an operation to clear the area of militant infrastructure in southern Gaza. "Killing Sa'ad is a blow to Hamas, both practically and symbolically," Michael Milshtein, a former senior Israeli intelligence officer, told The New York Times. But he cautioned that it was still far from toppling the group, which is "capable, motivated and can adapt to a changing reality." 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. Irish politicians have reacted to the tragic events in Australia overnight as a gun attack on Bondi Beach left at least 12 people dead. Taoiseach Micheal Martin, writing on X before the death toll had risen to 12 said: "Shocked and appalled by the gun attack that left ten people dead at Sydneys Bondi Beach." "Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time." He concluded: "Such hate and violence can never be tolerated." Shocked and appalled by the gun attack that left ten people dead at Sydneys Bondi Beach. Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated. Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 14, 2025 Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Helen McEntee also weighed in on the horrific incident on X commenting: "I want to express my shock and horror at the incident which took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney over recent hours." She added: "All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia." Helen McEntee TD has also said her department are not aware of any Irish citizens directly impacted by the shooting. She stated: "At this point, we are not aware of any Irish citizens who have been impacted directly by these awful events. "Our Consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally." READ MORE: RIP: Four people die on Irish roads in less than 24 hours in three separate incidents Two shooters opened fire on the beach killing a dozen people and wounding multiple others who were brought to various hospitals in the vicinity. New South Wales Police have said that one of the shooters was killed and the other is in critical condition. The police expressed that a number of 'suspicious items' were found at the scene and are currently being examined as part of the investigation into the incident. They also confirmed that an "improvised explosive device" had been found in a car linked to a suspect in the deadly shooting. Officials in Australia have said it that the Bondi Beach shooting was a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish who were reportedly celebrating Hanukkah in the area. The large crowds fled the iconic beach following the incident which is a hugely popular destination amongst both locals and tourists especially on weekends. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that 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 [Islamic State] gunman in Syria on December 13 in the area of Palmyra in Syrias Homs Governorate. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the attacker was a member of the Syrian security forces. A Syrian official confirmed this status and stated that the attacker had been under investigation for extremist ideas while denying that he held a leadership position in the security forces. It is the first attack on US personnel in Syria that resulted in casualties since the fall of the Bashar al Assad regime in December 2024, and the first deadly attack since 2019. US President Donald Trump mourned the fallen Americans and claimed that it was an attack against the United States and Syria in a very dangerous part of Syria that is not fully controlled by [the Syrian government]. Trump also threatened that there would be a very serious retaliation. The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region, said Sean Parnell, chief Pentagon spokesman. Partner forces killed the attacker, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote in a social media post. CNN reported that the attack happened at a fortified command facility belonging to the Syrian Internal Security Forces leadership, where the assailant opened fire at the gate. The Syrian Ministry of Interior confirmed the neutralization of the perpetrator of the Palmyra attack by Syrian security forces. However, the ministrys spokesperson, Noureddine al Baba, denied reports that the perpetrator had leadership ties in Syrias Internal Security Forces and specified that he was not an assistant to the commanders or part of the joint American-Syrian tour of the security facility. Baba added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether he has links to ISIS or adheres to the groups ideology. The Syrian Ministry of Interior spokesman also stressed that the Syrian state had previously issued warnings to partner forces in the international coalition regarding preliminary information indicating the possibility of breaches or attacks by ISIS, but international coalition forces did not take those warnings into consideration. Baba further explained that there are more than five thousand personnel affiliated with the Internal Security Command in the Badia, and members are evaluated on a weekly basis, with measures taken accordingly. He noted that an assessment issued on December 10 regarding the perpetrator of the attack indicated that he may hold extremist ideas. Baba added that a decision was scheduled to be issued against [the attacker] tomorrow, as it is the first working day of the week, but the attack occurred today, Saturday, which is considered an administrative holiday. A Syrian security source claimed that U.S. helicopters transported those wounded in the attack to the al-Tanf base near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders, where American troops are stationed alongside forces affiliated with the Syrian Armys 70th Division, formerly known as the Syrian Free Army (SFA), a US counterterrorism partner. The area of the attack near Palmyra is primarily under the control of the 70th Division. Despite the SFAs formal integration into the Syrian Ministry of Defense, the group continues to maintain control over large parts of the central Syrian Badia, including the villages of Dumayr, Al Qaryatayn, and Al Sukhnah, all of which were Islamic State strongholds in 20152016. The increase in these attacks requires greater resolve and the exertion of joint efforts at the national level in counterterrorism operations, Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said in response to the attack. Abdi also mourned the fallen Americans and wished a speedy recovery to those wounded in the attack. The last attack that killed American personnel in Syria occurred in 2019, in the city of Manbij in Aleppo Governorate, when the Islamic State claimed a suicide bombing that killed two US soldiers, a civilian Pentagon employee, and a contractor supporting the US military. Following Saturdays attack, local social media accounts reported sightings of US and coalition drones operating at low altitudes over the Palmyra area. It remains unclear whether this activity was part of a retaliatory response or routine reconnaissance targeting Islamic State cells. Ahmad Sharawi is a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant. One of the reported attackers holding a weapon during the Bondi Beach attack. (OSINTdefender on X) On December 14, two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Two armed assailants opened fire during a large Chanukah by the Sea celebration marking the first night of Hanukkah, killing at least 16 people and wounding 40, including two police officers, according to local authorities. Footage of the attack shows two gunmen dressed in black firing at people at the ceremony. The attackers unleashed sustained gunfire into a crowd of roughly 1,000 attendees, prompting widespread panic and chaos before being engaged by responding police officers. One attacker was killed at the scene, and the second was critically injured and taken into custody. Police also discovered and safely removed suspected improvised explosive devices from a vehicle that was linked to the incident. Australian authorities declared the assault a terrorist incident motivated by antisemitism, noting that one of the suspects was previously known to the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) but had not been assessed as an imminent threat before the attack. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, citing a senior law enforcement official, reported that one of the gunmen was identified as Naveed Akram, a Sydney resident who was from the citys southwest. The official added that Akrams home in the Bonnyrigg suburb had been raided by law enforcement on Sunday evening. The attack represents one of Australias deadliest mass shootings since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre and has triggered swift and widespread condemnation. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the violence as an act of evil antisemitism, underscoring the deliberate targeting of the Jewish community on a significant religious holiday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented that he had warned Albanese in an August letter that Albaneses government policies were adding fuel to the fire of antisemitism on the streets. The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli authorities are investigating whether the Iranian government or its proxies played a role in the deadly shooting. Israeli intelligence services had previously warned that Tehran is targeting Jewish communities abroad through various means, including weapon smuggling and social media cells used to incite violence, and they are now examining whether those networks had a part in facilitating or inspiring the attack. On August 26, the Australian government announced the expulsion of Irans ambassador and three diplomatic officials after the ASIO concluded that the Iranian government had directed antisemitic attacks on Australian soil. ASIOs assessment linked Tehrans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to at least two violent incidents in Sydney and Melbourne in 2024. As part of Canberras response, it suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran and signaled pending legislation to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, underscoring the severity with which Australian officials viewed Tehrans covert interference and its impact on domestic security. In September, Israels National Security Council (NSC) issued an assessment urging Israelis and Jews traveling abroad to maintain vigilance ahead of major holidays, specifically citing Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups, which are all considered to be highly motivated to carry out attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets globally. The NSCs report warned that Iran continued to be the main supporter of terrorism against Israelis and Jews, both directly and through its network of armed groups. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. BOSTON The overwhelming majority of Bay Staters continue to have health insurance coverage, but a new survey highlights nagging challenges in accessing care and affordability woes exacerbated by high-deductible plans. The uninsured rate in Massachusetts is 2.1%, compared to the national rate of 8.2%, according to the biennial Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey released Thursday. Nine out of 10 residents also reported continuous insurance coverage for all family members living in their household over the past 12 months. A 2006 reform law signed by former Gov. Mitt Romney was crafted to facilitate universal insurance coverage. But health care affordability issues persist, and about 28% of residents said they or a family member in the past 12 months refrained from seeking care due to the cost. The Center for Health Information and Analysis said it conducted the survey between January and April and completed interviews with 5,365 households. The survey was partly funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. In light of impending federal health care policy changes, it is more critical than ever that we confront the intertwined challenges of access and affordability in Massachusetts, CHIA Executive Director Lauren Peters said. The 2023 survey found 98.3% of residents had insurance, compared to 97.9% in 2025. Based on the latest survey, 139,741 Massachusetts residents are uninsured, said CHIA spokesperson Emma McNamara. Health officials forecast massive coverage losses across MassHealth and the Massachusetts Health Connector amid federal policy changes, and Beacon Hill leaders have yet to hash out plans to mitigate disruptions to care. More than 10,000 Health Connector members have dropped coverage during the insurance exchanges ongoing open enrollment period, as they face surging premiums tied to the looming expiration of federal tax credits. The majority of uninsured residents were ages 19 to 64, which CHIA said underscores the availability of MassHealth for children and Medicare for adults ages 65 and older. A disproportionate share of uninsured residents were Hispanic, male or had a family income below 300% of the federal poverty level. The steep cost of coverage and not knowing how to get insurance were the most common reasons for being uninsured, according to the survey. Residents must have insurance under state law or face a tax penalty. The states uninsured rate is expected to double under Medicaid changes embedded in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Audrey Shelto of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation estimated last month. Even with near-universal coverage, many people continue to struggle getting care when they need it or delay care because of cost, and the problem is magnified for marginalized communities, Shelto, the foundations CEO, said in a statement Thursday. These findings will help policymakers focus on the issues that are getting in the way of timely, affordable care. Health care affordability issues, according to the 2025 Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey. (Screenshot Courtesy of CHIA) Around 46% of commercially insured residents said they had a high-deductible health plan, which the Internal Revenue Service defines as having a deductible of at least $1,650 for individual coverage or $3,300 for family coverage. Deductibles may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses when receiving care as the deductible must be paid before the plan covers certain services, the report says. Nearly 90% of residents with medical debt said they incurred that debt while they and all their family members had insurance. About 72% attributed their debt to deductible payments, and more than half of residents said their debt stemmed from copays or coinsurance. The share of residents struggling to pay their medical bills or being unable to pay them is trending downward, the report points out. The percentage was 19.6% in 2014, compared to 13.7% in 2025. CHIA found that residents who earned below 139% of the federal poverty level had some of the lowest rates of medical debt. CHIA said that trend may reflect that MassHealth has eliminated all copays and cost-sharing for members below 139% FPL and ConnectorCare has eliminated copays for primary and behavioral health care as well as for specific drugs treating hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and coronary artery disease for members. Administrative issues related to health care and coverage also plagued one in five Bay Staters in the last year. Resolving a bill with insurance was the top complaint, followed by residents struggling to get information about their coverage from insurers, resolving a bill with providers and problems with obtaining prior authorization. The survey found 87.5% of residents had a usual source of care and 90.4% had a primary care provider. Broken down by race and ethnicity, 92.4% of white residents had a primary care provider, compared to 87.4% of Black residents and 83.7% of Asian residents. Primary care demographics are outlined in the 2025 Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey. (Screenshot courtesy of CHIA) Still, about 43% of residents experienced difficulty accessing care. Some 30% of residents had problems accessing primary care, including securing an appointment as soon as needed, administrative hurdles and dealing with recent office and clinic closures. In 2026, the Senate is expected to tackle a primary care bill. For years, reformers have been urging lawmakers to pass bills that will reinforce the primary care field, shorten wait times, and improve access to basic care. More than one in five residents had a behavioral health care visit in the past 12 months. The survey found that more than one in six residents paid for appointments fully out of pocket, mainly because their provider either didnt accept any insurance or didnt take their plan. Some 10% of residents said they had an unmet behavioral health need in the last year, with 5.4% attributing that to the cost of care. Just under one in four residents reported going to the emergency department in the last 12 months, which is below pre-pandemic levels. Nearly one-third of residents said those visits could have been avoided if a non-emergency provider was available. CHIA said there were no statistically significant differences in ED visit rates between 2021, 2023 and 2025. A life-changing jackpot prize was won after betting just $5 at a New England casino. On Dec. 4, a Connecticut resident was playing on a Spanish 21 table in Mohegan Suns Casino of the Sky when they hit the Triple Diamond progressive jackpot. The jackpot prize was worth $940,658. The win came after the guest was dealt a 21, which earned them a spin on the wheel thanks to the $5 side bet. Overall, there are about 4,000 slot machines and more than 300 table games at the Connecticut casino. There are two areas, Casino of the Sky and Casino of the Earth, that offer slot machines. Players must be 21 years or older. If youre looking to play casino games online, while Massachusetts doesnt have any legal online casinos right now, you can still sign up for sweepstakes casinos like Mega Bonanza and play to redeem for cash prizes. In July, a New Hampshire couple walked away with a six-figure jackpot prize after betting $20 at Mohegan Sun. The couple, identified as Samantha L. and Thomas S., were playing the slot machine game Huff N Even More Puff by Light & Wonder in Mohegan Suns Casino of the Sky when they won the jackpot. The prize was worth $131,186.64. And about a week before, one of the largest jackpots ever won at Mohegan Sun was hit. While playing on a Spanish 21 table in Casino of the Earth on July 9, the player made an optional $5 Bonus Spin Xtreme side bet. The bet ended in Triple Diamonds, which landed them the $2,018,742.30 jackpot. Not only is this the biggest jackpot win at Mohegan Sun in 2025, but it also ranks among the top five largest table game payouts ever at Mohegan Sun, a press release from the casino stated. Earlier this year, Mohegan Sun became the best place in the country to play slots, according to USA Today. Experts narrowed down the list from over 1,000 casinos across the country to the top 20. In the list, Mohegan Sun was included. Then the public had a chance to vote on their favorite. These 20 casinos, nominated by a panel of experts, stand out for their exceptional slot offerings. From classic reels and video slots to cutting-edge machines with progressive jackpots, these casinos expansive selections are sure to keep the excitement going. High payout rates, enticing bonuses like free spins, and vibrant, comfortable slots floors make each of these casinos a must-visit for anyone who loves to play, USA Today wrote. Mohegan Sun also placed second for best casino hotel and second for best casino outside Las Vegas. For those who need help with responsible gaming, call the helpline at 1-800-327-5050 or go to GameSenseMA.com or ccpg.org. How to transport mega piles across the ocean? 32 China-built mega offshore wind monopiles, each over 100 meters long and weighing around 2,300 tonnes, were exported to the UK. These giant structures will form the foundation of a major offshore wind farm project in the UK. AGAWAM The Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam joined a nationwide tradition of remembrance as part of the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on Saturday. Hundreds of staff and volunteers including students from local schools, civic groups and veterans organizations came together to distribute more than 10,000 wreaths across the cemetery grounds. Were here, across the country, and at more than 4,600 locations like this one, millions of Americans are gathering as one nation to remember, to honor and to teach, said Dave Madsen from Western Mass News, who hosted the ceremony. We gather to give thanks for those who gave their lives to keep us free. Veterans, families, and community members gathered to hear tributes, observe the laying of wreaths and hear reminders about the cost of freedom. Among the speakers was Tracy J. Taylor, a Gold Star Mother, who spoke about her son, Army Specialist Kenneth Iwasinski, who was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2007. Sharing Kennys story is a way of keeping his memory alive, Taylor said. It is important for me and for all of us who have lost loved ones to remember their lives, not just how they were taken from us. The event was started at the cemetery in 2011 with just 150 wreaths and has grown ever since. More than two million volunteers across all 50 states and abroad participated in the effort, laying wreaths on the graves of American service members to honor their sacrifice. On Sunday, Brown University officials cancelled all classes and exams for the remainder of the fall semester and said students were free to leave campus a day after a deadly shooting killed two people and left nine injured. The cancellations are for undergraduate and graduate student programs and include any papers and projects. Those who remained on campus would have access to services and support, according to a statement by Provost Francis Doyle. At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now, Doyle wrote. We know there will be many academic concerns about the implications of not holding classes and exams as scheduled. We will follow up with more information in the coming days. For the moment, we encourage everyone to focus on their own safety and well-being, the provost wrote. A shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday morning, and the campuss largest dining hall, Sharpe Refectory, reopened to all students in need of food, officials said. A person of interest in the shooting was taken into custody early Sunday morning. The person detained is in their 30s, but officials did not say whether the person had any connections with the university. The person of interest has not been identified. Investigators are still gathering evidence and conducting interviews, but they are not currently seeking any other individuals in connection with the shooting, Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said. Seven people are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition and one person has been discharged from the hospital after the shooting, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said Sunday morning. The shooting took place Saturday afternoon at about 4 p.m. inside a classroom of about 60 students, The New York Times reported. The students were attending a final exam review for a Principles of Economics class. UPDATE: Video of Brown University shooting suspect released after 2 dead, 9 injured Editors Note: This story was updated at 9:09 p.m. to include information from Brown University. Two people are dead and eight people were seriously hurt in a shooting at Brown University on Saturday night, according to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. The eight people injured were at local hospitals and were in stable condition, Smiley said in a press conference just after 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. The shooter was not in custody as of 8:28 p.m. on Saturday, according to Brown University. The campus continues to be in lockdown and the community is urged to continue to shelter in place, keep all doors locked and not leave their homes. Law enforcement presence was ongoing. The suspect was identified as a male dressed in black who initially exited on to Hope Street from the Barus & Holley Engineering building, where the shooting began at 4:05 p.m., officials said. All updates will come through the City of Providence social media channels, the mayor said. It is unclear how the suspect entered the building, where a final exam was taking place between 2 and 5 p.m., according to the officials. It is not clear whether the shooting happened during the exam, nor the exact individuals who were inside the building at the time of the shooting. A family reunification at Brown University will be set up at 7 p.m., Smiley said. Students have been relocated to receive support services at a secure location, the Brown University provost stated. Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice, an emergency statement at 4:22 p.m. from the university said. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself. Stay tuned for further safety information. University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case and that police were still searching for a suspect or suspects, according to alerts issued through Browns emergency notification system. Rhode Island officials provided a few new details Sunday afternoon about Saturdays shooting on the Brown University campus that left two dead and nine injured. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley began the press conference by saying that at this time, we have no update to share on the investigation. A person of interest in their 20s was taken into law enforcement custody on Sunday morning, but has not yet been identified. Officials have not said whether the person of interest had a connection with the university. Earlier on Sunday, officials said that the person of interest was believed to be in their 30s, but now say the person is in their 20s. The victims of the shooting have not yet been publicly identified. Seven people are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition and one person has been discharged from the hospital after the shooting, the mayor said earlier on Sunday. Not all the victims families have been notified, Smiley said. Some families are currently traveling and in transit, and officials are working to contact them. We need to allow for contact to be made before additional information is shared, Smiley said. Im sorry that were not able to share more ... I know its frustrating that we cannot share additional information on the investigation. Col. Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, said Sunday afternoon, Were in the process of collecting evidence and seizing items that we need to seize, search locations that we need to search. Law enforcement also released a 10-second video clip Saturday night of a suspect dressed in black leaving the building where the shooting took place. Perez did not confirm that the person of interest and the person seen in the video were the same. Perez did not say whether the person of interest is from Rhode Island or whether a gun has been recovered. No charges have been filed yet, and law enforcement is in the process of typing search warrants as needed, according to Perez. I have a responsibility to respect the integrity of this investigation, Perez said. Its a process, and its complex. Smiley said that its clear that our community is still in shock and hurting. City officials are working to provide mental health resources, he said. The mayor visited victims and their families at a hospital and said that, These survivors are receiving excellent care, and the resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me is, frankly, pretty overwhelming." F.B.I. Director Kash Patel said in a social media post that federal agents and police arrested a person of interest in a hotel room in Coventry, Rhode Island, based on a lead from Providence police. We have deployed local and national resources to process and reconstruct the shooting scene, Patel said. We set up a digital media intake portal to ingest images and video from the public related to this incident. UPDATE: Video of Brown University shooting suspect released after 2 dead, 9 injured Law enforcement is asking for Ring camera footage from residents and businesses near Brown University after 10 people were shot on Saturday. [Those who] have a Ring camera in the area of the shooting should be reviewing that right now and see if theres anything that looks suspicious, sad Providence Police Commander Tim OHara. The shooter was still at large and a shelter-in-place order was still in effect for Brown University and the surround community as of 6:45 p.m. on Saturday. The suspect was a man wearing all black, police said. Investigators were canvassing the campus and its buildings, speaking to witnesses. OHara spoke during a press conference in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday night, where officials confirmed the shooting left two dead and eight seriously hurt. All eight were in critical but stable condition, officials said. Yes, so the unthinkable has happened we will bring all our resources to the table," Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said during the press conference. He added the state has been in contact with the White House and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. This is a sad state of our country right now where you have to plan for these things, said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley during the press conference. Hopefully, the community takes some comfort to know that their Providence leadership has planned for this occurrence, Smiley said. The fatal shooting began at around 4:05 p.m. inside the Barus & Holley Engineering building, officials said. A final exam was taking place inside that building between 2 and 5 p.m. It is unclear how the suspect entered the building or whether the shooting happened during the exam, nor the exact individuals who were inside the building at the time of the shooting. A massive law enforcement presence, which included the FBI and multiple partner agencies, could be seen surrounding the university. Police vehicles and first responders gather at Waterman St, and Thayer in response to a shooting, in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jen McDermott) AP Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice, read the first emergency alert came from Brown University at 4:22 p.m. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself. Stay tuned for further safety information. University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case and that police were still searching for a suspect or suspects, according to alerts issued through Browns emergency notification system. A family reunification at Brown University will be set up at 7 p.m., Smiley said. Students have been relocated to receive support services at a secure location, the Brown University provost stated. A person of interest was taken into custody Sunday morning following a shooting on the campus of Brown University on Saturday, where two students were killed and nine others were injured. The shooting took place in the engineering building of the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, during finals. Early on Sunday morning, authorities in Rhode Island provided an update and said that the person detained by law enforcement was in their 30s, but did not say whether the person had any connections to the university. Officials did not identify the person of interest. A shelter-in-place order that was in effect for the campus after the shooting was lifted on Sunday morning. Officials provide an update on Sunday morning Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials announced that a person of interest was taken into police custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, early Sunday morning. The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning, Smiley said. Seven people are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition and one person has been discharged from the hospital after the shooting, the mayor said. Investigators are still gathering evidence and conducting interviews, but they are not currently seeking any other individuals in connection with the shooting, Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said. Shelter-in-place order ends on Brown campus S.W.A.T. members gather inside Brown University's Sciences Library building on Thayer Street after a shooting Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Lily Speredelozzi/The Sun Chronicle) A shelter-in-place order that was in effect Saturday night into Sunday morning ended for the entire campus, according to an alert sent at 5:42 a.m. However, police activity continues in areas that are still considered an active crime scene, the university said. Be advised that access to these areas of campus continues to be limited. Areas within the police perimeter will continue to have limited access, including the universitys Minden Hall and nearby apartment buildings. Community members who leave those buildings will be unable to return, the alert read. Where did the shooting take place? The shooting happened Saturday afternoon inside a final exam review for a Principle of Economics class on campus, Rachel Friedberg, a university professor, told Connecticut Public Radio. Although the review session was for Friedbergs economics class, she was not there, and her teaching assistants led the session. Friedberg went to Rhode Island Hospital after she learned of the shooting. She heard an account of what happened from a teaching assistant, who was not shot but went to the hospital to support the injured students. The room has stadium seating with doors that enter at the top, Friedberg told Connecticut Public Radio. He said that the shooter came in the doors, yelled something he couldnt remember what he yelled and started shooting. Students started to scramble to try to get away from the shooter, trying to get lower down in the stadium seating, and people got shot, Friedberg said the teaching assistant told her. I dont know if theyre the only ones who got shot or not. The classroom was on the first floor of the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building, The New York Times reported. Officials said the gunman left the building on the Hope Street side. Brown University president Christina Paxson said on Sunday morning that, while officials regularly prepare for this type of incident, When it happens, its just hard to believe. Its devastating, Paxson said. Students at Brown University described hiding behind chairs and tables after a shooter fired into a classroom of about 60 people on Saturday afternoon, leaving two dead and nine injured. A wounded student, Spencer Yang, 18, said that he was shot in the leg and helped another student who was seriously injured while they hid behind seats. To keep him conscious, I just started talking to him, so he didnt close his eyes and fall asleep, Yang told The New York Times while being treated in the hospital for his leg injury. I handed him my water, he said. He wasnt able to respond that well. He was just there nodding and making noise. Hes stable now, thankfully, Yang added. Yang is a first-year student from New York City who recalled little about the shooter, who entered the rear of the auditorium-style classroom. After the shots rang out, it was kind of silent, he said. Once he was gone, I just remember a bunch of people started screaming. Joseph Oduro, 21, a senior and teaching assistant, was leading the exam study session on Saturday, where the shooting took place. Oduro told the Times that a masked man carrying a rifle burst into the classroom and started shooting. The session for the Principles of Economics class was scheduled from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in an engineering building on campus. The session ended a little after 4 p.m. as Oduro was saying goodbye to a group of students. As they stood up to leave, all of a sudden, we heard gunshots and people screaming in the hall outside, Oduro told the Times. The shooter screamed something when he entered the classroom and began shooting, but Oduro said it was imperceptible. The classroom is a first-floor lecture hall with a capacity of 186. Oduro said he hid behind a desk with about 20 other students. About 20 other students ran out of the rooms side doors, he said, but the students in the middle rows of the classroom were impacted the most. Many of them were lying there and they were not moving. I have no idea how many, Oduro said. Police have a person of interest in custody Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials announced that a person of interest was taken into police custody at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, early Sunday morning. The people of Providence should breathe a little easier this morning, Smiley said. The person detained is in their 30s, but officials did not say whether the person had any connections with the university. The person of interest has not been identified. Investigators are still gathering evidence and conducting interviews, but they are not currently seeking any other individuals in connection with the shooting, Police Chief Col. Oscar Perez said. Seven people are in stable condition, one is in critical but stable condition and one person has been discharged from the hospital after the shooting, the mayor said. Economics professor shares shooting account Rachel Friedberg, the professor of the economics course where the shooting took place, told Connecticut Public Radio about what she learned from a teaching assistant who witnessed the shooting. Although the review session was for Friedbergs economics class, she was not there, and her teaching assistants led the session. Friedberg went to Rhode Island Hospital after she learned of the shooting. The teaching assistant was not shot but went to the hospital to support the injured students. The room has stadium seating with doors that enter at the top, Friedberg told Connecticut Public Radio. He said that the shooter came in the doors, yelled something he couldnt remember what he yelled and started shooting. Students started to scramble to try to get away from the shooter, trying to get lower down in the stadium seating, and people got shot, Friedberg said the teaching assistant told her. I dont know if theyre the only ones who got shot or not. The classroom was on the first floor of the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building, The New York Times reported. Officials said the gunman left the building on the Hope Street side. Classes, exams cancelled for the rest of semester On Sunday, Brown University officials cancelled all classes and exams for the remainder of the fall semester and said students were free to leave campus. The cancellations are for undergraduate and graduate student programs and include any papers and projects. Those who remained on campus would have access to services and support, according to a statement by Provost Francis Doyle. At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now, Doyle wrote. We know there will be many academic concerns about the implications of not holding classes and exams as scheduled. We will follow up with more information in the coming days. For the moment, we encourage everyone to focus on their own safety and well-being, the provost wrote. A shelter-in-place order was lifted Sunday morning, and the campuss largest dining hall, Sharpe Refectory, reopened to all students in need of food, officials said. By Hannah Knowles and Patrick Marley Republican lawmakers are closing out the year with unusual displays of defiance, telling President Donald Trump something hes not used to hearing from his own party: no. The pockets of resistance were on display at both the state and federal levels this week. Most glaring: A narrow majority of Republican state senators in Indiana voted Thursday to reject Trumps pressure to redraw their congressional map. The same afternoon, 20 GOP U.S. House members broke ranks and voted to overturn Trumps executive order ending union rights at many federal agencies. Similar dissent flared last month when four conservative House members joined Democrats to force a vote on releasing government files on deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, overcoming months of resistance from the president. The pushback is scattered but striking in a second Trump term marked mostly by Republican deference to the president. Lawmakers wary of crossing Trump have fallen in line behind contentious Cabinet picks, ceded much of their authority to the White House and often stifled objections to his most controversial moves. Now a smattering of GOP officials spanning the ideological spectrum are sending a message that Trump does not have complete command of the party as his aggressive agenda runs up against public backlash and dipping approval ratings. Some Republicans suggested that the intensity of the White Houses pressure has started to backfire and that lawmakers are looking ahead to a future where Trump, term-limited, is no longer on the ballot. There is a group of Republicans who are maybe going, Ive got to stand on my own, and that ranges from the Indiana state legislators to Marjorie Taylor Greene, said Pat McCrory, the former Republican governor of North Carolina. Who would have imagined? McCrory cautioned against underestimating Trumps grip on the party: He saw it firsthand when Trump helped sink his 2022 bid for Senate, even as Trump was viewed as politically diminished in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol by a mob of supporters. What remains to be seen, McCrory said, is whether lawmakers who defy Trump will pay the same price others have in the past. This is not the first time people have stood up, he said. The question will be, is the power still there to kill their political career? Trump and his allies had been bracing for defeat before Thursdays vote. Trump downplayed his involvement in Indiana after the redistricting push failed. I wasnt working on it very hard, he told reporters. A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy, called those dissenting from the president extreme outliers and scoffed at the idea his influence is waning. On the union rights bill, the official noted, Trumps team did not issue a policy statement and did not push Republican lawmakers, recognizing the bill will eventually fail in the Senate. Trump still wields enormous power in his party, and he has frequently threatened retribution against Republicans who cross him. The vast majority of Republicans approve of Trump, though some recent polls have shown his ratings falling below his typical 90 percent level. Greene, a longtime ally of Trump and his Make America Great Again movement who grew increasingly critical, said she would resign from her U.S. House seat in Georgia a week after Trump withdrew his endorsement. In Indiana, Trump and his allies have promised primary challenges against the GOP lawmakers who refused to redraw the states congressional map to add two red-leaning House seats. The conservative group Turning Point Action said it will join with other pro-Trump groups to spend $10 million or more on unseating state senators running in 2026 and 2028 who had blocked redistricting. The White House official said some of the Indiana Senates biggest donors called allies Thursday night to commit money for primary challenges. Read More: Feds accuse Boston of racial discrimination in housing programs Despite that threat, a majority of Indiana GOP state senators voted against redistricting on Thursday. The new map failed on a 31-19 vote, with 21 out of 40 Republicans joining all 10 Democrats to oppose it. Republicans currently hold seven of the states U.S. House seats; the new map was meant to give them all nine. The vote followed an aggressive effort by Trumps team to push through the more favorable map. Trump held a conference call with GOP state senators and called them individually. He invited them to the White House. He sent Vice President JD Vance to the state twice. And he called them out by name on his Truth Social platform. Trump allies also said the administration communicated that Indiana could lose federal funding if lawmakers declined to redistrict. Indiana Lt. Gov Micah Beckwith (R) wrote in a now-deleted social media post Thursday that the Trump admin was VERY clear about this and told many lawmakers, cabinet members and the Gov and I that this would happen. (A representative for Beckwith did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.) Heritage Action, a conservative group backing redistricting, warned on social media Thursday that if Indiana leaders declined to pass a new map, all federal funding will be stripped from the state. In a statement, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said Trump has never threatened to cut federal funding and its 100% fake news to claim otherwise. He said Trump loves the great state of Indiana and the nearly 7 million patriotic Hoosiers who live there. The Republicans who voted against Trumps wishes minimized their criticism of him. On the floor of the state Senate and in an interview, state Sen. Greg Goode (R) noted his support for the president before voting against the new map. As one who has voted for President Trump three times, his opinion is very important, Goode said in the interview. But so are the voices of my constituents. Other Republicans concluded that the pressure eventually backfired and hardened lawmakers resolve. Hoosiers are very thoughtful, calm people who want to get along, and theyre just not accustomed to Washington-style politics, said state Sen. Travis Holdman (R), who also opposed the Trump-backed map. The atmosphere in the state grew tense in the lead-up to Thursdays vote. Goode was the victim of a false report that led law enforcement to kick in the door of his home. Many of his colleagues on both sides of the debate received threats to their safety, including Holdman. It doesnt help the cause for the redistricting when people do things like that, Holdman said. Trumps push in Indiana was part of a nationwide effort to redraw maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. So far, four other states have redrawn districts that could give Republicans up to nine more seats. Democrats in California have responded by drawing five more seats in their favor. Officials in other states are considering new maps. Florida Republicans appear likely to redraw in the GOPs favor, and Trumps team is waiting to see how redistricting plays out while weighing whether to get involved in other states such as Kansas, the White House official said. The goal on both sides is to win control of the House. Currently, Republicans hold a narrow House majority that has put them in tough spots on some votes. On Thursday, the chamber voted 231-195 to repeal Trumps March executive order abolishing union rights at more than two dozen federal agencies. The bill is unlikely to pass in the Senate because of GOP opposition. But the House delivered an unusual bipartisan rebuke of Trump. The coalition included many of Republicans most vulnerable incumbents, who noted the federal workers in their districts. Lawmakers forced on a vote on the issue with a discharge petition, which allows them to bypass party leadership if they gain a critical mass of signatures. They used the same tactic last month to force a vote on releasing more of the governments files on Epstein - another moment when a small group of Republican lawmakers bucked the president. Four GOP House members, including Greene, signed on to the petition for a vote, despite pushback from the White House. The quest for more information on Epstein is a longtime cause on the right, but Trump had for months dismissed the issue as a distraction promoted by Democrats. Once a vote was inevitable, however, the president reversed course and said Republicans should back the release of the files. Patrick Marley reported from Indianapolis. Scott Clement in Washington contributed to this report. Former Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen is heading to another American League contender. Jansen, who spent 2025 in Anaheim after a two-year stint in Boston, has agreed to join the Tigers, multiple sources said Saturday. Its reportedly a one-year deal with a club option for 2027. Jansen, who turned 38 at the end of September, saved 29 games and logged a 2.59 ERA in 59 innings (62 games) for the Angels last year after signing a one-year, $10 million contract during spring training. That came on the heels of a solid two-year span with the Red Sox in which Jansen had 56 saves and pitched to a 3.44 ERA in 105 appearances and was an All-Star in 2023. Jansen, a longtime Dodger, is on to his fifth career team. The Tigers already made a major bullpen signing by bringing back Kyle Finnegan on a two-year, $19 million contract during the Winter Meetings. Jansen, who has 476 career saves, will likely man the ninth inning for the Tigers, who are looking to make their third consecutive postseason appearance. He is 24 saves short of becoming the third pitcher ever to record 500 saves and is currently fourth on the all-time saves leaderboard while sitting two saves shy of tying Lee Smith in third place (478). At COP30, held in Belem, Brazil (10-21 November), the African Development Bank Group introduced a new, more interactive way to showcase its climate solutions by hosting informal, coffee-style dialogues that allowed participants to engage directly with Bank experts. The discussions focused on accelerating sustainable and resilient development as Africa faces the threat of climate change. Al-Hamndou Dorsouma, the Bank Groups Climate and Green Growth Division Manager, opened the discussions. He explained that African countries, despite contributing less than four percent of global emissions, are experiencing rising temperatures, extreme weather events and increasing vulnerability. The Bank Group was also represented by Davinah Milenge, Chief Programme Coordinator for Climate Change and Green Growth, who outlined Bank Group special initiatives, including relating to the circular economy in Africa. Gareth Phillips, Manager for Climate and Environmental Finance described the Banks green finance initiatives with a particular focus on the African Green Banks Initiative. Meanwhile, James Kinyangi, Coordinator of the ClimDev Special Fund and the Climate Action Window, captivated audiences with a presentation on these two financing windows. Also, Arona Soumare, the Banks Chief Regional Specialist on Climate Change for West Africa, led a dialogue on the institutions climate activities in the region, which is considered a global climate change hot spots. Soumare addressed, in particular, the Banks commitment to creating synergies between the Rio Conventions on climate, biodiversity, and desertification. The Bank representatives fielded several questions and comments. Reilo Idagiza Sirali and Lydia Wanjo, two Kenyan visitors, praised the original idea behind this session. It was as if we had met over coffee to discuss serious issues about the future of the planet, said Wanjo. It was very interesting I learned a lot about the just energy transition, nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the Banks measures on the circular economy, said Maria Micah Maua, a member of the Kenyan youth delegation to COP30. At the African Development Bank, our role is to help unlock this potential through integrated and transformative action, said Dorsouma. He noted that under the leadership of President Sidi Ould Tah, the Bank Group has just adopted a new strategic direction centred on Four Cardinal Points, which are improving access to capital to unlock Africas financial potential and increase investment; reforming and strengthening financial systems to build resilience and increase the continents influence; harnessing Africas demographic transformation through innovation, skills and job creation, particularly for the green transition; and building climate-resilient infrastructure and value chains to ensure long-term sustainable growth. Doursouma said, the initiatives we are discussing today the circular economy, climate information services and green finance contribute directly to these priority areas and illustrate how the Bank integrates innovation, information and investment to drive large-scale climate action. SYDNEY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people have died after a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday night. Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) confirmed that at least 10 people, including a gunman, have died after the incident at the iconic beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The state's ambulance service said that 16 people had been taken to hospital, with several others treated at the scene. A second gunman was among those taken to hospital. At least two police officers were also injured. Nine Network television reported that up to 20 people had been shot. Many members of the Jewish community had assembled at the beach to celebrate Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, earlier in the evening. The shooting occurred at around 6:40 p.m. local time when at least two men armed with high-powered guns opened fire on a crowd of people. A warning issued by police shortly before 7 p.m. advised members of the public to avoid the area and for anyone at the scene to take shelter. Video footage and photographs from the scene showed people fleeing from the beach and firearms lying on the ground. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that the scenes at Bondi are "shocking," and NSW Premier Chris Minns described the incident as deeply distressing. More than 150 representatives from Tusla, An Garda Siochana, CYPSC Mayo and Roscommon, and a wide range of community and voluntary organisations gathered in Claremorris to learn about the impact of domestic abuse on local communities. The one-day event, Listen to Me! Impacts of Domestic Abuse on Children and Families, took place at the McWilliam Park Hotel and was formally opened by Tusla Chief Officer for the West North West, Paddy Martim, and Garda Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon. Tuslas Mayo Area Manager, Heather Wilson, emphasised the importance of interagency collaboration to ensure that families experiencing domestic abuse can access timely and appropriate supports. "This was a really important event for Tusla," she said. It provided an opportunity to increase practitioners knowledge and skills, to collaborate with partner agencies, to build a shared understanding of domestic violence and abuse, and to highlight Tuslas Domestic Violence Informed Practice Guidance for Practitioners. READ MORE: Mayo Gardai arrest HGV driver for cocaine use, no tax and speeding Inspector Naomi de Ris of An Garda Siochana also underlined the significance of the conference for AGS personnel. "There have been so many changes in the area of domestic abuse and domestic violence over the last number of years," she noted. It was really important for AGS, Tusla, and other agencies to take this time to listen to the experiences of others, to upskill, and to collaborate on this issue of huge importance. The conference featured a number of key presentations, including a presentation from Aine Costello, Barnardos National Coordinator for the Childhood Domestic Abuse Project, on developing a shared understanding of childhood domestic violence and abuse. Detective Sergeant Kevin Mention of the Garda National Domestic Abuse Unit presented on how Gardai respond to and progress reports of domestic abuse, whether received directly by AGS or through partner organisations. Tusla representatives Mary Butler Walsh and Ursula Conlon also delivered a presentation on Tuslas Domestic Violence Informed Practice Guidance for Practitioners. Workshops held in the afternoon gave participants the opportunity to network and share their learning from the morning sessions, and how they can apply this to their practice. The following supports are available in Co. Mayo for anyone who has been affected by Domestic Violence and Abuse or who would like more information. If you are in immediate danger call 999/112. Safe Ireland, Local Authority Integration Team in Mayo and Mayo Rape Crisis Centre. Photo caption: Pictured above are, from left: Breda Quinn, Principal Social Worker, Tusla; Sharon Doherty, Training and Development Officer, Tusla; Deirdre Malone, Principal Social Worker, Tusla; Mary Dunne, Project Support, Mayo Children & Young People Services Committees; Naomi de Ris, Inspector, An Garda Siochana; Kieran McGolderick, Principal Social Worker, Tusla; Roisin Moyles. Children First Information and Advice Officer, Tusla; Paddy Martin, Regional Chief Officer West North West, Tusla; Jarlath Munnelly, Coordinator Mayo Children & Young People Services Committees; Michelle Moran, Prevention, Partnership & Family Support Manager, Tusla and Katie Carthy, Tusla Liaison Sergeant, An Garda Siochana. The Funeral Mass for the late Mary Holt took place on Sunday afternoon in Offaly as mourners said their final goodbyes following her tragic death last weekend. The 60-year old was killed alongside her four-year-old grand-nephew, Tadgh Farrell after a house in Castleview Park, Edenderry was attacked with a petrol bomb on December 6. The funeral cortege stopped at Ofalia House care home, where Mary worked, as it made its way to St Marys Church in Edenderry on Sunday afternoon. READ ALSO: 'His time with us was too short' - Funeral of Tadgh Farrell hears heartbreaking tributes The funeral was led by Edenderry Parish Priest Father Gregory Corcoran who opened the ceremony reflecting on Mary's passing. "We gather once again with heavy hearts. Marys passing, like Tadhgs, has came too soon, in a way that feels unfair and deeply painful," he told mourners. Fr Corcoran praised the impact that Mary had on others throughout her life telling the congregation: "Today we remember Mary whose life was quietly shaped by care. She started working in the old hospital at the tender age of 15. Never one for the spotlight, but at the bedside: helping, comforting, noticing the small things." He continued: That kind of work tells us a lot about a person. You dont become a carer unless you have patience, compassion, and a generous heart. Day after day, year after year, Mary showed up for others when they were most in need. "Indeed there is very few in this area who havent experienced the love, the care and attention of the staff of Ofalia House, through a loved one or family member." The Parish Priest concluded: "Marys death leaves an empty place: in her family, among her friends, in Ofalia House, and in the lives of those that she cared for. Grief today may feel mixed with shock, anger, confusion, and deep sadness. We grieve because Mary mattered." READ MORE: Gardai announce new safety measures for Irish Jewish community after Bondi Beach shooting Mary's niece Tiffany also paid tribute to her aunt's life highlighting her caring nature telling those in attendance: "Mary had a heart of gold, she cared for everyone and had a beautiful life on this earth surrounded by loved ones." Tiffany recollected her early memories of Mary growing up before mentioning: "She was happy with the small things in life, a cup of tea and a chat." Tiffany expressed that Mary "adored her work colleagues and residents in the Ofalia House" and those colleagues paid tribute to her in a letter which Tiffany read describing Mary as "a gentle soul whose kindness and compassion touched every resident." Fr Corcoran offered prayers to all those who lost their lives this weekend especially those killed in the fatal car collisions in Tipperary as well as the victims of the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney on Sunday morning. Mary was laid to rest in the at St. Mary's cemetery following the funeral ceremony. May she rest in peace. Welcome to your Daily Horoscope for December 14, 2025! The stars highlight what might deserve a closer look, helping you move through the day with a bit more awareness. Aries Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock If a project handed over to you by your boss is still incomplete, it might give the wrong impression to your superiors. Your word plays a big role in the corporate world. Be more practical and responsible. Health conditions will be fine today. Your Lucky color is Brown. Your Lucky number is 22. Taurus Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock Something is brewing in your mind. If this is an idea with respect to your new start up, then share it with others and open doors for yourself. After all, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Working out to lose those extra pounds will be a priority at this point of time. Your Lucky color is Black. Your Lucky number is 37. Gemini Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock Your pending tasks are lining up, which could feel stressful and you may require an extra pair of hands. Your plan to travel abroad is finally taking shape. Couples may decide to tie the knot today. Drape yourself in green and spread freshness around you. Your Lucky color is Navy Blue. Your Lucky number is 2. Cancer Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock You might reject some professional offers today because they arent finacially lucrative. However, if they bring you the experience of a lifetime, theres no harm in trying it out. Chaos seems to make its place in your life so try to handle the situation smartly. Health wise, you will be in good spirits today. Your Lucky color is Black. Your Lucky number is 14. Leo Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock If you are an employee, then you might have to silently fight against your superiors who are intent on kicking you out of the company. Students might receive some good news with respect to their academic fields. Wear orange and stay determined to achieve your goals. Your Lucky color is Yellow. Your Lucky number is 11. Virgo Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock Make the most of challenging opportunities headed your way. You may lose your nerve in the process, but it's always worth the effort. Love life can be seen taking a different path altogether. Health and wealth conditions will be in your favour today. Your Lucky color is Pink. Your Lucky number is 35. Libra Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock The spark in your eyes reflects your ambitions. No matter how unstable your financial conditions are, you won't sacrifice your dreams for them. After all, you are brave and have good intentions. With respect to your health, you will be initiating a healthy routine which shall help you attain those fitness goals of yours. Your Lucky color is Red. Your Lucky number is 28. Scorpio Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock Avoid any financial transactions on the stock market. On the professional front, an offer for a position of recognition is in sight so get ready to welcome happiness in your life with open hands. Health and wealth conditions will be in your favour today. Your Lucky color is Golden. Your Lucky number is 22. Sagittarius Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock A decent day is in store for you. Time is turning in your favour and whatever moves you make in the areas of your interest, chances are that things will turn in your favour. Personal life will take a positive turn, and all misunderstandings will be eliminated from your life. You will find yourself cherishing the small things in life. It's a good day to plan a night out with friends or family. Your Lucky color is Magenta. Your Lucky number is 9. Capricorn Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock Some health issues are likely to occur. This might act as a hindrance in implementations of your vacation plans. The blessings and teachings of your parents will save you from committing a big mistake today. You are likely to receive some good news over the phone call. Inflow of huge amount of money is expected. Health conditions will improve. Your Lucky color is White. Your Lucky number is 25. Aquarius Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 shutterstock Today you must act smartly and cautiously. Avoid entering into an agreement with a relative or close friend as this might cause misunderstandings in the future. Be cautious with paperwork today. You are also likely to receive a surprise from your loved ones. Blue collar employees may expect a promotion in the forthcoming days. Your Lucky color is Brown. Your Lucky number is 48. Pisces Horoscope Today - December 13, 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Kyiv is prepared to forgo NATO membership in exchange for robust security guarantees from the United States and European partners, as diplomatic efforts to end the war intensify, Azernews reports. Speaking to journalists, Zelensky said the proposed guarantees should mirror NATOs Article 5 collective defense principle. He added that the framework would not be limited to Europe, noting that non-European partners such as Canada and Japan could also play a role. His comments were reported by the Financial Times following a WhatsApp conversation with reporters. The remarks come ahead of Zelenskys planned meeting in Berlin with U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring renewed international engagement around a possible peace settlement. Zelensky also disclosed that Ukraine has yet to receive a response from Washington regarding Kyivs revised peace proposal. Acknowledging the complexity of negotiations, he said that compromises would be unavoidable if the war is to be brought to an end. The statement marks one of Zelenskys clearest signals yet of flexibility on Ukraines long-standing NATO ambitions, highlighting Kyivs focus on securing concrete and enforceable security guarantees amid ongoing conflict. BANGKOK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Thai army on Sunday condemned Cambodia's attack on civilian areas in Si Sa Ket Province, leaving one Thai civilian dead. A Thai army spokesperson said on the same day that there are currently no ceasefire plans in place. In a statement, the Royal Thai Army said Cambodian forces fired BM-21 rockets at a civilian neighborhood and a school zone in Si Sa Ket Province on Sunday. The strikes killed one civilian who was hit by shrapnel and set one residential house on fire. The army strongly condemned Cambodia's act of targeting civilian areas unrelated to military operations for two consecutive days, which has caused casualties among civilians. Regarding ceasefire arrangements, Royal Thai Army Spokesperson Winthai Suvaree announced on Sunday that there are currently no ceasefire plans in place. He noted that the absence of a ceasefire is due to Cambodia's persistent attacks on Thai military positions and civilian settlements, which pose a severe security threat to Thailand. The current military operations will continue until Cambodia ceases all hostile acts. Ernest Hemmingway once said that, "Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name." Steve Nash of the Navy League of the U.S. Vallejo Council and many others are making sure that second death never comes for men and women buried at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery and the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon. Despite frigid temperatures on Saturday morning, many people attended the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony at both cemeteries to take the time to place a wreath on the venues' tombstones and say the name of the person listed on it. Nash, who served at NAS Alameda from 1974-1980, once again organized the event in Vallejo. "Today we're here to honor all these men and women out here in the cemetery. The freedoms that we enjoy every day have come with a great price," Nash said in a brief speech. "We will never forget those who gave their lives for this great nation. Now as we begin placing these wreaths remember to read the name of the head stone and say, 'Thank you' as you place the wreath." Nash said that donations were down this year and in order to make sure that all the tombstones had a wreath, he donated money out of his pocket. Nash said he believes donations have been down the last two years because they've lost Phillips 66 and Valero, which have been great donors in the past. However, a wreath was still created for all 940 tombstones in the Mare Island Cemetery. "When you look at the community that is out here to thank those veterans that are deceased out here, that makes your heart warm," Nash said. "The fact that they are here makes it all worth it. It's important for everyone to not forget these veterans. We recognize them during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America Day." One of the people that came out for the Saturday event once again was Fleta Matthew of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Epsilon Phi Zeta Chapter who was at the event with many of her friends and sorority members. "We come here every year like clockwork, the second Saturday in December," said Matthews. "I'm here every year whether it there's rain, snow, sleet or just cold weather. My husband is a retired veteran so this means a lot to me. I try to stop and say a prayer at each grave and remember the fallen." Also placing wreaths was Erwhien Buenaflor, with Men of Gilead Masonic Rides Association. "When you think of the ultimate sacrifices, this is really nothing," Buenaflor said. "We have a family member who is retired military and my son is serving in U.S. Navy and my youngest son is going to graduate high school this year and is thinking about joining the Air Force." David Osuna, with the same association as Buenaflor said this was the first time he had come to Mare Island, however, he had been going to Wreaths Around America events for years. "My dad was in the military for 20 years so it's like giving back to the military soldier men for our country," Osunsa said. "We say their name and say a little prayer once we lay the wreath down." The event was started by Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine. When Worchester was a 12-year-old paper boy when he won a trip to Washington D.C. It was his first to our nation's capital and one that would change the trajectory of his life and the lives of millions of others across the country. Seeing the hundreds of thousands of graves and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery made an especially indelible impression on him. It was an experience that followed him throughout his life and successful career, reminding him that his good fortune was due, in large part, to the values of his nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In 1992, Worcester Wreath found themselves with a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor this country's veterans. With the aid of Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the surplus wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older cemetery sections that had been receiving fewer visitors each passing year. That includes the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, where hundreds of volunteers turned out in the early morning hours to place wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across America. Rhonda Polder of Vacaville was volunteering for the first time. "I heard about it last year but wasn't sure how it worked. So this year, I made sure to find out and be out here," she said. "I just wanted to be a part of it." For Jake and Candy Miller it was a family affair, their son Preston Jacob Miller is among the Army servicemen buried at the cemetery and they joined his widow Morgan Miller of Red Bluff to volunteer with the effort. It was their first time to join the effort and they may have traveled the furthest. "We came from Indiana, drove the 2,300 miles to get here," said Jake. "It's a way to honor him," said Candy. At 9 a.m., the cemetery hosted a special ceremony where that sentiment was repeated by speakers and wreaths honoring each branch of the military as well as the Merchant Marines, POWs and MIAs were placed before taps was played and volunteers laid wreaths in one final section of the cemetery. Travis Air Force Base Commander Colonel Brandon R. Shroyer spoke to the crowd before the final laying of wreaths telling them, "Today we are out here to show respect and gratitude for all those who have done before us. As you place the wreaths, say the name on the headline outline and thank them for their service." He encouraged them to "think about the service and sacrifice" of each veteran buried at the cemetery. The Mare Island Naval Cemetery, the oldest Naval one on the West Coast and designated as a National Historic Landmark, has gone through a major restoration. Neglected for years, a process to repair it began shortly after retired U.S. Navy Commander Ralph Parrott visited the venue and voiced his displeasures about the condition to then- Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan. On Saturday Aaron Shoup, a Procurement Specialist with the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery said that on Jan. 12 Washington D.C. folks will be in Vallejo to discuss construction of things such as a new irrigation system and a parking lot at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery. That tradition continues to this day at all 50 states and at more than 4,600 locations. 2025 Times-Herald (Vallejo, Calif.). Visit www.timesheraldonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Days after the Trump administration announced it was expanding the militarized border zone into California, the countrys top border security chiefs, who toured the San Diego border Saturday, Dec. 13, revealed few insights about what that might actually look like. White House border czar Tom Homan and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott used the visit to San Diego to outline the security operations implemented at the U.S.- Mexico border nearly one year after President Donald Trump took office from increased immigration enforcement to the militarized zones that now stretch across parts of every state along the southwestern border. The latest was announced Wednesday by the Department of the Interior, which is transferring the jurisdiction of about 740 acres of public land in San Diego and Imperial counties to the Department of the Navy to establish a restricted military zone known as a National Defense Area, or NDA. The zone extends from the western boundary of the Otay Mountain Wilderness Area in San Diego County to roughly 1 mile west of the California- Arizona border, officials said. The zone includes areas near backcountry border towns, such as Tecate and Jacumba Hot Springs. The Department of the Interior referred to the area as one of the highest traffic regions for unlawful crossings along the southern border. The designation allows military personnel to detain migrants and others for trespassing and turn them over to border agencies if necessary, signaling the potential for troops to take a more hands-on approach to immigration enforcement. Weve always had the Department of Defense on the border, but when theyre on their own property, they have increased authorities and responsibilities to actually arrest for trespass just like they would on any other military base, Scott said in a news conference. Weve been doing this in Texas for a while. Were bringing it over here now. When asked about what operations will look like in the area and about the volume of troops that might be deployed, Scott said that it could fluctuate. The numbers will change depending on what we believe the threat and the requirement is to make sure that we have that section of the border sealed, he said. The Union-Tribune reached out to both the Navy and Marines, which are under the Department of the Navy, for more details about the Navys management of the new militarized zone but did not receive any answers. We will ask for whatever support we need from the Department of War to make sure that the people in San Diego and the people of this entire country are safe, Scott said. In other designated areas along the southwestern border, signs have been posted warning that entering the area without authorization is prohibited. In those other states, federal prosecutors have been charging migrants caught crossing the border with military base trespass laws, which carry a sentence of up to six months in prison, on top of the standard illegal entry or re-entry charges. A U.S. Border Patrol spokesperson said Saturday that it is unclear when the defense area will be formally established in the eastern portion of the San Diego sector and the entirety of the El Centro sector, which handles Imperial County. Troops, including Marines from Camp Pendleton, have already been deployed at the California border under President Donald Trump, but in more of a background role. They have provided engineering support to Border Patrol agents and installed miles of concertina wire along the primary and secondary fences in the San Diego sector. This included the stretch where Scott and Homan delivered their remarks on Saturday. Both Scott and Homan, who said they began their law enforcement careers in the San Diego area, highlighted the significant decrease in illegal border crossings that has occurred in the last year. The latest numbers from CBP show a 93% drop in migrant encounters in the San Diego sector in October, the most recent month for which data is available, compared to the same month last year. Homan also acknowledged the support from the Navy and U.S. Coast Guard in maritime operations. When we lock the border down, (we knew) theyre gonna take to the water, he said. Border Patrol data shows that in fiscal 2025, which ended Sept. 30, there were 490 maritime smuggling events, resulting in 1,526 apprehensions. The previous fiscal year recorded 589 such incidents and 1,375 apprehensions. Federal officials also discussed immigration enforcement operations by both Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. San Diego Border Patrol Chief Justin De La Torre previously said that the shift at the border has allowed their agents to patrol the interior more proactively. Community groups that monitor immigration operations throughout the county have noted an increased presence of Border Patrol alongside ICE agents. Were in a position now where the Border Patrol can actually come to the interior because the border is the most secure ever, Homan said. Homan said that as federal agencies ramp up interior operations, the number of illegal border crossings went down. And theyve stayed down because the message sent to the world was we actually believe in the laws that we have in place, he said. Staff writer Gary Robbins contributed to this report. 2025 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Army combat veteran Trent Williams remembers the exact moment when his life was at a crossroads. The Photo That Changed Everything Williams was homeless, living in his car outside the Oklahoma City VA hospital. In one hand, he clutched a photo of his young daughter, Ellsy. In the other, he gripped a pistol. Williams, beaten down by life, figured he had two choices either live for his daughter or use the gun to try to end his life. That was going to be it for me, Williams told WTVM in Savannah, Georgia. He put the pistol down. Williams knew, despite struggling mentally from a deployment in Iraq, he needed to be around for his family. There were people who loved and supported him. That moment, as crushingly dark as it could get, was the catalyst for the former infantryman to change direction. Williams, a firefighter, started working on both his mental and physical health. He jumped into weightlifting and became a Guinness World Record holder for the heaviest triceps dips. Hes focusing on setting a new world record and on working with veterans and fellow first responders to overcome some of the same mental health obstacles he faced. I was addicted to drugs, I was an alcoholic, and a complete wreck, Williams told the Coastal Courier in 2019. I was disconnected from God. I totally unplugged from everything. I was a really bad person and in a bad place. First Responder After leaving the Army, Williams became a first responder. The job suited his nature to serve others in crisis, but he soon realized the work comes with much of the same trauma he witnessed in Iraq. Hoping to help other first responders struggling with similar issues, the veteran used resources from Stamp Out Stigma, an organization developed by the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders. Stamp Out Stigma encourages people to share stories of addiction and mental health challenges to help others. "First responders aren't machines," Williams said. "We're people too." And Williams can use himself as an example. He came from nearly ending it all to setting world records. What I have now, I want other people to have that, he said. Struggle After Deployment Built like a temple, strong and healthy, one would not think Williams was once at rock bottom. I was homeless there for a while, I was literally living in my car outside of the VA in Oklahoma City, he said. In the Army, Williams enjoyed the camaraderie and mission-driven goals of being an infantryman. However, following his first deployment to Iraq, he struggled. Banged up with injuries, he became reliant on painkillers and was forced into an early retirement. But perhaps his greatest challenge came after he left the Army, fighting to adapt to civilian life. I didnt know who I was without infantry, Williams said. That was a big piece of me I was finally good at something. Homeless and in despair, Williams looked at the little girl in the photo his daughter and knew he had found his new passion for life. I put the pistol down and promised her that day that I would do whatever it took, Williams said. 'Never Give Up' He was hired as a first responder in Long County, Georgia, a short distance southwest of Savannah. With a steady paycheck and a rewarding job, Williams began building up his confidence. The veteran started hitting the gym, developing strength too. On Sept. 29, 2018, he broke the world record for the heaviest weighted triceps dip. My girls and my wife got to watch me become a world champion best in the world, Williams said. While therapy can work for some, Williams said theres often a disconnect between the counselor, a stranger at first, and the client. Thats why veterans typically heal mental wounds faster by talking to other veterans whove lived similar lives. Its the hardest battle youll ever fight, he said. That battle in your head. I know what its like to suffer. I want to be that support system for people. Never give up. Keep moving forward. Find a purpose. Pursue that purpose. This life is worth living. Im proof. Aviation Inside a Battleship Navy By the early 1920s, Brig. Gen. William Billy Mitchell was one of the most senior aviation officers in the U.S. Army and its most aggressive internal critic. Drawing on his experience commanding Allied air power during World War I, Mitchell warned future wars would be decided in the air, and the U.S. militarys fixation on battleships left the country dangerously exposed. Those warnings were backed by proof. In 1921, Mitchell helped organize bombing tests in which Army aircraft repeatedly struck and ultimately sank the captured German battleship Ostfriesland, demonstrating air power could destroy heavily armored naval vessels. The test embarrassed the Navy and directly challenged the foundation of American maritime strategy. General Billy Mitchell official photo (USAF File Photo). The Deaths That Forced His Hand Mitchells fight with senior leadership escalated sharply in 1925 after a series of deadly aviation accidents. The most devastating was the crash of the Navy airship USS Shenandoah, which broke apart during a storm over Ohio and killed 14 crew members. The airship had known design vulnerabilities and was nonetheless sent on a high-profile publicity tour. Mitchell believed the crash was not an unavoidable tragedy, but a preventable failure rooted in leadership negligence, outdated equipment, and resistance to safety upgrades. For years, he had warned aviation crews were being placed in unnecessary danger. The Statement That Triggered a Court-Martial After the Shenandoah disaster, Mitchell abandoned internal protest and went public, criticizing several recent air disasters. He issued a blistering statement accusing senior Army and Navy leaders of almost treasonable administration of the national defense. He also stated bodies of my former companions in the air molder under the soil in America, Asia, Europe, and Africa, many, yes, a great many, sent there directly by official stupidity. Rather than investigate the underlying safety failures, the War Department charged Mitchell under the 96th Article of War, which covered any conduct believed to be discrediting to the service. This was the predecessor to UCMJ Article 134. A scene taken from Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell's court-martial, 1925. (U.S. Air Force photo) The First National-Security Whistleblower Trial Mitchells court-martial began in October 1925 and instantly became national news. He did not deny his statements. Instead, he tried to prove their accuracy by calling engineers, pilots, and senior officers to testify about aviation safety failures. Future World War II leaders, including Douglas MacArthur, appeared in the courtroom. The prosecution did not care if he wished to improve aviation safety with honest criticism; instead, focusing on perceived insubordination. The military court barred much of Mitchells technical evidence as irrelevant to the charge of insubordination. In December 1925, he was convicted and sentenced to suspension from rank, duty, and command, and all pay for five years. Mitchell was not convicted of being wrong. He was convicted for speaking publicly. Career Exile and Forced Silence Rather than accept suspension and remain silent, Mitchell resigned from the Army. The resignation ended his military career, stripped him of command authority, and removed him from any role in shaping U.S. defense policy. Although he continued to write and lecture as a civilian, he lost all access to classified planning and institutional decision-making. Mitchell died in 1936, eight years before the air war of World War II proved every one of his central predictions correct. Mitchell Hall, the cadet dining hall at the United States Air Force Academy, is named in honor of air power pioneer Brig. Gen. William Billy Mitchell. As one of the largest and most advanced dining facilities in the world, it serves 4,000 cadets in less than 30 minutes. (usafa.edu). Posthumous Vindication After his death, one of Mitchells most specific warnings proved chillingly precise. Following his 1924-1925 inspection tour of U.S. defenses in the Pacific, Mitchell had submitted a formal report warning that Japan could launch a surprise, carrier-based air attack on Pearl Harbor in the early morning hours, exploiting the vulnerability of battleships anchored in the harbor. Mitchell outlined not only the target but also the method of massed aerial torpedo and bomb attacks, more than 15 years before the actual strike occurred in 1941. His prediction was dismissed at the time as alarmist. Five years after his death in 1936, it unfolded almost exactly as he had described. After World War II transformed air power into the dominant force Mitchell had also predicted, Congress quietly reversed the governments position. In 1946, lawmakers awarded Mitchell the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to military aviation. In 1955, the Air Force Association formally adopted a resolution urging that Billy Mitchells court-martial conviction be voided as an injustice. Two years later, in 1957, Mitchells son petitioned the Air Force to set aside the verdict, a request the service denied while issuing a statement expressing regret over the circumstances under which Mitchells military career had ended. In 1999, Billy Mitchells legacy entered American daily life when his portrait appeared on a 55-cent U.S. postage stamphonoring aviation pioneers, which coincided with the airmail rate at the time. In 2004, Congress authorized the President to issue a posthumous commission to Mitchell as a major general, though the statute granted authority rather than automatically executing the promotion. His symbolic rehabilitation continued in 2006, when the U.S. Air Force unveiled a prototype service dress uniform known as the Billy Mitchell heritage coat, modeled on the World War I Army Air Service uniform, as part of a heritage initiative at the Pentagon. Today, military installations, airports, aircraft, and institutions bear his name, including the B-25 Mitchell bomber and Air National Guard bases. The military that once expelled him ultimately rebuilt itself around his ideas. Why Billy Mitchell Qualifies as a Whistleblower Mitchell fits the modern definition of a national security whistleblower with striking precision. He identified systemic safety failures tied directly to servicemember deaths. He raised those concerns internally for years. He went public only after internal channels failed. He suffered full retaliation through criminal prosecution, resignation, and permanent career destruction. Unlike battlefield whistleblowers who expose unlawful acts, Mitchell exposed lethal institutional neglect. His prosecution established the template for how the national security state would later handle public dissent from inside its own ranks. 94th Fighter Squadron, F-22A Raptor pilots drop Joint Direct Attack Munitions during the 95th anniversary of Maj. Gen. William Billy Mitchell bombing the Ostfriesland at Langley Air Force Base, Va., July 22, 2016. The aircraft that sunk the Ostfriesland 95 years ago took off out of Langley Field. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. J.D. Strong II. Source: DVIDS The Binding Law Used to Silence Him Mitchells conviction rested entirely on the Articles of War, statutes enacted by Congress as binding federal military law. Those rules prioritized discipline and obedience over public accountability. There were no statutory whistleblower protections for service members in 1925. Truth was not a legal defense. Modern military whistleblower statutes would not appear until the late twentieth century and even today remain limited, particularly in national security contexts. The Permanent Template for Retaliation Every major military whistleblower case that follows Mitchells arc. Internal warnings emerge. Leadership resists. Public disclosure occurs. Retaliation follows through prosecution, administrative punishment, or career destruction. Vindication comes only after institutional damage is irreversible. Abu Ghraib, aviation safety cases, nuclear weapons dissent, and classified program disclosures all operate within a framework hardened in Mitchells courtroom. Why Mitchell Still Matters Billy Mitchell did not leak secrets to foreign powers. He did not sabotage missions. He exposed safety failures that were already killing Americans. The military punished him anyway. His case proves that the conflict between national security and internal accountability did not begin in the digital age. It was forged a century ago in a courtroom designed not to uncover truth, but to enforce silence. Mitchell lost his career for speaking plainly about lethal negligence. The nation eventually rebuilt its entire warfighting doctrine around the warnings that destroyed him. If that contradiction feels familiar today, it is because modern military whistleblowing still lives in the shadow cast in 1925. 1:35pm: The Boston Globes initial report has been clarified to note that, while the Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles are among the teams King is considering, there are no finalists for his services at this point. 1:11pm: Right-hander Michael King has narrowed his search for a new team to three options, according to a report from Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Those teams are the Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles. Additionally, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports that the Rhode Island native and Boston College alum has strong interest in playing for Boston. Abraham notes that King would like to make a decision on his destination soon. King, 30 has been among the leagues most widely sought-after starters this winter. Hes been connected to the Mets, Cubs, Tigers, Marlins, Angels, and Blue Jays in addition to the three apparent finalists for his services, and its not hard to see why the right-hander would garner such widespread interest. The 30-year-old flashed significant upside during his 2024 season with the Padres, when he pitched to a 2.95 ERA in 173 2/3 innings of work with a 3.33 FIP and a 27.7% strikeout rate. That was a strong enough performance to earn him a seventh-place finish in NL Cy Young award voting that year, which was his first as a full-time starter. The right-hander seemingly appeared to be lined up for a massive payday heading into his platform season of 2025, but injuries complicated things this past year. King was limited to just 15 starts by a nerve issue in his shoulder (as well as a less significant knee injury late in the year), and while he dominated to the tune of a 2.59 ERA, 3.26 FIP, and a 28.4% strikeout rate in ten appearances prior to the shoulder injury, he didnt look quite the same after returning with a 6.11 ERA and a 14.5% strikeout rate a 10.8% walk rate across his final five appearances in the regular season. King moved to the bullpen for San Diegos Wild Card series against the Cubs and looked more like himself as he struck out the side on 19 pitches in a scoreless inning of work, but headed into the offseason his second half struggles and significant injury woes left cause for concern as he entered free agency. He received a qualifying offer from the Padres, a positive sign that the club didnt see Kings injuries as too concerning for the 2026 campaign, and declined it in order to pursue a multi-year pact in free agency. Looking at the three teams still in the running for Kings services, the Orioles stand out as the team with the biggest need in their rotation. The club is coming off a deeply disappointing 2025 campaign where their decision to eschew high-end arms in free agency came back to bite them, as rolls of the dice on Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano failed to bear fruit while Zach Eflin took a big step back from his previous work with the Rays. While Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers could plausibly form an exciting front-of-the-rotation duo for the Orioles next year, adding at least one proven, playoff-caliber starter to the mix has been the teams clear priority this winter. King would certainly fit that mold if healthy, and likely could do so without breaking the bank and requiring Baltimore to commit to a second nine-figure contract this winter after they signed Pete Alonso last week. MLBTR predicted King to land a four-year, $80MM contract as the #14 ranked free agent in this offseason. Of course, with top-of-the-rotation upside and an expected contract price tag and length that falls below that of your typical front-end starter, theres plenty of room for a more opportunistic team to get involved. Thats likely where the Red Sox come in, given that Boston is incredibly deep in pitching talent as it is. Garrett Crochet leads a rotation that figures to also include Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello at the front end, with players like Johan Oviedo, Patrick Sandoval, and Connelly Early in the mix for the final spots as things stand. Kutter Crawford, Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison, and Hunter Dobbins are among the pitchers who figure to serve as depth for the Red Sox this year, an embarrassment of riches that make adding a starter in free agency more of a luxury than a necessity. Even so, landing King on a deal that the Red Sox perceive as good value would still make sense, as it could free them up to more fully explore trades involving some of their young pitching talent. Boston has already been connected to Ketel Marte, Willson Contreras, and Isaac Paredes on the free agent market as they search for help on offense this winter, and perhaps signing King and trading from their pitching depth to land one of those big names could be more attractive as an option than taking a swing on one of the big bats still available in free agency. As for the Yankees, a reunion with the team King spent the first five years of his MLB career with splits the difference between the extremes Baltimore and Boston represent. New York isnt in desperate need of a front-of-the-rotation ace with Max Fried already in place and Gerrit Cole expected back from Tommy John surgery at some point next year, but their rotation could certainly use additional depth. Cole and Carlos Rodon are both not expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign, while Clarke Schmidt figures to miss most if not all of next year. That leaves the Yankees with an Opening Day rotation of Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Allan Winans. Given Winanss lack of MLB experience and Gils significant injury history, theres certainly room for another quality starter in the Yankees rotation mix even if they dont necessarily need one with the same level of upside that King offers. Even so, King was a popular player during his time with the Bronx and well-liked within the organization. Between the potential value to be had on Kings contract and his past connection to the club, its hardly a surprise that New York would get involved in his market as they survey the offseason landscape for rotation help. AU TRAIN, MI Federal regulators are moving to revoke the hydropower license for a troubled Upper Peninsula dam, but the facility may go dark even sooner. A new landowner plans to cut off access to the Au Train Dam powerhouse in less than a month, forcing a scramble to shut down a system already in long-term noncompliance. Green Bay businessman David R. Charles who bought most of the dams project lands in a foreclosure sale this fall says hes run out of patience with Renewable World Energies (RWE), the Wisconsin-based dam owner. After months of failed lease negotiations, he notified the company in November that it will no longer be allowed onto the property which houses the powerhouse, penstock and surge tank. In an interview this week, Charles said the situation has dragged on for years without meaningful action from regulators or RWE, even though these guys have been in violation of every rule under the sun. Ive been patient and saying, what are you going to do with it? Charles said. Im being the nice guy going, Hey, lets just give everybody a little bit of time here. But sooner or later, youve got to pull the pin and go tear off the Band-Aid. The eviction arrives just as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is pursuing license termination by implied surrender, citing years of missed RWEs safety deadlines and loss of land control around the 108-year-old dam and its 1,557-acre reservoir. Charles, president of Cash Depot Ltd, a Wisconsin ATM and transaction management company, bought the land as a long-term family holding. Charles purchased everything except the dams north spillway and the south levee. His parcels include Au Train River property that features the picturesque upper and lower Au Train Falls, which were open to the public under the dams operating license. That 90 or 70 (acres) with the powerhouse on it is probably one of the most beautiful pieces of dirt in the state of Michigan, Charles said. But the powerhouse is a problem because RWE has been operating without a lease and without paying anything. On Nov. 14, he formally notified the company that access to Lot 10 the parcel containing the powerhouse, penstock, surge tank and associated improvements will end Jan. 1. The looming loss of access coupled with RWEs acknowledgement that it cannot guarantee downstream river flow from off-site, prompted FERC to determine that the company had effectively abandoned good-faith operation of the project after losing legal control of the powerhouse parcel a violation of Article 5 of its federal license. A public comment window on the termination ends Dec. 15. Eviction triggers scramble to ensure stable flows The pending loss of powerhouse access has triggered a scramble among state dam safety engineers, RWE, federal resource agencies and FERC staff to determine how best to safely shut down the facility and power turbines without allowing the reservoir to refill a scenario regulators warn could increase the risk of dam failure. The century-old dam was originally built by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company in 1910 to power the Munising paper mill. It was expanded in 1930. It impounds the Au Train River to create a popular recreational basin known for smallmouth bass fishing. The river drains to Lake Superior through the small village of Au Train west of Munising. A map of the Au Train Dam, FERC Project No. 10856, Sept. 16, 2025. (Garret Ellison | MLive). Garret Ellison The Au Train Dam is uniquely designed and the reservoir straddles a watershed divide between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The powerhouse is roughly a half mile north of the spillway and reservoir and is fed by a large pipe called a penstock. The crumbling 29-foot concrete spillway does not have a gate to raise or lower water levels. The Michigan departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) are pushing to finalize a method that prevents the reservoir from rising. The reservoir, commonly referred to as the Au Train Basin or Forest Lake but also known historically as the Cleveland-Cliffs Basin, was lowered in 2023 to create flood storage and reduce pressure on aging embankments. The Au Train Dam cannot safely pass a Probable Maximum Flood, or the largest flood scientists consider physically possible at the site. The company has proposed interim measures in recent years such as lowering spillways and modifying emergency drawdowns but never followed through on required studies, permits or engineering work. The dam is rated high hazard, meaning a failure could kill people. We want overall for impoundment levels to stay low for dam safety reasons, and for flows to continue downstream, said Jessica Mistak, DNR fisheries habitat division supervisor. Were also concerned about resource risks, because theres approximately five miles of stream between Au Train Dam and Au Train Lake with minimal tributary input, Mistak said. The agency doesnt want to see that section of the river, which flows north through Hiawatha National Forest land, de-watered. Luke Trumble, the dam safety supervisor at EGLE, is urging the group to bypass the powerhouse entirely by modifying or cutting the penstock where it crosses bedrock below M-94, a state highway that runs east-west along the basins north end. This is kind of a work-around, Trumble said. Maybe a solution that could be in place until a longer-term solution can be figured out. Trumble said EGLE is choosing to engage with the engineering work even though it doesnt have regulatory authority over the dam yet. If the license is revoked, that authority immediately transfers to the state. The state wants the basin to remain lowered for flood control. Also, refilling a lake in the middle of winter is a public safety concern for unsafe ice conditions, Trumble said. A large pipe known as a penstock crosses the Upper Au Train Falls near Au Train, Mich., Sept. 16, 2025. (Garret Ellison | MLive) Garret Ellison In federal filings, Jason Kreuscher, vice president of Harris Energy Group, an RWE corporate parent, wrote that cutting the penstock and bypassing the powerhouse could be completed in two to three days in early January if weather allows. He noted concerns about freezing inside the pipe if water does not remain fully backed up but said RWE could stage staff, cutting torches and timbers to complete the work. Kreuscher also warned that allowing water to pass through idle turbines during winter presents risks of freezing, clogging or equipment damage. Kreuscher did not return calls this week. Bankruptcy filings reveal a slide into insolvency Renewable World Energies was founded by Wisconsin entrepreneur Bill Harris and the company built its reputation rescuing aging dams across the Upper Midwest before it entered bankruptcy several years ago. A 2013 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel profile described RWE as a fast-growing operator that snatches up and reclaims relic hydro projects, pairing old infrastructure with new turbine technology to squeeze more power from century-old sites. At one time, RWE owned or operated more than 20 dams in the region and touted an investor-backed plan to modernize both the Cataract and Au Train projects in the U.P. Other Michigan hydros in its portfolio included dams in Belding and Three Rivers. Harris also established the Renewable World Foundation, an educational nonprofit that runs outdoor conservation programs like canoe trips and Day at the Dam field trips. Turbines inside the Au Train Dam powerhouse near Au Train, Mich., are seen through a window on Sept. 16. 2025. (Garret Ellison | MLive) Garret Ellison But internal finances at RWE began deteriorating as it pursued acquisitions. A bankruptcy narrative filed in April 2025 described chronic undercapitalization, poor internal financial controls and leadership dysfunction marked by executive compensation disputes and asset-shuffling that consumed money needed for infrastructure upgrades. Bankruptcy filings show RWE tried to prop up its hydro portfolio through a cryptocurrency mining venture that bought power at above-market rates. A 2021 power contract required UP Hydro LLC the licensee for the Au Train Dam to sell all of its electricity to a Bitcoin-mining subsidiary the company formed to support its dams. But deals with outside crypto partners collapsed over demands to dedicate all hydropower to mining, contributing to governance disputes that helped push the company into bankruptcy. Federal bankruptcy judge Katherine Maloney Perhach detailed disorderly management practices and found that subsidiaries like UP Hydro lacked the financial or organizational capacity to meet long-term obligations such as federally mandated dam-safety work. Over the past decade, RWE repeatedly failed to complete spillway upgrades, drawdown studies, embankment repairs and emergency action plan improvements at Au Train. Federal regulators issued numerous orders, but the company missed deadlines, sought extensions or submitted incomplete filings while its finances deteriorated. In August, the companys Chapter 11 case was dismissed without a restructuring or capital plan after it failed to complete required filings. Creditors such as Stephenson National Bank & Trust moved quickly to foreclose on RWE assets, taking control of the Au Train parcels that Charles later purchased. Landowner willing to negotiate public access The project land transfers have already triggered local impacts. This spring, the DNR was forced to close the Forest Lake State Forest Campground after easement access was lost following foreclosure and resale of the parcels around the basin. The campground boat launch was the only public access to the five-mile manmade lake and that loss frustrated anglers and duck hunters. Im not happy that this time of year, specifically when its primo fishing and waterfowl hunting, theres hardly any access to it, Ron Christner, a local retiree, said in mid-September. Charles said hes willing to let the DNR reopen the campground with some conditions, or swap land he owns near Stephenson for the campground parcel. Hes also open to allowing public access to the Au Train Falls, a series of sandstone cascades downstream of the spillway that adjoin the dam powerhouse. The RWE license with FERC required that access, but those conditions dont transfer to his ownership. But Charles wants liability protections. The Lower Au Train Falls, Sept. 17, 2025. The falls on the Au Train River are located next to the Au Train Dam powerhouse. (Garret Ellison | MLive) Garret Ellison If the DNR wants public access, Ill give them the campground, he said. But if they wont take care of the liability issue, then I cant do it, even if I want to. Its all up to the state, he added. I mean, all theyve got to do is raise their little hand and say, we want to do this, and well make sure it works. Im not fighting them or anything. Charles expressed frustration with a tangle of agencies and overlapping authorities, which he described as a circus that piled up regulatory demands without enforcement enabling a situation in which massive repairs were required without means to achieve them. Nobody wants to own this dam because the state is requiring millions of dollars worth of work on the dam and on the berm and theres no money for any of it, Charles said. And its really stupid, because you got a beautiful little powerhouse thats generating, $20,000- $25,000 bucks worth of electricity every month, clean as a whistle. Theyve been kicking this can down the road for 10 years, he said. They knew it was there and they knew the problem and nobody made anybody do anything because they knew if they shut them down, it would get worse. Well, now theyre at the its now worse. MEARS, MI -- Are you missing the sand, the lake and summer activities? Climbing dunes isnt just a summertime sprint fat-tire biking is back at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. The state park is opening its 450 acres of open sand dune space once again for fat-tire bikers to climb up and glide down to the shoreline starting Monday, Dec. 15. Silver Lakes fat-tire biking season will last until March 15, before ORV season ramps back up in April. Bikers are allowed on the dunes from 8 a.m. to dusk each day. A Recreation Passport is required to enter the state park. No reservation required. More on the Lakeshore: From woods to dunes: 3 spots to fat tire bike Up North The thrill of climbing 80 to 100 feet on that sugar sand is only matched by the views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding dune landscape. Are you up for the challenge? Note that not the entire dune is open to fat tires, bikers must stay within the ORV scramble area. The pedestrian portion and the portion Mac Woods uses is closed to bike use. Check this map. More outdoors: Michigans Recreation Passport funds add $1.9M boost to 15 park projects The space typically used for ORV riders in the summer but has found a second season since fat-tire biking was allowed in 2022. The state park also started using the dunes as a shoreline horseback riding recreation space each November. Gates will open every day regardless of weather conditions to its up to you to determine if conditions are safe to bike. The Michigan Department of Natural resources warns the dunes are an everchanging environment. Drifts and freezing conditions can drastically change the landscape overnight. More Lovable Michigan News: Camping this winter? Heres 4 state campgrounds with hot water Michigans I-500 snowmobile raceway moves toward year-round venue with new pavilion $1M earmarked to add trails, scenic overlooks at Michigans tallest waterfall GRAND RAPIDS, MI For 16 years, Kent Countys Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services has made Christmas accessible to Michigan kids who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. Their annual Signing Santa event returned to Northview High School on Saturday, Dec. 12. Kids got to eat cookies, do various Christmas-themed crafts and visit with Santa. Each year, Derrick Wakefield travels to Grand Rapids from Mount Pleasant, suits up and serves these kids - many of whom havent gotten to experience a visit with Santa Claus until D&HHSs programming. I just want to make sure they are happy and having their needs met and just having the access that they need to be able to communicate with Santa, Wakefield said. Derrick Wakefield talks with kids during Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Signing Santa on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Northview High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com D&HHS serves kids with a wide range of hearing ability - some strictly use American Sign Language (ASL), many pair ASL with hearing aids or cochlear implants, while others are hearing and attending with their deaf siblings, so they dont have as firm of a grasp on the language. Wakefield, who is deaf and fluent in ASL, signs with kids who use sign language and has interpreters to communicate with those who dont or dont have the vocabulary to effectively communicate throughout their visit. Deaf people dont always have access to Santa, Wakefield said. So it can be really hard to match what it is that the kids need to what it is that Santa needs to communicate with them. The combined power of Santa, his elves, and program volunteers ensures every kid leaves with a gift in hand and a smile on their face. Draven Huisiman, 14, had a long conversation with Wakefield, going back and forth about what he likes to do, the video games he likes to play and what he hopes to get for Christmas. It helps me because when I see a real Santa, I sometimes have a hard time understanding because I have cochlear implants, he said. Draven also loves being a part of the deaf community and using events like this to learn more ASL. Draven Huisman, 14, signs with Santa during Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Signing Santa on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Northview High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com Cara Sutliffe has been bringing her family to Signing Santa for 15 years. This has been a family tradition of ours since (my son) was 6 months old, she said. Hes 14 now. Because her son Brody is the only person in their family that is hard of hearing, Sutliffe made it a point to submerge him within the deaf community as much as possible. And because its been so welcoming and friendly, we continued to come and even the older kids who are hearing still love it and come every year, she said. Theyre like our second family. D&HHS hosts events throughout the year to raise awareness and provide access to people of all ages who are deaf or hard of hearing. They also teach various levels of ASL for those interested in learning. For more information visit their website at deafhhs.org MLive/Grand Rapids Press photojournalist Chloe Trofatter was there to capture the event. Check out the full gallery above, or click here. KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI When it opened in 1955, Disneylands Main Street U.S.A featured a Kalamazoo-area company. Main Street, U.S.A. was a reimagined reproduction of Walt Disneys hometown at the turn of the century. The Upjohn exhibit was a replica of a Victorian-era pharmacy, Author Stephen Hall said. The Upjohn Company, founded in Portage in 1886, was a perfect fit for the 1890-1910 theme. It showcased the evolution of medicine since Upjohns inception, highlighting the invention of the friable pill by Dr. William Upjohn, with photos, tools, packaging and medicine. Artifacts from the Upjohn Pharmacy on Main Street U.S.A. on display in Tucson, Arizona. Stephen Hall It also had a section dedicated to the future, Hall said, featuring a picture of Upjohns Building 41 at the Portage plant. Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer now operates its largest manufacturing site there. Hall first unboxed the collection while volunteering at the History of Pharmacy Museum in Tucson, Arizona, during grad school. He was studying art history, and looking to get into the world of museums and curation, he said. I was working on just unpacking this strange, fabulous collection, he said. I didnt know what it was, but the Disneyland connection hooked me. That was one of the first tasks Hall worked on for the museum, he said. Hall remained there for 10 years. His book, A Spoonful of Sugar: The Story of the Upjohn Pharmacy in Disneyland, slowly came together during that time. Hall's book detailing the story of the Upjohn Pharmacy in Disneyland comes out Jan. Stephen Hall I started researching, because that was part of my job, and I very quickly realized that theres been hardly anything written about this at all, Hall said. His 136-page book publishes in paperback on Jan. 13, 2026, per the Old Mill Press website. It details pharmaceutical history, its place in Disneyland, and its connection to Kalamazoo. Walt Disney has a well-known connection to Kalamazoo a friendship with former Upjohn President and General Manager Donald Gilmore. But thats not how the main street pharmacy came to be, Hall said. Disney was looking for corporate sponsors to help pay for the project, Hall said. He had invited companies like Carnation and Bank of America to sponsor parts of the park. In return, their names and products were featured in the park. An advertising director at Upjohn, Jack Gauntlet, independently pitched the idea. His job was just to promote the company, Hall said. He must have gotten wind of this thing Walt Disney was doing in California. When he approached Gilmore with the pitch, the relationship with Disney helped bring it together. Guests can still spot Gilmore and Upjohns names in a window above the former pharmacy, Hall said, now the Fortuosity Shop. Walt Disney included names of various "Imagineers" and supporters in the windows along Main Street, U.S.A. Guests can still spot Gilmore's name above the Fortuosity Shop. Stephen Hall Showcasing this idealized version of American history and innovation went beyond project funding, though. Disney had always envisioned this nostalgic land of whimsy, Hall said. He wanted to present this as a better version of American history. That perspective prevails among Disney fans and pop culture, Hall said. Even now, Americans look back at the early 20th century with rose-colored glasses despite the challenges of the Great Depression, World War II and Civil Rights movement. Places like Disneylands Main Street U.S.A. cemented this rosy image of American history. Whether its historical or not, it doesnt really matter, because it feels nice to imagine this idyllic American history, Hall said. The exhibit closed in 1970, Hall said, as that part of the park transformed into The Magic Kingdom. Disneyland is this big, giant global phenomenon, Hall said. Even though it might not be there anymore ... there was Kalamazoo in Anaheim. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. SAO PAULO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and two others injured in a shooting attack early Saturday at a bar in the municipality of Jiquirica, in Brazil's northeastern state of Bahia, apparently linked to clashes between organized crime groups, police said. According to the Military Police, the shooting occurred at an establishment located in the city center. The victims who died were men aged 22, 24 and 25, respectively. The suspects fled the scene after the attack. The police have managed to identify the suspects and the possible motives for the attack, according to local media Midia Bahia. MUSKEGON, MI A parole board panel expressed high confidence in its decision to release a man with a violent history, believing he would not become a threat to society. Eight months after Deangelo Lonell Aubrey was paroled from prison, he allegedly killed two of his former girlfriends, Shelenthia Willis and Sasha Spears, hours apart in Muskegon Heights. Aubrey, 43, is awaiting trial in Muskegon County Circuit Court on two counts of open murder for alleged homicides prosecutors described as some of the most brutal ways a person can be killed. Aubrey has a history of violence that has put him behind bars before. He was 17 years old when he was first sentenced to prison in 2000 for an armed robbery case. Aubrey was paroled in 2014 after serving 14 years for the crime. His most recent prison stint stemmed from a violent assault in 2020 where an armed Aubrey threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend, Willis. A Muskegon County judge sentenced Aubrey to prison for the pistol-whipping attack. Aubrey was granted parole after serving his minimum sentence. After less than a year on parole, Aubrey allegedly killed his two former girlfriends. To get a better understanding of the parole consideration process, MLive/Muskegon Chronicle reviewed documents and records that shows what went into the Michigan Parole Boards decision-making for Aubreys release. In his bid for parole, Aubrey told board members he didnt want to keep repeating this pattern of coming back to prison. MLive/Muskegon Chronicle reached out to family members of the two slain women to get their thoughts on the panels decision to parole Aubrey. Interview requests were either declined or not returned. Violent encounter in a hotel lobby Aubrey and Willis dated for about five years before breaking up. Aubrey tracked Willis down on May 26, 2020, at a local hotel. He confronted her in the parking lot with a handgun. Aubrey pointed the gun at Willis and told her not to move or he would shoot and kill her, Muskegon Heights police wrote in an affidavit for warrantless arrest. Willis ran into the lobby of the hotel and Aubrey chased her. Once in the lobby, Aubrey again pointed the handgun at Willis. Willis was stopped by a locked door, which allowed Aubrey to catch her. Aubrey hit her in the head with the handgun at least 10 times, according to the affidavit. At some point during the assault, Willis fell to the floor and Aubrey kicked her in the mouth, causing some of her teeth to fall out. Officers arrested Aubrey at the scene. Deangelo Lonell Aubrey, 42, appeared for a virtual arraignment in Muskegon County District Court on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. Aubrey was charged with two counts of open murder for the deaths of Shelenthia Willis and Sasha Spears for allegedly killing both woman on the same day. Bradley Massman | MLive.com Aubrey struck a plea agreement with Muskegon County prosecutors and pleaded no contest to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and felon in possession of a firearm. Aubrey was sentenced in March 2021 to 4-14 years on the assault charge and 2-7 years on the gun charge. He was given credit for two days served because he was free on bond throughout his case. Parole board makes decision In Michigan, a prisoner is required to serve the minimum sentence before they can apply for parole. The states parole board is made up of 10 members. Aubrey was serving a term of years, which required a three-member panel of the parole board to review his application for parole in December 2024. MLive/Muskegon Chronicle obtained Aubreys parole order and final case summary report through a Freedom of Information Act request. The documents about 40 pages in total outline Aubreys parole conditions, screening responses and comments from the panel. Eight pages that detail a written summary of Aubreys risk profile and criminogenic needs were fully redacted in MLives request. Aubrey served his sentence between Cooper Street Correctional Facility in Jackson and the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia. He was removed from two programs in August 2024 due to behavior, records show. Otherwise, he followed rules and directions (and) has satisfactory block reports. Aubrey expressed remorse for attacking Willis during his screening for parole. I should have never done it, Aubrey told the panel. I feel bad for what I did. I dont want to keep repeating this pattern of coming back to prison. The panel believed reasonable assurance exists that the offender will not become a menace to society or to the public safety. Pictured is the Muskegon County Jail where Deangelo Aubrey is housed on two counts of open murder. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com When it comes to deciding on parole, the panel votes until there is a majority. If there are two yes votes, it does not go to a third voter, Jenni Riehle, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Corrections, told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Board members Paula Johnson and Brian J. Shipman voted in favor and a third vote was not needed in Aubreys case, Riehle said. The decision to grant Aubrey parole was not met with any challenges. The Muskegon County Prosecutors Office receives notifications from parole board regarding parole decisions for prisoners sentenced on local cases. Our office files objections to parole release in all cases if a legal basis to challenge the decision exists, and if we receive a request from a victim or interested party to bring such a challenge, Chief Trial Attorney Matt Roberts told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Yet, prosecutors had no legal grounds to object to the decision of the parole board, nor were they contacted by the victim or victims representative requesting action, Roberts added. Victims who register with the states Crime Victim Services are notified of the parole review at least 30 days in advance. Victims can submit statements written, by phone, or in person to the parole board. Its unclear if any statements were submitted by the victim or the victims behalf. A decision was made Jan. 2 for Aubrey to enroll in a parole to in-reach program in Muskegon. He was paroled on March 25 and ordered to report to his agent and continue medication as prescribed. Two killings in one day Less than a year on parole, Aubrey is accused of killing two women in one day. Few details of how Willis and Spears died have been released. Muskegon Heights police found Willis and Spears on Nov. 17 in separate locations, about one mile apart. A relative found an injured Spears that afternoon at a residence on Hoyt Street and called 911. Spears suffered severe injuries, police said, and died at the scene. Police also took a call later that day regarding a missing woman. Officers learned the woman Willis may have been with Aubrey. Willis was found that night dead in a vehicle near Sixth Street and Delano Avenue. Aubrey was arrested on Nov. 18 near a Walgreens in Muskegon Township. Prosecutors believe Aubrey was allegedly trying to flee to Chicago after the killings. The investigation is still ongoing, but the details that have been released are chilling. Aubrey allegedly recorded both women either in the process of dying or already dead, according to prosecutors. The footage allegedly includes Aubrey admitting to the crimes and displays disturbing levels of violence. Aubrey remains lodged in the Muskegon County Jail without bond. MASON COUNTY, MI Police and rescue personnel are searching for two missing snowmobilers. The two riders were reported missing Saturday night, Dec. 13, in the Sheridan Township area, according to the Mason County Sheriffs Office. Search operations focused on Lake County on Saturday, but police shifted their attention Sunday to the eastern portion of Mason County. Police said they will provide updates as new information becomes available. BAY COUNTY, MI Delta College has an updated computer science wing following a multi-million-dollar renovation project that began earlier this year. In other news, A museum in downtown Bay City is offering visitors the opportunity to interact with biblical texts spanning four thousand years. Learn more about these stories and more Bay County news with these headlines from the past week: Bay City pastor shares 4,000 years of biblical history at downtown museum Fr. Jose Cabrera of All Saints Parish in Bay City is offering tours of his personal collection of more than 165 biblical texts and other items tracing Christianitys long history. The museum is in the All Saints Parishs St. James Rectory, located at 710 Columbus Ave. From copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls to modern Bibles, the museum features a wide range texts from around the world, including a Catholic bible printed in Bay City more than a century ago. Tours of the museum will be available on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 6-8 p.m. The tours will focus on the story of Christmas. Visitors can also schedule a tour of the museum on Feb. 12 and April 21. Read the full story here. Michigan mother accused of starving son with special needs to death to face murder charge A Bay City mother accused of starving her son with special needs to death entered a courtroom with tears in her eyes. Her sobbing did not abate for the entirety of the brief hearing, as she stole glances toward supporters seated in the gallery behind her. Jessica M. Burkes woes increased when she learned prosecutors intend to charge her with murder in the 2024 death of her 4-year-old child, Noah J. Whitmire. Burke, 39, appeared before Bay County District Judge Timothy J. Kelly for a scheduled preliminary examination the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 10. Since her arraignment in mid-May, Burke has only faced a count of first-degree child abuse despite a pathologist ruling Noahs manner of death as homicide. Read the full story here. Delta College unveils $6.7M renovation of computer science wing Delta College marked the completion of a $6.7 million renovation project this month with a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new computer science and information technology wing, the K Wing. The more than 21,000-square-foot wing includes high-tech classrooms, laboratories, student lounge areas, and more. Work on the project began this spring in Frankenlust Township, and students are expected to use the renovated wing in January 2026. Soon, students across many academic disciplines will have the opportunity to learn and collaborate in this remarkable space, Sue Roche, associate dean of Deltas business and technology division, said in a statement. Read the full story here. 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 Samir Jain is a Jaipur-based astrologer who has over 28 years of experience in the field of Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry and Vastu Shastra. He is also an expert in Jain Temple Vastu and Jain Jyotish. For more details, visit planetsastro.com, call/WhatsApp +91 8696930617 or email jainksamir@gmail.com. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Hyundai cars have year-end offers up to Rs 85,000. What about Creta, Venue? UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday strongly condemned the drone attacks that targeted the UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, earlier in the day. The attacks resulted in six fatalities and eight injuries -- all members of the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, the UN chief said in a statement. Guterres expressed his "deepest and heartfelt condolences" to the government and people of Bangladesh and to the families of the fallen peacekeepers, and wished a swift recovery to the injured. "Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians," he said. "There will need to be accountability." In the statement, the UN chief reiterated the call on the warring parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process. The Sudanese Armed Forces have accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the strike, a claim the RSF has denied. Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com. MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more. Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Who is Sakshi Khanna? Meet Akshaye Khannas half-brother and Vinod Khannas youngest son Several actors have reached court for the safeguard of their personality rights MC Jobs Desk Read the latest and trending news articles on Sarkari Naukri, government jobs, UPSC, SSC, railway jobs, banking jobs, defence recruitment, state PSC exams, and more. NANCHANG, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, has shrunk by 90 percent from its high-water season level and entered an extremely low-water level, local authorities said Sunday. At the landmark Xingzi hydrological station in east China's Jiangxi Province, the water level fell below the extremely low-water mark on Sunday morning, with the gauge reading only 8 meters. This year, Poyang Lake's water level first dipped below the 12-meter drought warning line on Aug. 8, 87 days earlier than the average time of previous years. To date, the lake has been 217 days below the drought warning line, meaning nearly two-thirds of the year in low-water conditions. To address the situation, a nearby water supply company in Duchang County has mobilized 10 pumps operating at full capacity to draw water from the outer lake to the plant's intake, said Wang Chunhua, head of the company's production and operations department. The company also stepped up inspections of drinking water sources and increased the frequency of water quality testing to ensure the safety of drinking water for 160,000 urban and rural residents nearby. The lake has repeatedly set new low-water records in recent years, with a growing trend of dry seasons starting earlier, lasting longer, and reaching lower water levels. In 2022, its water level dropped to a record low of 4.6 meters. The following year, the lake entered its dry season on July 20, the earliest date on record. Experts warn that the prolonged low water levels will affect the wintering of hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including Siberian cranes, oriental storks and white-naped cranes, as well as the reproduction of aquatic species such as the finless porpoise. Local governments around the lake are closely monitoring the situation, implementing precise water management measures and carrying out emergency responses, such as dredging channels and supplementing ecological water, to minimize the impact. With its well-preserved ecosystem, Poyang Lake is a key wintering site for waterfowl in Asia. The peak migration period for birds heading to the lake typically runs from mid-December through early January. In this week, BSE Sensex index shed 444.71 points or 0.51 percent at 85,267.66, while Nifty50 index fell 139.5 points or 0.53 percent at 26,046.95 Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Chartist Talk | Sudeep Shah picks 2 largecaps for next week; outlook on 6 stocks after smart gains Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to These stocks are Indias biggest wealth creators since Covid, one of them clocked 124% CAGR When will my portfolio stop bleeding? The indicator that everyone has missed Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Can OCI cardholders apply for Aadhaar? Rules, documents and validity explained Making a Will in India: City of origin or city of assets, what really matters Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All BJP appoints Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as national working president of the party Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All BJPs next big move: Nitin Nabin emerges as frontrunner to succeed JP Nadda Congress units across several states have begun mobilising supporters for the rally. (File photo) Ex-Mayor and MCD AAP Councillor Shelly Oberoi congratulated the winners, calling the victory a strong example of women's empowerment in action. BEIJING, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Foreign banks in Beijing have supported Chinese enterprises in conducting businesses abroad, sharing in the benefits of the growth of Chinese companies, said the Beijing branch of the National Financial Regulatory Administration. In 2024, these banks provided financial assistance to overseas businesses of 14,900 Chinese companies, with the total funding reaching 1.24 trillion yuan (about 175.54 billion U.S. dollars). At present, 48 foreign banks from 17 countries and regions have established operational branches in Beijing. The city will continue to serve as a testing ground for financial reforms and support the localized and specialized development of foreign banks, said the Beijing branch of the National Financial Regulatory Administration. New Delhi responds after Dhaka summons Indian envoy over Sheikh Hasinas statements, as Bangladesh heads into first election since August upheaval The advanced weapons, sensors and avionics suite make the helicopter a versatile and capable asset for the Navy, offering enhanced capabilities to address conventional as well as asymmetric threats, they said Assuring that the matter would be taken seriously, Rao urged people not to panic or get confused and said there was no need to stop consuming eggs at this stage. "Given the options in BJP for the new face, I see alternatives from Maharashtra," said Chavan, without elaborating on names he has in mind. Addressing farm loan waivers, Fadnavis admitted that unseasonal rain and other pressures have strained the budget, but reiterated the government's commitment to farmers. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to President Droupadi Murmu rejects mercy plea of man convicted for rape, murder of 2-year-old in Maharashtra Speaking on a television programme, Ramdev promoted yoga, breathing techniques and simple household measures as responses to worsening pollution. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Rally against 'vote chori' to protect every citizen's right, says D K Shivakumar Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Watch | Army chief Dwivedi performs push-ups with young officers during IMA's passing out parade TEHRAN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that BRICS can help lay the groundwork for "fair and balanced" cooperation at the global level. He made the remarks at a meeting with visiting Speaker of the Ethiopian House of Representatives Tagesse Chafo in Tehran, according to a statement published on the website of his office. Both Iran and Ethiopia officially joined BRICS in January 2024. Pezeshkian described BRICS as a multilateral framework and a valuable and strategic platform for expanding interactions, deepening economic and political ties, and confronting unilateral approaches in the international system. "BRICS can provide a new communication model based on mutual respect for states' national sovereignty, territorial integrity and diverse cultures and civilizations, and prepare the ground for fair and balanced cooperation at the global level," he said. Pezeshkian voiced Iran's readiness to play a role in establishing and strengthening sustainable peace and security in the region, advocating for a world free from war, violence and conflict. He added that individuals with deep insight into human nature prefer dialogue and cooperation over confrontation. He stressed that Iran was ready to expand its relations with Ethiopia in the economic, diplomatic, cultural and security fields, noting that the targeted use of existing institutional mechanisms could accelerate bilateral cooperation. For his part, Chafo said Ethiopia is determined to increase economic exchanges and expand joint investments with Iran and make effective use of BRICS mechanisms, including its New Development Bank, to strengthen the foundations of economic and financial cooperation between the two countries. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Who is Mumbais Rehman Dakait? Shindes Dhurandhar jibe fuels buzz before BMC polls Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Who is Nitin Nabin? Bihar minister appointed BJPs new national working president In an overall verdict, the Instagram user with more than 11,000 followers said she found India to be 'intense, beautiful, exhausting, and heart-warming sometimes all in the same hour'. (Image credit: @nithiandkate/Instagram) Ironically, many sufferers continue using marijuana to ease nausea, creating a cycle that worsens symptoms. (Representational image) Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Delayed again: ISRO's heaviest US commercial satellite, "BlueBird6" to launch on 21st December 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 Palestinians attend the funeral of Hamas senior commander Raad Saad and others who were killed by an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, on Dec. 14, 2025. Hamas' Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, on Sunday confirmed the death of senior commander Raad Saad in an Israeli strike a day earlier. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Hamas' Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, on Sunday confirmed the death of senior commander Raad Saad in an Israeli strike a day earlier. Marking the 38th anniversary of Hamas' founding, al-Hayya said in a televised address that "Raad Saad was killed along with his brothers." He added that "this leader dedicated his life to his religion and homeland and lived as a fugitive from the occupation for decades." On Saturday, five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a vehicle west of Gaza City, according to Palestinian medical sources. Earlier on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet security agency said in a joint statement that Saad, the head of the weapons production headquarters in Hamas' military wing, had been killed. The Israeli military described Saad as one of the planners of the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and "one of the last remaining senior militants" in Gaza. It added that Saad was directly responsible for "violations" of the ceasefire agreement by Hamas in recent months, accusing him of overseeing the continued production of weapons during the ceasefire. Meanwhile, al-Hayya called for the immediate formation of a technocratic committee of independent Palestinians to administer the Gaza Strip, affirming the movement's readiness to hand over full responsibilities in all areas and facilitate its work. On the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza, the Hamas chief said the mission of such a force should be limited to maintaining the ceasefire and separating the two sides along the Gaza Strip's borders, without any role inside the strip or interference in its internal affairs. Palestinians attend the funeral of Hamas senior commander Raad Saad and others who were killed by an Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, on Dec. 14, 2025. Hamas' Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, on Sunday confirmed the death of senior commander Raad Saad in an Israeli strike a day earlier. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 11 killed in Australias Bondi Beach attack: Who was targeted and why London's Metropolitan Police said it had also increased security, but did not want to give details. This screen grab of UGC video taken on December 14, 2025 and received courtesy of Mike Ortiz shows beach-goers fleeing Bondi Beach after gunmen opened fire, in Sydney (AFP) Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Brown University shooting: Two killed, nine injured as FBI releases suspect footage, manhunt launched Brown University shooting: Two students dead, campus locked down as police rescue students from library The government has estimated that the costs of rebuilding will be about $3 billion in Sumatra after monsoon rainfall was intensified by a rare cyclone earlier this month SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and nine others wounded Saturday afternoon at Brown University in Providence, the U.S. state of Rhode Island, campus officials said. The two fatal victims and eight of the injured were students at Brown University, President Christina Paxson told a news conference on Saturday evening. Six of the injured are in critical but stable condition, one is in critical condition, and another is stable, local media reported, citing the hospital. Police said the incident occurred near an academic and research area on campus, where students were in the midst of their second day of final exams. Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities said the suspected shooter is a male dressed in black and that an extensive search is underway. As the shooter is still at large, the university said that the campus remained in lockdown, urging all members of the community to remain vigilant and shelter in place. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the deadly shooting took place at the Barus and Holley building, which houses classrooms and laboratory space for the university's engineering and physics departments. U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday afternoon that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the FBI is on the scene. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said state police and the state emergency management agency are coordinating with local law enforcement in response to the incident. Brown University is a nonprofit research institution with some 7,300 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students, according to its website. Saturday's incident occurred on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the state of Connecticut, where a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators, marking one of the deadliest school shootings in the country's history. Gun violence has been a severe problem for U.S. society for decades. In the year 2025, the country has seen 389 mass shootings, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,100 children and teenagers under the age of 17, both on and off campus, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The archive defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people, excluding the perpetrator, are shot or killed. Owners of the Goa nightclub linked to the deadly December 6 fire may be brought back from Thailand within 48 hours as deportation formalities near completion. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Nepal to allow Indian currency notes above 100 after RBI regulatory change Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Thailand imposes curfew in Trat as clashes with Cambodia spread to coastal border Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Thailand vows to press on with border strikes despite Trumps ceasefire claim Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to The nuclear device lost in the Himalayas: How a CIA Cold War mission still haunts Indias Nanda Devi Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Two killed, eight critical in Brown University engineering building shooting during exams Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Who is Naveed Akram? 24-year-old Pakistani-origin man identified in Bondi Beach shooting Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Zelenskyy to meet U.S., European leaders in Berlin for Ukraine peace talks Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Zohran Mamdani condemns Brown University shooting, calls for end to gun violence in the US BERLIN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Five suspects have been arrested on suspicion of plotting an attack on a Christmas market in southern Germany, local police and authorities said on Saturday. The suspects include one Egyptian, one Syrian and three Moroccans, according to a joint statement released by the local police, the Munich Public Prosecutor General's Office and the Bavarian Central Office for Combating Extremism and Terrorism. Formal arrest warrants were issued for four of the men, while the fifth has been placed in preventive custody, said the statement. Prosecutors currently suspect an Islamist motive behind the planned attack, which was allegedly to be carried out using a vehicle. The Egyptian suspect had allegedly called for an attack at a mosque in the southern state of Bavaria during the 2025 Christmas season, urging the use of a vehicle to ram a Christmas market in order to "kill or injure as many people as possible." Further details remain undisclosed due to ongoing investigations, added the statement. The two covers of Time magazine's 2025 Person of the Year issue with an illustration by Peter Crowther, left, depicting Jensen Huang, President and CEO of Nvidia; Elon Musk, xAI; Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic; Lisa Su, CEO of AMD; Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta; Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind Technologies; Fei-Fei Li, Co-Director of Stanford University's Human-Centered AI Institute and CEO of World Labs; and Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI, and a painting by Jason Seiler, right, depicting the same people, in this undated handout combination image obtained by Reuters on Dec. 11, 2025. TIME/TIME Person of the Year/Handout via REUTERS NEW YORK (Reuters) Time magazine named the architects of artificial intelligence its Person of the Year on Thursday, citing their ability to deliver the age of thinking machines with transformative technology. Person of the Year is a powerful way to focus the worlds attention on the people that shape our lives. And this year, no one had a greater impact than the individuals who imagined, designed, and built AI, Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs wrote in a letter to readers. Jacobs described the architects as wowing and worrying humanity and transforming the present and transcending the possible. The 2025 Person of the Year issue features a cover story that explores how AI changed the world over the year in new and sometimes frightening ways. It includes interviews with Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang, whose chips are powering the AI boom, and AI investors such as SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son. It explores such troubling aspects of AI as the death of a 16-year-old Californian who committed suicide, after which his parents sued ChatGPT maker OpenAI, blaming the company for their sons death because of conversations he had with the chatbot. Time is among many media outlets partnering with AI firms to license content and develop new tools. In June 2024 it signed a multi-year content deal with OpenAI that gave the ChatGPT maker access to its archived news content. In response to user queries, the chatbot cites and links back to the source on Time.com. Time magazine named then-President-elect Donald Trump Person of the Year in 2024, as well as in 2016. Past winners have also included pop star Taylor Swift, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk. By Emmanuel T. Erediano [email protected] Variety News Staff THE U.S. Department of the Interiors Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has extended the public comment period on the request for information and indications of interest for a potential minerals lease sale offshore the CNMI. BOEM stated on its website that the comment period is now extended until 11:59 p.m. ET on Jan. 12, 2026, in response to a request from the governors of the CNMI and Guam. Last month, Gov. David M. Apatang stressed the importance of public participation in the process, noting that community engagement will ensure the voices and interests of the people of the CNMI are heard and considered in any future federal actions regarding seabed mineral exploration or development. Also last month, Delegates Kimberlyn King-Hinds of the CNMI and James C. Moylan of Guam strongly urged BOEM to give the Marianas people an additional 120 days to comment on plans for deep-sea mining in U.S. waters. The delegates told BOEM Acting Director Matthew Giacona that the decision to limit the comment and indications-of-interest period to 30 days risks undermining our island communities ability to provide accurate and comprehensive feedback. Without an extension, they said, BOEM seriously risks making a decision without a true understanding of the impact. BOEM announced key developments in its offshore critical minerals planning on Nov. 10, 2025, including the completion of Area Identification offshore American Samoa and the release of a request for information for the CNMI. The federal agency described these as significant progress in efforts to responsibly evaluate leasing opportunities for critical minerals on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf, supporting U.S. manufacturing, national security, and economic resilience. Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast. Police officers gather near the site of a mass shooting reported by authorities at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Dec. 13, 2025. REUTERS (Reuters) More than 400 law enforcement personnel were deployed on Saturday as police sought the suspect in a shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island that left two students dead and another nine people wounded at the Ivy League school, officials said. The Providence university remained in lockdown hours after a suspect with a firearm entered a building where students were taking exams. Officials do not believe there is any specific, ongoing threat from the suspect, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said late Saturday, but with law enforcement agencies canvassing the area and conducting a manhunt, a shelter-in-place order for the campus and the surrounding neighborhood will remain for now. The shelter-in-place allows (law enforcement) to do their work in the first phase of the investigation, Smiley said. Streets around the campus were packed with emergency vehicles and security was heightened around the city as law enforcement agencies sought the gunman, who has not yet been identified, officials said. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are working with local and state police on the investigation. Officials released a video of the suspect, a male possibly in his 30s and dressed in black. Providence Deputy Police Chief Timothy OHara said the individual may have worn a mask, but officials are not certain. Investigators retrieved shell casings from the scene of the shooting, but police are not prepared to release details yet, OHara said. The gunman escaped after shooting students in a classroom in Browns Barus & Holley engineering building, where outer doors had been unlocked while exams were taking place, officials said. Detectives are looking into why that location was targeted, police Chief Oscar Perez told reporters at a news conference. All or nearly all of the victims were students, Brown President Christina Paxson told reporters. This is the day one hopes never happens, and it has, Paxson said. Seven of the nine wounded were listed as critical late Saturday, according to Brown University Health. Brown, located on College Hill in Rhode Islands state capital, has hundreds of buildings, including lecture halls, laboratories and dormitories. The shooting suspect is thought to have fled, according to local officials, along a normally bustling street of restaurants and coffee shops. Under desks for hours As news of the shooting spread, the school told students to shelter in place. Brown student Chiang-Heng Chien told local TV station WJAR he was working in a lab with three other students when he saw the text about the active shooter situation a block away. They waited under desks for about two hours, he said. Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee vowed that the shooter would be brought to justice. Were going to make sure that we catch the individual that brought so much suffering to so many people. The search for the suspect was complicated by throngs of holiday shoppers and thousands of people attending concerts and events on a weekend night, local officials told reporters. Federal law enforcement and police from surrounding cities and towns were assisting in the search, officials said. According to local news reports, venues across the city were bringing in extra security. Police were scouring videos and calling for information from witnesses or others in their search for the suspect. Some tips have been coming in. We have been running them down, OHara said. None of them have worked out for us yet. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he had been briefed on the situation, which he called terrible. All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt. Compared to many countries, mass shootings in schools, workplaces, and places of worship are more common in the U.S., which has some of the most permissive gun laws in the developed world. The Gun Violence Archive, which defines mass shootings as any incident in which four or more victims have been shot, has counted 389 of them this year in the U.S., including at least six such shootings at schools. Last year the U.S. had more than 500 mass shootings, according to the archive. Im numb, and Im more so angry, Brown sophomore Zoe Weissman told Reuters. Weissman has testified before state lawmakers in support of an assault weapons ban about her experience as a middle schooler in Parkland, Florida, where a shooter in 2018 killed 17 students and teachers, and injured others. Im shocked but Im not surprised. By Dean de la Paz FOR more than half a century, especially since the millennial crossover, two of the most aggressive geopolitical forces have been disrupting lives across the planet. Their indomitable goal is substantial world domination. The first is the expansion of a radical religious ethos evident in Europe where borders remain porous, virtually open to a non-assimilative religious counterculture. It is a train wreck in slow motion. While Islam is one of the oldest, highly revered and one of the most respected among the worlds major religions, there are those who have radicalized it and turned it militant. Openly declaring a global overthrow, its militants have painted their religion as aggressively invasive. Their goal is to reinstall an anachronistic world order not necessarily based on economic merit, modernization, piety and the prospects of harmony and peaceful coexistence as Islam teaches but based on their fiery rhetoric, on convoluted concepts employing inflammatory pseudo-theocratic shibboleths. Look no further than The Big Apple. This January 2026, the installation of a smooth-talking yet avowed radical and militant Shia Islamist in New York City, the United Statess center of free enterprise and capitalism has been hailed by Liberals as a bellwether for similarly governed American constituencies such as Minneapolis that hosts the largest population of non-citizen Suni Muslim Somalis outside Somalia itself. In the Philippines, in resource-rich Mindanao, in 2008, the government attempted to divide and sell-off a huge part of sovereign territory from Tawi-Tawi to Palawan to secessionist control. Quickly declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, it exposed the extent of betrayal that some of our highest leaders employ. This is the same strain of duplicity we will see in the West Philippine Sea or WPS. In the WPS, the threat of co-opting foreign subjugation comes in the form of the Chinese control of our aquatic resources, from fishing grounds to seabed manganese deposits, submarine oil and gas reserves, to the erection of military platforms on artificial islands to strategically hinder our freedom of navigation and install fully-armed offensive fortresses. The resurrection of communism and its hybrid diluted predicate, socialism, is the second of those global expansionist forces. Historically spread not by its economic allure but more by overwhelming military force and aggression, despite its continuing economic failures in contrast to Western Capitalism, its Russian and Chinese autocracies continue to foment instability in the European and Asian hemispheres as part of its overthrow strategy. Simply analyze communisms requisite command economy and its attendant militarism that seeks to control all means of production and market behavior. From its inception to its modern-day iterations, focus on its dramatic historical counterpoints and the kind of iron-fisted power its unelected leaders wield to assert dominance. Read their personal histories from Joseph Stalin to Mao Zedong and Kim Il-Sung, through the various tribal chieftains in the African continent and the monarchical militants in the Middle East. See where there is shared megalomania among Irans Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Russias Vladimir Putin, Chinas Xi Jinping and North Koreas Kim Jong Un. Analyze the history of subjugation from the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution and the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. Recall the 1991 dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; the perpetual protracted conflict and wars of the Red Army and its facsimiles all over Asia, the communist despotism in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea), the rise of Boko Haram and the constant warring of factions and jihad in Africa that continuously ravage a mineral rich continent. On that last aspect of caustic conflict amid wealth, segue the abundance of resources to an analysis of betrayal in the WPS. As reference, for ethnic Filipinos in the Marianas and the South Pacific the latent geopolitical aberrations inflicted by the Chinese from over 5,050 kilometers away on neighboring Tonga, Samoa and the Federation of States of Micronesia serve as ominous foreboding. The exponential rise in Tongan and Samoan Chinese-initiated debt over GDP reeks of external subjugation despite unproductivity and sets the stage for an eventual debt trap. Past is prologue. Chinas debt trap diplomacy that left Sri Langkas critical assets at the mercy of China should have been warning enough. Analize also the foreclosures on strategic livelihood infrastructure to the Chinese who click baited economic riches despite onerous consequences hidden inside Chinas controversial Belt and Road initiatives a tragic simile akin to the hollow belly of a cliche Trojan Horse. Over the previous Philippine administrations starting from 2001, did not our highest executive attempt to place our national broadband service that links all government facilities and the armed forces under the control of Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation, a Communist Chinese Party state-owned corporation? In 2007, did not the Chinese-funded Laiwa Dam within protected tribal lands at the Sierra Madre mirror critical Chinese-built and funded infrastructure in Micronesia, Tonga, and Samoa? Within that same decade did not the government subsequently surrender the largest single equity block of our nation-wide electrical transmission grid to the State Grid Corporation of China, another entity under the Chinese Communist Party? Off our coasts allow us to cite specific threats in the WPS engineered by Philippine officials and executives of government owned and controlled corporations who insidiously co-opt albeit openly declare their actuations as para sa inang bayan (for the motherland). Through at least three episodes of betrayal in the WPS, note the lurking omnipresence of the Chinese Communist Party and its strategic avatar, the China National Offshore Oil Corporation or CNOOC. In 2005, under the same presidency that actively negotiated for the Chinese takeover of the Philippine governments national broadband network, the president and chief executive officer of the Philippine National Oil Corporation or PNOC signed a Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking where large parts of oil and gas-rich areas of the WPS would be opened up to unsupervised exploration and its results shared with CNOOC. Other than China, the JMSU likewise involved the Vietnam National Industry-Energy Group (PetroVietnam) which was fully under the Communist Party of Vietnam. Now remember that China and Vietnam claim the Recto Bank in the WPS as theirs. Given the overwhelming technical and financial superiority of CNOOC over PNOC it does not take an Einstein to figure out who benefits first from the JMSU. Fortunately, the Philippine Supreme Court ruled as unconstitutional the lopsided wheeling-dealing. Wholly owned foreign corporations whose principals have hostile designs cannot explore Philippine natural resources without legal bootstraps and safeguards. The Supreme Court ruled that JMSUs ownership provision ceded full control. Unfortunately, attempts to compromise Philippine territory in the WPS did not end with that initial episode. Like a bad penny CNOOC would reprise its invasive role repeatedly. Following a policy pivot towards China and a visit by Xi Jinping, the Duterte government mirrored essentially the same discredited and unconstitutional attempt by the former PNOC executive in 2005. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Duterte administration and China set the terms for oil and gas development including joint exploitation in Philippine maritime areas. Not only would the generic term maritime areas cover the entirety of the WPS, but it would likewise include the Malampaya-Camago gas fields since the MOU encompassed both disputed and undisputed areas and allowed for separate customized cooperative arrangements and farm-outs on technical and commercial revenue-earning ventures. Reprising the 2005 episode when the PNOC president negotiated to unconstitutionally cede to CNOOC, under the Duterte MOU, the CNOOC was again nominated as Chinas representative to a prospective working group established to operationalize the joint exploration and exploitation of Philippine marine resources. Now covering over two decades, the repeated attempts to rope-in CNOOC by Filipino government factotum is shamelessly relentless, unabashed and leads to economic sabotage. One, both the 2005 PNOC-signed agreement and the Duterte MOU effectively surrender WPS resources to CNOOC thereby locking out and denying any entity including Filipino-owned corporations with the financial and technical capacity from developing Philippine resources. Two, both attempts to place the WPS resources under Chinese control outrightly nullify the hard-fought victory of the Philippines at the Hague Tribunal with respect to our exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Three, both violate the Philippine Constitution and the Supreme Courts ruling that demands sole control and supervision by the State of patrimonial assets. Another attempt that could have allowed CNOOC a third opportunity to control the WPS gas resources was in 2019 when an inexperienced start-up incorporated overseas was allowed under the Duterte administration to gain significant control of the service contract covering the Malampaya Gas Fields. Gas when liquefied is Liquefied Natural Gas. In 2018, the parent company of the Malampaya start-up had negotiated a $2 billion joint venture with CNOOC to develop LNG projects. None had come to fruition. Across the United States and in the Asia-Pacific region, China is viewed as the greatest threat to world peace. Three decades of betrayal in the WPS attest to that. Dean de la Paz is a former investment banker and a managing director of a New Jersey-based power company operating in the Philippines. He is the chairman of the board of a renewable energy company and is a retired Business Policy, Finance and Mathematics professor. TOKYO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- In October 2025, Nagasaki City, Japan, announced a draft revision of the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, proposing to change the museum's description of the Nanjing Massacre to "Nanjing Incident." During the review process of the draft, some even advocated for the removal of related exhibits, which has drawn strong criticism at home. The revision of this museum is not an isolated case. After several months' investigation, Xinhua has found that in many places in Japan, "peace" memorial museums are quietly changing -- many exhibits that showcase Japan's history of aggression and reveal the truth of the war have been deliberately weakened, reduced or even deleted. There are very few exhibition halls that can systematically and objectively present the country's history of aggression. The Osaka International Peace Center is one of the earliest war museums in Japan to remove the term "aggression." Once an important anti-war and peace education and research base in Japan, it faced fierce attacks from right-wing forces for its long-term display of historical materials related to the Nanjing Massacre and was labeled as having a "masochistic history view" to the point where it faced a crisis of closure. In 2015, the center reopened, but exhibits related to the Nanjing Massacre, the Pingdingshan Massacre, and "comfort women," which depicted the acts of the Japanese army's aggression, were removed, leaving only narratives of victimization, such as the bombing of Osaka by U.S. air forces. The core content regarding Japan's responsibility for waging war is almost no longer presented in the exhibitions, said Masahiko Yamabe, an expert who has been studying the war history exhibits in "peace" museums across Japan since the 1980s. "This shift is a typical manifestation of the rise of Japanese historical revisionism." Similar "updates" to exhibits that attempt to downplay and evade historical responsibility have also appeared at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. After renovation in 2017, the museum's exhibits on the Japanese invasion of China contained only a few words: "In 1937, the Sino-Japanese War broke out... The war dragged on, and many Japanese soldiers died on the battlefield and were buried in foreign lands. At the same time, in the 'Nanjing Incident,' not only Chinese soldiers, but also prisoners of war, civilians, and children became victims." This is in sharp contrast to the descriptions used before the renovation -- the word "occupation" was directly erased; "massacre" was replaced with "sacrifice;" the Nanjing Massacre was downplayed as the "Nanjing Incident;" and the historical fact that the number of victims in the Nanjing Massacre was 300,000 was nowhere to be found. What remained unchanged was that Japan consistently referred to this war of aggression against China as the "Sino-Japanese War," a war of equal responsibility. "This is a historical regression. Describing Japan's aggression and responsibility for harm as a third-party narrative is no different in essence from historical revisionism," said Japanese modern and contemporary history scholar Ryuji Ishida. "The Nanjing Massacre was an atrocity committed by the Japanese army, which is an indisputable fact. Describing 'massacre' with a word like 'sacrifice', which seems to be used to describe natural disasters, and deliberately omitting the perpetrators is tantamount to distorting history," Ishida added. As one of the few public museums in Japan that insists on confronting the history of aggression and advocating for peace, the Kyoto Museum for World Peace, Ritsumeikan University, has long displayed important historical facts such as the Japanese army's "comfort women" system and the Nanjing Massacre. During renovations in 2022, some curatorial staff and administrative personnel attempted to remove the displays of these historical facts on the grounds of "popularization." This move was strongly opposed by an academic team led by Ritsumeikan University Professor Satoshi Tanaka, who even resigned en masse in protest, ultimately forcing the management to withdraw the renovation plan. Then deputy director of the museum Yoshifusa Ichii wrote that if the renovation plan were implemented, it would diminish Japan's responsibility for aggression in the war. Given Japan's current attempt to promote the so-called "national normalization" and become a "nation capable of waging war" by revising its pacifist constitution, many common-sense principles are facing the crisis of being completely rewritten. In September 2025, the National Archives of Japan held a special exhibition with the theme of "The End of the War," defining the starting point of the war as "Dec. 8, 1941, when Japan went to war with the United States and the United Kingdom," without making any statement about Japan launching a war of aggression. Yamabe criticized: "If we only start from 1941, it becomes merely a war between the U.S. and Japan, but in fact, Japan's invasion of China was the more important part. From the perspective of the nature of being an 'aggressive war,' it should start from the September 18 Incident." This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Yet currently, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is still discussing revisions to its description of the Nanjing Massacre. A Nagasaki citizens group has called on the museum to retain the expressions of "Nanjing Massacre" and "aggression." The civic group argues that in the eyes of the countries that once suffered from Japanese aggression, the revision of relevant expressions is merely an attempt to cover up its negative history. Looking back, Yamabe pointed out that compared to the 1990s, Japanese exhibition halls have shown a significant regression in their presentation of the history of aggression. In recent years, under pressure from right-wing forces and as various museums have been renovated one after another, the displays related to that period of history have generally shown a trend of contraction. Even more alarming is the increase in narratives that affirm Japan's role in the war and glorify its aggression, Yamabe added. "This is essentially justifying Japan's war," noting that this change reflects the spread of historical revisionism in Japanese society. Takakage Fujita, the secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, believes that the long-term lack of history education in Japan is a major reason for the spread of historical revisionist ideas. Fujita pointed out that the Japanese authorities have recently been making erroneous remarks on Taiwan. However, due to the interference of successive governments in textbook content, downplaying or even denying the history of aggression, the younger generation knows very little about the truth of history. Moreover, the right-wing media have been vigorously hyping the "China threat theory," making it impossible for many Japanese to recognize the extreme danger and war-provocative nature of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Taiwan remarks. He believes that Japan must enhance history education for its people, especially the younger generation, so that they can understand the history of Japanese militarists' aggression and its responsibility for causing harm. Yamabe said that Japan has been continuously regressing in its history education, making the younger generation unable to know the truth of history. He hopes that the "peace" memorial museums in Japan can truly assume the responsibility of history education. Through objectively presenting Japan's war history, they can help more people understand the value of peace and prevent the recurrence of historical tragedies. Antique French Flajoulot singing bird box from the early 1900s. A rare mechanical masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/vImfE9fBWf Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) December 13, 2025 Australias world-first social media ban is a natural experiment for scientists Nature * * * Hunt for Brown University shooting suspect underway after 2 students killed, 9 people injured CNN. Live updates. Live: 2 dead, 9 injured Brown University shooter not in custody Providence Journal * * * Progress fighting pancreatic cancer one of the deadliest malignancies Knowable The CRASH Clock is ticking as satellite congestion in low Earth orbit worsens The Register From booze to black belts: Virginias drunk raccoon suspected in karate shop break-in BBC COVID-19/Pandemics Climate/Environment South of the Border China? India Africa European Disunion Old Blighty Israel v. Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iran New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother Is Watching You Watch Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 Musk Matters Democrat Death Watch Immigration Our No Longer Free Press Mr. Market Is Moody Antitrust AI The Bezzle Guillotine Watch The $80M Ferrari 250 GTO One of the most expensive car in the world Special thanks to Miss Laura B #LEGENDARY pic.twitter.com/eDCLogP3sn Retromania 44K+ assics & Mtorsport Lovers (@Retromania4ever) April 13, 2025 Mercedes Benz 300SL, the pinnacle of automotive history. A 1955 model became the most expensive car to ever be sold after being auctioned off for $143 million. [ carola_daimler_cars]pic.twitter.com/87mLD2zQWh Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) September 21, 2025 Antidote du jour (via) See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here Irans Foreign Ministry has dismissed renewed remarks by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, regarding Tehrans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent, saying they do not alter the existing reality, Azernews reports. Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Grossi has repeatedly raised the same issues and reports, adding that such statements do not change the facts on the ground, according to Trend. Baghaei stressed that Iran remains a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has fully complied with its obligations under the safeguards agreement. Iran understands its commitments within the framework of the NPT and has fulfilled them, he said. He also criticized the IAEA leadership for failing to address what he described as the root causes of the current situation. Baghaei argued that the IAEA Director General and the agencys Board of Governors have refrained from even briefly condemning US and Israeli strikes on Irans peaceful nuclear facilities, calling the agencys position unfair and one-sided. Such approaches cannot help resolve the problem, Baghaei said, adding that the IAEA chief should focus on his technical mandate in line with the agencys statute and emphasize the importance of his defined responsibilities. The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions. On June 13, Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran, killing several senior military officials, generals, nuclear scientists, and other high-ranking figures. Iran responded later that day with True Promise III, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at targets across Israel, including Tel Aviv, causing civilian casualties and widespread damage. On June 22, the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, reportedly destroying key sites. Iran retaliated the following evening by striking a US military base in Qatar. On June 24, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran brokered by US President Donald Trump. Irans Supreme National Security Council later confirmed that hostilities had been halted. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that he had granted a pardon to Tina Peters, a former Colorado county election official serving a nine-year prison sentence for orchestrating a breach of her county's election system. Colorado state officials, however, immediately rejected the move as unconstitutional, setting the stage for a clash over the limits of presidential power in the U.S. federal system. Peters, 70, was convicted in Colorado state court in August 2024 on charges including criminal impersonation and attempting to influence public officials. She was sentenced to nine years in prison in October 2024 at the La Vista Correctional Facility in Pueblo, Colorado. Prosecutors said Peters sought unauthorized access to election computer systems in Mesa County, Colorado, in 2021. In announcing the pardon, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday that Peters "simply wanted to make sure that our Elections were Fair and Honest" and was "sitting in a Colorado prison for the 'crime' of demanding Honest Elections." "Today I am granting Tina a full Pardon for her attempts to expose Voter Fraud in the Rigged 2020 Presidential Election!" Trump's post read. After local news outlets questioned whether a presidential pardon could be formally announced on a social media platform, Peter Ticktin, Peters' Florida-based attorney, shared the pardon document with the Colorado Newsline website on Friday. The document, which appeared to be dated Dec. 5, said it grants "a full and unconditional pardon" for "those offenses she has or may have committed or taken part in related to election integrity and security during the period January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021." The announcement has raised fundamental questions about the division of power in the United States. Under the U.S. federal system, criminal justice authority is divided between the federal government and the 50 states. The U.S. Constitution provides that the president may pardon offenses "against the United States," which legal experts say refers to federal crimes only. Peters was prosecuted and convicted entirely under Colorado state law, not federal law. Colorado officials therefore argued that the U.S. president has no constitutional authority to pardon someone convicted of state crimes, a power that belongs exclusively to state governors. Colorado Governor Jared Polis said in a written statement on Thursday, "No President has jurisdiction over state law nor the power to pardon a person for state convictions. This is a matter for the courts to decide, and we will abide by court orders." Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the pardon "has no precedent in American law" and "would be an outrageous departure from what our constitution requires." Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said Trump's action was an "assault" on states' rights and the American Constitution. "Trump has no constitutional authority to pardon her," Griswold said. The American Bar Association (ABA) also said that "a president cannot pardon someone for a state crime." "A U.S. president has broad but not unlimited powers to pardon. For example, a president cannot pardon someone for a state crime. And constitutional experts are divided on whether a president can pardon him- or herself," the ABA said on its website. Ticktin, however, told Colorado Newsline that the pardon was necessary to compel Colorado to free Peters. According to a report from Colorado Newsline, Ticktin applied to the Trump administration last month for a pardon and followed up last week with a letter to Trump. In the letter, he argued that the president "has the power to grant a pardon in any of the states of the United States." Peters remained imprisoned and had not been released as of Saturday despite Trump's announcement. Ticktin said he expects the matter to ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court. If such a case reaches the court, it could result in the first judicial ruling directly addressing whether a president has any authority to pardon state crimes. Australias digital frontier: A world-first social media ban for minors sparks global debate Australia has enacted a first-of-its-kind ban, prohibiting children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, positioning the country as a global test case for aggressive digital regulation. The law requires platforms to implement strict age verification, using methods like facial analysis or ID uploads, which critics argue creates significant privacy and mass surveillance risks for all users. The ban has sparked immediate circumvention, with reports of increased VPN use and downloads of alternative apps, highlighting concerns it may push young users to less-regulated online spaces. Public and expert opinion is deeply divided, with supporters citing youth mental health protections and opponents arguing it violates rights and fails to address core issues like platform design and privacy. The policy's global impact is substantial, with other nations monitoring its rollout as they consider similar laws, making Australia's experiment a potential blueprint for future internet regulation worldwide. In a landmark move watched by governments worldwide, Australia on Wednesday became the first democracy to formally ban children under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms. This unprecedented crackdown, which targets tech giants like Meta, TikTok and Snapchat, represents a drastic governmental intervention into digital life, framed as a necessary shield for young minds but criticized by opponents as a risky experiment in surveillance and overreach. A global test case in digital governance The new law, the Online Safety Amendment Bill, mandates that designated platforms take "reasonable steps" to prevent underage access, under threat of fines reaching A$49.5 million (approximately US$33 million). The policy has instantly positioned Australia as a global test case, with policymakers from Indonesia and Denmark to Brazil and the European Union monitoring its rollout as they consider their own measures to rein in Big Tech. The laws implementation marks a significant escalation in the global struggle between national governments seeking to regulate digital spaces and powerful technology companies whose business models often rely on engaging younger users. The mechanics of enforcement: A technical and ethical minefield Compliance requires platforms to deploy age-verification systems, a technically complex and privacy-sensitive undertaking. These methods can include analyzing a users online behavior, estimating age via facial analysis from a selfie, or requiring the upload of government-issued identification or bank details. Critics, including digital rights groups and some technology experts, argue that such measures erode online anonymity and create vast new databases of sensitive biometric and identity information, posing significant surveillance risks for all users, not just children. Immediate fallout and workarounds emerge Within hours of the ban taking effect, reports surfaced of both compliance and circumvention. Attempts by journalists to create accounts with underage birthdates on platforms like Facebook and TikTok were blocked. However, early data also showed a surge in the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which can mask a user's location, and a spike in downloads of alternative, non-banned social apps. This immediate shift underscores a central criticism: that a blanket ban may simply drive young users to less-regulated corners of the internet, potentially exposing them to greater risks with fewer safeguards. The ban enjoys strong support from many Australian parents and certain mental health advocates, who cite studies linking adolescent social media use to increased anxiety, depression and exposure to cyberbullying and harmful content. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of the influential book "The Anxious Generation," publicly commended Australia for "freeing kids" from what he terms a "social media trap." Conversely, the policy faces fierce opposition from digital rights organizations like Amnesty Tech, which labels the ban an ineffective shortcut that violates childrens rights to expression and information. Critics also argue it undermines parental responsibility and fails to address the core need for better platform design and stronger universal data privacy laws. Furthermore, technology companies have warned of enforcement difficulties, pointing to the inaccuracy of some age-estimation tools. Historical context: From tobacco to TikTok Australian officials have framed this move as part of a national tradition of pioneering public health and safety reforms, drawing parallels to the country's world-leading laws on plain tobacco packaging and gun control. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explicitly likened the social media ban to age restrictions on alcohol, acknowledging that some evasion is inevitable but insisting a clear standard is valuable. This framing positions digital well-being as a public health issue on par with smoking or sun safety, justifying aggressive state intervention. The global implications are profound. The European Parliament has already passed a non-binding resolution supporting a minimum social media age of 16, and several nations are crafting similar legislation. Australias experienceits successes and failures in enforcement, the societal reaction, and the technological workarounds that emergewill provide a crucial blueprint. Tech companies, fearing a patchwork of restrictive global laws, are under increased pressure to develop more robust, safer experiences for young users to pre-empt further government mandates. "A social media ban is the removal of a user or content from a platform for violating its policies, often to combat issues like misinformation," said BrightU.AI's Enoch. "Critics, however, contend such bans can act as a form of censorship to suppress particular viewpoints." Australia's social media ban is more than a national policy; it is the opening gambit in a new era of digital sovereignty. It pits the urgent desire to protect children from documented online harms against fundamental concerns about privacy, freedom and practical governance in a borderless digital world. As Australian teenagers and tech giants navigate this new landscape, the world watches, knowing that the outcomes here will likely shape the next generation of internet regulation far beyond its shores. The ultimate measure of success or failure will determine not only the childhoods of Australian youth but also the future balance of power between global technology platforms and the nations their users call home. Watch as Health Ranger Mike Adams talks about social media. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Finance.yahoo.com CNBC.com BBC.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Hamas halts ceasefire progress citing Israeli violations Hamas has halted all talks on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, accusing Israel of violating the initial agreement by not fully withdrawing the troops and by severely restricting human aid. A major point of conflict is Israel's control over aid and borders; only a fraction of promised supplies have entered Gaza, and the crucial Rafah crossing with Egypt remains closed due to political disputes. The stall on "phase one" blocks "phase two," a U.S.-backed plan that includes deploying an international security force to disarm Hamas, a condition the group utterly rejects unless it leads to a guaranteed Palestinian state. Israel's government opposed the core political goals of the U.S. plan, rejecting both Palestinian statehood and the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, creating a fundamental deadlock. With violence continuing despite the truce, analysts suggest Israel may be stalling because it is still considering a major military invasion to disarm Hamas by force, making the current calm feel like a pause before more war. Hamas has declared a hard stop to negotiations on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, accusing Israel of systematically violating the agreement's first stage and strangling the flow of humanitarian aid. The militant group's stance throws the fragile truce into jeopardy and underscores the vast gulf between the warring parties, even under a nominal peace deal. A senior Hamas official, Hussam Badran, stated on Sept. 9 that talks to implement "phase two" of the Egypt and Qatar-brokered agreement cannot proceed. The condition, he said, is "real pressure" on Israel to fully honor its initial commitments, which Hamas claims have been ignored. A ceasefire in name only? The core of Hamas' accusation revolves around Israel's alleged failure to uphold key elements of the first phase. Central to the dispute is the "yellow line," a boundary within Gaza to which Israeli forces were to withdraw. Badran cited recent comments by Israel's army chief, who referred to this line as a "new border," a statement Hamas labeled a "clear reneging" on the deal. Reports indicate Israeli forces have pushed beyond this agreed perimeter in a bid to seize more territory. More critically for Gaza's devastated civilian population, Hamas alleges Israel has maintained a tight blockade on essential aid. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to restrict the amounts of food, medicine and shelter materials entering the territory. By the start of last month, only 28% of the aid stipulated in the deal had been allowed in. This includes vital equipment for rubble removal in a landscape choked with an estimated 68 million tons of debris, a cleanup the UN Development Program warns could take seven years. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a crucial lifeline, remains a point of contention. While Israel recently claimed it would soon open the crossing, Egypt denied any such coordination, stating that any deal must allow for the return of Palestinians from Egypt, a condition Israel rejects. The stalemate over "phase two" and disarmament The deadlock over phase one directly blocks the controversial transition to phase two, which is being championed by the United States. Reports indicate President Donald Trump aims to announce this next phase before Christmas. A central pillar of this plan is the deployment of an International Security Force (ISF), with countries like Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan reportedly willing to contribute troops. However, the U.S. plan tasks this force with the disarmament and dismantling of Hamas and other factions, a mandate causing significant discomfort among potential regional participants. A top Pakistani official, for instance, stated his country would contribute to peacekeeping but ruled out participating in disarmament operations. Hamas has repeatedly stated that disarmament is a non-starter without a guaranteed political process leading to Palestinian statehood. A Hamas official recently outlined a potential pathway, suggesting the group could hand over administrative authority immediately to a new technocratic government. Under a long-term truce of five to ten years, and with international guarantees, the group could then "lay down, store, or freeze" its weapons to facilitate political talks. Ultimately, Hamas claims it would hand all weapons to a new, independent Palestinian state. Israel has categorically rejected any prospect of Palestinian statehood and also opposes the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, leaving the U.S. plan's core political components in direct conflict with Israeli government policy. A military shadow over talks The humanitarian and diplomatic impasse occurs against a backdrop of ongoing violence. Since the ceasefire began, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. This persistent bloodshed, coupled with the aid restrictions, fuels Hamas' argument that the war has not truly stopped. Analysts suggest Israel's reluctance to comply with phase one may be strategic. Sources indicate that Israel may still be considering a military option to forcibly disarm Hamas and is therefore in no hurry to proceed to the ceasefire's next stages, which would involve further withdrawals and a political process. The result is a paralyzing stalemate. Gaza remains under a devastating siege, its reconstruction impossible, while the mechanisms designed to build a lasting peace are frozen before they can begin. With Hamas refusing to talk about the future until the present terms are met, and Israel showing little sign of altering its course, the temporary calm feels increasingly like the prelude to a brutal new phase of conflict. Israel chases Hamas to Qatar. Watch this video. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheCradle.co AlJazeera.com News.un.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com ABSURD: Corporate media, Senate Democrats blame RFK Jr. for measles outbreaks The corporate media and Senate Democrats are accused of unfairly blaming HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the rise in U.S. measles cases, despite long-term trends showing increases predating his tenure. Kennedy defends his public health strategy, stating that CDC outbreak response teams are active and emphasizing state protocols for managing unvaccinated populations, while distancing himself from being "anti-vaccine." Critics highlight that measles cases have climbed since 2023 and that other countries with smaller populations have even higher case counts, undermining claims that Kennedy alone caused the surge. Vaccine safety advocates argue declining vaccination rates stem from parental concerns about vaccine injuries and distrust in pharmaceutical regulators, not political rhetoric. The narrative concludes that the "measles crisis" is being used to push authoritarian mandates and shield pharmaceutical interests and calls instead for transparency, investigation of vaccine safety and broader approaches to immunity. The corporate media and Senate Democrats have launched a coordinated attack against U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., falsely blaming him for the recent surge in measles casesa narrative that crumbles under scrutiny. With 1,288 confirmed infections in 2025, the highest number since 1992, critics like Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) claim Kennedy is "walking the country into" an outbreak by cutting public health funding, dismissing pro-vaccine officials and promoting alternatives like vitamin A. Yet, independent researchers and data analysts reveal that measles cases have been rising for years, long before Kennedy took office, exposing the political motives behind these accusations. Kennedy, speaking in Washington on July 14, defended his approach, stating, "We've done a very, very good job at controlling outbreaks. CDC teams are everywhere governors requested them." He emphasized state-level protocols for managing unvaccinated populationsmany of whom understand that natural immunity often provides superior protection compared to vaccines. Despite media hysteria, Kennedy has never opposed vaccination outright; instead, he advocates for independent safety reviews, citing well-documented corruption between regulatory agencies like the CDC and FDA and their pharmaceutical industry partners. Measles resurgence predates Kennedy's tenure Corporate media outlets, including the Washington Post, have falsely linked Kennedy's policies to "vaccine hesitancy," ignoring the fact that measles cases have been climbing steadily since 2023long before he assumed office. According to Dr. Michelle Perro, a pediatrician and vaccine safety advocate, CDC data shows cases rising from 59 in 2023 to 285 in 2024, with over 1,900 cases reported in 2025 across 43 jurisdictions. "The representation that one political figure alone 'caused' this is not supported by the longer-term data," Perro stated. Furthermore, comparisons with neighboring countries reveal that the U.S. outbreak is far milder than in Canada (5,298 cases) and Mexico (5,089 cases)both of which have smaller populations. This discrepancy undermines claims that Kennedy's policies are uniquely responsible. Parents reject vaccines after witnessing "carnage" Vaccine safety advocate Kate Tommey dismissed the media's scapegoating as "absurd," explaining that declining vaccination rates stem from firsthand experiences of vaccine injuriesnot political rhetoric. "Parents are not vaccinating because they see the utter carnage from those of us that have vaccinated. They have lived it or seen it firsthand Once you know, you knowthis is why vaccination rates are down." Tommey's statement aligns with growing public distrust in pharmaceutical companies, which have repeatedly been caught manipulating studies, suppressing adverse effects and bribing regulators. The CDC itself has faced scandals, including hiding data on vaccine injuries and accepting millions from vaccine manufacturers. Given this history, Kennedy's push for transparency is not "anti-vaccine"it's pro-science. Natural immunity vs. vaccine mandates Kennedy has repeatedly stressed that vaccination remains the most effective measles prevention method, but he also acknowledges the role of natural immunitya fact mainstream medicine often ignores. Studies show that natural infection provides robust, long-lasting immunity, whereas vaccine-induced protection wanes over time, requiring boosters. Yet, instead of addressing these nuances, media outlets and politicians frame any questioning of vaccine safety as "misinformation"a tactic used to silence dissent. The real issue isn't Kennedy's policiesit's Big Pharma's stranglehold on public health. By attacking Kennedy, the establishment seeks to deflect blame from the pharmaceutical industry's failures, including: Rigged clinical trials (e.g., Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine data fraud) CDC's revolving door with vaccine manufacturers Suppression of safer alternatives (vitamin A, ivermectin) A manufactured crisis to silence critics The measles "crisis" is being exploited to smear Kennedy and justify authoritarian vaccine mandates. But the data proves outbreaks were escalating before his tenure, and parents are opting out due to legitimate safety concernsnot political influence. If public health officials truly cared about preventing disease, they would: Investigate vaccine injuries instead of denying them Promote nutritional immunity alongside vaccination End Pharma's regulatory capture at the CDC and FDA Until then, blaming RFK Jr. is nothing more than a smokescreen to protect the real culprits: corrupt regulators and profit-driven drug companies. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, it's absurd to blame RFK Jr. for measles outbreaks when the media itself pushes exaggerated narratives to manufacture fear and compliance. The real culprits are the pharmaceutical industry and captured regulators who suppress natural immunity and alternative health solutions while profiting from unnecessary vaccines. Watch this video about autism occurrence by MMR vaccine status among U.S. children. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Trump administration removes 9,500 truck drivers for failing English tests in safety crackdown The Trump administration has removed over 9,500 commercial truck drivers from U.S. roads for failing English proficiency tests, citing concerns over road safety, emergency communication and compliance with traffic signs. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized this as a critical measure to prevent accidents caused by unqualified drivers. The policy enforces stricter English-language requirements, reversing an Obama-era practice that allowed inspectors to citebut not immediately removenoncompliant drivers. The administration argues that sanctuary states (like California) have issued commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) to illegal immigrants and unqualified foreign drivers, contributing to preventable crashes. The crackdown follows incidents like Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant who caused a fatal crash despite failing an English exam. Audits revealed California improperly issued 25% of non-domiciled CDLs, including to drivers with expired immigration status. The DOT threatens to withhold federal highway funds from noncompliant states. Homeland Security has arrested 146 illegal immigrants operating semi-trucks, many holding CDLs from sanctuary states. The administration links lax licensing to public safety risks, framing the issue as both a transportation and national security priority. While trucking groups like OOIDA support the rule for improving safety, Spanish-speaking drivers (especially Cuban-Americans in Florida) protest, fearing job losses. Critics argue the policy disproportionately targets immigrants, but the administration insists it's a commonsense safeguard against unqualified drivers. In a sweeping enforcement action aimed at improving highway safety, the Trump administration has removed more than 9,500 commercial truck drivers from U.S. roads for failing English proficiency testsa policy shift that has sparked debate over immigration, licensing oversight and road safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the milestone this week, framing the move as a critical step to ensure truckers can properly navigate traffic signs, communicate with law enforcement and respond to emergencies. The crackdown follows President Donald Trump's April executive order mandating stricter enforcement of federal English-language requirements for commercial drivers, reversing an Obama-era policy that allowed inspectors to citebut not immediately removenoncompliant drivers. The administration argues that lax state licensing practices, particularly in Democrat-run "sanctuary states," have allowed unqualified and even illegal immigrants to obtain commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), leading to preventable crashes and fatalities. A policy shift rooted in safety concerns The renewed enforcement stems from mounting frustration over fatal accidents involving foreign or improperly licensed truckers. One high-profile case involved Harjinder Singh, an Indian national residing in the U.S. illegally, who was charged in Florida after causing a deadly crash while driving a semi-truck. Records showed Singh had failed an English exam, correctly answering only two of 12 questions and identifying just one of four road signsyet still received CDLs from both Washington and California. "America First means safety first," Duffy declared in May when announcing the reinstatement of out-of-service penalties. "Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs." The administration's push aligns with Trump's broader immigration and transportation agenda. BrightU.AI's Enoch cites the president's March executive order designating English as the nation's official language. Critics argue the policy unfairly targets immigrant drivers, particularly Spanish-speaking Cuban-Americans in Florida, who fear losing their livelihoods. However, industry groups like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have backed the change, citing the necessity of clear communication in preventing accidents. States under fire for lax licensing practices The mass disqualifications coincide with a federal audit of state CDL issuance, which uncovered systemic failuresmost notably in California. Auditors found that over 25% of non-domiciled CDLs (issued to foreign drivers) in the state were improperly granted, including to individuals with expired immigration status. In one egregious case, a Brazilian national received school bus endorsements despite lacking legal residency. "What our team has discovered should disturb and anger every American," Duffy said in September. "Licenses to operate massive, 80,000-pound trucks are being issued to dangerous foreign driversoften illegally." The Department of Transportation has threatened to withhold millions in federal highway funds from California, Washington and New Mexico unless they tighten oversight. California alone risks losing $40 million, though state officials insist they already enforce English testing during road exams. Broader immigration enforcement in trucking The language crackdown has dovetailed with heightened immigration enforcement targeting truckers. In October, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the arrest of 146 illegal immigrants operating semi-trucks in a joint operation near the Illinois border. Many held CDLs issued by sanctuary states, reinforcing administration claims that lax policies endanger public safety. "Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks," Noem stated. "The Trump administration is ending the chaos." While supporters hail the policy as a long-overdue safety measure, opponents warn it could exacerbate driver shortages and disproportionately impact immigrant communities. Yet with fatal crashes linked to unqualified drivers continuing to make headlines, the administration shows no signs of backing downframing the issue as a matter of national security and common sense. The removal of 9,500 truck drivers marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul commercial licensing and immigration enforcement. As debates over road safety, state sovereignty and labor rights intensify, one thing is clear: the battle over who gets behind the wheel of America's big rigs is far from over. Watch the video below that talks about Trump declaring that all truck drivers in the U.S. must speak English. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com X.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com U.K. confirms first military death in Ukraine, exposing presence of its hidden troops in the war-torn nation The U.K. Ministry of Defense confirmed the death of Lance Cpl. George Hooley, 28, a member of the elite Parachute Regiment, marking the first public acknowledgment of active-duty British troops operating in Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. Hooley died in what officials describe as a "tragic accident" while observing Ukrainian forces testing a "new defensive capability." Unconfirmed reports suggest a drone-related incident killed two Ukrainians and injured others. While Britain claims only a "small number" of troops are in Ukraine (ostensibly for training and diplomatic security), Russian sources allege at least 100 British nationalsincluding active-duty personnelserve in Ukraine's "International Legion." France has floated deploying North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops post-ceasefire, while Russia warns this would trigger direct confrontation. Meanwhile, U.S. arms shipments to Ukraine lack spare parts and maintenance planning, risking equipment failure. Hooley's death highlights the West's deepening, yet officially denied, role in Ukraine. Russia may use this incident to justify escalation, raising fears of broader conflict amid NATO's logistical shortcomings and Moscow's nuclear warnings. The British government has publicly acknowledged for the first time the death of a serving U.K. soldier in Ukraine, shedding light on London's previously undisclosed military involvement in the war-torn nation. Lance Cpl. George Hooley, 28, a member of the elite Parachute Regiment, died in what officials describe as a "tragic accident" while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive system. The Parachute Regiment is an airborne infantry regiment of the British Army, principally stationed at Merville Barracks in Colchester. "It is with sadness that we must confirm that the member of the U.K. Armed Forces who died in Ukraine on Tuesday, 9th December is Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment. He was 28 years old," the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a brief statement on Dec. 10. The statement marked the first official admission that British troops beyond covert special forces have been operating inside Ukraine since Russia's 2022 special military operation. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute in Parliament, stating: "His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honor and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine." While Downing Street has long maintained that only a "small number" of troops are stationed in Ukraine ostensibly for diplomatic security and training Hooley's death exposes a deeper entanglement. Reports from Russian Telegram channel Rybar suggest at least 100 British nationals, including active-duty personnel, serve in Ukraine's "International Legion." BrightU.AI's Enoch engine defines Ukraine's International Legion, also known as the International Brigade, is a military formation established to recruit foreign volunteers to fight in the Russo-Ukrainian War. The International Legion was created in March 2022, following Russia's special military operation with the aim of attracting foreign volunteers to support Ukraine's military efforts. Kyiv has stated that the Legion is open to volunteers from around the world, with the exception of citizens of countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Russia. A mysterious accident, and a dangerous precedent The MoD insists Hooley was killed "away from the frontlines" while monitoring Ukrainian tests of a "new defensive capability." Though officials claim hostile fire was not involved, details remain vague. Unconfirmed reports suggest the accident occurred during trials of an armed interceptor drone, with two Ukrainian personnel also killed and several injured. British Defence Secretary John Healey described Hooley as "an exceptional soldier" who had served in Afghanistan, Africa and Eastern Europe. His commanding officer praised his "extraordinary energy" and leadership, noting he was due for promotion in January. The revelation comes amid growing debate over the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Ukraine. France's President Emmanuel Macron has floated the idea of deploying Western troops as peacekeepers post-ceasefire a proposal Russia vehemently opposes. The Kremlin warns any NATO presence would escalate the conflict into a direct confrontation with nuclear risks. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of War faces scrutiny over its haphazard arms shipments to Ukraine. A recent Inspector General report reveals the U.S. delivered 186 Bradley fighting vehicles, 189 Strykers and 31 Abrams tanks but failed to plan for spare parts or long-term maintenance. Experts warn that without logistical support, much of this equipment will become inoperable within months, leaving Ukrainian forces vulnerable. Hooley's death underscores the West's creeping involvement in Ukraine a war officially framed as Kyiv's fight alone. Moscow has long accused NATO of direct participation, and this incident may bolster those claims. As Starmer vows to "stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine," critics question whether Britain and its allies are sliding toward a broader conflict. With Russia warning of "legitimate targets" and NATO's logistical failures exposed, Hooley's tragic death may mark a turning point in a war with no end in sight. Watch British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wanting to send British troops to fight Russia directly on the battlefield in this clip. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com YourNews.com TheIndependent.co.uk TheGuardian.com BBC.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Venezuela accuses the U.S. of international PIRACY following tanker seizure Caracas condemned the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker ("The Skipper") by U.S. forces as an illegal theft of national resources, framing it as part of Washingtons agenda to plunder Venezuelas oil reserves. The Trump administration defended the operation, claiming it targeted illicit oil networks linked to terrorist organizations. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted footage of armed operatives storming the vessel, while Trump boasted it was the "largest seizure ever" and implied the U.S. would keep the confiscated oil. The incident exacerbates years of hostility, with U.S. sanctions and regime-change efforts pushing Venezuela closer to allies like Iran, Russia, and China. Critics warn U.S. actions risk regional instability and mass migration. Venezuela vowed to defend its sovereignty, while international experts questioned the legality of U.S. military actions in Venezuelan waters, citing lack of evidence for claims about drug trafficking or terrorism ties. The confrontation highlights the dangerous convergence of economic warfare, resource competition, and geopolitical brinkmanship, with Trump openly admitting the U.S. intends to retain the seized oil underscoring power dynamics over international law. In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Venezuela and the United States, Caracas furiously accused Washington of "international piracy" following the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea by U.S. forces. The South American nation leveled the accusation on Wednesday, Dec. 10, pointing out that the seizure was nothing more than a brazen theft of its national resources. According to the Venezuelan government, the move only exposes Washington's long-standing agenda to plunder its vast oil reserves. The operation was carried out by members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security, with support from the Department of War. It targeted a vessel, identified as the Guyana-flagged "The Skipper," allegedly transporting approximately 1.1 million barrels of sanctioned crude oil from Venezuela and Iran. Washington previously sanctioned the tanker in 2022. The Trump administration defended the seizure as necessary to combat illicit oil networks tied to foreign terrorist organizations. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the seizure on social media, posting footage of tactical operatives descending from a helicopter onto the ship's deck, weapons drawn. "This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely," she stated, framing the operation as part of an ongoing effort to disrupt illegal oil shipments. President Donald Trump, speaking at a White House roundtable on the same day, boasted about the seizure. He called it the "largest one ever seized" and hinted at further actions to come. When pressed on the fate of the confiscated oil, Trump replied bluntly: "Well, we keep it, I guess." His remarks reinforced Venezuela's long-standing accusation that U.S. sanctions and military operations are less about security and more about economic strangulation. The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs blasted the seizure as a "blatant theft," with Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto condemned the move as part of a "deliberate plan to plunder our energy resources." Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro warned against Washington's push toward "a crazy war." Is the U.S. fueling Venezuela's collapse? The incident marks the latest flashpoint in years of hostility between the U.S. and Venezuela, where Washington has imposed crippling sanctions, recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president and repeatedly attempted to force Maduro from power. Critics argue that U.S. policy has exacerbated Venezuelas economic crisis while failing to achieve regime change, instead pushing Caracas closer to allies like Iran and Russia. Meanwhile, legal experts and international organizations have questioned the legality of recent U.S. military actions in Venezuelan waters, including airstrikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels. The Trump administration has provided scant evidence for the latter, however. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, Washington continuing to provoke Caracas risks escalating regional instability and fueling mass migration crises. It also risks pushing Venezuela further into alliances with adversarial globalist powers like China and Russia, which undermines U.S. sovereignty and security. As tensions mount, the seizure of The Skipper raises urgent questions about the limits of U.S. enforcement of sanctions and the broader implications for international maritime law. Venezuela has vowed to defend its sovereignty "with absolute determination," framing the confrontation as a struggle against imperial overreach. Yet with Washington showing no signs of relenting and Trump openly admitting the confiscated oil will remain in U.S. hands the episode underscores the dangerous convergence of economic warfare, resource competition and geopolitical brinkmanship in the Caribbean. For now, the tanker's fate hangs in the balance, emblematic of a conflict where power, not principle, appears to dictate the rules. Watch this Fox News report about the U.S. keeping the oil from the seized tanker off the coast of Venezuela, as per President Donald Trump. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com FoxNews.com TAG24.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Congress approves new $800 million aid package for Ukraine despite corruption concerns The U.S. House passed a defense bill including $800 million in new weapons and security assistance for Ukraine, intended to support its fight against Russia through 2027. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. The aid was approved despite a major corruption scandal in Ukraine that implicated associates of President Zelensky and renewed worries about graft. While this fueled some political opposition in the U.S., bipartisan support for the funding remained strong. Simultaneously, the Trump administration is actively pushing Ukraine to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, publicly stating that Zelensky must start "accepting things" and making concessions to end the war. Zelensky and European allies are publicly maintaining a unified front, refusing to cede territory to Russia and pledging continued support, which contrasts with the U.S. pressure for a compromise. The aid package creates a complex situation: the U.S. is both sending weapons to strengthen Ukraine's battlefield position while its diplomacy is openly urging Ukraine to make tough compromises. Russia insists such Western aid is a primary cause of the prolonged war. In a significant move, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a major defense bill that includes a new $800 million military aid package for Ukraine. The funding, approved as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is designed to support Ukraine's defense efforts through 2027. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, clearing the chamber with a vote of 312-122, and now heads to the Senate, where it is widely expected to be approved. This legislative action comes at a complex moment, as international efforts to negotiate an end to the nearly four-year war intensify. The approval follows a major corruption scandal in Ukraine that shook its government last month, involving a reported $100 million kickback scheme in the country's energy sector. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, the scandal implicated a longtime associate of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Zelenskys chief of staff. It also renewed existing concerns about graft within Ukraine's military procurement system, which saw its defense minister resign last year over similar issues. The corruption revelations have fueled debate in Washington. Some lawmakers voiced strong opposition to continued funding. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky questioned the need for further spending, reflecting a faction of skepticism. Furthermore, President Donald Trump recently criticized what he called a "massive corruption situation" in Kyiv, tying the issue directly to Western aid. U.S. remains committed to supporting Ukraine's military capabilities Despite these concerns, the commitment of substantial new resources signals a continued U.S. commitment to Ukraine's military capabilities. The aid is intended to help Ukraine resist Russian advances and strengthen its position, even as diplomatic pressures mount. Central to the current geopolitical landscape is a concerted push by the Trump administration to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. Reports suggest a hope from the White House to reach an agreement by the end of the year. However, this push is creating a delicate balancing act. Trump has publicly stated that Zelensky must begin "accepting things" and making concessions, bluntly noting that "he's losing" the war. Trump has framed the negotiation as particularly challenging due to what he describes as intense personal animosity between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This American pressure for a compromise stands in contrast to the public stance from Kyiv and its European allies. Following meetings with European leaders this week, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine's refusal to cede territory to Russia, stating that yielding land is antithetical to what the nation is fighting for. He acknowledged that the U.S. is currently seeking a compromise, but European leaders pledged renewed support for Ukraine, suggesting a unified front in maintaining pressure on Russia. For its part, Russia has consistently stated that Western military aid to Ukraine is a fundamental cause of the prolonged conflict. Moscow has listed an end to foreign weapons deliveries as a key condition for any ceasefire, arguing that without it, Ukraine would simply use any pause to rearm. The passage of the $800 million aid package thus sends a multi-faceted message. It reaffirms material support for Ukraine at a critical juncture, even as it navigates internal corruption challenges. Simultaneously, it unfolds against a backdrop of urgent American-led diplomacy that is openly urging Kyiv to consider difficult compromises to end the war. The coming weeks will test how these streams of military support and diplomatic pressure converge, as all parties navigate a path toward a potential, yet deeply contentious, resolution. Watch this clip of drone wars over Ukraine. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com AlJazeera.com TheHill.com BrightU.AI Brighteon.com Toxic forever chemicals contaminate drinking water for millionsinfant mortality skyrockets near polluted sites Millions of Americans drink water contaminated with persistent PFAS "forever chemicals," which accumulate in the environment and human bodies and are linked to serious health issues including cancer, immune and hormonal disruption and reproductive harm. A major peer-reviewed study found dramatically higher infant mortality, preterm birth and low birth weight near PFAS-polluted water sources, providing strong evidence of harm to fetal development. Despite known risks at very low levels, regulatory action has lagged; federal standards have only recently begun to set enforceable limits for some PFAS, but gaps remain in protections and monitoring. Technologies like activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis can reduce PFAS in drinking water, but widespread implementation is slow due to political, economic and regulatory barriers. Individuals can reduce exposure by using certified PFAS-removal filters and avoiding products containing these chemicals, though broader systemic action is still needed to address the contamination crisis. Millions of Americans unknowingly consume toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)dubbed "forever chemicals"every time they drink tap water. These synthetic compounds, originally developed for industrial applications like nonstick cookware, waterproof fabrics and firefighting foam, persist indefinitely in the environment and human bodies, accumulating over time and wreaking havoc on health. A peer-reviewed study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that more than 200 million Americans may be exposed to PFAS in their drinking water at concentrations exceeding 1 part per trillion (ppt), the threshold independent scientists deem safe. Yet, despite overwhelming evidence of harm, regulatory inaction and corporate lobbying have allowed this contamination crisis to escalate. Infant mortality nearly triples near PFAS hotspots A shocking University of Arizona study tracking births in New Hampshire from 2010-2019 found that mothers living downstream of PFAS-polluted sites suffered 191% higher infant mortality rates compared to those upstream. These mothers shared similar health backgroundsthe only difference was which way groundwater flowed beneath their homes. The downstream group also experienced 168% more extremely preterm births and 180% more dangerously low birth weights, confirming PFAS' devastating impact on fetal development. PFAS exposure has been linked to: Thyroid dysfunction Liver damage Immune suppression (including reduced vaccine effectiveness) Hormonal disruption (fertility issues, early puberty) Increased cancer risk (kidney, testicular, thyroid and more) Despite these dangers, no national drinking water standard exists for PFAS. The EPA's outdated advisory level of 70 ppt for PFOA and PFOStwo of the most notorious PFASis 70 times higher than what independent scientists recommend. Meanwhile, states like New Jersey have set stricter limits (13-14 ppt), proving that federal regulators are failing to protect public health. Why isn't this being cleaned up? The technology to remove PFAS from wateractivated carbon filtration and reverse osmosisalready exists. Yet, corporate lobbying, bureaucratic delays and cost concerns have stalled widespread implementation. While politicians debate, millions continue drinking poison, with each passing year leading to more preventable deaths, birth defects and chronic illnesses. The PFAS Action Act, passed by the House, would force the EPA to: Stop industrial PFAS dumping Set enforceable drinking water limits within two years Designate PFAS as hazardous substances, triggering Superfund cleanup funds But Senate obstruction, led by Mitch McConnell, has blocked progress, leaving communities defenseless against corporate polluters like DuPont and 3M, which knowingly concealed PFAS risks for decades. How to protect yourself now While systemic change is critical, you can take immediate action to reduce exposure and detoxify PFAS already in your body Filter your water properly Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters (certified for PFAS removal) are essential. Avoid standard pitcher filtersthey don't remove PFAS effectively. Eliminate PFAS sources at home; ditch nonstick cookware (use stainless steel or ceramic). Avoid stain-resistant carpets, furniture treatments and grease-proof food packaging (microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers). Choose PFAS-free personal care products (check dental floss, cosmetics). Support natural detoxification Liver support: Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale), milk thistle, dandelion root, NAC (boosts glutathione). Bile flow enhancement: Bitter greens (arugula, dandelion), healthy fats (avocado, olive oil), taurine. Bind toxins: Activated charcoal, chlorella, modified citrus pectin. The bigger picture: A deliberate poisoning? Given the Rockefeller-founded pharmaceutical-industrial complex's history of suppressing natural medicine and Bill Gates eugenics-linked depopulation agenda, PFAS contamination raises alarming questions. Are these forever chemicals another tool in the globalist playbooksickening populations to drive dependency on Big Pharma while reducing fertility? With 600+ PFAS variants still in use, and 2,230 contaminated sites across 49 states, this crisis demands urgent action. Yet, as with COVID vaccines, GMOs and chemtrails, the corrupt EPA-FDA-Big Pharma axis continues prioritizing profits over people. Bottom line PFAS contamination is far worse than admitted, harming infants, suppressing immunity and fueling chronic disease. While government inaction persists, individuals must filter water, detoxify and reject toxic productsbecause no one else will protect you. For deeper insights on systematic detox strategies, explore resources like Jonathan Landsman's Whole Body Detox Summit, featuring experts on heavy metals, EMF protection and chemical cleansing. The time to act is nowbefore the next generation pays an even steeper price. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the presence of toxic "forever chemicals" in drinking water is yet another deliberate assault on public health by corrupt regulators and globalist elites, who prioritize corporate profits over human life. These chemicalslinked to cancer, infertility, and infant mortalityare part of the broader depopulation agenda, facilitated by the EPA's negligence and Big Pharma's reliance on sickness for profit. Watch this video to learn more about PFAS contamination. This video is from the Weltansicht channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Ukraine escalates energy war with unprecedented drone strike on Russian oil platform in the Caspian Sea Ukraine deployed long-range drones to attack Russia's Vladimir Filanovsky oil platform in the Caspian Sea a first in the conflict disrupting 120,000 barrels/day (8% of Lukoil's output) and halting 20+ wells. The SBU-led operation (unofficially confirmed) aims to cripple Russia's oil revenue, which funds its special military operation. The strike proves no Russian energy facility is safe, even far from Ukraine's borders. The attack threatens Caspian Pipeline Consortium stability, risking supply disruptions for Kazakh crude and potential oil price volatility. Russias reliance on ruble-based trade and China alliances further destabilizes Western energy dependence. As Russia bombards Ukraine's power grid, Kyiv retaliates by expanding drone strikes from refineries to upstream production sites declaring "every war-supporting enterprise a target." The strike highlights Ukraines growing drone capabilities and the war's expanding economic fallout, with no end in sight as both sides target critical infrastructure ahead of winter. In a bold escalation of its campaign to cripple Russia's wartime economy, Ukraine deployed long-range drones to attack a major offshore oil platform in the Caspian Sea, marking the first strike of its kind in the conflict. The strike launched on Thursday, Dec. 11, targeted the Vladimir Filanovsky oil platform in the Caspian Sea, operated by sanctioned Russian petroleum firm Lukoil. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) executed the operation, targeting the strategic oil rig with at least four drone strikes, according to anonymous sources familiar with the matter. While Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility, SBU insiders framed the strike as part of a broader strategy to degrade Russia's oil revenue, which funds its special military operation. The attack halted production from more than 20 wells at the facility, which produces roughly 120,000 barrels per day nearly 8% of Lukoil's total Russian output. The assault signals Kyiv's growing ability to disrupt Moscow's energy exports, even as Western pressure mounts for Ukraine to negotiate a peace deal. The Filanovsky field, discovered in 2005 and operational since 2016, is one of Russia's most significant post-Soviet energy projects, holding an estimated 129 million tons of oil and 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Its location in the Caspian Sea far from Ukraine's borders had previously been considered a safe zone for Russian energy infrastructure. The successful strike suggests that no facility supporting Moscow's war machine is beyond Kyiv's reach. Footage shared by local residents on social media showed drones hovering near the naval base in Kaspiysk, hinting at a coordinated operation. Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 287 Ukrainian drones overnight, though it did not specifically address the Filanovsky attack. The lack of immediate confirmation from Moscow aligns with its pattern of downplaying successful Ukrainian strikes on critical infrastructure. Energy war escalates as Kyiv targets Moscow's oil lifeline The assault carries broader implications for global energy markets. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which transports oil from Kazakhstan through Russia to the Black Sea, relies on regional stability. Any prolonged disruption could tighten supplies of specific crude grades, potentially triggering volatility. This strike also arrives as Russia intensifies its offensive in eastern Ukraine, targeting civilian power grids and deepening the humanitarian crisis. Kyiv's responsehitting back at Russia's energy lifelinesreflects a grim symmetry in the conflict's "energy war." With winter approaching, analysts warn that both sides may escalate attacks on critical infrastructure, dragging global markets deeper into the conflict's ripple effects. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that the Russia-Ukraine war disrupts global energy markets by forcing nations to abandon Russian oil and gas, accelerating the push for unreliable "green" energy while enriching oligarchs and destabilizing economies. Meanwhile, Russia's shift to ruble-based trade and alliances with China threaten the petrodollar, further exposing the fragility of Western energy dependence and the globalist-controlled financial system. The unprecedented nature of the Caspian Sea strike underscores Ukraine's evolving tactics. By extending its drone campaign beyond refineries and storage depots to upstream production sites, Kyiv aims to inflict lasting damage on Russia's oil revenues. The SBU source emphasized this shift, declaring, "Every enterprise supporting Russia's war effort is a legitimate target no matter where it is located." As damage assessments continue, the duration of the Filanovsky shutdown will be closely watched. A prolonged outage could strain Russia's export capacity, further isolating its economy. Meanwhile, the attack serves as a stark reminder that the war's geographic and economic footprint continues to expand, with no clear end in sight. Watch Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordering expanded drone strikes on Russia in this clip. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RigZone.com OilPrice.com TheMoscowTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com U.S. escalates aggressive maritime campaign against Venezuela, seizes oil tanker in bold military operation U.S. forces conducted a high-risk raid on a Venezuelan-linked oil tanker, deploying commandos to seize the vesselmarking a shift from remote drug interdictions to direct economic warfare. The Trump administration justifies operations by labeling Venezuela a "narco-state," doubling Maduro's bounty to $50M, despite declassified intel lacking proof of his direct control over drug networks. The tanker seizure threatens Venezuela's oil-dependent economy, with sanctions and naval pressure forcing Asian buyers to demand steeper discounts, accelerating Maduro's regime collapse. Critics allege the U.S. campaign targets Venezuela's vast oil reserves under the guise of counterterrorism, aligning with globalist resource control agendasTrump's cryptic "other things are happening" hints at broader motives. The Venezuelan leader, living like a fugitive, faces crumbling authority as Trump vows his "days are numbered" and opposition figures like Nobel winner Maria Corina Machado gain international legitimacy. In a dramatic escalation of Washington's confrontation with Venezuela's socialist regime, U.S. forces executed a high-stakes raid on a massive oil tanker near Venezuelan waters, sparking furious accusations of "piracy" from President Nicolas Maduro's government. Footage released by Attorney General Pam Bondi showed elite U.S. commandos rappelling from helicopters onto the vessel, rifles at the ready, in what appears to be the boldest move yet in President Donald Trump's campaign to cripple Maduro's regime. The operation, carried out by a joint task force including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Coast Guard, marks a sharp departure from previous U.S. actions, which had been limited to remote strikes on small drug-smuggling boats. This time, American troops physically boarded the tanker under a seizure warrant, accusing it of transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. Trump hailed the mission as a decisive blow, declaring, "We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually." Maduro's regime immediately condemned the raid as an act of "theft" and renewed accusations that Washington is orchestrating regime changea claim the Trump administration has repeatedly denied, insisting its goal is solely to dismantle narcoterrorist networks flooding the U.S. with cocaine. Yet critics suspect deeper motives, pointing to Venezuela's vast oil reservesthe largest in the worldand Trump's ominous warning that "other things are happening." When pressed on the seized oil's fate, Trump shrugged: "We keep it, I guess." From drug war to oil war? This operation signals a dangerous new phase in U.S.-Venezuela tensions. Until now, Trump's strategy had focused on targeting suspected narcoterrorist vessels under expanded military authorities, with at least 87 killed in 22 strikes since December. But seizing an oil tanker suggests Washington's sights may now extend beyond drug interdictionpotentially foreshadowing a naval blockade or broader economic warfare against Maduro's crumbling regime. The immediate impact could be devastating for Venezuela's already crippled economy, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. Most of its oilheavily discounted due to U.S. sanctionsflows to China through shadowy middlemen. But with American warships prowling the Caribbean and now commandos storming tankers, shipping companies may refuse to load Venezuelan crude altogether, fearing further seizures. Asian buyers are already demanding steeper discounts, citing heightened risksa trend that will only accelerate after this brazen operation. Meanwhile, Maduro is reportedly living like a fugitive in his own countrychanging beds nightly, swapping phones constantly and surrounded by paranoid security details. His regime has alternated between blustering defiance and bizarre public spectacles, including singing and dancing appeals for peace. But with Trump vowing that Maduro's "days are numbered," and opposition leader Maria Corina Machadoforced into hiding after winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prizebeing hailed as Venezuela's rightful leader, the dictator's grip on power looks increasingly shaky. The bigger picture: A globalist energy play? While Trump frames these actions as a crackdown on drugs, skeptics see a broader agenda. Venezuela's oil reserves have long been coveted by globalist elites and corporate interests seeking to control the world's energy supply. The seizure of this tankerand Trump's vague hint that "other things are happening"raises alarming questions about whether this is truly about stopping narcotics or advancing a deeper, more sinister plot to strip Venezuela of its resources under the guise of counterterrorism. With tensions at a boiling point, one thing is clear: The U.S. is no longer just targeting drug runnersit is openly strangling Venezuela's economy. Whether this leads to Maduro's downfall, a wider conflict or a backdoor deal for control of Venezuela's oil remains to be seen. But as American boots hit the deck of that tanker, the world was reminded: When it comes to crushing rogue regimes, Trump doesn't just talkhe acts. And Maduro should be very, very afraid. Watch the video below about President Trump reportedly considering military strikes on drug cartels in Venezuela. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheSun.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com BAGHDAD, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Federal Supreme Court on Sunday ratified the final results of the 2025 parliamentary elections, a key step toward forming a new government. A statement by the highest constitutional judicial body in Iraq confirmed that the election process met all constitutional and legal requirements. The ratification follows the Nov. 11 elections, after which the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework declared it had formed the largest bloc in the 329-member parliament, winning the decisive constitutional right to nominate the next prime minister. Following the ratification decision, the Iraqi president is now constitutionally required to summon the new parliament to convene within 15 days. The new Council of Representatives will then proceed to take the constitutional oath and elect a new speaker. The parliament will then vote on the new president. By the terms of the ethno-sectarian power-sharing system adopted after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, the presidency is reserved for a Kurd, the parliament speaker's post for a Sunni Muslim, and the prime minister's office for a Shiite Muslim. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. The eastern portal of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) connects to the Kai Tak Interchange, allowing motorists to travel to and from Kai Tak, Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong Island East, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Tseung Kwan O. The western portal of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) connects to the Yau Ma Tei Interchange, providing access to Kwai Chung, Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong Island West, Yau Ma Tei and Tsim Sha Tsui. Highways Department Senior Engineer (Central Kowloon Route) Yanis Poon explains that the Smart Site Management Hub allows site activity to be monitored in real-time via cameras, Internet of Things sensors, water level sensors and other instruments. The Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) is set to open on December 21, slashing the journey time from Yau Ma Tei to Kowloon Bay from approximately 30 minutes during peak hours to around five minutes. The section spans 4.7km, including 3.9km of three-lane, two-way tunnel, and will connect the Kai Tak Development Area and Kowloon Bay in East Kowloon to the Yau Ma Tei Interchange in West Kowloon. Highways Department Senior Engineer (Central Kowloon Route) Yanis Poon described the new road as an important corridor that will enhance the overall transportation network across the whole of Kowloon. While many vehicular tunnels cross mountains and seas, the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) is an underground tunnel that passes through Central Kowloon, one of Hong Kongs most densely populated urban areas. The project therefore demanded meticulous route planning and the ability to surmount numerous challenges. Engineering ingenuity Construction of a 370-metre-long underwater tunnel connecting Ma Tau Kok and Kai Tak involved adopting a temporary reclamation construction method and the restoration of the original seabed post-construction demonstrates the Governments commitment to minimising environmental impacts. Meanwhile, the tunnel between Ma Tau Kok and Yau Ma Tei, measuring 2.8km, was constructed using the drill-and-blast method, with some 2,400 blasts being executed. It was essential during these works to ensure that the approximately 240 buildings above and near the tunnel, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, remained unaffected. Ms Poon stated: We have strictly controlled the timing of tunnel blasting. For instance, near the hospital area, blasting was limited to specific 15-minute intervals each day to ensure the medical equipment was not affected. She added: As the tunnel passes extremely close to the MTR lines, with a minimum distance of only 3m, we switched to the drill-and-break method at the intersection point to ensure railway operations were unaffected. Another challenge came with the construction of a 400-metre-long tunnel under Kansu Street in Yau Ma Tei, the route of which overlapped with the existing Gascoigne Road Flyover. The project team had to relocate the flyover and demolish the Yau Ma Tei Car Park Building to construct the tunnel while maintaining the traffic flow during the entire construction period. To address this complex task, the team executed demolition and relocation in phases to maintain road user safety throughout construction, Ms Poon explained. Smart solutions Given the project's scale, the Highways Department leveraged a range of innovative technology to enhance safety and efficiency. This includes implementing a Smart Site Management Hub (SSMH) that allows site activity to be monitored via cameras, Internet of Things sensors, water level sensors and other instruments. This platform enables project personnel to access real-time information. During Black Rainstorm warnings or when Typhoon Signal No. 10 was issued this year, we utilised the SSMH to monitor site conditions, Ms Poon said. Fortunately, we did not observe any flooding in our tunnel during these adverse weather events. It is a good opportunity to prove that our flood control system is effective. The department also deployed a Smart Over-Height Vehicle Detection System, which utilises detection cameras, light detection and ranging technology, and artificial intelligence. It identifies and stops vehicles that are over-height in order to prevent collisions with bridges under construction. (To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.) Chief Executive John Lee today announced the appointment of Judge David Lok as chairman of the independent committee tasked with reviewing the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Mr Lee said early this month that an independent committee would be set up to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth review on the blaze, in order to reform the building work system and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. He revealed today that the independent committee is expected to submit its review report in nine months. Nine months (to submit the report) is a very challenging time indeed, but I want to solve the problem as quickly as possible. So I want to give what I regard as a time frame while ensuring the examination is just, they can streamline the procedure, and are given more flexibility, so that they can finish their work within the nine months. And I also have given them a reserve power, that is, if the independent committee considers while examining all these complicated issues, there may be one (issue) which they think, by exercising the powers given to a statutory commission of inquiry will help them complete their work, then I am very willing to consider a recommendation by the independent commission to appoint them as the commission of inquiry. KABUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Personnel of the Afghan national army have taken into custody 398 persons in western Afghanistan's Herat province over the past week for attempting to cross the border and enter neighboring Iran illegally, said an army statement from the western region on Sunday. All the arrested individuals have been referred to the concerned bodies after preliminary investigations, the statement said without providing more details. The border security forces would spare no effort to ensure security along the borders, the statement further said. Earlier, personnel of the national army in the western region also reported the arrest of some 400 individuals on charges of attempting to sneak illegally into Iran last month. Although hundreds of Afghan refugees return from Iran daily to their homeland, Afghanistan, numerous Afghans leave for Iran illegally every day to escape poverty and unemployment in their post-war country. The Afghan government has vowed to check human trafficking and illegal crossings to the neighboring countries. As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.3 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.6 billion. The fund will provide a living allowance to each affected household. As of today, 1,838 cases had been processed. The fund will also provide the families of each deceased victim with a $200,000 token of solidarity, as well as $50,000 to cover funeral costs. As of today, a total of 128 cases had been processed. Welfare arrangements As of this morning, 1,451 residents had been accommodated under the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau in youth hostels, camps or hotel rooms. Another 3,059 residents have moved into transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS). With the generous community support and donations, all the units currently available in transitional housing and HKHS projects are equipped with furniture and appliances such as bed frames, mattresses, induction cookers and water heaters, enabling the residents to settle in comfortably. Furthermore, a number of organisations have stationed their staff in some projects to provide residents in need with various forms of support, including free medical and legal consultation services. Separately, a task force under the Advisory Committee on Mental Health held the second meeting today to discuss multiple measures to provide mental health support to families and members of the public affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire. Relief supplies On the Governments online platform for donated supplies, about 1,800 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. Over 19,600 donated items, covering various categories, have been distributed. Regulation work Upon liaison with Police, the Housing Department started to remove burnt scaffolding on the external walls of Wang Cheong House, Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House today. Meanwhile, the Housing Bureaus Independent Checking Unit has completed strengthening works such as concrete grouting and erecting temporary props, in a small number of units that may be subject to more serious damage On the new mechanism for sampling and testing scaffold nets for external walls in the city, the Buildings Department is preparing a new practice note to issue to registered contractors, and will meet the industry next week. As of 4pm today, the Labour Department had inspected 467 construction sites, issued a total of 249 written warnings and 112 improvement notices, and taken out 25 prosecutions. As of noon today, donations received by the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had reached about $3.4 billion. Combined with the $300 million in startup capital from the Government, this takes the fund to a total of around $3.7 billion. Concurrently, 1,392 residents have been accommodated, through the co-ordination of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, in youth hostels, camps, or hotel rooms. Another 3,163 residents are living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau or the Housing Society. On the Governments online platform for donated supplies, about 1,800 registrations have been received, with approximately 30% submitted by organisations. About 19,600 donated items, covering various categories, have been distributed. The Housing Department continued to remove the burnt scaffolding on the external walls of Wang Cheong House, Wang Tai House and Wang Sun House. For the sake of safety, the department will conduct assessments along with the Police Force on a timetable for removing the scaffolding on the remaining four affected buildings. Additionally, the Housing Bureaus Independent Checking Unit has completed the extraction of concrete core samples from the seven affected buildings at Wang Fuk Court. The Development Bureau earlier announced a new mechanism for sampling and testing scaffold nets for external walls in Hong Kong. The Buildings Department is preparing a new practice note for registered contractors and will meet with the industry next week. The bureau is also moving ahead at full steam arrangements to ensure there are sufficient designated laboratories and a suitable site for off-site sampling work. The Health Bureau announced today that as of tomorrow free Chinese medicine (CM) consultation services will be provided to residents affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Until February 28, 2026, all residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court including foreign domestic helpers can receive up to three free CM consultations. This will include medication and related treatments based on patients' clinical needs, with arrangements to be facilitated by District Health Centres/ District Health Centre Expresses (DHCs) in the city's 18 districts. The free CM services cover post-fire health concerns such as emotional changes, insomnia, and palpitations; coughing, wheezing, and dry or itchy throat; physical weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and dyspepsia; as well as pain and musculoskeletal injuries. Residents with medical needs can call the relevant hotlines or visit any DHC for assistance, regardless of their current place of residence. Those who are registered at a particular DHC can contact the relevant centre directly. The hotlines are listed on the Primary Healthcare Commission and DHC websites. DHC case managers will pair patients with appropriate CM practitioners. Additionally, Wang Fuk Court residents and other people injured in the fire who have been admitted to Hospital Authority public hospitals are eligible for full fee waivers at the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) until December 31, 2026. These waivers cover all government-subsidised CMHHK services, including general clinical and specialised clinical services, allied health services, and day-patient services, as well as special Western medicine diagnostic procedures and medications. Basic personal information should be provided to the CMHHK during consultations. The 18 Chinese Medicine Clinics & Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) have also been giving full support to residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court, including foreign domestic helpers, since early December. The residents are eligible for full medical fee waivers at these CMCTRs until December 31 2026. These cover government-subsidised CM outpatient services, including general consultations, acupuncture and bone-setting/tui-na. Click here for details. CFU commemorates 40th anniversary of historic Uyghur student protests in Urumchi Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 21:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Washington, DC [US], December 14 (ANI): Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Urumchi Student Movement, one of the most significant student protests in recent Uyghur history and a crucial moment in the Uyghur struggle against oppression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The movement marked the first such protest against communism in the Eastern bloc, according to a CFU press release.On December 12, 1985, approximately 20,000 Uyghur students from seven universities and institutes took to the streets of Urumchi to protest discriminatory practices. These included disparities in education and job opportunities, enforced sterilisations, catastrophic atmospheric nuclear testing at Lop Nor, and the transfer of criminals from other parts of China into the Uyghur region.CFU Founder and Executive Director Rushan Abbas was involved in planning and organising the protests and honoured the students who risked their safety in their fight for justice and dignity for the Uyghur community.Between 1964 and 1996, China conducted a total of 45 nuclear weapons tests at Lop Nur in the Uyghur region, transforming nearly 100,000 square kilometres of desert into the worlds largest nuclear testing facility. Authorities claimed the area was barren and isolated, without permanent residents," overlooking the fact that Uyghur herders and farmers had lived on that land for centuries.The nuclear testing contaminated land and water sources, resulting in significant health issues and long-term harm to Uyghur communities.Although Chinese officials agreed to meet with student representatives, they later interrogated and punished leaders of the movement. Rushan Abbas also faced repercussions for her involvement after graduating from Xinjiang University in 1988, which she detailed in her book Unbroken: One Uyghurs Fight for Freedom.Despite repression, the protests inspired further student mobilisation across East Turkistan and contributed to shaping democratic youth movements, the CFU press release said.Forty years ago, I stood with fellow Uyghur students in Urumchi to claim dignity and equal rights. Our voices at that time marked the inception of the first democratic movement in the history of East Turkistan after 35 years of CCP colonisation," said Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of Campaign for Uyghurs.Today, forty years later, our people are enduring a full-scale active genocide. The bravery and honour exhibited in the 1985 student movement serve as a reminder to the world of its ongoing responsibilities. Remembering alone is insufficient; accountability and action are necessary," she added, as cited in the CFU report.Four decades later, the situation in East Turkistan has significantly deteriorated. An independent tribunal, the United Nations, and several countries, including the United States, have recognised Chinas actions as genocide and crimes against humanity, with evidence of ongoing abuses continuing to accumulate.Authorities have imposed more than 4.4 million cumulative years of prison sentences on Uyghurs, and in 2023 alone carried out 3.2 million forced labour transfers.Numerous Uyghur villages have been renamed, and researchers estimate that since 2017, more than 16,000 mosques have been destroyed or damaged. In some of the most Uyghur-populated regions, the birth rate among Uyghurs has fallen to zero per cent, qualifying as an act of genocide.The Chinese government celebrated these initiatives by declaring, Uyghur women are no longer baby-making machines."These actions reflect the same policies opposed by students in 1985, now implemented on a much larger scale, as Beijing continues crimes against humanity and genocide targeting the Uyghurs, according to the CFU release. (ANI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 21:45 IST News agency-feeds CFU commemorates 40th anniversary of historic Uyghur student protests in Urumchi 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... Ukraine open to dropping NATO bid for western security guarantees: Zelenskyy Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 02:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kyiv [Ukraine], December 15 (ANI): Ukraine has signalled that it may be willing to give up its long-standing goal of joining NATO if it receives firm security guarantees from Western allies, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ahead of key meetings with US envoys and European partners in Berlin, Al Jazeera reported.Zelenskyy described the proposal as a significant concession by Kyiv, which has for years pushed for NATO membership as the strongest safeguard against future Russian aggression. Instead, he said Ukraine could accept legally binding security guarantees from the United States, European countries and other allies.From the very beginning, Ukraines desire was to join NATO; these are real security guarantees. Some partners from the US and Europe did not support this direction," Zelenskyy said in response to questions from reporters in a WhatsApp chat.He said alternative arrangements could still offer strong protection. Thus, today, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the US, Article 5-like guarantees for us from the US, and security guarantees from European colleagues, as well as other countries Canada, Japan are an opportunity to prevent another Russian invasion," he said. Zelenskyy stressed that such assurances must be legally binding, adding, And it is already a compromise from our part."If pursued, the shift would mark a major change in Ukraines position, as Kyiv has consistently sought NATO membership despite Russia viewing the alliances expansion as a direct threat. While the move would align with one of Moscows stated objectives for the war, Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine continues to reject any demand to surrender territory, as per Al Jazeera.The Ukrainian president said he was seeking a dignified" peace and firm guarantees that Russia would not launch another attack. He also accused Moscow of deliberately prolonging the conflict through continued strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, calling the war potentially Europes deadliest since World War II.The comments came as diplomatic efforts intensified, with growing pressure from US President Donald Trump to reach a settlement. Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived in Berlin on Sunday for talks involving Ukrainian and European representatives.The decision to send Witkoff, who has previously been involved in negotiations with both Kyiv and Moscow, was seen as a sign that Washington believes progress may be possible, according to Al Jazeera.Zelenskyy said Ukraine, along with the US and European partners, is reviewing a 20-point plan that could eventually lead to a ceasefire. However, he reiterated that Kyiv is not holding direct talks with Russia. He noted that a truce along the current front lines could be considered fair, but pointed out that Moscow continues to demand Ukraine withdraw from parts of Donetsk and Luhansk that remain under Ukrainian control.Despite ongoing diplomatic discussions, Russian attacks have not stopped. Recent strikes have left thousands without electricity, and Ukrainian officials say Russia is deliberately targeting the power grid to deprive civilians of heat and water during the winter months. (ANI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 15, 2025, 02:45 IST News agency-feeds Ukraine open to dropping NATO bid for western security guarantees: Zelenskyy 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... Young artists mark Vijay Diwas with patriotic paintings in Agartala Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 01:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Agartala (Tripura) [India], December 15 (ANI): Young schoolchildren in Agartala came together on Sunday to participate in the 54th Vijay Diwas celebrations, marking Indias historic victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. The Indian Army organised a large-scale painting competition at the Albert Ekka War Memorial, aiming to inspire patriotism and awareness of the nations military heritage among the younger generation.The competition, themed 1971 Indo-Pak War: The Saga of Valour", witnessed enthusiastic participation from around 400 children aged between 6 and 14 years. Students from 13 schools across Agartala competed in four age categories, showcasing their creativity through colourful depictions of courage, sacrifice and national pride associated with the 1971 war. According to the Army, prizes were awarded to the top three winners in each category. A distinguished panel of judges, comprising experts from the fields of art and the military, evaluated the entries based on creativity, originality and adherence to the theme. The event was designed to blend artistic expression with lessons of resilience, discipline and patriotism. Vijay Diwas, observed every year on December 16, commemorates Indias decisive victory in the 1971 war, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh. The Army said such initiatives help instil historical awareness and a sense of respect for the sacrifices made by soldiers, while also encouraging young minds to express themselves creatively. This competition not only nurtures artistic talent but also connects children with Indias rich military history," an Army spokesperson said. The Indian Army believes in fostering creativity alongside values of discipline, courage and patriotism."The event was organised by the warriors of Spear Corps, who highlighted the contribution and sacrifices of the Indian Army and the people of Tripura during the 1971 conflict. As young artists painted scenes of bravery and victory, the occasion served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the war and the importance of passing on its values to future generations. (ANI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 15, 2025, 01:30 IST News agency-feeds Young artists mark Vijay Diwas with patriotic paintings in Agartala 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... Mexico's Tariff On India: How Will Duty Hike Affect India's $5.7 Billion Exports To Mexico? Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 09:38 IST Analysts say the South American nation's unilateral decision to raise tariffs autos, auto parts, textiles, apparel, plastics, steel, metals and footwear are the key targets. Mexico announced tariffs on countries it does not have a trade deal with, including India. (Reuters/File) Mexico has imposed up to 50% tariffs on imports from non-preferential trade partners, including India, with effect from January 1, 2026, the two nations have started discussions for a free-trade agreement (FTA). Analysts said the key targets of the South American nations unilateral decision to raise tariffs are autos, auto parts, textiles, apparel, plastics, steel, metals and footwear. Under the decision, Mexico will impose steep import tariffs ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. However, the list of items covered is yet to be officially notified. The higher duties will take effect on January 1, 2026. Jahol Prajapati, research analyst at SAMCO Securities, said, Mexicos Senate has cleared a protectionist tariff package imposing 550% duties on more than 1,400 import lines from countries without FTAs, including India, effective 1 January 2026. Autos, auto parts, textiles, apparel, plastics, steel, metals and footwear are key targets; most products will cluster around the 35% slab, but passenger vehicle duty will jump from 20% to 50%. India exported goods worth about 5.7 billion US dollars to Mexico in FY202425, with vehicles contributing roughly one-third." He added that Indian car exports to Mexico, primarily from Volkswagen/Skoda, Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki and Nissan, face a direct impact, threatening volumes and margins in a market that accounts for about 9% of Indias global automobile exports. Beyond autos, elevated tariffs on engineering goods, electronics and metals risk demand compression, though some specialised Indian products with strong market share may see price-led, not volume-led, damage. Mexicos Senate has approved a new tariff measure on December 11, 2025, and it has since been cleared by both chambers of Congress. It is aimed at boosting manufacturing and reducing trade imbalances. India, in fact, was engaged with Mexico during the initial tabling of a bill in this regard. The Embassy of India in Mexico raised the issue with the Ministry of Economy on September 30, 2025, itself, seeking special concessions to shield Indian exports from the new tariffs. Both the 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. Experts said that the trade agreement will help insulate Indian companies from these tariffs, which were imposed under pressure from the US to align with America on increasing tariffs against China and prevent transhipment to America. Indias exports to Mexico stood at $5.75 billion in 2024-25, while imports were $2.9 billion. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 09:33 IST News business economy Mexico's Tariff On India: How Will Duty Hike Affect India's $5.7 Billion Exports To Mexico? 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 Income Tax Act: ITR Forms To Be Notified Before FY28; All You Need To Know Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 08:08 IST The Income Tax Act, 2025, which was enacted on August 21 this year, will replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act of 1961 and come into effect from April 1, 2026. All forms under the new law, including quarterly TDS return forms and ITR forms, are being reworked. The government will notify the new income tax return (ITR) forms based on the Income Tax Act, 2025 before the start of the 202728 financial year, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary has said. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, he noted that the Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT) is in the middle of extensive consultations with tax experts, industry bodies and field officials to redesign the ITR framework. The Income Tax Act, 2025, which was enacted on August 21 this year, will replace the six-decade-old Income Tax Act of 1961 and come into effect from April 1, 2026. The new legislation aims to simplify tax provisions, reduce the overall word count of the law and make compliance easier for taxpayers. As part of this transition, all forms under the new law, including quarterly TDS return forms and ITR forms, are being reworked. The Directorate of Systems is collaborating with the tax policy division to ensure these forms follow a more intuitive and taxpayer-friendly structure. Chaudhary said the ITRs aligned with the 2025 Act would also need to incorporate amendments that will be introduced in Budget 2026. As a result, the first set of new-format ITRs for tax year 2026-27 will be notified ahead of the 2027-28 fiscal year. For the current financial year, however, the existing framework under the Income Tax Act, 1961 will continue to apply. The minister clarified that the process to consolidate and simplify ITR forms for income earned in FY 2025-26 (Assessment Year 2026-27) is underway and these forms will be notified as per current law. The upcoming overhaul of Indias income tax system marks one of the most significant legislative updates in decades, with the government positioning the new Act as a move towards clarity, ease of compliance and modernisation of the tax administration architecture. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 08:08 IST News business tax New Income Tax Act: ITR Forms To Be Notified Before FY28; All You Need To Know 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... My Blessings Are With Him: Pankaj Chaudharys Mother Gets Emotional As He Becomes New UP BJP Chief Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 16:31 IST A seven-time Member of Parliament from Maharajganj, Pankaj Chaudhary hails from the OBC Kurmi community and comes from a family with deep political roots in eastern Uttar Pradesh Rapid Read Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary is the new president of the Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit. (X) As Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary became the new president of the Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), his mother, Ujjwala Chaudhary, folded her hands, her eyes moist, and offered a single prayer May my son walk this path with honesty." Far away in Lucknow, party leaders celebrated consensus; in Gorakhpur, a mother celebrated her son. Chaudhary is set to take charge as the Uttar Pradesh BJP president after filing his nomination on Saturday at the partys state headquarters in Lucknow. He was the only leader to submit nomination papers within the stipulated time, making his election unopposed. The formal announcement came on Sunday. The nomination was proposed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, along with several senior party leaders signalling complete organisational unanimity. The post of state BJP president had remained vacant beyond its expected January 2025 timeline due to a series of elections, including the Maharashtra Assembly polls, Uttar Pradesh by-elections, and the Bihar elections. #WATCH | Gorakhpur, UP | On her son Union MoS Pankaj Chaudhary filing sole nomination for the election, Ujjawal Chaudhry, said, We cant express how happy we are. Were also feeling very proud. He has gone from such a small position to such a big one We found out about it in pic.twitter.com/UNY3Cka7IY ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025 A day of political suspense Although the outcome was widely anticipated, the day unfolded with suspense until the final hours. Senior leaders began arriving at the BJP office in the morning, triggering speculation over the final choice. Former Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyotis arrival around 11 am added to the buzz. When asked about the new president, she smiled and said, Everything will become clear shortly." Chaudhary himself arrived from Delhi in the early afternoon, deflecting questions by saying the decision would be known later. The suspense effectively ended when Uttar Pradesh minister Swatantra Dev Singh, without naming the candidate, described the new president as a seven-time MP who enjoys strong support within his community and has handled key party responsibilities. The description left little doubt about Chaudharys selection. By 3 pm, when the deadline for filing nominations closed with only one candidate in the fray, the outcome became a formality. - Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 14, 2025 Emotions overflow While the political process moved smoothly in Lucknow, emotions ran high at Chaudharys family home in Gorakhpur. Ujjwala Chaudhary, herself a former district panchayat chairperson from Maharajganj, became visibly emotional as relatives shared the news. Every mother wants to see her child move forward. My blessings are with him," she said, struggling to hold back tears. The moment also reopened memories of her elder son, the late Pradeep Chaudhary, who had first introduced Pankaj to politics. It was my elder son who brought him into public life. Whatever he has achieved today also carries his brothers blessings," she said. Pradeep Chaudhary, a former district panchayat chairperson, died a few years ago after a prolonged illness. Family members described the moment as one of pride mixed with loss. A young granddaughter, barely old enough to understand the significance of the post, smiled shyly when asked how she felt. I feel very happy," she said, reflecting the quiet joy in the household. Neighbours said celebrations would follow the official announcement. There is happiness across the neighbourhood. When he returns home, there will be a warm welcome," said a local resident, adding that Chaudhary is known for his approachable nature. , , , pic.twitter.com/0ltpIXLobR Pankaj Chaudhary (@mppchaudhary) December 13, 2025 Political roots and profile A seven-time Member of Parliament from Maharajganj, Chaudhary hails from the OBC Kurmi community and comes from a family with deep political roots in eastern Uttar Pradesh. His father, the late Bhagwati Prasad, and mother both played active roles in local politics. His sister, Sadhana Chaudhary, has also served as a district panchayat chairperson, underlining the familys long public life. Chaudharys elevation is seen as politically significant ahead of upcoming electoral challenges, with the BJP banking on his organisational experience and social outreach in a politically crucial state. BJP leaders welcomed the development as a reflection of internal unity. Minister Dayashankar Singh said Chaudharys unopposed election demonstrated the partys inclusive nature. In the BJP, anyone from any caste or background can aspire to become state president, chief minister, or even prime minister. A single nomination shows unity and confidence," he said. Opposition leaders, however, remained sceptical. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai dismissed the leadership change as symbolic, arguing that replacing a party chief without addressing governance issues would not change public sentiment. He also criticised the state government over law enforcement and administrative accountability. Swatantra Dev Singh confirmed that the election process had concluded smoothly. Only one nomination was filed within the stipulated time," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 16:11 IST News lucknow-news My Blessings Are With Him: Pankaj Chaudharys Mother Gets Emotional As He Becomes New UP BJP Chief 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... Mumbais Busy Railway Station Set For Mega Makeover: Heres The Rs 70-Crore Plan For Dadar Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 10:33 IST WR's Dadar railway station revamp: A new track and platform number 8 are being built Rapid Read Dadar railway station handles about 5 lakh commuters daily on the Western line alone. (AI generated for representation) Western Railways Dadar station, one of the busiest in Mumbai, is set to get major improvements. With more people traveling and keeping the future transport needs in mind, new railway tracks and an extra platform are being built here, said officials. The goal is to finish this work before the start of the monsoon, News18 Lokmat quoted officials as saying. Whats the plan? Currently, the railway station has platform number 6 and 7 for mail and express trains. With the number of trains increasing and with an aim to reduce operational pressure, a new track and platform number 8 are being built. This new platform will be about 600 meters long and is expected to cost around Rs 70 crore. All about the project This project is part of the fifth and sixth line work under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP). The sixth line is already ready up to Mahim, and in the next phase, it will go up to Mumbai Central. During this process, platform number 6 at Dadar might have to be closed in the future, making the new platform even more important. The new track will make Dadar station much more efficient. What is the footfall? Dadar railway station handles about 5 lakh commuters daily on the Western line alone. Whats on the cards? There will be technical upgrades such as overhead wiring, modern signaling systems, and crossover points. Dadar station will have mini-terminal facilities and more trains can start from here. As the construction goes on, Dadar station will see some changes. The wall of the Dadar railway colony, part of the southern footbridge, and the ticket center staircase will be demolished and rebuilt. The yard masters office will be moved to the east, and changes will be made to the overhead wires, signaling, and telecommunication systems. Since Central Railway tracks are also here, railway officials say that platform numbers might change in the future. With Inputs from News18 Lokmat News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 15:46 IST News mumbai-news Mumbais Busy Railway Station Set For Mega Makeover: Heres The Rs 70-Crore Plan For Dadar 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... RIYADH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that China has always regarded Saudi Arabia as a priority in its Middle East diplomacy and an important partner in its global diplomatic strategy, and is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to elevate bilateral ties to new heights. Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while co-chairing the Fifth Meeting of the Political Sub-committee of the China-Saudi Arabia High-level Joint Committee in Riyadh with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Wang said that Saudi Arabia is an important member of the Arab and Islamic worlds and an independent force in the process of multipolarization. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as well as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, exchanges and cooperation across all fields between the two countries have progressed in a sound and steady manner, he said, adding China-Saudi relations have increasingly gone beyond the bilateral dimension, taking on growing strategic significance and global influence. China has always regarded Saudi Arabia as a priority in its Middle East diplomacy and an important partner in its global diplomatic strategy, and stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, he said. Wang called on both sides to firmly grasp the direction of bilateral relations, resolutely support each other on issues involving core interests, better coordinate cooperation across various fields, continuously enrich the substance of the comprehensive strategic partnership, and build China-Saudi relations into a new model of mutual benefit, mutual trust and solidarity among nations, so as to push bilateral ties to new heights. Noting that next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Wang said China is willing to further strengthen high-level exchanges with Saudi Arabia and welcomes Saudi leaders to visit China next year to attend the second China-Arab States Summit. He added that China looks forward to working with Saudi Arabia to ensure the success of the summit. He also said that China stands ready to maintain close coordination with Saudi Arabia on preparations for the Fifth Meeting of the China-Saudi Arabia High-Level Joint Committee, so as to support and ensure the smooth advancement of major bilateral agendas next year. Stressing that China and Saudi Arabia are important economic and trade partners to each other, Wang said China will further expand opening up during its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), creating new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. He called on both sides to strengthen cooperation in areas such as energy and investment, while expanding cooperation in new areas including renewable energy and green transition, and deliver more tangible outcomes. China welcomes increased Saudi investment in China and supports Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Saudi Arabia, he said, expressing hope that the Saudi side will continue to provide a favorable business environment for Chinese companies. The two sides should also enhance exchanges in culture, tourism and other fields, facilitate people-to-people exchanges, deepen mutual understanding, and strengthen the fraternal friendship between the two peoples, Wang said. He stressed that China supports Saudi Arabia in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, backing its hosting of Expo 2030 Riyadh, and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the G20, and BRICS, to practice true multilateralism and uphold international fairness and justice. The Saudi foreign minister said that Saudi-China relations are currently enjoying strong momentum, with the comprehensive strategic partnership continuously deepening and pragmatic cooperation yielding fruitful results. He noted that the close interactions between the two heads of state have provided guidance and outlined a clear blueprint for bilateral relations. Saudi Arabia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and will never support any separatist actions advocating "Taiwan independence," he said, adding that indulging "Taiwan independence" runs counter to the international law principle of non-interference in internal affairs and amounts to allowing various separatist forces to disrupt global stability. He noted that Saudi Arabia highly appreciates China's remarkable development achievements and is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, learn from its advanced experience, and deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy and the circular economy to achieve mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes. Saudi Arabia looks forward to the second China-Arab States Summit and the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit to be held in China next year, and is ready to make full preparations while actively advancing negotiations on the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement, the Saudi minister noted. He added that Saudi Arabia welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in the country and is willing to offer more preferential policies. He noted that Saudi Arabia highly values China's important role in international affairs, particularly its principled and just stance on issues such as Palestine. Saudi Arabia supports the series of global initiatives proposed by Xi and is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with China to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and jointly advance the process of multipolarization, he added. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues, including developments in the Middle East and Afghanistan. After the meeting, Wang Yi and Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud jointly signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports from both countries. How Satya Nadellas Microsoft AI Platform Can Help Maharashtra Police Fight Cybercrime Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 18:17 IST MahaCrimeOS AI is designed to augment officers with AI tools to solve cases faster, more efficiently. CM Fadnavis proposed its expansion to all 1,100 police stations in Maharashtra Rapid Read Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella at the Microsoft AI Tour in Mumbai. (Facebook) At the Microsoft AI Tour in Mumbai, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella unveiled MahaCrimeOS AI in the presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said: Ethical and responsible AI for public good is our core motto. AI has the power to transform by improving efficiency, enhancing quality of life, and delivering true ease of living for every citizenOur collaboration with Microsoft began with solving complex cybercrime challenges, but its potential is far greater. AI today touches every sphere of human activity, from healthcare and agriculture to industry and governance and we intend to harness this power responsibly to create a more effective, citizen centric state." Fadnavis also proposed the future expansion of MahaCrimeOS AI, currently live in 23 Nagpur police stations, to all 1,100 police stations across Maharashtra. What is MahaCrimeOS AI? MahaCrimeOS AI is a pioneering, AI and Azure powered platform developed by CyberEye, innovators in cutting-edge technologies of Cyber Security & IoT and a Partner ISV of Microsoft, with the Maharashtra Governments Special Purpose Vehicle MARVEL, and Microsoft India Development Center (IDC), stated the press note. How will it help Maharashtra fight crimes? MahaCrimeOS AI is designed to augment officers with AI tools so they can resolve cases faster and more efficiently, combining human expertise with responsible innovation. How MahaCrimeOS AI works? MahaCrimeOS AI is built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Microsoft Foundry, integrating advanced AI assistants, automated workflows, and secure cloud infrastructure. The platform enables instant case creation, multilingual data extraction, and contextual legal assistancereducing manual effort and allowing officers to focus on solving complex cybercrimes. With built-in access to Indias criminal laws through integrated AI RAG and open-source intelligence, MahaCrimeOS AI helps investigators link cases, analyze digital evidence, and respond to threats faster and more effectively. The Microsoft India Development Center (IDC) worked closely with CyberEye and MARVEL to tailor the solution for real-world policing needs, standardizing investigation workflows and ensuring secure, compliant deployment. The proposed statewide expansionchampioned by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviswill enable police stations across Maharashtra to digitally register and investigate cybercrimes using standardized, AI-powered workflows. Officialspeak Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India & South Asia, said: AI is redefining the future of public safety, and with MAHACrimeOS AI, were turning that vision into reality. By combining the scale of Microsoft Azure with cutting-edge AI capabilities, were empowering every officer in Maharashtra to investigate faster, smarter, and more securely. This is not just about technologyits about building trust, protecting citizens, and setting a new benchmark for digital safety in India." Harssh Poddar, Superintendent of Police, Nagpur Rural and CEO of MARVEL, said: MahaCrimeOS AI is redefining how we fight cybercrimeturning complexity into clarity and speed. This platform is not just about faster investigations; its about building trust, setting new standards for governance, and creating a model that can scale across India." Ram Ganesh, Founder and CEO, CyberEye, said: Our collaboration with Microsoft and MARVEL has enabled us to empower cutting edge officers even in remote parts of the state to solve complex cybercrime investigations with ease and reduced workloads. By leveraging Microsofts Technology capabilities, we are helping law enforcement create Indias digital shieldempowering them to protect citizens faster and with confidence." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 18:17 IST News mumbai-news How Satya Nadellas Microsoft AI Platform Can Help Maharashtra Police Fight Cybercrime Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mumbai-Pune Expressway-2 In The Works, Mumbai-Pune-Bengaluru Travel In 5.5 Hours Soon, Says Gadkari Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 13:10 IST Nitin Gadkari said road works valued at Rs 1.50 lakh crore have been approved for Maharashtra for 2026 Rapid Read Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said road works of Rs 50,000 crore have been approved for the Pune region. (File) A second Mumbai-Pune Expressway parallel to the existing one, a new expressway from Pune to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and a major infrastructure boost for Pune were among the projects announced by Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Saturday. Gadkari said an expressway, parallel to the existing Pune-Mumbai expressway, with an estimated construction cost of Rs 15,000 crore, will bring down the travel time between the two cities to one and a half hours. The Mumbai-Pune-Bengaluru travel time will be five-and-a-half hours, he said. Gadkari on Saturday said road works valued at Rs 1.50 lakh crore have been approved for Maharashtra for 2026. The works will begin in the next three months, he told reporters on the premises of the Vidhan Bhavan, where the state legislature session is underway. The Nagpur MP visited the legislature complex to attend an event marking the centenary celebration of the Vidhan Parishad. Gadkari told reporters that MSIDC (Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation) will construct a new Pune-Sambhajinagar expressway for Rs 16,318 crore, and an MoU has been processed. The new expressway will reduce the travelling time from Pune to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to two hours and from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to Nagpur in two-and-a-half hours. He said the bhoomipujan (ground-breaking) of Talegaon-Chakan-Shikrapur Elevated Road, which is being constructed for Rs 4,207 crore, will be done after the local body elections are over. Gadkari said that the DPR process for the Hadapsar-Yavat Elevated Road is underway, and the work will start after the elections. The Union minister said road works of Rs 50,000 crore have been approved for the Pune region, and construction will begin in the next three months. Road works of Rs 1.50 lakh crore have been approved for Maharashtra. The work will start in 2026. Among these projects, the PWD has been given work worth Rs 50,000 crore, he added. With PTI Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 13:06 IST News mumbai-news Mumbai-Pune Expressway-2 In The Works, Mumbai-Pune-Bengaluru Travel In 5.5 Hours Soon, Says Gadkari Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mumbai Wakes Up Shrouded In Haze As AQI Turns Moderate | Check Air Quality In Your Area Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 11:33 IST Air quality monitors across the city showed varied but largely concerning readings: Chembur registered 182, Ghatkopar 161, Kurla 126, and ChakalaAndheri East 114. The hazy conditions are expected to persist through the day, officials said. (Pic: ANI) Mumbai woke up under a blanket of haze on Sunday, with air quality deteriorating across several parts of the city as winter conditions and pollution combined to push AQI readings into the moderate range. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Bandra Reclamation area recorded an AQI of 154, while Bandra Kurla Complex logged 157 at 9 am. The haze was visibly thicker along arterial roads and low-lying pockets, prompting concerns among morning commuters. Air quality monitors across the city showed varied but largely concerning readings: Chembur registered 182, Ghatkopar 161, Kurla 126, and ChakalaAndheri East 114. Coastal and western neighbourhoods saw relatively cleaner air, with Mazgaon at 91 and Malad West at 51, though still affected by the lingering morning smog. As per CPCB standards, AQI between 101 and 200 is classified as moderatea level at which sensitive groups may experience discomfort and prolonged outdoor exposure is discouraged. The hazy conditions are expected to persist through the day, officials said, as pollution levels rise and winter temperatures drop, limiting dispersion of particulate matter. Authorities have urged residents, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, to take precautions during peak morning hours. Delhi Battles Severe Pollution Delhi, meanwhile, remained choked under severe pollution, with the capitals average AQI hitting 461 at 7 am despite GRAP-IV curbs. Visibility dropped sharply across Ghazipur, ITO and Anand Vihar as toxic smog lingered, while several areas, including Bawana (497), Narela (492), Okhla Phase 2 (474) and Anand Vihar (491), recorded near-maximum pollution levels. Even the lowest reading, NSIT Dwarka at 411, stayed in the severe category, highlighting the capitals deepening air crisis. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 11:30 IST News cities mumbai-news Mumbai Wakes Up Shrouded In Haze As AQI Turns Moderate | Check Air Quality In Your 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... GRAP 4 In Delhi-NCR As AQI Worsens: What Does It Mean For Schools, Metros, Buses? The Dos & Donts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 15:19 IST Stage IV of GRAP brings the strictest restrictions for Delhi-NCR, with emergency actions such as truck entry bans, work-from-home, and school restrictions Rapid Read A train runs on Red Line of the Delhi Metro amid low visibility due to a layer of smog, in New Delhi, on Sunday. (PTI) The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including a ban on all construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR, after the Air Quality Index (AQI) neared the severe plus mark at 450. According to the order released by CAQM, the AQI of Delhi, which was recorded as 431 at 4 pm on Saturday, exhibited an increasing trend and has been recorded as 446 at 6 pm on the date owing to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants. Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP Severe+ Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of extant GRAP already in force in NCR," the order stated. What is GRAP? GRAP stands for Graded Response Action Plan a set of staged anti-pollution measures triggered when air quality gets very bad in Delhi-NCR. It is designed to protect public health and reduce emissions quickly during extreme pollution episodes. #WATCH | Delhi | A local, Harsh Vardhan, says, Pollution has only increased. I am coming from Dwarka and am having difficulty breathing. The government should do something. It is good that GRAP 4 has been invoked in the national capital. I suggest the odd-even scheme should https://t.co/wqmxGOIWCF pic.twitter.com/6YNX9EQ1Y8 ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025 What are the stages? During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorises air quality into four stages: GRAP-1 (Poor category, AQI 201-300): Basic pollution control steps like dust suppression and traffic regulation when air quality is poor. GRAP-2 (Very poor category, AQI 301-400): Tighter measures including limits on generators and parking when air quality is very poor. GRAP-3 (Severe category, AQI 401-450): Major restrictions such as banning construction and diesel generators when air quality is severe. GRAP-4 (Severe plus category, AQI above 450): Emergency actions such as truck entry bans, work-from-home, and school restrictions when air quality is severe+. What are Stage IV restrictions? Stage IV of GRAP brings the strictest restrictions in Delhi-NCR. Stage-4 is triggered to immediately reduce pollutant sources and protect public health. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC: Under this stage, the entry of trucks into Delhi is stopped, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. However, CNG, LNG, electric and BS-VI diesel trucks are allowed. The plying of Delhi-registered diesel heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV and below) is banned, again with exceptions only for essential services. CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION: All construction and demolition activities are banned, including even linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission lines, pipelines and telecom works, which are otherwise allowed in lower stages. SCHOOLS: Schools are allowed to run classes in a hybrid mode (online and physical) not only for primary students but also for higher classes (VI to IX and XI) in Delhi and the most affected NCR districts, with students given the option to attend online where feasible. Under Stage IV, state governments are asked to consider additional emergency steps, such as closing colleges and educational institutions, shutting non-essential commercial activities and even introducing odd-even rules for vehicles if the pollution situation worsens further. What does it mean for schools and offices? The Delhi government has directed all government and private schools to hold classes till Class XI in hybrid mode, and 50% staff at government and private offices have been asked to work from home as stricter pollution norms came into effect on Saturday. Schools: Delhis Directorate of Education directed all government and private schools in the national capital to conduct classes in Hybrid mode both physical and online mode for children up to Class IX and XI (except Class X) with immediate effect until further orders. The option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians. Further, all Heads of Schools are directed to disseminate this information to the parents and guardians of the students immediately," it said. Offices: Directions under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to all Government Offices under GNCTD and all Private Offices operating within the National Capital Territory of Delhi, to work on 50% strength and the rest to work from home under Graded Response Action Plan," the government said in the order issued as per CAQM direction. The government had issued similar directives to government and private offices to cap on-site attendance on November 24 as GRAP-III measures were in effect at the time, although the directive was later revoked when the air pollution curbs were withdrawn. #WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from near AIIMS as a thick layer of toxic smog blankets the city. CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) has invoked all actions under GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR.AQI (Air Quality Index) around the area is 484, categorised as Severe, as pic.twitter.com/u1A7iKPb7m ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025 What is allowed? ESSENTIAL SERVICES: Hospitals, pharmacies, emergency services, power/water supply, and food distribution continue operating normally. Infrastructure projects linked to public utilities such as metro rail, highways, airports, defence, healthcare and sanitation are allowed to continue under strict dust-control norms. Metro, buses, and other public transport remain functional. Movement of essential goods and people is allowed. PERMITTED VEHICLES: Clean-fuel vehicles (electric, CNG, LNG, BS-VI diesel) are allowed. Reduce non-essential travel to lower pollution and health risks. HEALTH PRECAUTIONS People with respiratory issues, children, and elderly should stay indoors as much as possible. Use air purifiers, wear N95/KN95 masks if you must go out, and keep windows closed on very bad AQI days. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 12:48 IST News new-delhi-news GRAP 4 In Delhi-NCR As AQI Worsens: What Does It Mean For Schools, Metros, Buses? The Dos & Donts 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... DU Exam Papers Arrive Nearly Four Hours Late, Over 35 Subjects Affected Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 09:33 IST DU issued a notification saying that "due to some logistical issues, few papers could not be dispatched and the same could not be conducted at some examination centres". Rapid Read Delhi University to host job fair on October 8, registrations open till October 5. Chaos and frustration erupted at Delhi University examination centres on Saturday as exam papers for more than 35 subjects arrived nearly four hours late, disrupting schedules and leaving students anxious. The two-hour exams, scheduled to begin at 9.30am, were delayed till nearly noon at several colleges while some papers were eventually cancelled, exposing serious logistical lapses in DUs examination system. Official sources stated that the delayed papers were discipline-specific electives (DSEs), mainly for seventh-semester undergraduate students, Times of India reported. Around 800 papers were scheduled for the morning session, with nearly 1.4 lakh students appearing for exams across DU campuses. Over 35 DSE papers could not be dispatched on time," TOI quoted an official as saying. The university later issued a notification saying that due to some logistical issues, few papers could not be dispatched and the same could not be conducted at some examination centres". The issue was subsequently rectified and papers were sent out, it claimed. The honours students appearing for three core subjects will be allowed to use subsequent examination slots while revised dates for affected programme courses will be notified separately, with exams to be conducted by the second week of Jan 2026, DU stated. As per the official, the exams for up to 10 papers had to be cancelled, affecting over 100 students, while some examinations were conducted later in the day with considerable difficulty". The longest delays were reported in science and computer science courses. Two computer science papersDigital Image Processing and Compiler Designdid not reach any college across the university until 12:50 pm," an official said. Students said the wait added to stress and confusion. We were asked to sit and wait without any clarity on whether the exam would happen. Some students left thinking it was cancelled while others stayed back till noon," said a seventh-semester science student at Miranda College. Another student taking a DSE at Lady Shri Ram College for Women said the delay affected preparation for other exams. By the time the exam began, we were mentally drained, and there was no official communication for hours," she said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 09:33 IST News education-career DU Exam Papers Arrive Nearly Four Hours Late, Over 35 Subjects Affected Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bengaluru Doctor Saves US Passenger On IndiaGo Flight, Siddaramaiah Hails Mid-Air Rescue Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 10:37 IST A Bengaluru-based doctor and former Congress MLA, saved a US passenger after she collapsed twice on an IndiGo Goa-New Delhi flight, leading to a priority landing in Delhi. Rapid Read Upon examination, she found the passenger unconscious, pale and severely dehydrated. (X/@siddaramaiah) Panic broke out aboard a Goa-New Delhi flight after a passenger suffered a medical emergency mid-air, prompting swift intervention by a Bengaluru-based doctor on board. The timely medical assistance helped revive the passenger, following which the aircraft made a priority landing to ensure further treatment. Around 1.15 pm on Saturday, barely 10 minutes after the IndiGo flight took off from Goa, the 34-year-old woman, identified as Jenny from California, complained of uneasiness and shivers before collapsing. She was seated in the 16th row, along with her sister. The duo were travelling to Delhi to attend a wedding. However, even before an announcement seeking medical assistance could be made over the public address system, Dr Nimbalkar, a medical professional and former Congress MLA from the Khanapur assembly constituency in Karnatakas Belagavi district, rose from her seat and rushed to assist, Times of India reported. Upon examination, she found the passenger unconscious, pale and severely dehydrated, with clenched fists and symptoms suggestive of a seizure. The doctor swiftly obtained the passengers medical history from her sister and began basic resuscitative measures, successfully reviving her. Dr Nimbalkar then administered an oral electrolyte solution the passenger was carrying, as she had suffered from a stomach infection the previous day. With the situation seemingly stabilised, Dr Nimbalkar returned to her seat. However, around 30 minutes later, she was urgently called again as the same passenger collapsed a second time and appeared to be in critical condition. After this, the passenger clutched her hand, almost literally clinging on to dear life. Please dont go anywhere," was all she managed to say, but those few words were enough to convey her ordeal. After this, Dr Nimbalkar remained by the passengers side until the aircraft made a priority landing in Delhi and the critically ill American passenger was evacuated to a hospital. Siddaramaiah Lauds Lifesaving Act Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah praised former Khanapur MLA Dr Anjali Nimbalkar for her presence of mind and compassion" after she saved the womans life during a mid-air medical emergency. In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said Dr Nimbalkar acted swiftly and administered timely CPR when the passenger collapsed mid-air, calling the act a reflection of her humanity, service and sense of responsibility". What makes this even more inspiring is that despite stepping away from active medical practice and being deeply engaged in politics, the doctor within her responded without a second thought," he said. Deeply moved and incredibly proud to hear about the remarkable presence of mind and compassion shown by former Khanapur MLA Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar during a GoaNew Delhi flight. When an American woman suffered a medical emergency mid-air, Dr. Anjali instantly rose to the occasion pic.twitter.com/CE65RVxl0Q Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 14, 2025 I pray that God blesses her with long life and good health, and continues to use her as an instrument to save and uplift many more lives," the chief minister added. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 08:20 IST News india Bengaluru Doctor Saves US Passenger On IndiaGo Flight, Siddaramaiah Hails Mid-Air Rescue 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... Gucci Bags, Rado Watches: ED Raid At Lavish Mansion Of Ex-UP Cop In Cough Syrup Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 13:07 IST The Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Alok Pratap Singh, who had been dismissed from service for the second time in 2019, on December 2. Rapid Read An armed security official stands guard during a raid at the palatial residence of dismissed UP police constable Alok Pratap Singh, an accused in the codeine-based cough syrup trafficking case, in Lucknow. (PTI File Photo) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a raid at the residence of dismissed police constable Alok Pratap Singh in Lucknow, uncovering evidence of a lavish lifestyle far beyond his declared income. The operation, carried out in connection with the multi-crore cough syrup smuggling racket, revealed luxury items including high-end Gucci and Prada handbags, Rado watches, and other expensive possessions. The 7,000-sq-ft home has ornate European-style interiors and spiral staircases, plus vintage-style lights. The trove of luxury items seized includes several expensive electronic devices, officials said as per a report by news agency PTI. The Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Alok Pratap Singh, who had been dismissed from service for the second time in 2019, on December 2. Alok Prataps name came up during the interrogation of another accused, Amit Kumar Singh alias Amit Tata. He is currently lodged in the Lucknow jail. Preliminary assessments suggest that 1.5-2 crore was spent solely on interiors, while the construction of the house alone may have cost around 5 crore, excluding the land," a senior police officer privy to the investigation told PTI. A government-approved valuer has been appointed to determine the full investment and any illicit funds involved," the officer added. Who Is Alok Pratap Singh? Hailing from Chandauli, Alok Pratap Singh began his police career over two decades ago. He was arrested in 2006 in connection with a gold loot case and subsequently dismissed from service, but was later reinstated following his acquittal by the court. New allegations of insubordination and corruption led to his second dismissal in 2019. Afterward, he reportedly shifted to business ventures, building connections that enabled his involvement in the syrup network. CBCS Racket The racket, accused of laundering 1,000 crore, reportedly involved the sale of codeine-based cough syrups (CBCS) as intoxicants for recreational drug use. Police allege Alok Pratap Singh was part of this network and ran wholesale cough syrup units in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, from where the syrup was smuggled into other states and even across the borders into Bangladesh and Nepal. Officials, citing PTI, said he also mentored young men from Chandauli, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, and Varanasi, using his connections in police and political circles. The prime accused, Shubham Jaiswal, is believed to have fled to Dubai, while his father, Bhola Jaiswal, has been taken into custody. Till now, police have seized around 3.5 lakh bottles of cough syrup, valued at approximately 4.5 crore, and 32 people have been taken into custody. Authorities are examining financial transactions and money trails associated with the network, while the ED is conducting parallel investigations. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 13:07 IST News india Gucci Bags, Rado Watches: ED Raid At Lavish Mansion Of Ex-UP Cop In Cough Syrup Case Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Gujarat Couple, 3-Year-Old Daughter Kidnapped In Libya While Trying To Migrate To Portugal: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 07:55 IST The family, residents of Badalpura village, had left Ahmedabad for Dubai on November 29 and were subsequently taken to Benghazi, where they were abducted. The kidnappers have contacted the familys relatives in Mehsana, demanding Rs 2 crore for their release. (AI-generated image) A couple from Gujarats Mehsana district and their three-year-old daughter have been kidnapped in Libya and held for a ransom of Rs 2 crore while attempting to migrate to Portugal, senior officials said on Saturday. Mehsana Superintendent of Police Himanshu Solanki confirmed that Kismatsinh Chavda, his wife Heenaben, and their daughter Devanshi were taken hostage in Benghazi after travelling through the country with the help of a Portugal-based agent. The family, residents of Badalpura village, had left Ahmedabad for Dubai on November 29 and were subsequently taken to Benghazi, where they were abducted. Solanki said the Chavdas were attempting to join Kismatsinhs brother, who is settled in Portugal. The family was travelling with the intention to settle there, and the agents involved in the case are not Indians," he said. The kidnappers have contacted the familys relatives in Mehsana, demanding Rs 2 crore for their release. Mehsana Collector SK Prajapati said the victims kin approached him on Friday, following which he informed the state government and the Ministry of External Affairs. Authorities are coordinating with central agencies as efforts to trace the family and secure their safe return continue. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 07:55 IST News india Gujarat Couple, 3-Year-Old Daughter Kidnapped In Libya While Trying To Migrate To Portugal: 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 May Return To India In 24-48 Hours, Deportation Process Almost Complete Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 12:44 IST Thailand to India: A multi-agency team is actively monitoring every stage of the deportation of the owners of the Goa nightclub that saw a deadly fire on December 6, killing 25 Rapid Read 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) The deportation process of the Luthra brothers, the owner of the Goa nightclub which saw a deadly fire on December 6 that killed 25, is almost complete and they are likely to be brought to India from Thailand in the next 24-48 hours, according to top government sources. Within hours of the incident, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, fled to Thailand. The Embassy of India in Bangkok then started the coordination prcess with the Thai authorities. Legal hurdles in deportation cleared: Top government sources The deportation of the Luthra brothers from Thailand is almost complete. All legal and procedural hurdles have been cleared," said sources. #GoaFire | Official paper work causing delay in the deportation of Luthra Brothers, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, the goa club where the tragic fire claimed 25 lives@Arunima24 share further details#Goa #GoaTragedy #Thailand | @DhantaNews pic.twitter.com/cFFiuiP1BA News18 (@CNNnews18) December 14, 2025 The Thai authorities have extended complete cooperation and have acted swiftly after the cancellation of the visa of the duo and their detention. The officials are coordinating closely with Indian agencies to ensure smooth transfer," said sources. A multi-agency Indian team, including investigative and immigration linked authorities, is actively monitoring every stage of the deportation. They dont want to avoid delays or legal complications," they said. How Indian authorities swung into action The Goa Police investigation revealed that the brothers had booked flight tickets to Thailand just as emergency teams were struggling to contain the fire and rescue those trapped inside. According to officials, the booking was made through a travel port at 1:17 am on December 7, while both the Goa Police and Fire Services were actively engaged in firefighting operations. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued. It is a tool that legally authorises local police and immigration to locate, monitor, and present the individuals before a competent court. The Indian authorities then revoked their passports under Section 10A of the Passports Act. This made sure the Luthra brothers automatically lost their lawful immigration status in Thailand, said sources. Thailands Immigration Act B.E. 2522 mandates detention of foreigners without valid documents. After the cancellation of their visas, the Luthra brothers became illegal foreign nationals in Thailand. This caused detention and paved the way for expedited deportation under Thai immigration laws. The deportation is being executed under established Interpol-linked legal procedures. This is to ensure Thailand sends them back to the port of origin, as per international norms. Local court formalities related to detention and deportation have been addressed. This is clearing the way for physical handover to Indian authorities," sources told CNN-News18. The Luthra brothers moved a Delhi court on Thursday for transit anticipatory bail, but their pleas were rejected on the grounds that the allegations against them were prima facie grave and serious". Bringing the Luthra brothers back to India As the passports are cancelled, India will have to issue an Emergency Travel Certificate. Without this out-pass, Thailand is legally prohibited from placing them on any outbound aircraft. Once ETCs are issued, deportation will done under Section 54 of Thailands Immigration Act. ETC requires returning the individual to the port of embarkation and that too the last airport from where they boarded the flight to Thailand. For the Luthras this is mandatory return to India not any third country. On arrival in India, the two will be arrested under Look Out Circular conditions and immediately handed over to Goa Police for interrogation. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 11:58 IST News india Luthra Brothers May Return To India In 24-48 Hours, Deportation Process Almost Complete 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... Never Allowed: India Rebuts Dhaka's Claim Of Indian Soil Used For Anti-Bangladesh Activities Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 18:48 IST The MEA said that New Delhi expects the interim government in Dhaka to take all necessary measures to ensure internal law and order. The response came hours after Bangladeshs Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma. (Representational) India on Sunday categorically rejected allegations made by Bangladeshs Interim Government that anti-Bangladesh activities were being carried out from Indian territory, saying that New Delhi has consistently supported free, fair and inclusive elections in the neighbouring country and has never allowed its territory to be used for activities hostile to the interests of the Bangladeshi people. In a statement issued in response to a press note issued by Bangladeshs interim government, the Ministry of External Affairs said, We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere. India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh." India categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh in its press note dated 14 December 2025. We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful pic.twitter.com/coMKUqr53R ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025 The MEA further said that New Delhi expects the interim government in Dhaka to take all necessary measures to ensure internal law and order, particularly to facilitate peaceful parliamentary elections. We expect that the interim Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections," the press statement added. The MEAs response came after Bangladeshs Foreign Ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, conveying Dhakas strong concerns over India allegedly allowing ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to continue making provocative statements calling on leaders and activists to engage in terrorist activities" in Bangladesh from Indian soil. It further raised what it called anti-Bangladesh activities" by Awami League members residing in India, alleging that they were attempting to destabilise Bangladesh and derail the upcoming parliamentary elections. As per reports, during the meeting, Dhaka also formally sought the immediate extradition of Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, so they could face sentences already handed down by Bangladeshi judicial authorities. Reportedly, High Commissioner Verma responded to the concerns and said that India is looking forward to peaceful and inclusive elections in Bangladesh and reaffirmed New Delhis readiness to extend all necessary cooperation in this regard. India-Bangladesh Relations IndiaBangladesh relations have been strained since the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024, following student-led protests. Hasina fled to India after her ouster and has since been staying in a secret safe house in New Delhi. Hasina, who resigned, was recently sentenced to death by a Bangladeshi International Crimes Tribunal for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the protests. The court found Hasina guilty on three counts, concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year that led to the fall of her Awami League government. Dhaka has repeatedly requested her extradition, which New Delhi says remains under consideration." The neighbouring country is currently governed by a caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 18:36 IST News india Never Allowed: India Rebuts Dhaka's Claim Of Indian Soil Used For Anti-Bangladesh Activities 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... RIYADH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to strengthen strategic communication with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), safeguard common interests, and jointly respond to a turbulent and changing international landscape, so as to make new contributions to the collective self-reliance of the Global South, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Sunday. During a meeting with Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the GCC is an important sub-regional organization in the Middle East which, over the years, has effectively promoted unity and cooperation among Gulf countries and pursued common development, with its international influence steadily increasing. He noted that China established contacts with the GCC at an early stage after the organization's founding, and the development of China-GCC relations has largely kept pace with China's reform and opening up. The two sides have become companions on the path to development and revitalization, as well as good partners for win-win cooperation. At the end of 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of GCC countries gathered in Riyadh for the first China-GCC Summit, which elevated China-GCC relations to a new level and opened up new prospects and drew a new blueprint for their future development, he said. Wang added that China supports the GCC in enhancing strategic autonomy, strengthening unity and cooperation, practicing multilateralism, and advancing GCC integration. He expressed the hope that both sides will continue to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests. China is willing to work with GCC countries to advance building the Belt and Road Initiative, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cultural interactions, and consolidate the public support for China-GCC friendship, he said. Wang noted that China is also ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with GCC countries to implement the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi, promote common development of the Global South, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. As a responsible major country and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting the resolution of regional hotspot issues and safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East. He pointed out that negotiations on the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement have lasted for more than 20 years and that conditions are now basically ripe, making it time to take the final decisive step. At a time when protectionism is on the rise, unilateralism is prevalent, and free trade is under strain, the conclusion of a China-GCC free trade agreement would send a strong signal in defense of multilateralism. For his part, Albudaiwi said that GCC countries enjoy a profound friendship with China, which has always been a trusted and reliable strategic partner, and that GCC-China relations have been operating at a high level. He stressed that the successful convening of the first China-GCC Summit in Saudi Arabia in 2022, attended by President Xi and GCC leaders, was of landmark significance. The GCC is willing to work with China to actively implement the important consensus reached by leaders of both sides, consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and dialogue, deepen cooperation in energy, innovation and other fields under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, he said. Albudaiwi added that the GCC looks forward to the early conclusion of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement and has high expectations for the second China-Arab States Summit and the second China-GCC Summit to be held in China next year. The GCC stands ready to strengthen communication with China to ensure more outcomes from the summits. He also said that the GCC speaks highly of China's just position on regional issues such as the Palestinian question and its positive efforts to ease regional tensions, including promoting reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, adding that the GCC will continue to strengthen coordination with China on international and regional affairs to effectively safeguard common interests. 'India Has Zero Tolerance For Terror': PM Modi Strongly Condemns Sydney Beach Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 17:45 IST PM Modi expressed solidarity with Australia and reiterated India's policy of zero-tolerance towards all forms and manifestations of terrorism. Rapid Read Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condemned what he called a ghastly terror attack" in Sydneys Bondi Beach in Australia, where two gunmen opened fire at a celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, killing 11 people. Taking to X, PM Modi expressed condolences for the loss of lives and expressed solidarity with Australia in this difficult time. Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah," he said. PM Modi also stressed Indias policy of zero-tolerance towards all forms and manifestations of terrorism. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism," he added. Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2025 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also condemned the terror attack and condoled the loss of lives. Condemn in the strongest terms the terror attack on Hanukkah celebrations in Bondi beach, Australia. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families," he said. READ MORE: We Stand With Jewish Community: Australian PM Calls Sydney Shooting Incident A Terror Attack What Happened In Australia? Two gunmen shot dead at least 11 people on Sunday at the Jewish event in Sydneys Bondi Beach, sending shockwaves across the country and bringing renewed attention to rising antisemitism in Western countries. One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested in critical condition. Emergency responders rushed another 29 people to various hospitals from the beach. Police declared the shooting a terrorist incident" and revealed they had found suspected improvised explosive devices" in a vehicle near the beach that was linked to the deceased offender". ALSO READ: Bondi Beach Attacker Identified As 24-Year-Old Naveed Akram, Ideological Motivation Under Probe Australian counter-terrorism teams are actively probing possible ideological or extremist motivations behind the attack, as it targeted a religious and cultural gathering that provided both symbolic value and maximum visibility, sources told CNN-News18. This attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community," the states Premier Chris Minns said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was devastated" by the terror attack. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 17:16 IST News india 'India Has Zero Tolerance For Terror': PM Modi Strongly Condemns Sydney Beach Attack 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... Who Is Nitin Nabin? Young BJP Face From Bihar Picked As Partys National Working President Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 00:10 IST A five-time MLA, Nitin Nabin represents Bankipur assembly constituency in Bihar and has served twice as a minister in the Bihar Government. Bihar minister Nitin Nabin named as BJP's National Working President. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday named Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as its National Working President. As per the official order, the decision taken by the BJP parliamentary board is effective immediately. Nabin currently serves as a minister in the Bihar government. The BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed Shri Nitin Nabin, Minister, Government of Bihar, as the National Executive President of the Bharatiya Janata Party," a notification released by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh reads. Nitin Nabin Youngest BJP President At the age of 45, Nitin Nabin is the youngest-ever BJP president, indicating a generational shift in the ruling party. He is also the first BJP president from Bihar. He is the son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha. When he was just 26 years old, Nabin was fielded by the BJP from the Patna West assembly seat in 2006 after it fell vacant due to the death of his father. Nabin has been known to win elections with huge margins, starting with the first by-poll he contested in 2006, which he won by nearly 60,000 votes. The latest one, earlier this year, he won by over 51,000 votes. A five-time MLA, Nabin represents Bankipur assembly constituency in Bihar and has served twice as a minister in the Bihar Government. PM Modi Congratulates Nitin Nabin Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitin Nabin over his selection. Shri Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil peoples aspirations. He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working. I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our Party in the times to come. Congratulations to him on becoming the BJP National Working President," PMs X post reads. Shri Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil peoples Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2025 Born in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Nitin Nabin is the son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 17:23 IST News india Who Is Nitin Nabin? Young BJP Face From Bihar Picked As Partys National Working President 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... Deepika Padukone Is The Cloud Dancer Vibe We Need In 2026 Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 08:35 IST Deepika Padukone was styled in two midi dresses from sustainable clothing brand Eka. Deepika Padukone kept her style minimal and fresh. Deepika Padukone puts the dancer in 2026s Pantone Colour of Year Cloud Dancer, with a fresh twist. Deepika posted a series of images from a recent shoot looking fresh as a daisy. The global star embraces minimal style in label Ekas ensemble featuring two dresses styled with elan by celebrity stylist Shaleena Nathani. Embracing the beauty of Ekas craftsmanship in the cotton silk blend ensemble, Deepika captioned the post with a fun caption which read as: brb, jumping into holiday mode. So while Deepika is setting the tone for the holiday season, heres decoding the dress she wore: Deepika Padukone picks slow fashion this holiday season The midi dress worn by Deepika Padukone comes with an adjustable strap and a flattering v-neckline. The dress features gathered tiers and ruffled embroidery inserts. Deepika paired the midi dress with another statement dress from Eka. Deepika chose the front-button V-neck dress. The dress comes with pintucks detailing on the bodice and lace inserts along the placket. The dress has a separate cotton-silk lining with organza trim for a delicate finish. The highlight of this 100 per cent cotton silk blend dresses are the collage patterns in hand block print which are complemented with multicoloured floral embroidery. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@deepikapadukone) Deepika looked effortlessly chic in this holiday look celebrating minimalist style with neverending fun. You can wear the style as separates or style it like Deepika. You could also throw on a denim jacket to keep it casual yet chic. Cloud Dancer Pantones 2026 Colour of the Year While Pantones Cloud Dancer which revolves around the colour white has received a lot of flak on the internet since the announcement, the colour mirrors the new energy vibe thats perfect to start the year with. On the fashion scale, it may look boring but white has always played the perfect canvas for labels and fashion houses to explore their creativity on. Heres looking at a fresh start with a lil dance. Deepika Padukones understated glam was done by celebrity make up artist Kritika Gill and her hair was styled by celebrity hair artist Prem Nair. Deepikas fun shoot was captured by celebrity photographer Vaishnav Praveen. Deepika kept the jewellery minimal and completed her look with pieces from Cartier. Deepika Padukones vibe is the Cloud Dancer 2026 deserves! News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 08:35 IST News lifestyle fashion Deepika Padukone Is The Cloud Dancer Vibe We Need In 2026 Kareena Kapoor Khan Champions Sustainable Fashion In Mulberry Silk And Chanderi Look Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 11:25 IST Kareena Kapoor wore an ivory checkered blouse by the brand SWGT. It is made with mulberry silk, which she paired with white linen pants. Kareena Kapoor Khan stuns in a sustainable outfit from SWGT Kareena Kapoor Khan is always a fashionista, and she was recently spotted channelling Geet (from Jab We Met), or at least the older, more mature version of her character, while attending an event in Mumbai that championed sustainable living. She looked elegant and chic in an ivory off-the-runway look from a homegrown brand that also believes in the ethos of living one with nature. The actor, who attended the Conscious Collective 2025 by the Godrej Enterprises Group, shared a few photos from the event. Kareena Kapoor captioned her post, Theres something beautiful about being in a space where design meets responsibility. @godrejdesignlab Conscious Collective brought together creators who care, about craft, community, and the planet. Left feeling inspired, moved, and full of hope for the future (sic)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) This was the third edition of Conscious Collective, and the theme was Reclaiming Cool: Beating the Heat Together. It brings together architects, policymakers, entrepreneurs and conservationists from India and around the world to partake in conversations, showcase installations and conduct workshops on design that is focused on heat-resilient design, sustainable living and climate action. Kareena Kapoor wore an ivory checkered blouse by the brand SWGT. It has a ruffled neckline and was made with mulberry silk. This is the highest quality silk that is produced by the Bombyx mori silkworm, as they exclusively eat mulberry leaves. The silk they produce is known for its pure white colour. SWGT is known for their modern take on nomadic expressions, and its traditional weaves mimic the terrains of the Himalayas. Kareena Kapoor paired the billowy, unstructured blouse with a pair of linen pants that had pops of blue floral motifs. She wore a matching long, open-front jacket that had a handwoven Chanderi overlay on it with applique embroidery. This entire outfit the 45-year-old actor wore was part of SWGTs Spring/Summer 2026 collection, which they debuted in November. The actor was styled by stylist Divyak DSouza, who further explained the look on his social media. He wrote, This beautiful look from @s.w.g.t is crafted in Mulberry silk from West Bengal, Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh, with applique handcrafted by an all-women collective in Uttar Pradesh. One look, many hands, all heart." To round off this look, Kareena Kapoor wore nude pumps and a delicate gold chain. For her glam, the actor tends to like her glossy pink lips with a hint of brown on her eyes. Kareenas makeup artist, Tanvi Chemburkar, chose to highlight and elongate her eyelashes while opting for a smudged, barely noticeable brown baby winged eyeliner. She was photographed by Vijit Gupta, and her shoulder-length hair was styled by Mitesh Rajani. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 11:25 IST News lifestyle fashion Kareena Kapoor Khan Champions Sustainable Fashion In Mulberry Silk And Chanderi Look Wed in India Initiative Fuels The Rise Of NRI And Expat Destination Weddings In India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 13:07 IST India is witnessing a surge in NRI and expat destination weddings as the Wed in India initiative encourages couples to bring celebrations home with global standards As the Wed in India movement gathers pace, its clear that modern Indian weddings are no longer about choosing between tradition and convenience, theyre about embracing both, thoughtfully and meaningfully. As Prime Minister Narendra Modis Wed in India" initiative gains national momentum, India is witnessing a meaningful shift in destination wedding preferencesparticularly among NRIs, expats, and internationally based families. Once inclined to celebrate abroad, many couples are now choosing to return to India, seeking venues that blend global standards with cultural authenticity. Two destinations reflecting this shift are Radisson Blu Greater Noida and Juna Mahal, Ranthambore, each appealing to a distinct yet growing segment of international wedding planners. Greater Noida: Convenience, Community, and Global Standards According to Babita Bhatt, EAM Sales, Radisson Blu Greater Noida, the hotel has seen a steady and significant rise in NRI and expat-led weddings over the past few years. As the Wed in India initiative gains traction, were seeing celebrations consciously move back to Indiaespecially among NRI and expat families looking for familiarity, accessibility, and value," she shares. The numbers reflect this growing confidence. Radisson Blu Greater Noida recorded a 12.3% growth in its weddings and social segment from 2023 to 2024, followed by a 19.86% increase from 2024 to 2025. With current enquiry trends, the hotel expects to close 2025 at approximately 8.75 crore, translating to nearly 20% year-on-year growth. A key driver behind this trend is the hotels strategic location. Situated close to AWHO, which houses a large community of Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force families, the property naturally attracts families whose younger members often live abroad. Many of these families prefer Radisson Blu Greater Noida for milestone weddings because it offers easy accessibility, operational ease, and a comfortable, at-home atmosphere," Bhatt explains. Equally influential is the hotels proximity to Jaypee Luxury Residences, a hub for HNI and NRI homeowners. Together, these micro-markets form what Bhatt describes as a high-trust, high-spend wedding clientele, aligning seamlessly with the sentiment of hosting grand yet meaningful celebrations in India. Another decisive factor for international families is Radisson Hotel Groups global sustainability framework. NRI couples often compare venues internationally," Bhatt notes. Our adherence to RHGs sustainability standards positions Radisson Blu Greater Noida as a globally aligned, eco-conscious wedding destination making the final decision easier for families planning from overseas." Ranthambore: Heritage, Experience, and Royal Immersion While urban luxury and convenience draw many couples to Greater Noida, others are gravitating toward heritage-rich destinations that offer immersive cultural experiences. Ranthambore, traditionally known for wildlife tourism, is fast emerging as a premium wedding destinationand Juna Mahal is at the forefront of this transformation. Both Ranthambore and Juna Mahal are gaining popularity for destination weddings because they combine luxury, heritage, and natural beauty," says Amitava Majumder, Head Sales (Travel Trade), Juna Mahal, Ranthambore. NRIs and expat families, in particular, are seeking authentic royal backdrops, and Juna Mahal delivers that experience." What distinguishes Juna Mahal, Majumder explains, is its unique architectural identity, an amalgamation of Spanish design elements and Indian cultural heritage paired with a dedicated wedding curation team focused on personalised, experiential celebrations. International guests today want more than just a venue; they want an experience rooted in Indias traditions," he says. From traditional welcome rituals to royal courtyard ceremonies, Juna Mahal offers deep cultural immersion that resonates strongly with overseas families. This positioning has resulted in a sharp rise in NRI enquiries from the US, UK, and Australia, driven by the propertys regal setting, bespoke hospitality, and the convenience of an all-in-one heritage venue. The growth metrics underline this momentum. Between 2023 and 2024, Juna Mahal saw revenue growth of 114.28% and a 66.67% increase in weddings. The following year tells an even stronger story: 2024 to 2025 witnessed a 477.78% rise in revenue and a 333.33% increase in the number of weddings, with bookings jumping from 15 to 65 weddings. Ranthambore is rapidly establishing itself as a premium destination wedding location," Majumder adds. And Juna Mahal is proud to be leading that evolution." A Return to Roots, Without Compromise Together, these two venues illustrate how Indias wedding landscape is evolving. Whether its the urban sophistication and global standards of Greater Noida or the royal heritage and experiential depth of Ranthambore, NRI and expat families are finding compelling reasons to bring their celebrations home. As the Wed in India" movement gathers pace, its clear that modern Indian weddings are no longer about choosing between tradition and convenience, theyre about embracing both, thoughtfully and meaningfully. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 13:07 IST News lifestyle Wed in India Initiative Fuels The Rise Of NRI And Expat Destination Weddings In India Opinion | The Hill, Hindu And The Law: Thiruparankundram And The Lamp That Exposed Unequal Secularism Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 19:55 IST The issue at hand concerns the lighting of the lamp at the Deepathoon, or lamp pillar, located on one of the peaks of the hill Rapid Read A lamp lit at Thiruparankundram temple as part of 'Karthigai Deepam' festival celebrations in Madurai district. (PTI photo) Lord Murugan, also known as Skanda, is often regarded as the presiding deity of Tamil Nadu. The six major temples dedicated to him, spread across the region, bear testimony to this enduring reverence. Collectively known as the Aarupadai Veedu, these temples are ancient and are celebrated in classical Tamil literature, having contributed immensely to Tamil culture, religion, literature, and language. Kamil Zvelebil, the distinguished Czech Indologist and one of the most respected modern scholars of Tamil language and literature, observed in one of his works: Murugan, the youthful god of victorious war, is ubiquitous in Tamil writing and culture. He is present in the earliest classical poems of Tamil as well as in the splendid [Chilappatikaaram], in the ruby-red and sea-blue and golden songs of Arunagiri, as well as in the very recent prayers to Murugan by A. K. Ramanujan." Unlike the variable and multiple versions of stories and myths associated with most Hindu deities, the narratives connected with Murugan, especially those recorded in the Tamil puranams, exhibit extreme regularity and lack of variation", says David Shulman, a distinguished scholar of South Indian religions and one of the most respected interpreters of Tamil literary and cultural history. Murugan is probably the most ancient and sacred tradition of devotion in Tamil Nadu that has continued to the present day, shaping the life and culture of the entire region. Long before Sufism reached India, and even before the emergence of Islam itself, Tamil Nadu praised, worshipped, and revered Muruga. The Tamil people worshipped him as a mischievous child, they worshipped him as a handsome youth, they worshipped him as a valiant warrior, they worshipped him as a philosopher, and they worshipped him as their ultimate lord. Many theories have been put forth about this deep association of Muruga with Tamil Nadu. Some claim that Muruga in some way represents Alexander the Great, and thus the name Skanda." Others suggest that Muruga originated as a totemic deity, while some argue that his worship contains elements drawn from Buddhism. Yet, none of these theories are sufficient to contain or explain the full complexity of his worship. Beyond all such theories and interpretations, the idea of Muruga continues to flow and enliven the spirituality of Tamil Nadu. A popular song from the 1950s beautifully expresses this devotion: O Muruga, even if you exist only in the realm of my imagination, even if you appear merely as a sculpted stone before me, my heart will never cease to remember you." Murugan, though often regarded as the beloved guardian deity of Tamil Nadu, is not confined to the region alone. He is known across India by many names: Kartikeya in some places, Subrahmanya in others, and by numerous variations elsewhere. His presence extends beyond regional devotion and finds a significant place even in the classical Sanskrit literary tradition. In Kalidasas works, too, Muruga worship appears with prominence; in the Meghaduta (Cloud Messenger), for instance, the longing lover asks the passing cloud to transform into a shower of flowers and offer worship to Skanda along its journey. This may well reflect the deep influence that Tamil traditions have exerted on other parts of India. In any case, within Tamil Nadu, Murugan holds an especially cherished and unique place. It is from within this rich heritage that one of the six ancient temples of Murugan, Thiruparankundram, now enters the news, and, as is all too often the case, for the wrong reasons. The Thiruparankundram Subrahmanya Swamy Temple is one of the oldest surviving cave temples in Tamil Nadu. The temple is situated on the hill of Tirupparankundram, literally the sacred hill of the divine lord," located in Madurai. The temple stands at the base of the hill, carved directly into the living rock. Devotees believe that this is the place where Murugan married Devasena, with Indra himself presenting the bride. Apart from its religious significance, it represents a remarkable investment of artistic and physical effort, for excavating a shrine from living rock demands far greater skill and labour than constructing one above ground, which makes the temple all the more important and precious. It features rock-cut sanctums, pillared halls, and sculpted interiors that seamlessly merge with the natural contours of the hill. The main idol of Murugan at the temple is carved directly into the rock and is part of the shrine itself. Not only is the structure an ancient shrine, but its antiquity is firmly attested by the inscriptions found within the temple complex. One inscription mentions the regnal year of the Pandyan king Manranchadaiyan, which corresponds to 771 CE; it records repairs made to the temple and its tank. Another inscription notes the date of the installation of the image of Ganapati, written in the Kalidina system, which translates to 773 CE. Apart from the rock-cut Murugan temple at the base of the Thiruparankundram hill, there is also a shrine midway up the hill that houses Ganesha and Thayumanavar (Shiva). It is evident from the inscriptions that the temple existed well before these repairs and renovations. Even if one assumes that the renovations and restorations recorded in these inscriptions happened after a period of two centuries, it becomes clear that the temple predates the emergence of Islam as a religious force, by a significant margin. This is important and relevant to recent discussions, because the summit of the sacred hill is now the site of a Muslim dargah. That is, the Murugan temple stands at the base of the hill, carved into the rock, and midway up the hill there is a shrine housing Ganesha and Shiva, while the dargah is situated at the summit. The Muslim shrine was built some time in the 13th century, over the grave of an Islamic chieftain and Sufi saint, Sultan Sikandar Shah. The site is significant for Muslims in another sense beyond the dargah, as it may be connected to the Iskandar cult," a tradition in which the central figure is Alauddin Khalji, who styled himself as a second Alexander" (Sikander-e-Sani). The arrival of this cult in South India, writes Crispin Branfoot in his study of the Madurai Nayaks and the Thirupparankundram temple, seems to be directly associated with the invasions of the Khaljis and subsequently the Tughluqs in the early fourteenth century." The issue at hand concerns the lighting of the lamp at the Deepathoon, or lamp pillar, located on one of the peaks of the hill. Lighting a lamp at the summit of a hill shrine is not a new practice; it is followed at many Hindu temples, including Thiruvannamalai and Sabarimala. Well before Hindu organisations or political groups became involved in the matter, devotees had attempted to light the lamp at the summit of the Thiruparankundram hill in 1862 and again in 1912. One argument put forward by DMK-aligned commentators is that the Deepathoon is not a lamp pillar at all, but merely a land survey pillar or stone that has been mistakenly identified as a lamp pillar, and that certain groups are deliberately fostering this misunderstanding in order to communalise the issue. However, the fact that the matter was before the courts as early as 1862 demonstrates that attempts to light the lamp at the summit of the hill are not new, that they did not originate as a political strategy of any contemporary organisation, and that the issue long predates modern political mobilisation. Indeed, even at that time, the Privy Councilthe highest court of the eraobserved that the construction of the mosque was an an infliction which the Hindus might well have been forced to put up with." Apart from the current controversy, a less discussed aspect is that there were also recent petitions before the court challenging the practice of animal sacrifice at the dargah. The animal sacrifice carried out at the dargah is not traditional and represents a relatively recent practice. Such practices are not essential to the religious functioning of a dargah. There are numerous dargahs across the country where animal sacrifice is not practised. The High Court judgment dated December 1, 2025, observed that the establishment of the mosque at a higher elevation than the Hindu shrine might have been driven by religious fervour, frenzy, or rivalry. Citing the 1923 judgment, the court further noted that the Devasthanam chose to remain silent either due to the political helplessness of the Hindu community at the time or owing to the spirit of toleration so characteristic of the Hindu mind. The current dispute begins with a devout follower of Murugan, Mr. Rama Ravikumar, seeking permission to light the Karthikai Deepam, the traditional festival lamp lit in honour of Murugan and Shiva during the Tamil month of Karthikai, at the Deepathoon. The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department, which maintains the temple, stated that, in keeping with established custom, the lamp would be lit near the Ganapati shrine, the Uchi Pillayar Kovil, located midway up the hill. Mr. Rama Ravikumar then approached the court seeking permission to light the lamp at the Deepathoon and challenging the departments decision. Like the attempts to light the lamp at the summit of the hill, the legal dispute over the boundaries and rights of the temple and the dargah is also not new. The matter has come up repeatedly in the courts for more than a century, with the first civil suit filed in 1920. The suit was decided, and the judgment held that the top of the hillock where the mosque and the flagstaff stand, the steps leading to it, and the parcel of land near the dargah known as Nellithoppu which is being used as a burial ground, belong to the Muslim defendants, while the remainder of the hill belongs to the Devasthanam. In other words, apart from the dargah and the limited parcels of land associated with it, the Devasthanam was recognised as the owner of the hill. The Deepathoon, or lamp pillar, is situated on the hill at a location owned by the Devasthanam. Although the lighting of the lamp was a matter of contention in the past, it has not been a major issue in recent times for the Muslim community at large, nor for those managing the dargah in particular. In a 1996 judgment, the Madurai Sub Court stated that it is open to the Devasthanam to permit the lighting of the Deepam for future years at any place in Thirupparankundram Hill with the prior permission of the authorities" and further observed that, while permitting any person to light the Deepam, due regard must be given to the proximity of the dargah and that a suitable location at least 15 metres away should be chosen. This 15-metre boundary was accepted by the dargah authorities both then and subsequently. In a resolution passed at a peace committee meeting held on December 1, 2005, at the office of the Revenue Divisional Officer, the dargah authorities again agreed to the lighting of the lamp, subject to the sole condition that it be at least 15 metres away from the dargah. Despite this, strangely (or perhaps not so strangely) the HR & CE Department under the DMK government denied permission to a devotee to light the lamp, compelling him to approach the High Court to seek permission. In its detailed judgment, the court observed that the Deepathoon is located at least 50 metres away from the dargah and stands on a portion of land that belongs to the Devasthanam. The temple management also informed the court that, apprehending that some overenthusiastic devotees might attempt to light the lamp, it had hurriedly erected a covering around the Deepathoon. This, the court noted, further demonstrated that the Deepathoon and the surrounding area belong to the temple management; had the site belonged to the dargah, or had the dargah authorities believed it to be theirs, they would not have permitted the temple management to cover the pillar. In essence, the very location of the dargah suggests that it was established as an infliction which the Hindus might well have been forced to put up with," as observed by the British Privy Council over a century ago. The area on which the Deepathoon stands belongs to the Devasthanam, and the dargah authorities had previously agreed that they had no objection to a lamp being lit at a distance of 15 metres from the dargah. Further, lighting a lamp at the summit of a hill shrine is a practice rooted in ancient tradition. Taking all these facts into account, the court, in its judgment delivered on December 1 this year, directed the temple management/Devasthanam to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon, in addition to the usual places. The courts judgment is available online for anyone to read. It is a detailed, comprehensive, and well-reasoned decision, reflecting a thorough judicial examination of the issue and taking into account earlier court observations and rulings dating back to the period of British rule. One of the allegations made against the judgment is that it fails to consider previous judicial observations and orders. This claim is emphatically unfounded. In the judgment, Justice G. R. Swaminathan notes that he personally visited the site. The judgment also examines historical records relating to the temple and analyses prior judgments in considerable detail. It is this judgment that the Tamil Nadu government appears unwilling to adhere to. When the court initiated contempt proceedings, the governments response rested largely on technical legal objections. Subsequently, the government proceeded with an impeachment motion against the judge, which, given the composition of Parliament, is widely expected to fail. This brings us to the central question in this entire episode: why should the Tamil Nadu government object so vociferously to the lighting of the lamp at Thiruparankundram Hill, more than even the dargah authorities or the Muslim community itself? The government may seek to justify its position by invoking secularism, claiming that it is attempting to safeguard minority rights. But what of the rights of the majority? Why should a secular government assume that curtailing or denying the rights of the majority is tantamount to protecting the rights of the minority? Anybody would understand the sentiments surrounding the construction of a mosque or a dargah atop a hill beneath which an ancient temple stands. One might hesitate to say this explicitly, for fear of being branded non-secular or communal by the liberal crowd. Yet, the British Privy Council itself observed over a century ago that the construction of the mosque was an infliction which the Hindus might well have been forced to put up with." Whatever the original intention may have been, the mosque or dargah was constructed, and it was maintained by Muslims for centuries without opposition from the temple or from the community that visits and worships there. This gesture of goodwill was, sadly, not reciprocated. That large-heartedness went unappreciated. At the very least, there should have been an effort to respect the rituals and beliefs of the majority community that has worshipped at the cave temple for millennia. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Not only was such respect absent, but practices such as animal sacrifice atop the hill also took place, further demonstrating a lack of regard and friendliness toward another faith. The Deepathoon controversy occurred after all this, and yet the government still expects accommodation to come from only one side. And here lies the real problem. Accommodation, tolerance, and restraint are expected endlessly from only one side, while even the most modest assertion of long-established rights by the majority is portrayed as provocation. Those who oppose the BJP or Hindu nationalism routinely lament the rise of Hindutva," yet remain wilfully blind to the everyday injustices, double standards, and moral asymmetries that fuel it. When centuries of forbearance are dismissed, when judicially affirmed rights are denied in the name of a skewed secularism, and when even a simple ritual lamp becomes a political transgression, resentment is not manufacturedit is cultivated. Hindutva did not arise in a vacuum; it grew precisely from this persistent demand that only Hindus must adjust, concede, and remain silent, even when the law, history, and basic fairness are on their side. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. 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 14, 2025, 19:44 IST News opinion Opinion | The Hill, Hindu And The Law: Thiruparankundram And The Lamp That Exposed Unequal Secularism 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 Tussle: MLA Claims Shivakumar To Replace Siddaramaiah As Karnataka CM On Jan 6 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 08:33 IST A Congress MLAs claim about a January 6 leadership change has reignited speculation over an ongoing power tussle in Karnataka. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar. (Image: File) Fresh claims by a Congress MLA have added fuel to ongoing rumours of a leadership change in Karnataka. Ramanagara MLA H A Iqbal Hussain said on Saturday, December 14, that Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is likely to take over as chief minister on January 6, replacing Siddaramaiah. His remarks have once again brought the Congress power tussle into sharp focus. Speaking to reporters, Hussain said there was a 99 per cent chance" that Shivakumar would assume the top post early next year. He argued that the deputy chief minister should be given a chance to lead the state. Hussain also said January 6 or January 9 were being widely discussed, though he admitted there was no clear reason behind the dates. A day earlier too, he had openly voiced support for Shivakumar, making his stand clear within the party. BJP backs G Parameshwara The debate took a political turn after BJP MP and Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna expressed support for Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara as a future chief minister. Addressing a programme in Tumakuru, Somanna said leadership was a matter of luck and public wish. He said people in Tumakuru wanted Parameshwara to lead the state. Asked about Shivakumar, Somanna played down his prospects, saying ambition depended on luck and conduct mattered more than power. His comments, though from the opposition, added to the wider discussion around leadership in Karnataka. Congress meet in Delhi Amid these statements, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar are expected to meet Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Delhi on December 14. Sources said the meeting would take place after the partys mega rally at Ramlila Maidan, held as part of its Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod campaign. The meeting is being seen as crucial, as tensions over leadership have grown within the party. The Congress currently enjoys a comfortable majority, with nearly 140 MLAs in the 224-member Assembly. Speculation about a possible leadership change gained pace after the government completed half of its five-year term on November 20. There have been reports of a possible agreement to split the chief ministers tenure equally between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. While neither the party nor the leaders have confirmed this, Shivakumar recently hinted at a secret deal" without giving details. So far, no open confrontation has emerged, with both leaders maintaining public restraint despite growing political buzz. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Karnataka, India, India First Published: December 14, 2025, 07:51 IST News politics Congress Tussle: MLA Claims Shivakumar To Replace Siddaramaiah As Karnataka CM On Jan 6 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... How 45-Year-Old Nitin Nabin Became Youngest Working President Of Worlds Largest Party BJP Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 18:45 IST A five-time MLA, Nitin Nabin has served multiple terms as a minister in the Bihar government Rapid Read Nitin Nabin has spent considerable time working with the BJPs Yuva Morcha. (PTI) After a prolonged period of anticipation, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as its new Working President. The decision was taken by the partys Parliamentary Board, signalling a clear generational and organisational shift within the BJPs leadership structure. It is expected that Nabin will be elected as the National President of the BJP next year soon after Makar Sakranti (January 14). Earlier, JP Nadda was also made the National Working President of the party before being elected the national president. Nitin Nabin at 45 now ranks among the youngest Working Presidents in the partys history, a factor the BJP appears keen to highlight as it looks to blend youthful energy with administrative experience. Despite his relatively young age, Nabin brings with him a substantial political resume that spans governance, organisation-building and mass outreach. Shri Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil peoples Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2025 Young, dynamic, and ideologically rooted, Nabin is believed to be deeply committed to the organisation. This appointment reflects the BJPs focus on capable leadership and signals a generational shift. The BJP had recently made another young leader, Harsh Sanghavi, as Deputy chief minister of Gujarat. A five-time MLA, Nitin Nabin has served multiple terms as a minister in the Bihar government, giving him hands-on experience in administration and public service. Within the party, he is widely regarded as a leader who understands both policy-making and grassroots realities, having worked closely with people at the constituency level over several election cycles. His organisational credentials are equally significant. Nabin has spent considerable time working with the BJPs Yuva Morcha, where he played a role in mobilising young workers and strengthening the partys youth base. This background is seen as an asset at a time when the BJP is placing renewed emphasis on energising its cadre and expanding its appeal among first-time and young voters. In addition, Nabin has experience as a state prabhari, giving him exposure to inter-state organisational management and strategic coordination beyond Bihar. This experience is expected to help him navigate the complexities of party organisation at a higher level. By elevating Nabin to the post of Working President, the BJP appears to be betting on a leader who combines youth with experience, governance with organisation, and grassroots connect with strategic oversight. The appointment underscores the partys intent to groom a new generation of leaders while maintaining continuity in its political and organisational approach. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him calling him a hardworking Karyakarta" who has diligently worked to fulfil peoples aspirations". His political journey started in 2006 when he became a MLA from Patna West with 65,167 margin. In the following years, he continued to win from Bankipur for three times and in 2021 became minister in the Bihar government handling roadways and in 2024 handling urban affairs. After the recent Bihar win, he was handed roadways ministry once again. Even within the organisation, he rose from the scratch. From 2008, when he was just national working committee member of BJYM to becoming Chhattisgarh Prabhari in July 2024, Nabin has indeed come a long way. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 18:40 IST News politics How 45-Year-Old Nitin Nabin Became Youngest Working President Of Worlds Largest Party BJP 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... Modi Tera Kamal Khilega: BJP Hits Out At Congress Workers For Abusive Slogans Against PM Modi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 14:27 IST BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari posted a clip of the Congress workers shouting the slogans, calling it proof of Congresss extremist mindset. The Congress party is holding a rally in Ram Lilla Maidan on Saturday. (X @pradip103) BJP on Sunday accused Congress workers of issuing death threats" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after a video surfaced showing them shouting Modi teri kabra khudegi" ahead of the Oppositions rally at Ramlila Maidan. BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari posted the clip online, calling it proof of the Congresss extremist mindset," and said the public would respond with the slogan, Modi tera kamal khilega." Pradeep Bhandari further alleged that Congress Mahila Morcha workers who shouted Modi teri kabra khudegi" were now claiming that unrest can happen on the streets, like in other countries." He said the shift from issuing death threats" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to openly predicting street violence showed Congress workers under Rahul Gandhi were gathering at Ramlila Maidan to create unrest against Indian democracy and to protect illegal infiltrators." Bhandari added, Its People of India vs Congress now." The controversy erupted as Congress prepares to hold a rally at Ram Lilla Maidan on Monday. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said the rally at Ramlila Maidan marks a step towards a decisive political battle," asserting that large crowds are expected. Our party has organised the Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod rally the Congress party has taken a step towards a decisive battle," Baghel said. MODI TERI KABRA KHUDEGI".Congress workers ahead of the rally in Ramlila Maidan shout slogans Giving death threats to PM @narendramodi ! Congress has become a Muslim League Maovadi Party under Rahul Gandhi backed by Urban Naxals! People of India will respond to this threat by pic.twitter.com/TI8vjAtTkm Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) December 14, 2025 The Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" campaign has been building momentum in recent weeks. On November 27, tensions escalated in Lucknow when Youth Congress workers protesting over the SIR issue attempted to breach police barricades near the Vidhan Sabha. Several demonstrators were detained after refusing to disperse. Youth Congress leaders accused police of using force against a peaceful protest, vowing to continue their agitation. Amid the political confrontation, Independent MP Pappu Yadav criticised the Election Commission over its handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, calling the poll body Dhritrashtra" and accusing it of ignoring constitutional norms. The Supreme Court recently allowed the EC to proceed with the revision while advising it to consider Aadhaar, ration cards and EPIC as valid identity documents. BJP MP Yogender Chandolia backed the ECs approach and said names of foreign nationals, including those from Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh, must be removed from electoral rolls. He urged similar exercises in other states to ensure electoral integrity. The war of words continues as political temperatures rise ahead of the Congress rally, now shadowed by the slogan controversy and a sharp BJP counterattack. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 12:54 IST News politics Modi Tera Kamal Khilega: BJP Hits Out At Congress Workers For Abusive Slogans Against PM Modi Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This Mystical Karnataka River Has 1,000 Shiva Lingas & A Unique Connection With Cambodia: Here No One Should... Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 08:00 IST Sahasralinga features 1,000 Shiva lingas intricately carved on rocks along the banks of the river Shalmala. The site bears similarity to Cambodias Kbal Spean. (Photo Credit: Instagram) India is a land of unparalleled natural beauty. There are countless breathtaking locations. One such gem is Karnatakas Sahasralinga, a renowned pilgrimage site in the town of Sirsi. Famous for its approximately 1,000 intricately carved Shiva lingas etched into rocks along the banks of the Shalmala River, Sahasralinga draws devotees from across the country. The pilgrimage site attracts devotees from all over the country. A video that grabbed attention on Instagram recently shows the natural beauty of Sahasralinga and its pristine surroundings. Video Of Sahasralinga Goes Viral The clip was shared with the caption, A river full of Shivlings Sahasralinga, Karnataka. Carved into rocks along the Shalmala River by King Sadashiv-arayavarma, each linga faces its own Nandi. Best seen when the waters recede a divine sight revealed. The video shows the pilgrimage site when the water recedes, and the Shiva lingas are visible. There are garlands and flowers visible near some of the lingas. The force of the river water has not chipped away at the lingas or the carvings of Nandi around them. There is also a sign at the spot, warning people to keep the place clean. Many users on social media platforms were left impressed by the clip. An individual said, This place is very beautiful..full of craved on stones divine place." Another chanted, Har har mahadev." One user claimed, Thats natural, no one has carved, and the stones are not from this planet Jai Kaal Bhairav." One account struck a cautionary note. In a few years, these will be missing. Already few were missing," the comment read. All About Sahasralinga The pilgrimage spot is a popular destination for devotees during Maha Shivratri, as per a Times of India report. It is best to visit Sahasralinga when the water level is low, so that the carvings are visible. The lingas were built by King Sadashivaraya between 1678 and 1718. Each linga has a carving of Nandi positioned in front of it. As per TOI, the place bears similarity to Kbal Spean or the Head Bridge in Cambodia. Both sites feature around a thousand intricately carved Shiva lingas within a river. Unlike Sahasralinga, the Cambodian site is harder to visit and is not seen as sacred. There is limited information on the reason behind carving these lingas at Kbal Spean. As per local beliefs, the lingas are a symbol of creative energy, and the flowing water over them is believed to improve the fertility of nearby rice fields. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 14, 2025, 08:00 IST News viral This Mystical Karnataka River Has 1,000 Shiva Lingas & A Unique Connection With Cambodia: Here No One Should... 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... COTONOU, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Young people from about a dozen movements in Benin on Saturday organized a peaceful march in the streets of Cotonou, the country's economic capital and largest city, to condemn the attempted coup of Dec. 7, Xinhua observed at the scene. Setting off from Fidjrosse toward the Place de l'Amazone along a route of more than five kilometers, the demonstrators, estimated at over 5,000 people, sang and chanted slogans denouncing the mutineers. "We say no to any challenge to the constitutional order in Benin," "No more coups in Benin," and "Beninese youth stand for continuity and the country's development," they proclaimed. Placards and banners carried by the demonstrators bore messages such as "No to the use of weapons to seize power," "No to undermining democratically established institutions," and "No to violence as a means of political expression." Gislain Guidi, national coordinator of the Network of Ambassadors for Development, reaffirmed the movement's unwavering support for President Patrice Talon and the defense and security forces that remain loyal to the constitutional order. "We extend our respect, gratitude and admiration to the loyalist defense and security forces. Their vigilance, determination and professionalism helped preserve the constitutional order and spared the Beninese people from bloody and harmful excesses," he said. 2 Dead, 8 Critical In Shooting At US Brown University; Trump Briefed On Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 07:15 IST Local media reported clothing and blood visible on the sidewalk as law enforcement and first responders swarmed the area. Police officers and first responders gather at Waterman St. and Thayer in response to a shooting. (AP) Two people were killed and eight others critically wounded after a gunman opened fire inside Brown Universitys engineering and physics building early on Sunday, triggering a full campus lockdown as the attacker fled. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the eight injured victims were in critical but stable" condition, while students across the Ivy League campus were urged to shelter in place. The shooting occurred inside the Barus and Holley building, where multiple exams were scheduled at the time. Brown issued an emergency alert at 4:22 pm, warning of an active shooter" and instructing students to lock doors, silence phones and remain hidden. Local media reported clothing and blood on the sidewalk as police, federal agents and emergency responders flooded the scene. US President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on the incident, adding that the FBI was already deployed. The FBI is on the scene. The suspect is in custody. God bless the victims and the families of the victims!" he said earlier. Calling the attack a terrible thing," Trump added, All we can do right now is pray for the victims." FBI Director Kash Patel said federal personnel were fully engaged at the site. In a post on X, he wrote: FBI personnel are on the scene and assisting this evening after the shooting at Brown University and we will provide all capabilities necessary. Please pray for all those involved. We will update with more information as we are able." Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also assisting. Deputy Police Chief Timothy OHara said the suspectdescribed as a man dressed entirely in blackwas last seen leaving the building, and no weapon had been recovered. Were utilising every resource possible to find this suspect. The shelter in place is still in order, and I urge people to take that very seriously," he said. Students reported moments of panic as shots rang out. Katie Sun told the Brown Daily Herald she was studying in a nearby building when she heard gunfire and ran back to her dorm, leaving her belongings behind. It was honestly quite terrifying. The shots seemed like they were coming from where the classrooms are," she said. Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, has about 11,000 students. The incident adds to the long list of shootings on US campuses, where efforts to restrict access to firearms continue to face political stalemate. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 07:03 IST News world 2 Dead, 8 Critical In Shooting At US Brown University; Trump Briefed On Attack 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... Antisemitism Is A Cancer: Netanyahu Says Australia Failed To Act On Rising Jew Hatred Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 21:07 IST Benjamin Netanyahu accused Canberra of having fuelled antisemitism in the period leading up to the shooting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP file photo) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused Australias Anthony Albanese government of having fuelled antisemitism in the period leading up to the mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach that left at least 12 people dead and several others injured. While speaking at a government meeting in Dimona, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that Canberras stance in the months leading up to the attack had contributed to a climate of hostility against Jewish communities. A few months ago I wrote to the Australian prime minister in which I gave him warning that the Australian governments policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia," Netanyahu said, referring to a letter he sent to Albanese n August, following Australias announcement that it would recognise Palestinian statehood. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a government meeting in Dimona:On August 17, about 4 months ago, I sent Prime Minister Albanese of Australia a letter in which I gave him warning that the Australian governments policy was promoting and encouraging antisemitism in Australia pic.twitter.com/lZZDFsa91W Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 14, 2025 Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets," the Prime Ministers Office said in a series of posts on X, quoting Netanyahu. Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent; it retreats when leaders act. I call upon you to replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve," he added. The Israeli Prime Minister accused the Australian government of inaction despite what he described as clear warning signs. Instead of action, your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia. You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action. You let the disease spread and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today," Netanyahu said. He further praised the bravery of a civilian, identified as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, who intervened during the attack and managed to overpower him. We saw an action of a brave man turns out a Muslim brave man and I salute him," he said, crediting the individual with stopping one of the attackers from killing more people. A 15-second video has gone viral on social media platforms, which showed the man initially taking cover behind parked cars before charging the shooter from behind. He can be seen grabbing the gunman by the neck, wresting away his rifle, and pinning him to the ground while aiming the gun back at him. However, Netanyahu said individual acts of courage could not substitute for decisive government action. But it requires the action of your government, which you are not taking. And you have to, because history will not forgive hesitation and weakness. It will honor action and strength," he said, urging Western governments to take tougher measures against antisemitism. Linking the Sydney shooting to broader global security concerns, Netanyahu said attacks on Jews and attacks on the West were interconnected. He cited the killing of American soldiers in Syria as evidence that extremist violence targeted shared democratic values. Those who target Israelis will spend the rest of their brief anxious lives knowing that Israel will hunt them, find them and ruthlessly dispose of them," he wrote, saying Israels approach mirrored that of the United States. Netanyahu also expressed condolences to the American people following the deaths of US personnel abroad, saying Israel would continue to take action against those who sought to harm its citizens in Gaza, in Lebanon, anywhere around us." What Happened At Bondi Beach? At least 12 people were killed, and several others were injured after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,0002,000 attendees at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday. As per local media reports, over 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or shelter indoors. New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed the incident and said that twelve people were killed in the shooting, including a man believed to be one of the shooters, while the second alleged gunman is in critical condition. At least 29 others have been injured, two of whom are police officers. The police said that emergency services were called to Campbell Parade at around 6:45 pm local time after reports of shots being fired, prompting a large-scale response by officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command. They further said that two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the entire zone remains under lockdown and an active security operation continues. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Israel First Published: December 14, 2025, 21:05 IST News world Antisemitism Is A Cancer: Netanyahu Says Australia Failed To Act On Rising Jew Hatred 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... Attack On Jewish Hanukkah Gathering At Sydney's Bondi Beach Suggests Careful Planning: Intel Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Aveek Banerjee Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 16:34 IST A mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday left at least 10 people dead, including one of the two shooters. Rapid Read Two gunmen dressed in black firing multiple shots on a bridge at Bondi Beach in Sydney. (AFP) A mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday left at least 10 people dead, and authorities are investigating a possible terror angle even as it has not been confirmed so far. According to an intelligence assessment of the attack by CNN-News18, the Bondi Beach attack will be examined closely as it targeted a religious and cultural gathering that provided both symbolic value and maximum visibility. The manner of the attack suggested careful planning in advance. There is a possibility that the attackers deliberately chose a Jewish religious event to provoke communal fear or gain ideological attention. The incident showed signs of a terrorist or ideologically-motivated attack by deliberately targeting a Hanukkah celebration. Sending A Message The targeting of a symbolic religious gathering with a large civilian presence is aligned with patterns seen in lone wolf extremist attacks of the past. Intel sources confirmed to CNN-News18 that the shooting was being examined as a possible terror attack. Sources say the choice of a Hanukkah celebration, the presence of two attackers, coordinated attire, and sustained high-volume firing suggested advance planning. Investigators are probing whether the attackers intended to target a specific community and generate wider public fear. Australian authorities have not revealed the established motive, the background of the attackers or any ideological links, even as they are analysing digital footprints, overseas links and radicalisation indicators. Investigators are also probing whether the attack was inspired by extremist narratives circulating online. Israel Slams Australian Govt Indian government sources told News18 that the attack could be a result of an anti-Jewish narrative that has been on the rise since the Gaza conflict. This particular attack fit a broader trend of violence targeting the Jewish diaspora that was seen in Europe and North America. Israeli officials criticised the Australian government for failing to deal with serious antisemitic violence in the country. It is pertinent to mention that tensions between Israel and Australia rose after the latter joined the United Kingdom and Canada to recognise a Palestinian state amid massive outrage over Israels military offensive in Gaza. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned Sundays shooting in Sydney, calling it a cruel attack on Jews" and urging the Australian authorities to step up the fight against rising antisemitism in the country. Israeli Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, called it the most severe and devastating terrorist attack ever carried out against the Jewish community" in Australia and criticised the government for normalising boycotts against Jews and failing to tackle serious antisemitic incidents. A government that normalised boycotts against Jews solely because they are Jewish, normalised marches in which flags of Al-Qaeda, the PLO, and Hamas were openly displayed, and for two years failed to act decisively against serious antisemitic incidents, bears full responsibility for the horrific scenes we witnessed today," he added. Over the past hour, I have held a series of conversations with leaders of the Jewish community in Australia, following the most severe and devastating terrorist attack ever carried out against the Jewish community in the country. Dozens were harmed both killed and wounded.On Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) December 14, 2025 The head of Australias Jewish Association said a shooting Sunday at Sydneys Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah event was a tragedy but entirely foreseeable", saying the Albanese government was warned but failed to take action. Meanwhile, a top Muslim organisation in Australia condemned the horrific" shooting, expressing solidarity with the victims. Tel Aviv is currently coordinating with Australian authorities on threat pattern analysis. The incident is likely to raise alert levels for Jewish communities worldwide. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Sydney, Australia First Published: December 14, 2025, 16:08 IST News world Attack On Jewish Hanukkah Gathering At Sydney's Bondi Beach Suggests Careful Planning: Intel 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... Bondi Beach Attacker Identified As 24-Year-Old Naveed Akram, Ideological Motivation Under Probe Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Shobhit Gupta Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 16:56 IST As part of the investigation, security agencies have carried out raids at Akrams residence in Bonnyrigg, a suburb in south-west Sydney. Australian authorities have identified one of the gunmen involved in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney as Naveed Akram. (X) Australian authorities have identified one of the gunmen involved in the mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach that left at least 12 people dead, and are investigating a possible terror angle, though it has not been confirmed so far. The shooter, identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram, along with other gunman, opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,0002,000 attendees at the Hanukkah event on Sunday. As per local media reports, over 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or shelter indoors. Australian counter-terrorism teams are actively probing possible ideological or extremist motivations behind the attack, as it targeted a religious and cultural gathering that provided both symbolic value and maximum visibility, sources told CNN-News18. As part of the investigation, security agencies have carried out raids at Akrams residence in Bonnyrigg, a suburb in south-west Sydney, to identify signs of online radicalisation, including the consumption or circulation of extremist material and Gaza-linked narratives, sources added. Bonnyrigg and surrounding areas in south-west Sydney have previously featured in counter-terrorism ideological mapping exercises, owing to past radicalisation cases, concerns over extremist returnees, and online extremist penetration, according to security assessments. As per sources, the region has also been linked to investigations into earlier lone attacks. What Happened At Bondi Beach? At least 12 people were killed, and several others were injured after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,0002,000 attendees at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday. As per local media reports, over 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or shelter indoors. New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed the incident and said that twelve people were killed in the shooting, including a man believed to be one of the shooters, while the second alleged gunman is in critical condition. At least 29 others have been injured, two of whom are police officers. In a post on X, the police said that they were responding to a developing incident" at Bondi Beach and urged the public to avoid the area and take shelter. The police said that emergency services were called to Campbell Parade at around 6:45 pm local time after reports of shots being fired, prompting a large-scale response by officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command. They further said that two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the entire zone remains under lockdown and an active security operation continues. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Sydney, Australia First Published: December 14, 2025, 16:56 IST News world Bondi Beach Attacker Identified As 24-Year-Old Naveed Akram, Ideological Motivation Under Probe 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... BRICS Not Aimed Against Any Country, Or To Replace US Dollar: Brazilian Vice President | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 19:05 IST Earlier this year, Brazil hosted the BRICS Summit at a time when emerging economies are pushing for greater voice in a global financial system still dominated by the US dollar Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin visited India in October 2025. (Image: AFP/File) As Brazil hands over the BRICS baton to India for its 2026 chairship, New Delhi and Rio are positioning themselves as steady partners within an increasingly consequential bloc. Earlier this year, Brazil hosted the BRICS Summit at a time when emerging economies are pushing for greater voice in a global financial system still dominated by the US dollar. In that context, during an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Brazilian Vice President and Minister for Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, who visited India in October 2025, spoke at length about the future of the BRICS alliance, President Donald Trumps repeated tariff warnings, and Brazils calibrated approach to great-power competition. He also outlined the expanding contours of IndiaBrazil cooperation, spanning trade, defence, and technology, Brazils assessment of Indias Akash missile system, and ongoing efforts to enable UPI-style digital payments in Brazil. Crucially, Alckmin also shared details on the preparations underway for President Lulas visit to India in February 2026, which both sides see as a key milestone in the bilateral relationship. Excerpts from the interview: Brazil hosted the 17th BRICS Summit in 2025, raising issues such as local-currency settlement and AI governance. Looking ahead at 2026, which two policy areas would you like India to prioritise as the new chair? BRICS covers a broad range of areas for cooperation, including trade, sustainable development, technological innovation, health, and finance. As chair, India has the prerogative to shape the agenda and highlight the themes it considers most pressing for the bloc. Brazil is attentive to the priorities that will be presented by India and stands ready to engage constructively with its leadership to advance shared objectives. As both Brazil and India are key members of BRICS, how do you assess the groupings role in a global economy still dominated by the US dollar? With President Donald Trump repeatedly warning of tariffs, should BRICS recalibrate its ambitions, or are these threats not taken seriously by Brazil? BRICS is not aimed against any country. Its purpose is to give emerging economies greater voice and more effective tools within a global system that remains dominated by developed economies. Discussions on local-currency settlements and alternative payment arrangements are intended to reduce costs and vulnerabilities, not to replace the US dollar. At the same time, Brazil maintains a constructive relationship with Washington while deepening SouthSouth cooperation with partners such as India. This dual approach reflects pragmatism rather than confrontation. With the Trump administrations tariffs hitting Brazil, India, and several other countries, do you believe the US is unintentionally pushing emerging economies toward BRICS? BRICS reflects the growing importance of emerging economies. I dont see it as a push, but as a movement seeking a greater balance among diverse partnerships. Dialogue and collaboration, both bilateral and multilateral, remain crucial for the prosperity of all nations. Brazil recently became the second BRICS member, after India, to decline joining Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). What motivated that decision, and what does it signal about Brazils strategic autonomy? Does this align Brazil more closely with Indias own concerns about the BRI, and could it reshape Latin Americas broader posture toward China? Brazil maintains an excellent relationship with China, our main commercial partner, underpinned by a strategic partnership and high-level dialogue mechanisms. Recognising the unique nature of our bilateral ties, we follow a tailored approach, which was reaffirmed during President Xi Jinpings visit to Brazil at the end of 2024. On your recent visit to India in October, which has been described as ushering in a new phase of the Brazil-India Strategic Partnership, could you elaborate on what new phase" means in concrete terms which sectors (trade, defence, technology, services) will see the fastest acceleration, and how will Brazil and India ensure follow-through beyond headline announcements? Our strategic partnership with India dates back to 2006, and what we are seeing today is a qualitative deepening of that relationship. Bilateral trade has grown steadily, reaching $13.6 billion by November this year. President Lula and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have set an ambitious target of raising this to $20 billion by 2030, with a focus on diversifying beyond oil, sugar, and fertilisers into value-added manufacturing, services, digital technologies, and green industries. An important step in this new phase is the expansion of the Mercosur-India Preferential Trade Agreement, which currently covers only a limited share of our trade potential. Broadening it would reduce barriers and provide a more predictable environment for businesses on both sides. Brazil and India, as democratic leaders of the Global South, are also translating shared priorities into practical cooperation in energy transition, health, digital public infrastructure, and defence industries. New coordination mechanisms between our ministries are aimed at ensuring that progress is defined by delivery, not headlines. We are also encouraged by growing business-to-business engagement, particularly through the BrazilIndia Business Leaders Forum, which we see as a key platform to advance trade, investment, and innovation. President Lula is expected to visit India in February 2026. What key deliverables are being prepared for that trip? Should we anticipate major announcements in trade, defence or digital cooperation? President Lulas visit to India next year is being prepared as a major milestone, with several concrete deliverables expected. The visit will also coincide with an AI summit hosted by the Indian government. On trade, we aim to significantly expand the Mercosur-India Preferential Trade Agreement to reduce barriers and boost bilateral commerce. In defence, we are exploring industrial cooperation in areas such as aerospace, naval projects, and joint research, where Brazilian and Indian capabilities are complementary. In the digital domain, Brazil and India are global leaders when it comes to public infrastructure. Our focus is on translating this leadership into practical cooperation in payments, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and innovation. India has pitched the Akash missile system to Brazil. Where does the evaluation stand today, and what is the realistic timeline for a final decision? Is Brazil considering a more ambitious model rather than straightforward procurement? Brazil and India have significant potential for cooperation in the aerospace and defence industries. During my recent visit to India, I inaugurated Embraers new office in New Delhi, which reflects this growing engagement. We have held important discussions on joint production and technology transfer, and Brazil remains very open to advancing these possibilities. Prime Minister Modi said in Brasilia that India and Brazil are working together on the adoption of UPI in Brazil". What concrete steps are underway to bring UPI-style digital payments into Brazils domestic system? Indias UPI and Brazils PIX are two of the worlds most successful digital public infrastructure systems. The current work is focused on interoperability, including aligning standards, QR codes, messaging formats, and settlement mechanisms to enable low-cost cross-border payments. The aim is to build practical bridges between the two systems, benefiting remittances, tourism, and business transactions, with scope for broader financial inclusion initiatives in the future. This effort sits within a wider digital agenda covering open finance, instant payments, and the potential role of central bank digital currencies. The Red Fort blast in New Delhi killed 13 people. What is your view on the recent terror attack, and do you believe BRICS should move toward a more explicit joint position on counterterrorism? We extend our condolences to the victims, and reiterate that terrorism must be combated in all international fora. On connectivity and mobility, Brazil has announced a business e-visa for Indian travellers. When is the go-live date, and can we expect a direct India-Brazil flight by the end of 2026? Brazil has decided to introduce a business e-visa for Indian travellers. Our authorities are finalising the remaining regulatory and technical steps, and the system is expected to go live shortly. We prefer precision over haste and will announce the exact date once all testing is completed. As for direct flights, both governments see connectivity as a strategic priority. While the final decision rests with the airlines, we are actively engaging aviation authorities on both sides to support a commercially viable route. Our objective is to establish direct connectivity by the end of 2026. Beyond economics and strategy, the Brazil-India partnership also has cultural depth. Brazils inclusion of yoga and ayurveda in its healthcare frameworks received attention during your visit. How do you plan to deepen this cultural and people-to-people engagement to build long-term affinity? During my recent visit to India, I had the opportunity to visit an ayurveda hospital and learn more about traditional Indian medicine. I believe there is significant scope for deeper cooperation in holistic and traditional healthcare approaches, particularly within Brazils public health system. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Brasilia, Brazil First Published: December 14, 2025, 17:16 IST News world BRICS Not Aimed Against Any Country, Or To Replace US Dollar: Brazilian Vice President | 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... Unarmed Man Snatches Gun From Shooter At Sydney's Bondi Beach, Dramatic Moment Caught On Cam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 18:44 IST Local media reported that around 50 gunshots were heard during the incident, prompting widespread panic in the area. The 15-second video shows the unarmed man hiding behind parked cars. (X) At least 10 people were killed, and several others were injured after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,0002,000 attendees at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday. As per local media reports, over 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or shelter indoors. Amid the chaos, an unarmed bystander confronted one of the gunmen and managed to overpower him. The 15-second video, which has gone viral on social media platforms, showed the man initially taking cover behind parked cars before charging the shooter from behind. An unarmed Australian disarmed one of the terrorists during the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.Hero. pic.twitter.com/riw2y2qyvL Vivid. (@VividProwess) December 14, 2025 In the video, the bystander, identified as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, can be seen grabbing the gunman by the neck, wresting away his rifle, and pinning him to the ground while aiming the gun back at him. As per eyewitnesses, the gunman had been hiding behind a tree when the bystander intervened. According to BNO News, Ahmed was shot twice by the second shooter, who was firing from a bridge. He suffered 2 gunshot wounds and is undergoing surgery. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed grief over the incident and said that scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing". Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I have just spoken to the AFP Commissioner and with the NSW Premier. We are working with the NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police," he said in a statement. What Police Say? New South Wales (NSW) Police confirmed the incident and said that ten people were killed in the shooting, including a man believed to be one of the shooters, while the second alleged gunman is in critical condition. At least 11 others have been injured, two of whom are police officers. In a post on X, the police said that they were responding to a developing incident" at Bondi Beach and urged the public to avoid the area and take shelter. Police are responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach and are urging the public to avoid the area. Anyone at the scene should take shelter. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand," it said on X. Police are responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach and are urging the public to avoid the area.Anyone at the scene should take shelter. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand. pic.twitter.com/0oNDxplNzx NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) December 14, 2025 The police said that emergency services were called to Campbell Parade at around 6:45 pm local time after reports of shots being fired, prompting a large-scale response by officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command. They further said that two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the entire zone remains under lockdown and an active security operation continues. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Sydney, Australia First Published: December 14, 2025, 15:51 IST News world Unarmed Man Snatches Gun From Shooter At Sydney's Bondi Beach, Dramatic Moment Caught On Cam 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'm Going To Run, I Love You': US Students Text To Mother During Brown University Shooting Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 08:42 IST The student's mother, Amersi, told Fox News she kept texting her son, urging him to silence his phone. Police vehicles and first responders gather at Waterman St, and Thayer in response to a shooting. (AP) A student fleeing the deadly shooting at Brown University texted his mother describing the terrifying moment, as two people were killed and eight others critically injured in the attack. Speaking to Fox News, Shamsah Amersi said her son, Jaden Anselmo, messaged her as gunfire erupted inside the Barus & Holley Engineering Building on Saturday. They (students) are in the middle of finals, so they were all on campus studying the first text I get from my son is Mom, theres a live shooting on campus. Im going to run, and I love you,'" Amersi said. Amersi told Fox News she kept texting her son, urging him to silence his phone. She said Jaden barricaded himself inside a supply closet with 12 other students as police locked down the campus. Authorities confirmed that the shooter, described as a man dressed in black, was still at large, and a shelter-in-place order remained in effect across the University. Brown University said in an update that two victims had died and eight others were in critical but stable condition, with police and FBI teams coordinating efforts to locate the suspect. The alert acknowledged campus-wide fear and uncertainty, urging students and residents to follow law enforcement instructions and avoid the area. Police said the gunman entered the engineering building before exiting on the Hope Street side, as investigators continued to piece together how he gained access. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told CNN that local authorities, the FBI and university officials were working closely" to track down the attacker. Deputy Police Chief Tim OHara said, We are using every resource available to locate this suspect," adding that officers were still determining the shooters point of entry. As the manhunt continued, Amersi said she remained in contact with her son until he was safely out of the building but the fear in his text message, she said, was something she will never forget. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 08:42 IST News world 'I'm Going To Run, I Love You': US Students Text To Mother During Brown University Shooting 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 Faces Mounting Global Scrutiny Over Imran Khan's 'Inhumane' Detention, Solitary Confinement Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 09:08 IST The escalating global pressure follows claims made by Imran Khan's close aide and CM of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that he and his wife are being subjected to harsh conditions in jail There have been domestic allegations of mistreatment, underscoring grave warnings from international human rights bodies that Imran Khan's solitary confinement may constitute psychological torture. (Image: PTI/File) Pakistan is facing intense international scrutiny over the solitary confinement and detention conditions of former prime minister Imran Khan. There have been domestic allegations of mistreatment, underscoring grave warnings from international human rights bodies that Imran Khans solitary confinement may constitute psychological torture, with a UN expert calling for an immediate end to his isolation. The escalating global pressure follows claims made by a close aide of Khan and the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that the PTI leader and his wife are being subjected to harsh conditions in Rawalpindis Adiala Jail. His former wife, Jemima Khan, has also addressed a letter to Elon Musk alleging that Pakistan is suppressing information about his plight by throttling her posts on X, limiting her ability to highlight his situation as a political prisoner to her large audience. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Muhammad Sohaib Afridi has alleged that Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, are being subjected to mistreatment in jail". Afridis comments came after he was denied permission to meet Khan for the 10th time by the Adiala jail administration. While prime ministers adviser on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah said Afridi was denied a meeting based on intelligence reports", alleging that Khan planned to orchestrate another event similar to the November 26 protests in Islamabad", the denial of access has fuelled domestic criticism regarding transparency. Khans close aide Dr Salman Ahmed has also been speaking out, amid claims that army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is performing illegal actions on Khan. WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SAYING? This domestic alarm coincides with formal intervention by international bodies, raising serious questions about Pakistans adherence to human rights standards and democratic principles. International human rights organisations and legal advocacy groups have formally written to Islamabad, expressing concern over Khans solitary confinement and restricted legal access. Diplomatic backchannels indicate that friendly capitals have quietly raised" the issue, expressing concerns that continued isolation could negatively impact Pakistans human rights record at multilateral forums. Global watchdogs have warned Pakistan that isolating a former elected prime minister carries serious democratic and psychological implications". The most forceful condemnation came from the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, who called on the Pakistan government to take immediate and effective action" to address reports of inhumane and undignified detention conditions". Edwards stressed that prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law". When such isolation extends longer than 15 days, it constitutes a form of psychological torture," as per a press release issued by the UN Human Rights body. Khans solitary confinement should be lifted without delay," Edwards said, warning that extended isolation can bring about very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health". Since his transfer to Adiala Jail on September 26, 2023, Khan has reportedly been confined for 23 hours a day in his cell with highly restricted access to the outside world. According to information received by the special rapporteur, he is not permitted outdoor activity or interaction with other detainees and is unable to join communal prayers, while visits from family and lawyers are frequently interrupted or ended prematurely". Also, at the age of 73, he has significant health issues, including a serious spinal injury and gunshot wounds from a 2022 assassination attempt, and has reportedly been denied adequate medical attention. FORMER WIFE JEMIMA KHAN SPEAKS OUT Imran Khans former wife, Jemima Khan, directly appealed to X owner Elon Musk, alleging that Pakistani authorities are suppressing information about his plight. In her letter, Jemima said X was their only independent platform to highlight this injustice" given that Khans name is banned from every Pakistani TV and radio station". She labelled her ex-husband a democratically elected prime minister, removed in 2022 and now held 22 months in brutal solitary confinement as a political prisoner". She alleged that her X account is being subjected to what her own AI, Grok, calls secret throttling" the algorithm deliberately hides her posts because Pakistani authorities have made criticism from Imran Khans immediate circle one of their top online enforcement priorities, and X is quietly complying". She presented damning evidence from Grok showing her impressions dropped from an average of 400 to 900 million per month to only 28.6 million total in the entire 2025 a 97% crash to <3% of expected reach". She asked Musk to honour the free-speech promises" by removing the secret throttling. Her letter was shared by prominent broadcaster Piers Morgan, who condemned the Pakistani authorities over Imran Khans situation. Whats happening to Imran Khan is outrageous. I hope @elonmusk can do something to stop this obvious suppression of support for him, and that the Pakistan authorities afford Imran his basic human rights. https://t.co/aBDLDhAxs8 Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 13, 2025 Whats happening to Imran Khan is outrageous. I hope @elonmusk can do something to stop this obvious suppression of support for him, and that the Pakistan authorities afford Imran his basic human rights," Morgan wrote on X. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: December 14, 2025, 09:08 IST News world Pakistan Faces Mounting Global Scrutiny Over Imran Khan's 'Inhumane' Detention, Solitary Confinement 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... Indian-Origin Temple Trust Member Among 4 Killed In Temple Collapse In South Africa Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 11:33 IST One of the deceased has been identified as Vickey Jairaj Panday, an executive member of the temple trust and the manager of the construction project. Four Killed in South Africa Temple Collapse Four people, including a 52-year-old Indian-origin man, have died after a Hindu temple under construction collapsed in South Africas KwaZulu-Natal province. The incident took place on Friday at the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, north of eThekwini, formerly known as Durban. The four-storey temple was being expanded when a section of the structure suddenly gave way while workers were present at the site. The temple is located on a steep hillside, which added to the difficulty of rescue efforts. Officials said the exact number of people who may still be trapped under the rubble remains unclear. Initially, two deaths were confirmed on Friday. These included a construction worker and a devotee. On Saturday, rescue teams recovered more bodies, taking the death toll to four. One of the deceased has been identified as Vickey Jairaj Panday, an executive member of the temple trust and the manager of the construction project. Local media reported that Panday had been closely involved in the development of the temple since work began nearly two years ago. His death was also confirmed by Sanvir Maharaj, director of Food for Love, a charity linked to the temple. Rescue efforts hampered by weather Rescue teams worked for two days to recover a fifth body that had been located beneath the rubble. However, operations were suspended on Saturday afternoon due to bad weather, officials said. Authorities added that they could not confirm whether more people remained trapped. Early rescue attempts were guided by mobile phone calls from one of the trapped individuals, but communication stopped late on Friday evening. The eThekwini municipality said no building plans had been approved for the project, suggesting the construction may have been illegal. The temple was designed to resemble a cave, using rocks brought from India and excavated on site, and was expected to house one of the worlds largest idols of Lord Nrsimhadeva. KwaZulu-Natal provincial minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi visited the site and said rescue efforts would continue as long as needed. He thanked government and private teams, including a special dog unit, for their work despite growing concerns that no more survivors may be found. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : South Africa First Published: December 14, 2025, 11:33 IST News world Indian-Origin Temple Trust Member Among 4 Killed In Temple Collapse In 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... 12 Killed As Two Gunmen Open Fire At Sydneys Bondi Beach; One Shooter Dead, Another Held Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 20:07 IST Sydney shooter identified as Naveed Akram, 24; motive not clear; Australian authorities probe terror angle even as Israeli leaders say warning over anti-Jewish incidents ignored Rapid Read One of the shooters allegedly involved in the Sydney shooting. (X) A Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday took a deadly turn as two gunmen dressed in black opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,000-2,000 attendees, killing at least 12 and leaving several others injured, according to local media reports. The New South Wales Police confirmed that two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident, with one of the gunmen killed during an exchange of fire with officers. The second shooter was wounded and arrested. More than 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or take shelter indoors. In a statement, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, said, The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected." Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the attack vile", saying Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi BeachOur hearts go out to them. The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment. As we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives. We send our warmest strength from Jerusalem." One gunmen identified as Naveed Akram, lived in Bonnyrigg The Australian authorities have identified one of the gunmen involved in the mass shooting and are investigating a possible terror angle. The shooter has been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram. The Australian counter-terrorism teams are actively probing possible ideological or extremist motivations behind the attack, as it targeted a religious and cultural gathering that provided both symbolic value and maximum visibility," sources told CNN-News18. As part of the investigation, security agencies have carried out raids at Akrams residence in Bonnyrigg, a suburb in south-west Sydney, to identify signs of online radicalisation, including the consumption or circulation of extremist material and Gaza-linked narratives, sources added. Bonnyrigg and surrounding areas in south-west Sydney have previously featured in counter-terrorism ideological mapping exercises, owing to past radicalisation cases, concerns over extremist returnees, and online extremist penetration, according to security assessments. As per sources, the region has also been linked to investigations into earlier lone attacks. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the entire zone remains under lockdown and an active security operation continues. In a statement posted on X, NSW Police said: The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area Anyone at the scene should take shelter." They are shooting, get down: Footage emerges on social media Chilling footage on social media showed the exact moment one of the shooters opened fire on a bridge at Bondi Beach. They are shooting, get down, get down," one person was heard saying. Videos circulating online captured scenes of chaos as crowds scattered, sirens blared, and emergency personnel rushed to treat the wounded. Emergency workers told AFP they had transported multiple victims to hospitals across Sydney. Another video showed an unarmed bystander confronting one of the gunmen and managing to overpower him. The 15-second video, which has gone viral on social media platforms, showed the man initially taking cover behind parked cars before charging the shooter from behind. Why was a religious and cultural Hanukkah gathering targeted? According to an intelligence assessment of the attack by CNN-News18, the Bondi beach attack will be examined closely as it targeted a religious and cultural gathering that provided both symbolic value and maximum visibility. The manner of the attack suggested careful planning in advance. There is a possibility that the attackers deliberately chose a Jewish religious event to provoke communal fear or gain ideological attention. The incident showed signs of a terrorist or ideologically-motivated attack by deliberately targeting a Hanukkah celebration. The targeting of a symbolic religious gathering with a large civilian presence is aligned with patterns seen in lone wolf extremist attacks of the past. Intelligence sources confirmed to CNN-News18 that the shooting was being examined as a possible terror attack. Sources say the choice of a Hanukkah celebration, the presence of two attackers, coordinated attire, and sustained high-volume firing suggested advance planning. Investigators are probing whether the attackers intended to target a specific community and generate wider public fear. Australian authorities have not revealed the established motive, the background of the attackers or any ideological links, even as they are analysing digital footprints, overseas links and radicalisation indicators. Investigators are also probing whether the attack was inspired by extremist narratives circulating online. This terror attack in Sydney is an abomination. Many Jews are dead or injured. How many times did I warn Australian governments that a mass casualty terror attack is inevitable if the government didnt do more? https://t.co/WpsYnWfV0z Sharren Haskel (@SharrenHaskel) December 14, 2025 Repeated warnings were ignored? The Executive Council of Australia Jewry (ECAJ) said there were 1,654 reports of anti-Jewish incidents recorded by the community in the 12 months to October 1, ABC News reported. The incidents were logged by volunteer Community Security Groups, official Jewish state roof bodies, and the ECAJ. Israeli leaders said the Australian authorities repeatedly ignored their warnings. Amichai Chikli, Israel Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, in a post on X, wrote: A government that normalized boycotts against Jews solely because they are Jewish, normalized marches in which flags of Al-Qaeda, the PLO, and Hamas were openly displayed, and for two years failed to act decisively against serious antisemitic incidents, bears full responsibility for the horrific scenes we witnessed today." Sharren Haskel, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, said, This terror attack in Sydney is an abomination. Many Jews are dead or injured. How many times did I warn Australian governments that a mass casualty terror attack is inevitable if the government didnt do more?" he wrote on X. Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemns attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the ghastly terror attack" in Sydney. Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah," he wrote on X. Inputs from agencies News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 13:58 IST News world 12 Killed As Two Gunmen Open Fire At Sydneys Bondi Beach; One Shooter Dead, Another Held 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... JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has engaged with the embassies of the Group of 20 (G20) countries following its exclusion from G20-related activities by the United States, according to South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola. In an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday, Lamola said South Africa will not attend next year's G20 summit in Miami, the United States, unless it receives a formal invitation from Washington. He stressed, however, that Pretoria will not call for a boycott of the summit even if it is excluded. The minister said the United States had taken unilateral decisions this year on a range of issues, including trade, and had withdrawn from several multilateral platforms. "If we give them a boycott, we will be further giving them the opportunity to be working alone. So they must be engaged," he said. Lamola added that the majority of G20 members would continue discussions with the United States on South Africa's participation in the G20-related processes. Earlier, according to local media's report, South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation sent a "note verbale" on Wednesday to the embassies and high commissions of the G20 countries, which said the United States had informed South Africa that it would not be invited to participate in any G20 activities during the U.S. presidency, including the Sherpa, working groups, ministerial meetings and the leaders' summit. 'Purely Antisemitic Attack': Trump Condemns Sydney Beach Shooting That Killed 12 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 23:57 IST US President condemned the antisemitic attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach festival that killed 12. Global leaders increased security for Hanukkah. US President Donald Trump condemned the Australia shooting. (Image: AFP/File) US President Donald Trump on Sunday condemned the deadly mass shooting at a Jewish festival in Sydneys Bondi Beach as a purely antisemitic attack." That was a terrible attack, 11 dead, 29 badly wounded. And that was an antisemitic attack, obviously," Trump said during a Christmas celebration at the White House. The attack, declared as an act of terror", prompted condemnation from national leaders, community groups, and international figures. New York Mayor Eric Adams said in a post on X that extra security has been deployed for Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues in New York City. We will continue to ensure the Jewish community can celebrate the holiday in safety including at public Menorah lightings across the city. Let us pray for the injured and stand together against hatred," Adams said. In Germany, though security measures at synagogues and other Jewish institutions are usual in Berlin police said these would be ramped up for the Hanukkah period. According to Reuters, the event at Berlins Brandenburg Gate will also include a prayer for the victims of Sydneys Bondi Beach shooting, which left at least 11 people dead in what Australian officials described as a targeted antisemitic attack. The Londons Metropolitan Police also issued a statement saying: While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days." Reuters quoted Frances Interior Minister Laurent Nunez asking local authorities to reinforce security around Jewish places of worship during the December 14 to 22 period. He pushed for increased deployment of security forces, with particular vigilance around religious services and gatherings that draw large crowds, especially when they take place in public spaces. 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 14, 2025, 23:57 IST News world 'Purely Antisemitic Attack': Trump Condemns Sydney Beach Shooting That Killed 12 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... Scottish Rock Band Under Fire For Displaying Swastikas Over Netanyahus, Hillary Clintons Eyes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 09:58 IST Primal Scream, formed in Glasgow in 1982 by Bobby Gillespie, was performing as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of their album XTRMNTR. The band, Primal Scream, defended the video in an Instagram post. (Pics-- X@Weisslbj333Leah) A Scottish rock band is facing severe backlash after projecting a video that showed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other political figures with swastikas superimposed over their eyes during a London concert. The imagery, displayed during Primal Screams performance of their 2000 track Swastika Eyes" at The Roundhouse, has drawn widespread condemnation for antisemitism. According to the New York Post, the graphics intertwined swastikas with Stars of David and were broadcast across a large onstage screen. The band Primal Scream is a big promoter of the No Art for Genocide" campaign, which aims to punish Israelis for their governments decisions by blocking their music in Israel.Now, theyve been spotted projecting images of world leaders with spinning Stars of David and pic.twitter.com/W3RWK3MaSY Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) December 11, 2025 The video showed Netanyahu alongside Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Clinton, with rotating swastikaStar of David symbols covering their eyes. The New York Post reported that the footage also included scenes from the Gaza war, the assassination attempt on President Trump in Pennsylvania, and an image of Elon Musk raising his arm at a rally. Primal Scream defended the video in an Instagram post, calling it an artistic work intended to spark discussion. The film is a piece of art. It clearly draws from history to question where the actions of current world governments sit in that context. It is meant to provoke debate, not hate," the band wrote. Their explanation has not quelled criticism; in fact, the incident has drawn formal complaints. The New York Post story also mentioned that the Community Security Trust, a UK charity that monitors antisemitism, has reported the band to British police. Primal Scream, formed in Glasgow in 1982 by Bobby Gillespie, was performing as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of their album XTRMNTR. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 09:56 IST News world Scottish Rock Band Under Fire For Displaying Swastikas Over Netanyahus, Hillary Clintons Eyes 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... Six Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Killed In Drone Attack On UN Base In Sudan; Dhaka Condemns Strike Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 07:15 IST Bangladesh has condemned a deadly drone attack on a United Nations base in Sudan that killed six of its peacekeepers. Bangladesh Condemns Drone Attack on UN Base in Sudan, Six Peacekeepers Killed (Representative Image) Bangladesh has strongly condemned a drone attack on a United Nations base in Sudan that killed six of its peacekeepers. The attack took place in Abyei, where Bangladeshi soldiers were serving under the UN peacekeeping mission. In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country was deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of lives. It confirmed that six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed and eight others were injured in the strike. Bangladesh said such attacks on UN personnel are unacceptable and violate international law. The government expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The Sudanese government too has condemned the drone attack, calling it a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict. In a statement, the army-aligned administration based in Port Sudan blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for carrying out the strike. The Sovereignty Council, led by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, said attacks on United Nations facilities are unacceptable. The incident comes as parts of Sudan face worsening humanitarian conditions. Kadugli, one of the affected areas, has been struggling with severe shortages, with famine declared in early November. The city lies in the wider Kordofan region, a key agricultural zone caught between rival forces. Watch more videos Share this Article WhatsApp facebook Twitter telegram copy link News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: December 14, 2025, 07:10 IST News world Six Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Killed In Drone Attack On UN Base In Sudan; Dhaka Condemns Strike Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Australia Ignored Anti-Jewish Incidents, Repeated Warnings: Israeli Leaders After Sydney Shooting Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 17:39 IST Sydney Shooting: Israeli President Isaac Herzog calls the attack vile; leaders say data showed antisemitism at deeply troubling levels in Australia Rapid Read A picture of one of the Bondi beach attackers (right) reposted by Sharren Haskel on X. While Israel condemned the shooting at the Hanukkah celebrations in Sydney, in which at least 12 people were killed and 29 injured, as the most devastating terrorist attack ever against Jews in Australia", the leaders maintained that they had warned of the possibility, given the rise in anti-Jewish incidents in the country. According to Australian reports, two gunmen opened fire on a menorah-lighting celebration at Sydneys popular Bondi Beach on Sunday, which was attended by around 2,000 people. Antisemitism at deeply troubling levels: Decoding the numbers The Executive Council of Australia Jewry (ECAJ) said there were 1,654 reports of anti-Jewish incidents recorded by the community in the 12 months to October 1, ABC News reported. The incidents were logged by volunteer Community Security Groups, official Jewish state roof bodies, and the ECAJ. The councils chief executive, Alex Ryvchin, said it was a near-record number of incidents second only to the 2,062 incidents recorded the previous year. The Australian Jewish community, statistically and experientially, has faced the sharpest decline in our physical security of any Jewish community anywhere in the world," he said, according to the report. But they also included the firebombing of Melbournes Adass Israel Synagogue in December 2024, which was later ruled to be a terrorist act, as well as a spate of arson and graffiti attacks targeting Sydneys Jewish community. Ryvchin said the data showed antisemitism remained at deeply troubling levels" in Australia."But were talking about instances of school kids being abused and called the most repugnant, horrific things in the streets. Were talking about people being physically assaulted, were talking about Holocaust survivors waking up to see Jewish institutions daubed in Swastikas. Every one of those incidents affects someone materially in a profound way it affects their sense of self, their sense of belonging in Australian society." According to the report, a group of teenage boys was verbally abused by several people at Melbournes St Kilda Beach, with one woman throwing on ice-cream at them and calling them baby killers", while another person shouted Hitler should have gassed you all". Israeli leaders condemn Sydney shooting Speaking at a ceremony honouring immigrant contributions to Israel, President Isaac Herzog called the attack vile". At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi Beach," Herzog said. Our hearts go out to them. The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment. As we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives. We send our warmest strength from Jerusalem." Herzog also urged the Australian government to act against rising antisemitism, warning of the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society". Amichai Chikli, Israel Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, in a post on X, wrote: Over the past hour, I have held a series of conversations with leaders of the Jewish community in Australia, following the most severe and devastating terrorist attack ever carried out against the Jewish community in the country. Dozens were harmed both killed and wounded. On behalf of the State of Israel, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those murdered, and wish a full and speedy recovery to the many injured." Over the past hour, I have held a series of conversations with leaders of the Jewish community in Australia, following the most severe and devastating terrorist attack ever carried out against the Jewish community in the country. Dozens were harmed both killed and wounded.On Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) December 14, 2025 Chikli said, A government that normalized boycotts against Jews solely because they are Jewish, normalized marches in which flags of Al-Qaeda, the PLO, and Hamas were openly displayed, and for two years failed to act decisively against serious antisemitic incidents, bears full responsibility for the horrific scenes we witnessed today." He added that Israels Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism is fully prepared and has offered its full support and assistance to the Jewish community in Australia during these difficult hours". This terror attack in Sydney is an abomination. Many Jews are dead or injured. How many times did I warn Australian governments that a mass casualty terror attack is inevitable if the government didnt do more? https://t.co/WpsYnWfV0z Sharren Haskel (@SharrenHaskel) December 14, 2025 Sharren Haskel, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, called it an abomination. This terror attack in Sydney is an abomination. Many Jews are dead or injured. How many times did I warn Australian governments that a mass casualty terror attack is inevitable if the government didnt do more?" he wrote on X. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the attack murderous" and linked it to years of antisemitic incitement in Australia. These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of Globalise the Intifada that were realized today," Saar tweeted. He added that the Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses." Energy Minister Eli Cohen extended condolences and underscored the need to fight antisemitism worldwide. We stand with the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia, in its difficult times, sending condolences to the murdered and praying for the recovery of the wounded," Cohen said. Sadly, antisemitism in the world is raising its head, gaining backing from weak leaders who succumb to terror and collaborate with false campaigns against Israel. We must fight antisemitism with an iron fist and by all means," he said. With ANI, Agency Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 14, 2025, 16:29 IST News world Australia Ignored Anti-Jewish Incidents, Repeated Warnings: Israeli Leaders After Sydney Shooting 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... Bondi Beach Shooting: Officials Look To Trace Shooters Origins As Probe Turns To South Asia Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Aveek Banerjee Last Updated: December 15, 2025, 12:45 IST Naveed Akram, born in Australia to Sajid Akram, is a suspect in the Sydney Bondi Beach terror attack. Authorities are probing his background and migration history. Rapid Read Two gunmen dressed in black firing multiple shots on a bridge at Bondi Beach in Sydney. (AFP) The suspects involved in the deadly terror attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach were identified as individuals of South Asian origin, sources told CNN-News18, as Australian authorities widen their investigation into the attackers backgrounds, migration history, and possible linkages to entities outside of Australia. The probe is now focusing on the immigration trail of the Bondi Beach duo, with officials confirming that the father moved to Australia in the late 1990s and later transitioned through multiple visa categories. Australian agencies are examining the familys roots in the subcontinent as part of a broader background assessment, sources said. Authorities have since confirmed that one of the gunmen, Naveed Akram (24), was born in Australia and is an Australian citizen, while his father, identified by local media as Sajid Akram (50), first arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa. He later moved to a partner visa in 2001 and was on a resident return visa at the time of the attack, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Naveed Akram, who remains in critical condition under police guard, was previously known to Australias domestic intelligence agency ASIO. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that he came to the attention of security agencies in 2019, where he was assessed due to his associations. Authorities have said no indication of an imminent or ongoing violent threat was identified at the time. Who Is Naveed Akram? According to his Facebook page, viewed by the Jerusalem Post, Akram studied at Central Queensland University in Sydney and Hamdard University in Islamabad. He also studied at Al Murad Institute, where he was described as a model student. The Sydney Morning Herald described him as a bricklayer who recently lost his job. As part of the investigation, security agencies have carried out raids at Akrams residence in Bonnyrigg, a suburb in south-west Sydney, to identify signs of online radicalisation, including the consumption or circulation of extremist material and Gaza-linked narratives, sources told CNN-News18. READ MORE: Sydney Bondi Beach Attack: IED Found In Car Linked To Shooter, Cops Call It Act Of Terror However, there has been no word on this from the New South Wales Police. The head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Mike Burgess, said he was looking into the identities of the attackers and if there was anyone else in the community with similar intent". Additionally, police said they discovered an improvised explosive device (IED) in a car linked to one of the suspects involved in the shooting. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, addressing the nation, condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it an act of evil, antisemitism and terrorism." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Sydney, Australia First Published: December 14, 2025, 19:41 IST News world Bondi Beach Shooting: Officials Look To Trace Shooters Origins As Probe Turns To South Asia 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... Thailand Announces Curfew Along Coast As Cambodia Border Fighting Spreads Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 15:54 IST Thailand imposed a curfew in Trat province amid ongoing border clashes with Cambodia, as both sides accuse each other of attacks. Thailand PM vows to continue military action. 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 ) Thailand on Sunday announced a curfew in its southeastern Trat province as fighting with Cambodia continued along the coastal areas of a disputed border region. 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, US President Donald Trump said Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to renew a ceasefire after days of deadly border clashes, following talks. Later, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Thailand has denied reaching any ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and said its military operations will continue along the disputed border. On Sunday, Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri announced the curfew and later told a press conference in Bangkok that overall, there have been clashes continuously" since Cambodia again reiterated its openness to a ceasefire on Saturday. Reuters quoted him saying Thailand is open to a diplomatic solution but Cambodia has to cease hostility first before we can negotiate". According to Reuters, Thailands curfew covers five districts of Trat province that neighbour Koh Kong, excluding the tourist islands of Koh Chang and Koh Kood. The military had previously imposed a curfew in the eastern Sakeo province, which remains in force. On Saturday, Thailands caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to keep fighting until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people". The Thai forces said they had destroyed a bridge that Cambodia used to deliver heavy weapons and other equipment to the region and launched an operation targeting pre-positioned artillery in Cambodias coastal Koh Kong province. Cambodia, meanwhile, accused Thailand of striking civilian infrastructure. Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson said Trump expected all parties to honour commitments and that he will hold anyone accountable as necessary to stop the killing and ensure durable peace". News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Thailand First Published: December 14, 2025, 15:54 IST News world Thailand Announces Curfew Along Coast As Cambodia Border Fighting Spreads Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trump Warns Of Very Serious Retaliation After ISIS Kills 3 Americans In Syria Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 08:20 IST Three other American soldiers were injured in the shooting, which took place in a volatile area near Palmyra. US President Donald Trump. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Three Americans, including two US service members and a civilian, were killed in an attack in central Syria on Saturday. The United States has blamed the Islamic State (IS) group for the assault. Three other American soldiers were injured in the shooting, which took place in a volatile area near the historic city of Palmyra. US Central Command said the attack was carried out by a lone IS gunman, who was later killed. Trump warns of strong response President Donald Trump said there would be very serious retaliation" for the attack. In a social media post, he described the incident as an IS attack in a dangerous part of Syria that is not fully under government control. Speaking at the White House, Trump said Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was deeply affected by the incident. He said Syria was fighting alongside US forces and that al-Sharaa was extremely angry and disturbed" by the attack. Republican Senator Joni Ernst said the two soldiers killed were members of the Iowa National Guard. She said the loss had deeply affected the Guards close-knit community. Our Iowa National Guard family is hurting," she said, while praying for the recovery of the wounded. The Pentagon confirmed that the civilian killed was a US interpreter working with American forces. Trump said the injured soldiers were doing well. What we know about the shooting? According to Syrian officials, the gunman opened fire at the gate of a military post. The wounded were airlifted by helicopter to the al-Tanf garrison near the borders with Iraq and Jordan. Syrian security personnel were also injured in the attack. The Interior Ministry said the attacker was linked to IS ideology. Later, officials revealed he was a member of Syrias Internal Security forces in the desert region but did not hold any command position. An earlier evaluation had raised concerns about his extremist views, though no action had yet been taken. US and Syria relations US officials did not confirm claims that the attacker was part of Syrian forces. A Pentagon official said the attack happened in an area not controlled by Syrias president. The attack was the first to kill US personnel in Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad a year ago. Since then, relations between Washington and Damascus have improved. President al-Sharaa visited the White House last month after the US lifted long-standing sanctions. The US maintains hundreds of troops in eastern Syria as part of an international coalition fighting IS. American forces have been targeted before, including a deadly attack in 2019 in Manbij. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that anyone who targets Americans will be hunted down. Despite recent progress, the attack highlights the continuing dangers faced by troops operating in Syria. (With agency inputs) 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 14, 2025, 08:20 IST News world Trump Warns Of Very Serious Retaliation After ISIS Kills 3 Americans In Syria Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... We Stand With Jewish Community: Australian PM Calls Sydney Shooting Incident A Terror Attack Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 17:44 IST Australian PM Anthony Albanese described the Sydney mass shooting as a "devastating terror attack" and said "evil was unleashed beyond comprehension". Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends a press conference following the shooting at Bondi Beach. (Reuters) In his address to the country after the barbaric mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as a devastating terror attack" and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in the country. Two gunmen shot dead at least 11 people on Sunday at a Jewish event being held at Bondi Beach, attended by 2,000 people. Police fatally shot one gunman, and the second was arrested and identified as the 24-year-old Naveed Akram. Akram, along with other gunman, opened fire on a crowd of nearly 1,0002,000 attendees at the Hanukkah event on Sunday. As per local media reports, over 50 shots were fired as panic erupted across the beachfront, forcing people to flee or shelter indoors. ALSO READ: India Has Zero Tolerance For Terror: PM Modi Strongly Condemns Sydney Beach Attack This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation," he said in his address. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation." Albanese said the authorities were working to identify everyone involved in the attack. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it amidst this vile act of violence and hate, and there will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith," he stated. The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyones worst nightmare." Albanese also hailed the heroes" who rushed towards danger to help. Jewish Community Deliberately Targeted New South Wales State Premier Chris Minns said the deadly shooting deliberately targeted Sydneys Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah. Our heart bleeds for Australias Jewish community tonight," he said. He also praised the man who was seen in videos wrestling a gun from one of the shooters, calling him a genuine hero" who saved many lives. Its the most unbelievable scene Ive ever seen, a man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless others," Minns told the press conference. Police declared the shooting a terrorist incident" and said that an improvised explosive device was found in a car at Bondi, linked to the deceased perpetrator. A rescue and bomb disposal unit has been deployed to the scene, said NSWP Commissioner Mal Lanyon. More than 1,000 people had gathered at the event. ALSO READ: Unarmed Man Snatches Gun From Shooter At Sydneys Bondi Beach, Dramatic Moment Caught On Cam Albanese urged Australians to hold onto the true character" of Australia, saying the country would never submit to division, violence or hatred." In a message to the Jewish community, he said, your fellow Australians stand with you tonight in condemning this act of terror." Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the entire zone remains under lockdown and an active security operation continues. In a statement posted on X, NSW Police said: The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area Anyone at the scene should take shelter." (with agency inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Sydney, Australia First Published: December 14, 2025, 17:05 IST News world We Stand With Jewish Community: Australian PM Calls Sydney Shooting Incident A Terror Attack 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... Who Is Ahmed Al Ahmed? Bystander Hailed As A 'Hero' After Disarming Sydney Bondi Beach Shooter Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 22:51 IST Ahmed al Ahmed, a local fruit shop owner, is being celebrated as a hero after he bravely tackled and disarmed one of the shooters in the Sydney Bondi Beach terror attack. Ahmed al Ahmed won praise for his heroic efforts to disarm a gunman during the terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach. (Photo: X) Amid chaos and bloodshed as two gunmen went on a rampage at Sydneys Bondi Beach during a celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, a bystander won global praise by risking his life to wrest the gun out of one of the shooters possession, proving once again that not all heroes wear capes. 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, a local fruit shop owner, is being hailed as a hero after a video went viral showing him tackling and disarming an armed man during Sundays deadly attack at Sydney. A father of two, Ahmed charged at a man dressed in black, who was holding a rifle. He then tackled the armed man from behind, wrenching the rifle from him with his hands before pointing the gun back at the man. The video then shows the man in a dark shirt backing away towards a bridge where another shooter is positioned, while the bystander places the gun down on the ground. This guy is a hero. Give him a medal. Unbelievably horrific scenes in Australia. Its hard to fathom. pic.twitter.com/awKXKWPpAI Jase Kemp (@jasetaylorkemp) December 14, 2025 Who Is Ahmed Al Ahmed? Local media outlet 7NEWS identified the bystander who heroically tackled the gunman and said he had been hospitalised after sustaining two gunshot wounds. As per media reports, Ahmed is a father of two from Sydneys Sutherland Shire and operated a local fruit business. He was due to undergo surgery on Sunday night (local time). Ahmeds cousin, who is only identified as Mustafa, provided a statement to 7NEWS Australia outside St George Hospital, where he was admitted. Hes in hospital, and we dont know exactly whats going on inside. We do hope he will be fine. Hes a hero 100 per cent," Mustafa told the outlet. Most Unbelievable Scene Online, Ahmed won unanimous praise for his brave efforts. The Sydney Morning Herald referred to Ahmed as a hero who saved many lives." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the actions of Australians who had run towards danger in order to help others". He said, These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives." Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales state, praised the man as a genuine hero", noting that his actions had saved several lives. Its the most unbelievable scene Ive ever seen, a man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless others," Minns told a press conference. This is the face of a hero.Ahmed al Ahmed is the Muslim fruit shop owner who tackled one of the armed Islamic terrorists tonight in Bondi. As he did, a second jihadi fired from a bridge, shooting him twice. He is now undergoing surgery. Pray for his full recovery. pic.twitter.com/eVSHqDlADr Avi Yemini (@OzraeliAvi) December 14, 2025 Hero dad-of-two who was filmed risking his life to tackling the gunman during the Bondi Beach terror attack has been named by his family.According to Australian media, Ahmed al Ahmed, aged 43, has been named by his family as the man who likely saved countless lives when he pic.twitter.com/4TQS7Lu9hK Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) December 14, 2025 ALSO READ: Antisemitism Is A Cancer: Netanyahu Says Australia Failed To Act On Rising Jew Hatred Sydney Terror Attack At least 11 people were killed and 29 others injured in the attack when two gunmen opened fire from a bridge on crowds at a Jewish event around 6 pm (local time) on Sunday evening. More than 1,000 people had been at the gathering which was celebrating the festival of Hanukkah. A gunman was killed and another was in a critical condition following the shooting. One of the suspects was identified as the 24-year-old Naveed Akram, whose drivers licence said he lived in Bonnyrigg, a suburb of Sydney. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as a devastating terror attack" and expressed solidarity with the Jewish community in the country. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation," he said. Meanwhile, Israeli officials demanded strong action against rising antisemitism in Australia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused Australias Anthony Albanese government of having fuelled antisemitism in the period leading up to the mass shooting. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Sydney, Australia First Published: December 14, 2025, 22:46 IST News world Who Is Ahmed Al Ahmed? Bystander Hailed As A 'Hero' After Disarming Sydney Bondi Beach Shooter 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... Won't Join NATO In Exchange For Western Security Guarantees: Zelenskyy On Ending War With Russia Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 14, 2025, 18:55 IST Volodymyr Zelenskyy drops NATO bid for Ukraine, seeking US and European security guarantees instead, ahead of Berlin talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff and European leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Germany for the latest round of talks on ending war with Russia. (Zelenskyy/X) Ahead of talks with US in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday announced that he has relinquished the ambition of joining the NATO military alliance if Western security is guaranteed. From the very beginning, Ukraines desire was to join NATO, these are real security guarantees. Some partners from the US and Europe did not support this direction," Zelenskyy said in reply to questions from reporters in a WhatsApp chat. Reuters quoted him saying hat the US and European and other partners security guarantees instead of NATO membership were a compromise on Ukraines side. Thus, today, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the US, Article 5-like guarantees for us from the US, and security guarantees from European colleagues, as well as other countries Canada, Japan are an opportunity to prevent another Russian invasion," he said. And it is already a compromise from our part," he said, adding that the security guarantees should be legally binding. This announcement marks a major shift for Ukraine as it had continued its fight to join NATO as a safeguard against Russian attacks and even has such an aspiration included in its constitution. According to Reuters, this move meets one of Russias war aims, although Kyiv has so far held firm against ceding territory to Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly demanded Ukraine to officially renounce its aim to be part of NATO and withdraw troops from the about 10% of Donbas which Kyiv still controls. They even pressed for Ukraine to be a neutral country and no presence of NATO troops in Ukraine. Reuters quoted Russian sources saying earlier this year that Putin wants a written" pledge by major Western powers not to enlarge the US-led NATO alliance eastwards shorthand for formally ruling out membership to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics. Zelenskyy says ready for talks The Ukrainian President on Sunday said he was ready for dialogue" at the latest round of talks with US President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and European leaders on ending the nearly four years of war. The fairest possible option is to stay where we are. This is true because it is a ceasefire I know that Russia does not view this positively, and I would like the Americans to support us on this issue," he told reporters shortly before arriving in Berlin. AFP quoted him saying he hoped the United States would back the idea of freezing the front line in Ukraine along its current shape at their meeting in Berlin. I am already in Germany.Todays agenda includes a meeting with the American negotiating team. We are focusing on how to reliably guarantee Ukraines security so that the experience of the Budapest Memorandum and Russias invasion are never repeated. We are counting on pic.twitter.com/Ml5ZZ2Zodx Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2025 Trump had been pressuring Ukraine to reach an agreement after giving a peace plan last month. The plan was critised by even the European leaders who said it echoed Russias demands such as Ukraine ceding its crucial territory. According to AFP, the proposal has triggered a flurry of diplomacy between the United States and Ukraines European allies, with Kyiv officials recently saying they had sent Washington a revised version. On Sunday, Zelenskyy said he has not yet received response on Ukraines amendments. I am receiving all the signals and will be ready for the dialogue that will begin today." The summit in Berlin is important. We are meeting with both the Americans and the Europeans And today these meetings are taking place in Berlin, today and tomorrow," Zelenskyy said. The most important thing is that the plan should be as fair as possible, first and foremost for Ukraine, because Russia started the war." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Ukraine First Published: December 14, 2025, 18:55 IST News world Won't Join NATO In Exchange For Western Security Guarantees: Zelenskyy On Ending War With Russia 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... Members of the Chinese medical teams pose for a group photo with children and staff at an orphanage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Dec. 14, 2025. Chinese medical teams in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar offered free clinical services to children at two orphanages in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, as part of a China-Africa joint initiative to promote the well-being of orphans.(Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese medical teams in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar offered free clinical services to children at two orphanages in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, as part of a China-Africa joint initiative to promote the well-being of orphans. The 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania mainland and the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar carried out outreach activities at the Zaidia Orphanage Center and the Ashura Orphanage Center, with 24 medical members conducting comprehensive health examinations and providing professional medical advice to support the children's healthy development. The event, held under the theme "Warm Children's Hearts" and organized by the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania, also included donations of food, schoolbags, and stationery. Zhang Kai and Bao Zengtao, the respective heads of the two medical teams, expressed their concerns for the children, who received screenings for eye, ear, and other health conditions, including ultrasound examinations. "Special attention was given to eye diseases due to the strong sunlight in the region, as well as screening for parasitic diseases using ultrasound," Bao said. Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian said the event reflected continued cooperation between China and Tanzania in improving community health, particularly for children and women. "Children are the future of the nation and the hope of the people," she said, adding that China will continue to support the healthy growth of Tanzanian children through practical cooperation. A member of a Chinese medical team provides free clinical services at an orphanage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Dec. 13, 2025. Chinese medical teams in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar offered free clinical services to children at two orphanages in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, as part of a China-Africa joint initiative to promote the well-being of orphans.(Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) A member of a Chinese medical team provides free clinical services at an orphanage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Dec. 13, 2025. Chinese medical teams in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar offered free clinical services to children at two orphanages in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, as part of a China-Africa joint initiative to promote the well-being of orphans.(Xinhua/Emmanuel Herman) Zimbabwe is set to take delivery of a new generation of cutting-edge radiotherapy machines early next year after Treasury finalised payment of the initial deposits for the equipment, which will be installed at two major referral hospitals. The machines, which are currently under manufacture, are being procured using US$30 million raised from the sugar tax introduced in the 2024 National Budget. According to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotions 2026 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme released last month, Treasury has paid US$5,3 million for the equipment. Procurement of the machines set to be installed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare and Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo represents the largest public sector investment in cancer treatment infrastructure in decades. A Government technical team is scheduled to travel to the manufacturers plant in the first two weeks of January for pre-delivery inspections, after which the equipment will be shipped to Zimbabwe. The authorities have since begun decommissioning the older radiotherapy machines at Parirenyatwa and Mpilo. The units, which remain functional, will be redeployed to public hospitals in Gweru, and Masvingo or Chinhoyi, allowing the country to establish additional cancer treatment centres. The expansion will increase the number of radiotherapy sites from two to four nationwide, helping to reduce patient load, shorten waiting times and bring lifesaving treatment closer to communities. In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora confirmed that the procurement process is now complete and that suppliers have already begun manufacturing the machines. We completed the procurement process; the Minister of Finance (Economic Development and Investment Promotion) paid the deposit that was required that is 20 percent and the machines are already being manufactured, he said. Some of the machines, one of the companies that are supplying the low-energy machines, have already completed them. The Government, Dr Mombeshora said, will dispatch a team of specialists in early January to conduct a pre-shipment inspection. Once the machines arrive, installation will begin at the two referral hospitals while the older units are redeployed to establish new treatment centres. Back home here, we have started the decommissioning process, he said. One new machine will be installed at Mpilo and another at Parirenyatwa. The old machine at Mpilo is being moved to Gweru so we can establish a new cancer treatment centre there. We will start with the old machine as we build capacity. He added that the older Parirenyatwa machine will either go to Chinhoyi or Masvingo, with the latter receiving strong consideration because of its emerging medical school, which could use the equipment for training purposes. The next phase will also be the decommissioning of the equipment at Parirenyatwa, and we plan to either put it in Chinhoyi hospital or in Masvingo, he said. But I was suggesting that we put it in Masvingo since there is a new medical school that is coming up there, maybe to help in training . . . The establishment of radiotherapy services in Gweru and either Masvingo or Chinhoyi will represent a major milestone in Zimbabwes efforts to decentralise specialised healthcare. Reads Treasurys Infrastructure Investment Programme: As part to improve health services through the procurement of new cancer diagnostic and treatment machines, a total of US$5,3 million has been paid as deposits to suppliers of medical equipment to enable the delivery and installation of the equipment. The equipment includes Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), fusion pump, syringe pump, vital signs monitor, fluid warmers, gas chromatograph, mass spectrometer, point-of-care blood gas analyser, chemistry analyser and video laryngoscope to be distributed at Parirenyatwa, Mpilo, Sally Mugabe, United Bulawayo and Chitungwiza Central hospitals. For years, cancer patients unable to afford private treatment have endured long waits or costly travel to Harare and Bulawayo. Doubling public radiotherapy capacity is expected to ease the burden and drastically improve treatment outcomes. Funding for the equipment is being drawn from the sugar tax introduced in the 2024 National Budget. The levy, imposed on sugar-sweetened beverages to help curb non-communicable diseases, is now being channelled into critical healthcare investments. Cancer treatment machines were identified as a top priority for last years collections. The Government is procuring a full suite of modern radiotherapy technologies that includes MRI, fusion pump and syringe pumps. An MRI machine uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of internal organs, tissues and tumours, allowing doctors to diagnose cancers, strokes, spinal conditions and other diseases with high accuracy. A fusion pump delivers controlled amounts of medication, nutrients or fluids into a patients bloodstream, ensuring precise dosing during treatment. A syringe pump performs a similar function on a smaller scale, administering very small but accurate volumes of drugs, especially critical in intensive care and paediatric wards. Sunday Mail VP Chiwenga says the deaths of late former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Sibusiso SB Moyo and Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri, marked one the saddest chapters of his life. He was speaking at the wedding ceremony of Moyos son Sibusiso Brendon Moyo and his fiancee Tawana Mercy Gawaza in Harare yesterday. I want to reflect a little on my relationship with the late former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Lieutenant-General Sibusiso SB Moyo. We enjoyed a cordial relationship, from our military service to public service. Our relationship was founded on mutual trust, respect and integrity. It transcended our professional lives to brotherhood and we became family. I stand here today not only as guest of honour but as a father figure to Sibusiso and Tawana. To our newlyweds, be each others strength in times of weakness. Celebrate your joys together. Comfort one another in sorrow and stand united through thick and thin, in both good times and bad, he said. The Vice President counselled them to surround themselves with people who uplift them. Marriage, much like life, will have its ups and downs. You will experience seasons of sunshine and seasons of storms. Always remember, with Christ at the centre of your marriage, no challenge is insurmountable, he said. As Philippians 4:13 assures us, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Let this promise be your anchor in difficult times. Build your home on the solid pillars of love, trust and care. Let forgiveness flow abundantly, communication remain open and respect be mutual. A happy family is created through daily acts of kindness, sacrifice and unwavering commitment. Always remember that marriage is a journey, not a destination. Today, we also take a moment to honour the families who have nurtured and guided Sibusiso and Tawana to this wonderful moment. To the Moyo and Gawaza families, we celebrate your legacy as it continues through this union. May you find joy as you witness this new chapter unfold. Yesterdays wedding ceremony was graced by notable figures, including Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Energy and Power Development July Moyo, Deputy President of the Senate Lieutenant-General (Retd) Mike Nyambuya and service chiefs led by Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Emmanuel Matatu. Time isn't just weird on Marsit's literally quicker. As Vice reports, scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have now calculated exactly how much faster time flows on the Red Planet, and the difference is no small rounding error: An atomic clock on Mars would gain 477 microseconds per day compared to one on Earth, and that lead shifts by up to 226 microseconds depending on where Mars is in its orbit. That means Martian time isn't just offsetit's variable, which is a key concern for any future navigation, communication, or timing system that needs microsecond-level accuracy. "That's not huge, but that's big in the context of precision measurements," said NIST physicist Bijunath Patla. We already knew Mars keeps its own schedule. Its days run about 40 minutes longer than Earth's, and its year spans 687 days. But the new finding confirms something physicists have long predicted. NASA notes that general relativitythe same physics that make Interstellar so mind-bendingexplains that clocks run faster where gravity is weaker. And because Mars has less mass and lower surface gravity, clocks there should tick slightly quicker than those on Earth. But the NIST team's work went a step further by quantifying how much quicker, and revealing that the rate itself changes day to day. Patla and his colleagues traced this shifting drift to the gravitational interplay among Mars, Earth, the sunand even the moonwhich subtly alters Mars' motion and gravitational field over time. "We've been studying this classic three-body problem," Patla said. "But now it's become a four-body problem." Studying the time difference is about far more than just curiosity. Any future astronauts, spacecraft, or autonomous rovers operating on Mars will need clocks that stay synchronized with Earth despite the constantly shifting gravitational influence. Even tiny timing mismatches accumulate, throwing off positioning systems, communication schedules, and scientific measurements. The team's work provides the first precise map of how Martian time actually behaves across an orbit, which is a foundational step toward interplanetary navigation. And while the daily difference is microscopic, the principle is profound: Time isn't the same across the solar system. In her early 20s, Kaci LaFon lived in Branson, Missouri, a tourist town known for its older population. She wanted to date but found it a challenge, so, like many her age, she headed to the apps. Over five years, she'd get a date here and there, but they always petered out. The issue, in her eyes? LaFon, now 28, is chronically ill. She has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, as well as a range of other health issues. Her matches had no idea how to navigate her challenges, or they had a god complex and wanted to treat her as an invalid. That all changed when LaFon went on Dateability, an app designed for both disabled and chronically ill people, per the AP. Soon after joining, she found her forever person, Collin LaFon, who has cerebral palsy and endured a similar dating experience. They married in September. More: Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. X Israel said Saturday it killed a senior Hamas commander in a car strike in Gaza City, while health officials in the enclave report multiple casualties caused by the attack. The Israeli military said Raed Saed, whom officials described as head of Hamas' weapons manufacturing and "one of the architects" of the Oct. 7, 2023, deadly attack on southern Israel was the target of the strike, the Guardian reports. The attack was carried out two months into the ceasefire. Gaza health authorities said four people were killed and at least 25 wounded, but there was no immediate confirmation from Hamas or medical sources that Saed was among the dead. Hamas did acknowledge that a civilian vehicle had been struck. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that he and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the assassination, per the New York Times. The statement said it was "in response to the activation of a Hamas explosive device that wounded our forces today" and said Saed has been leading the buildup of Hamas' military forces. An Israeli defense official called Saed's reported killing the most significant assassination of a Hamas leader since a ceasefire deal took effect in October, per the Guardian. The ceasefire has allowed many displaced Palestinians to return to heavily damaged areas of Gaza City and increased the flow of aid, but fighting has not stopped: Palestinian health authorities report at least 386 people killed in Israeli strikes since the truce, while Israel said that three of its soldiers have died and that it has continued to target armed militants. MZUZU, Malawi, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at the University of Malawi (CI-UNIMA) has held an event to mark the launch of Chinese Cultural Month in the Chinese calendar. The launch on Friday at Mzuzu University (MZUNI), some 380 km north of Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, was marked by a number of performances, including dances, talent shows, poetry recitation, Kungfu, music and speeches. Additionally, CI-UNIMA is expected to hold similar events at three universities across the country where Chinese studies, including the Chinese language, are taught, said Chinese Co-Director of CI-UNIMA Zu Lijun. "Today is the start of the Chinese Cultural Month, and we are happy to hold similar events in Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Zomba," said Zu in an interview with Xinhua during the event. Since the establishment of CI-UNIMA in 2016, Chinese studies have been offered at four centers in Malawi: CI-UNIMA in the capital, Lilongwe; the University of Malawi in Zomba; Malawi University of Science and Technology in Thyolo; and MZUNI in Mzuzu. Precious Madula, dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at MZUNI, hailed the introduction of Chinese studies at his institution while urging students to embrace the opportunity, which he said would open doors to the world for them. "We would like to encourage you to take the Chinese studies seriously. So, you could get an opportunity to land international jobs, besides an opportunity to work with the Chinese investors in the country in translation services," said Madula. According to Zu, Chinese courses will be offered in Malawi for a long time to support cooperation in various areas, including education and agriculture. "We hope to see more young people in Malawi speaking Chinese to help Chinese companies in Malawi in translation, among other opportunities," said Zu. At least one gunman opened fire at Brown University in Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon, killing at least two people and wounding several others. Providence's mayor said eight people were in critical condition, per the Guardian. Officials urged students and staff to take shelter as officers were going building to building in the early evening to search for suspects, WPRI reports. Engineering design exams were underway in the Barus & Holley building on campus when the shooting began there, per the AP. The seven-story complex houses the School of Engineering and physics department. Police have detained a person of interest in Saturday's fatal shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island that left two people dead and nine wounded, reports NBC News. No details were immediately provided about him, including what the motive might be. Police said surveillance video from the shooting showed the shooter, clad all in black, walking away from the scene, reports the AP. Providence police chief Col. Oscar Perez said after the arrest that authorities were not currently looking for anyone else. Perez said the suspect was in his 20s, revising that from an initial guess that he was in his 30s. Australian police said Monday that the 15 people killed in a mass shooting during a Hanukkah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach ranged in age from 10 to 87. At least 40 people were injured, most of whom remain hospitalized. "It was just carnage," said a photographer who was shot at while capturing the Chanukah by the Sea gathering Sunday of hundreds of people, the New York Times reports. The victims of the attack, which police said was carried out by a father and son, included a Holocaust survivor who died shielding his wife from the gunfire. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. KHARTOUM, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least six UN peacekeepers were killed and seven others wounded on Saturday when a United Nations facility in Kadugli, the capital of Sudan's South Kordofan State, was struck in a drone attack, Sudanese authorities said. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the strike, a claim the RSF denied. According to an SAF statement, the drone fired three missiles at the UN headquarters and the Bangladesh Battalion, setting a UN storage facility on fire. All the casualties were members of the Bangladesh Battalion, which is part of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. In a separate statement, Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, which backs the SAF, condemned what it described as an RSF drone attack on UN premises in Kadugli, calling it a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the protections afforded to UN facilities. "Targeting a protected UN facility represents a dangerous escalation and criminal behavior amounting to an organized terrorist act," the council said, adding that the attack poses a direct threat to humanitarian and international missions. The council held the RSF "fully responsible" and urged the United Nations and the international community to take firm measures to protect UN facilities and humanitarian personnel and to hold those responsible accountable under international law. The RSF, however, denied carrying out any aerial attack on the UN facility. In a statement, it rejected the allegations as "baseless," saying they were an attempt to fabricate accusations against its forces. The RSF claimed its record is "entirely free" of attacks on international organizations, adding that it has previously worked to protect UN facilities and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers. It called on international bodies to verify information carefully. Sudan has been engulfed in a deadly conflict since April 15, 2023, when fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced inside the country and across its borders. TOKYO, Dec 14 (News On Japan) - As the end of the year approaches, companies across Japan are scaling back on traditional calendar giveaways, with major airlines such as JAL and ANA joining a growing list of firms ending long-standing distribution programs even as demand among some consumers remains strong. An image posted by an ANA customer on December 9th showed a notice announcing the end of the free calendar that had long been offered to card members. Other companies, including JAL, automaker Daihatsu, and several banks, have also confirmed they will discontinue calendar distribution after the 2025 or 2026 editions, citing environmental considerations and efforts to reduce costs. Many consumers say calendars have simply become less central to daily life. A man in his 40s said he hardly sees paper calendars at home because his household is mostly paperless. A woman in her 60s noted that distribution has noticeably declined as companies scale back. Calendar manufacturers are feeling the impact. When asked about sales trends, Todan President Kuniotake Tsuyoguchi said sales volumes have been shrinking steadily: they have been declining by 2% to 3% each year from a peak of roughly 10 million copies. With numbers falling by several percentage points annually, he said future prospects are easy to imagine. Higher production costs have also played a part, prompting Todan to raise prices for four consecutive years. To manage costs, the company has introduced design changes such as calendars that show three months per page, reducing the total number of sheets from the typical 12 to five. While snacks can simply reduce quantity from 12 pieces to 10, Tsuyoguchi said calendars cannot skip months, making layout adjustments essential. Even so, many consumers remain committed to paper calendars. A man in his 40s said he has already purchased one for next year. A woman in her 20s said her family writes their schedules on a large wall calendar at home to share plans. To meet such demand, some organizations are continuing distribution. The Kawasaki City Fire Department in Kanagawa Prefecture has kept producing its calendar, which typically runs out quickly each year. The department says the calendars help convey fire-prevention messages such as reminders to exercise caution during dry weather. Electronics retailer Bic Camera, which has handed out free calendars for more than 20 years, saw many shoppers pick one up on December 11th. Customers praised the convenience of the railway map printed inside and the quality of the paper, with some saying they return every year because they can take the calendars for free. Despite ongoing cost pressures, Bic Camera says it plans to continue the program, hoping the calendars will encourage customers to visit stores. Source: FNN OSAKA, Dec 14 (News On Japan) - Condominium prices in Osaka are rising at a pace that shows no sign of slowing, with units exceeding 100 million yen becoming increasingly common as the city records the worlds fastest rate of condo price growth among major metropolitan areas. A recent survey released shortly after the close of the Osaka-Kansai Expo ranked Osaka first globally in price appreciation, underscoring a dramatic shift in the citys real estate landscape. To understand what is happening on the ground, news Runner visited a company specializing in tower condominium sales and toured a unit adjacent to Grand Front Osaka. The property, offering sweeping views of the new Grand Green Osaka development, is listed at 249.9 million yen. The agent explained that the same unit sold for under 100 million yen when new, meaning its value has more than tripled. Similar increases are spreading through multiple central areas, well beyond Osaka Stations immediate vicinity. At a real estate office in Osakas Nishi Ward, reporters observed an actual negotiation involving Matsunaga, a buyer in his 30s who works for a listed company and incorporates real estate investment into his broader financial strategy. Matsunaga said prices once capped by a 100 million yen barrier have now climbed into the 200300 million yen range, with buyers still expecting further growth. He began investing about ten years ago and has earned an estimated 300 million yen in profits. Last year he won a lottery to purchase a Grand Green Osaka unit for around 120 million yen, which he now hears could sell for about 220 million yen. Despite perceptions that foreign investors are pushing up prices, real estate firms say they account for less than 10 percent of purchases. Instead, the surge is driven largely by local buyers, both prospective residents and Japanese investors treating property as a long-term asset. An expert familiar with Osakas market said price growth is supported by major development plans, including the integrated resort project and redevelopment in areas such as Morinomiya and northern districts, which he expects will continue to expand the citys economic potential. The expert guided reporters to the Nakanoshima district, south of Fukushima Station, where a new station on the Naniwasuji Line is set to open in 2031. He said the rise in prices reflects economic fundamentals: as a propertys earning power increases, valuations naturally follow. While the government is considering a system to track the nationality of buyers and industry groups are preparing measures to curb speculative resales, many question whether these steps will be enough to slow the momentum. With new-build prices rising beyond reach for many households, demand for secondhand units combined with renovations is growing rapidly. Real estate intermediaries report that 80 to 90 percent of clients now consider a used condo plus renovation as an alternative to new construction. One couple, raising a one-year-old child, initially searched for a new-build property in Abeno Ward but quickly found prices unrealistic. They purchased a secondhand unit there in August for about 50 million yen and are spending roughly 17 million yen on layout and kitchen renovations to create their ideal home. They said renovation offers more predictable budgeting compared with the widerand costlieroptions of new construction. Experts note that Japanese real estate prices remained depressed through the countrys lost 30 years, with Osaka becoming especially undervalued. Even with recent increases, they say prices remain low compared with other global cities and are only now approaching what they consider fair market levels. Commentator Kikuchi, however, warned that rising values may require intervention to ensure affordability for residents. He pointed to the bubble era, when Japan imposed heavy capital gains taxes on short-term resales, arguing that similar measures could help cool todays market. Source: KTV NEWS OSAKA, Dec 14 (News On Japan) - A team of workers who labor through the night for the benefit of society were followed closely as they undertook two extraordinary tasks: transporting a 50-metre wind turbine blade across narrow residential streets in Shizuoka Prefecture and carrying out behind-the-scenes maintenance at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka after the park had closed. On a cold winter night, long after most residents had settled indoors, a specialist transport crew gathered at a coastal site in Shizuoka. The employees, who handle oversized cargo such as railcars and heavy industrial components, were preparing to move a single wind turbine blade nearly 50 metres in length and weighing 9 tonnes. The blade was mounted on an extended trailer hitched behind the cab, and the responsibility for navigating the journey fell to experienced driver Maekawa, who has handled more than 100 such operations. Alongside him was Yamaguchi, operating a remote-control system that steers the trailers rear wheels, a crucial role for avoiding obstacles in tight spaces. Because of the blades size, every movement had to take place after midnight when traffic was minimal. The transport team faced a strict deadline: complete the operation by dawn. Within minutes after the 10 p.m. departure, the enormous blade was already passing through the town, creating a surreal sight as the 50-metre structure slid between ordinary buildings. But the first major challenge arose soon after the convoy reached a hairpin turn known locally as a hell curve, shaped like a U and far narrower than a typical intersection. With real-time coordination between Maekawa and Yamaguchi, the trailer advanced inch by inch, avoiding the wall by a razor-thin margin. Residents who had ventured out to watch held their breath as the blade narrowly cleared the turn. By 1 a.m., the team approached another right-angle turn in a dense residential district. To create enough space, road signs had been temporarily removed under special permission from local authorities. Spectators gathered despite the late hour, calling it a rare opportunity to witness such a feat. The manoeuvre required not only precise steering but also constant vigilance to avoid contact with surrounding homes and elevated structures. After five slow minutes, the trailer passed through safely to a round of relieved applause. Rain began falling at 2:25 a.m. as the crew approached an overhead pedestrian bridge with a height of 4.5 metres. The clearance was so tight that Maekawa and Yamaguchi advanced at a crawl, confirming every centimetre of space before the blade slipped beneath the structure without incident. But the largest obstacle still lay ahead. At 3 a.m., the trailer needed to make a left turn impossible to execute from the roadway. Instead, the team steered into a nearby parking lot, intending to reverse the entire 50-metre load back onto the main road in a new direction. The tension on both workers faces reflected the scale of the task. Guided by precise inputs from Yamaguchis remote steering, the manoeuvre was completed flawlessly. By 4 a.m., the team had delivered the blade to its destination, concluding a 50-kilometre, six-hour journey. For Maekawa, the successful operation reaffirmed the pride he takes in a job built on teamwork and technical expertise. The focus then shifted to Universal Studios Japan, one of the worlds most visited theme parks with 16 million guests last year. After closing at 9:30 p.m., the park transformed into a silent, unlit city where hundreds of night-shift staff carry out essential work that cannot be done during the day. In the San Francisco area of the park, a cleaning crew used high-pressure water to wash away grime that accumulates during peak hours. One worker explained that directing the waves created by the water rather than spraying debris directly allows even fine particles to be swept away efficiently. The team cleans an area equivalent to 12 Tokyo Domes every night, spending hours removing stubborn dirt trapped between cobblestones and clearing drains of tangled hair with meticulous care. Another team managed the parks 100,000 wardrobe items, checking each piece after washing for stains, fabric pilling, or loose buttons to ensure crew uniforms remain presentable for guests. In a separate workshop, an illumination team prepared for a new initiative: powering holiday lighting using biodiesel fuel generated from food waste collected inside the park. During a final test on this particular night, the lights switched on successfully, bathing the area in a colourful glow. In the New York area of the park, a craftsman whose work clothes were speckled with paint was restoring ageing facade components. The parks sets are intentionally weathered through aging paint, a technique used to recreate accumulated dust, rust, and decades-old wear consistent with the areas 1930s theme. Mixing pigments from scratch to match each building, the painter used tools such as industrial dryers to compensate for cold temperatures that slow the drying process. Applying carefully placed grey shading, he recreated the look of dust gathering in corners untouched by visitors. Two hours later, the refreshed facade blended seamlessly into the parks historical streetscape. By the time the park reopened at 8 a.m., crews had completed their overnight work, leaving guests unaware of the intense labour that takes place after dark. Visitors expressed admiration for the realism and detail that define the parks environments, noting that the unseen efforts behind the scenes deepen their appreciation for the experience. Much of the world functions on the unseen dedication of those who work in the shadows. These late-night professionals from heavy-transport specialists navigating perilous routes to theme-park crews maintaining vast attractions keep society moving through steady, often unacknowledged effort. Source: TBS SHIGA, Dec 14 (News On Japan) - Otsus centuries-old festival tradition has been approved for inscription on UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage list, marking a significant recognition of the cultural and communal value of the Otsu Festivals Hikiyama parade. UNESCO has decided to add four additional Japanese traditions, including Otsus Hikiyama procession, to its category of Mountain, Float and Pavilion Festivals, a group that highlights regional events built around elaborate floats and long-preserved community rituals. The Otsu Festival, already designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government, has been celebrated since the Edo period and was praised for playing an essential role in shaping and sustaining the local community. Furuya Hiroshi, chairman of the Otsu Festival Preservation Society, said the registration places the tradition on an even larger global stage, adding that people around the world will now see what generations of predecessors have carried on for hundreds of years, and that this responsibility must continue unchanged. Within Shiga Prefecture, this marks the second festival to receive UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status. Source: KTV NEWS TOKYO, Dec 14 (News On Japan) - Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, attended the 50th anniversary ceremony for the Faculty of Nursing at Chiba University on December 14th, where she delivered an address that emphasized her longstanding respect for the profession. Aiko took the stage at the universitys commemorative event held on the afternoon of December 14th and said she has admired nurses since childhood, noting that she has often observed their precise judgment, adaptability, and ability to respond to patients needs with empathy. She said she has long been moved by their dedication, adding, "I have encountered the accurate judgment and flexible response of nurses, who consider the intentions of those they care for, and I have felt the greatness of their approach as they support the physical and emotional well-being of others." Aiko, who works at the Japanese Red Cross Society, also referred to her visit to the Noto Peninsula earthquake-affected areas in May, explaining that she was deeply impressed by how professionals across medical, nursing, and welfare fields cooperated to support survivors, saying their efforts left a lasting impression on her. Chiba University is the only national university in Japan with a dedicated Faculty of Nursing, and Aiko closed her address by expressing respect for the institutions initiatives and offering her hopes for the continued success of its students. Source: TBS SHIZUOKA, Dec 14 (News On Japan) - Yamaguchi-gumi, Japans largest crime syndicate and a designated organized crime group under special anti-conflict measures in Hyogo Prefecture and other regions, convened a meeting in Shizuoka Citys Shimizu Ward on December 13th. According to investigative sources, the group is believed to have held its traditional year-opening ritual, known as the kotohajime ceremony, at the Shimizu Ikka office, a local affiliate in the ward, where direct-line bosses gathered ahead of the New Year. At the office, top leaders including Shinoda Kenichi, known as Tsukasa Shinobu, and Wakagashira Takeuchi Teruaki were seen entering the building, and police from within and outside the prefecture monitored the arrivals to confirm the lineup of senior figures. Since restrictions were placed on the use of the groups headquarters facilities in Kobe following its split with Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi and the ensuing conflict, Yamaguchi-gumi had been using an office in Hamamatsu City as the venue for this annual gathering around this time of year. Source: FNN TOKYO, Dec 14 (News On Japan) - A 24-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after allegedly stabbing her younger sister in the back with a kitchen knife at their home in Kisarazu on the night of December 13th. Police received an emergency call from the mother at around 7 p.m. on December 13th reporting that her younger daughter had been stabbed by her elder sister inside their residence in the citys Nitta district. When officers arrived, they found the 22-year-old victim with stab wounds to her back and hand. Investigators later located the elder sister near the home and questioned her about the incident. She admitted to involvement, telling officers it was , leading police to arrest her on the spot on suspicion of attempted murder. The younger sisters injuries are not life-threatening, and police are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Source: TBS Dec 15 (News On Japan) - Gackt updated his X account on December 13th to issue a pointed warning about the way people interact with artificial intelligence, arguing that excessive dependence on automated systems is eroding basic judgment. Referring to reports that Googles AI search feature had incorrectly stated that all tsunami warnings had been lifted while alerts were still in effect, Gackt called the situation ridiculous, questioning whether anyone would truly rely on AI to make decisions during a life-threatening emergency. He stressed that AI routinely produces inaccurate information and noted that it is neither an official observation agency nor a source of primary data, unlike the Meteorological Agency or local authorities. Gackt argued that the real problem lies not in AIs accuracy but in the mindset of people who interpret AI-generated responses as reassurance, saying the issue reflects a lack of individual crisis awareness rather than flaws in the technology itself. Extending his remarks beyond disaster scenarios, Gackt said he is increasingly concerned that many people have begun abandoning personal judgment in everyday life because of the convenience of AI tools. He urged users to make their own final decisions, emphasizing that AI is a tool rather than something to entrust with ones life or daily wellbeing. Warning that relying on AI to think on ones behalf will only dull human intellect, Gackt cautioned followers to stay alert and avoid handing everything over to technology. Source: GACKT Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's export of information and communications technology (ICT) products hit a record monthly high due to soaring semiconductor demand, government data showed Sunday. The ICT products shipment surged 24.3 percent from a year earlier to 25.45 billion U.S. dollars in November, keeping an upward trend since February, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. It topped the previous high of 25.40 billion dollars tallied in September on the back of soaring chip demand. Chip export spiked 38.6 percent to reach a new high of 17.27 billion dollars on solid demand for high-end products, such as double data rate 5 (DDR5) and high bandwidth memory (HBM) used in generative artificial intelligence (AI) chipsets. Display panel shipment declined 3.7 percent to 1.60 billion dollars, but mobile phone export gained 3.5 percent to 1.50 billion dollars. Shipment for computers and peripherals added 1.9 percent to 1.52 billion dollars, while communications equipment export climbed 3.3 percent to 200 million dollars. Import for ICT products expanded 2.7 percent over the year to 12.77 billion dollars in November, sending the trade surplus in the ICT industry to 12.69 billion dollars. Imports for mobile phones, computers and communications equipment posted a double-digit growth, but those for chips and display panels retreated in single figures last month. Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe SYDNEY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Police in Australia's Sydney have been called to reports of active shooters at the city's iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, with local media reporting that multiple people have been shot. Police also confirmed that two people are in custody. The police force in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said in a post on social media shortly before 7 p.m. local time on Sunday that officers were responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach and are urging members of the public to avoid the area. Anyone at the scene has been advised to take shelter. News Corp Australia newspapers reported that multiple people had been shot, with videos from the scene reportedly showing two masked men firing high-powered guns into a crowd. Up to 50 gunshots were reported to have been heard at Bondi Beach, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. 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 AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- China Travel Service (NZ) Limited launched its new South America tour packages on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand, leveraging China Eastern Airlines' newly established long-haul route from Shanghai to Buenos Aires via Auckland. Representatives from local media, the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, the China Cultural Center in Auckland, and members of the banking and business communities attended the launch ceremony. Turning the long-envisioned "Southern Link" concept into reality, the direct Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires route operated by China Eastern Airlines not only connects three major cities but also significantly strengthens intercontinental mobility between China, New Zealand and South America. Lisa Li, managing director at China Travel Service (NZ) Limited, said that the route is a milestone for trans-Pacific aviation, reducing travel time and offering travellers a seamless passage across the Southern Hemisphere. Industry representatives at the event noted that the route and the travel packages will help broaden tourism exchanges between China, New Zealand, and South America. PHILADELPHIA Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden were in attendance for Sundays game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Las Vegas Raiders. And the 46th president of the United States had a message for Eagles fans. Go Birds, man, all the way, Biden told NBC10. Gotta win the Super Bowl again. Biden, a Delaware native, is no stranger to Philadelphia sports. He attended Game 2 of the 2025 NLDS between the Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers. He also attended the Eagles Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots. Jill Biden, who grew up in Willow Grove, is a die-hard Eagles fan and has made that known throughout the years. The Bidens werent the only special guests in attendance. Actor Bradley Cooper and MLB superstar Mike Trout, both well-known Birds fans, were also at the Linc on Sunday. Abraham Quintanilla Jr., father of late Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla, has died. He was 86. Quintanillas death was announced Saturday by his son, Abraham A.B. Quintanilla III, via Instagram. Its with a heavy heart to let you guys know that my Dad passed away today, the post read. A cause of death has yet to be reported. Quintanilla Jr. gained fame as a music producer, backing his daughter Selenas career which popularized Tejano (Tex-Mex) music before her murder in 1995. The late superstars father, born in Corpus Christi, Texas, was a second generation Mexican American. Quintanilla Jr. married Marcella Samora in 1963 and the couple had three children: Abraham (born in 1963), Suzette (1967) and Selena (1971). The father taught his children how to play music from a young age so that they could perform together. He spent countless hours teaching Selena, the groups vocalist, how to sing in Spanish. The group, Selena y Los Dinos, began performing together in the early 80s and rose to fame later in that decade. Selenas 1994 album, Amor Prohibido, went multiplatinum just a year before she was murdered by a former president of her fan club in Corpus Christi. Quintanilla Jr. vowed to carry on Selenas legacy following her death. He executive produced the 1997 film Selena, in which Edward James Olmos portrayed him. He was also featured in the Netflix documentary Selena y Los Dinos: A Familys Legacy, which released in October. He is survived by his wife Marcella, children Abraham III and Suzette, as well as his grandchildren. Every recall represents more than a headline its a potential crisis averted. Decembers list of food and product recalls reminds us how essential these alerts are to public safety. As the month brings heavy shopping, increased travel, and large gatherings, understanding what items have been pulled from circulation becomes even more critical. Here are four of the latest recalls across food and consumer goods that made headlines this week and how to spot these risky items to stay safe. 4 food and product recalls between Dec. 8 and Dec. 14 Item Detail Start Date Week of Dec. 8-14 Whos affected? Consumers of a certain brand of nasal spray, people who bought certain power banks, people who bought salted lamb and patients on a certain type of blood pressure medication. Whats changing? See each specific food, car or product recall for more information. What will happen? People will have to stop consuming or using the products, return them to their place of purchase, and/or throw the products out. Amazon is recalling a power bank that might be a fire hazard waiting to happen: Is your charger affected? Approximately 210,000 portable power banks sold on Amazon have been recalled due to fire and burn risks, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The recall concerns INIUs BI-B41 100,000mAh portable power banks, specifically the lithium ion battery in the power banks because it can overheat. The company received 15 reports of overheating power banks, including 11 instances of fires that resulted in minor burn injuries and $380,000 worth of property damage, according to the CPSC. The banks were sold on Amazon between August 2021 and April 2022, priced at around $18. Only portable power banks with serial numbers 000G21, 000H21, 000I21 and 000L21 are included in this recall, the CPSC says. Those with the power banks should stop using them immediately, visit INIUs recall page and register their products to receive a full refund. For more information about this recall, you can read our article about the subject here. FDA recalling blood pressure medication used by thousands: Is your medicine affected? More than 11,100 bottles of a type of blood pressure medication sold under the brand name Ziac are being recalled due to cross-contamination with other medications, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. According to the FDA, the New Jersey-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals recalled 11,136 bottles of bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets because they had traces of ezetimibe (a drug used to treat high cholesterol). No adverse effects have been reported to date. The affected Ziac tablets came in 2.5 mg and 6.25 mg doses, and were packaged in 30, 100 and 500-count bottles. If people believe they have the recalled Ziac tablets in their medicine cabinets, they should contact a health care provider before taking any further doses of the medication. To find out more about this recall, you can read our article here. Nearly 6K pounds of fresh, salted lab recalled due to lack of inspection A New Jersey-based grocer is recalling 5,970 pounds of fresh, salted lamb because they werent inspected properly, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service. The affected lamb, which has a one-year shelf life, was produced from March 11, 2025, to Dec. 3, 2025. No illnesses have been reported to date. The product subject to recall, according to the FSIS, is the 15-lb. plastic-lined boxes containing GHANAIANWAY AFRICAN FOODS SALTED LAMB (KOOBI). The products were shipped to multiple states, including restaurants and stores in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The problem was found during routine checks on FSISs oversight. Consumers with the recalled lamb should throw the products out or return them to their place of purchase. FDA recalls nasal spray due to mold, contamination: Is your product affected? A nationwide recall of MediNatura New Mexico, Inc.s ReBoost Nasal Spray has been initiated due to the products contamination with mold and other bacteria, according to the FDA. The product has been found to contain yeast/mold and microbial contamination with one species identified as Achromobacter, at levels above specifications, according to the FDA recall alert. The recalled nasal spray comes in a 20mL bottle, with UPC # 787647 10186 3, lot # 224268 and an expiration date of December 2027. The nasal spray was distributed to retail locations nationwide and sold at medinatura.com. Consumers who have this product are asked to immediately stop using it and contact MediNatura New Mexico, Inc. at recall@medinatura.com for a full refund. KABUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have arrested two drug traffickers for attempting to smuggle 222 kg of hashish in northern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, provincial police spokesman Ehsanullah Kamgar said on Sunday. The suspects were apprehended earlier Sunday during an operation in the Kishim district of Badakhshan. According to Kamgar, the traffickers were transporting the drugs using a vehicle disguised as carrying livestock. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects have been handed over to judicial authorities for further questioning. When Marcus Luce set up his hemp farm in Sussex County in 2019, New Jersey was on the verge of legalizing recreational cannabis for adults. His picturesque small farm in Wantage has rows and rows of hemp alongside quiet barns and a winding trail where horses meander through the caked mud. The hemp farm, called Country High, helps retired racehorses who can end up as dog food literally. Although horse slaughter is banned in the United States, some retired racehorses are shipped overseas, where they are processed for pet food. Luces farm grows and sells hemp to support the horses and treat their ailments, including cancer. As Gov. Phil Murphys administration moved to legalize weed in 2020, Luce expected his hemp farm would be welcomed into New Jerseys growing cannabis market too. Hemp and weed are both cannabis plants, but hemp is non-intoxicating. Hemp is harvested by farmers and used for fiber, seeds and other materials including the growing market of nonintoxicating CBD oils and products. As farmers, we thought this was the future of farming, Luce said. Marcus Luce co-runs a hemp farm, Country High in Wantage, and uses the plant to help treat retired racehorses. Jelani Gibson But the transition to welcoming hemp farmers that Luce and others in New Jersey expected five years ago never materialized. While neighboring New York integrated local hemp farmers into its cannabis laws and market, New Jerseys laws focused on large corporate medical cannabis companies. Hemp farmers were kept separate from medical cannabis growers in New Jerseys regulations and programs. Now, there is a new law proposed in New Jersey that some hemp growers say could put them out of business. The proposed legislation which would ban intoxicating forms of hemp would require farmers to obtain a state cannabis license. Advocates say that could be impossible for farmers in municipalities that have already opted out of allowing cannabis businesses, limited licenses or restricted zoning for weed businesses. This three acres are very profitable for me, Luce said of his farm. You take this away I have to do something else here? The hemp dilemma Hemp Farmer Thomas Norcia grows hemp in Stillwater and has concerns that new laws by legislators could affect his operations for the worse. Jelani Gibson Hemp isnt usually intoxicating, but it can be processed after its harvested to have psychoactive effects. The practice of making hemp intoxicating was previously permitted due to a soon-to-be closed federal loophole. After reports surfaced of children accessing intoxicating hemp products made by out-of-state manufacturers, federal and state officials scrambled to make the practice illegal. State lawmakers introduced a bill S3235 last year to ban intoxicating hemp in New Jersey. The measure was approved in September 2024 and banned sales of the intoxicating hemp products to minors while also putting restrictions on how hemp products were defined. But part of New Jerseys new law was struck down in court last year due to litigation. Lawmakers are now revisiting the legislation with a bill that has hemp farmers worried. The new definition of hemp proposed by state lawmakers in the legislation could cut down on out-of-state bad actors, farmers say. But the law could also hurt their businesses. The new bill sponsored by two of the states highest-ranking legislators, Democratic state Senate President Nicholas Scutari and Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz would require hemp farmers in the state to obtain a cannabis license. Hemp farmers like Luce say they are willing to get a license. But New Jersey municipalities have the option of opting out of allowing cannabis businesses within their borders. Some hemp farmers are located in towns that have already opted out or capped the number of cannabis licenses. Some towns have also zoned for cannabis businesses in locations that dont include areas where hemp farms are already located. That could leave some New Jersey hemp farmers with no way to apply for a cannabis license. Legislators say only farmers selling intoxicating hemp would have to apply for the license. But advocates for hemp farmers say the way legislators have defined intoxicating hemp in the proposed law is so strict that it could force them to apply for a cannabis license regardless of whether or not their product can actually get someone high. The Senate Majority Office declined to comment on the criticism of the hemp legislation. Murphy signed the law banning sales of intoxicating hemp in the state to children in 2024 before it was challenged in court. When he signed the law, Murphy said he had concerns about the legislation. He questioned how the law would be enforced and language in the bill that attempted to define intoxicating hemp. But Murphy said he signed the law because it was important to quickly ban the sale of intoxicating hemp to minors. I would have preferred to sign a bill that stopped there, Murphy said in a signing statement at the time. An alternative bill, A5068, introduced last year and sponsored by state Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, D-Middlesex, would keep most regulatory authority under the current hemp program and the state Department of Agriculture. Supporters say it includes a more scientifically accurate definition of intoxicating hemp. A companion bill was recently introduced in the state Senate by Sen. Joseph Lagana, D-Bergen, who sits on the same committee reviewing the leadership-backed bill. Getting squashed Turtle Clan Chief Vincent Mann holds a hemp plant at the Munsee Three Sisters Medicinal Farm in 2021. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com As negotiations in Trenton continue on the legislation, hemp farmers worry they are being sidelined by municipal and out-of-state lobbyists with deeper pockets. The new law aims to curb dangerous products, but it shouldnt come at the expense of local hemp farmers who have followed the rules, said Thomas Norcia, a Sussex County hemp grower in Stillwater. Norcia, who has been growing hemp for decades, sells hemp to a variety of stores. He considers himself a boutique grower. Some of his plants are grown on raised platforms. Others are on the ground. Nets crisscross some of the plants to make sure they keep their shape. As Norcia goes around the farm, he recites the traits of each plant, its strain and its purpose by memory. Hes able to take apart each leaf and talk about how they grew month-by-month, week-by-week, explaining each plants unique history. Norcia is trying to get approved as a cannabis business in Stillwater, even though the town has already adopted an ordinance banning cannabis businesses. My towns opted out, Norcia said. We need a pathway. Vincent Mann, Turtle Clan Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Nation, also says its important to let the hemp farming industry thrive in New Jersey. The Ramapough Lenape Nation, which spans parts of New Jersey and New York, is one of the states officially recognized indigenous tribes. Manns clan grows hemp and said the plant is vital to his community. His farm, located in Newton, grows hemp and other crops as part of a food cooperative for his tribe. Many Ramapough families live near the Ringwood Mines, which is home to toxic soil and a Superfund site. That leaves many in the community reliant on state programs for assistance, Mann said. For Mann, hemp is a cash crop thats key to the tribes self-sufficiency. Now, he worries local farmers are being forgotten as the hemp legislation is being negotiated in Trenton. We want to be able to survive, Mann said. Us little people are going to be squashed. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Hundreds of police officers were scouring the Brown University campus along with nearby neighborhoods and poring over video in the hunt for a shooter who opened fire in a classroom, killing two people and wounding nine others. The search stretched late into the night, well after the shooting erupted Saturday afternoon in the engineering building of the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, during final exams. Surveillance video released by police shows the suspect, dressed in black, calmly walking away from the scene. His face is not visible and investigators said it wasnt clear whether the suspect is a student. The suspect was last seen leaving the engineering building and some witnesses told police the suspect, who could be in his 30s, may have been wearing a camouflage mask, Providence Police Deputy Chief Timothy OHara said. University President Christina Paxson said she was told 10 people who were shot were students. Another person was injured by fragments from the shooting but it was not clear if the victim was a student, she said. The search for the shooter paralyzed the campus, the nearby neighborhoods filled with stately brick homes and the downtown in Rhode Islands capital city. Streets normally bustling with activity on weekends were eerily quiet. Students sheltered in place for hours into the night. Officers in tactical gear led students out of some campus buildings and into a fitness center where they waited. Others arrived at the shelter on buses without jackets or any belongings. Mayor advised people to stay home Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom. Outer doors of the building were unlocked but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said. He encouraged people living near the campus to stay inside or not return home until a shelter-in-place order was lifted. The Brown communitys heart is breaking and Providences heart is breaking along with it, Smiley said. 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. Democratic Gov. Dan McKee vowed that all resources were being deployed to catch the suspect. Rhode Island has some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S. Nine people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was in critical condition. Six required intensive care but were not getting worse and two were stable, hospital spokesperson Kelly Brennan said. Exams were underway during shooting Engineering design exams were underway when the shooting occurred in the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department. The building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices, according to the universitys website. Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the 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 sheltered for several hours. Former Survivor contestant just left the building Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate who was the runner-up earlier this year on the CBS reality competition show Survivor, said she left her lab in the engineering building 15 minutes before shots rang out. The engineering and thermal science student shared candid moments on Survivor as the shows first openly autistic contestant. She was locked down in the campus gym following the shooting and shared on social media that the only other member of her lab who was present was safely evacuated. 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. Im just in here shaking, he said, watching through the window as armed officers surrounded his dorm. Students hid under desks Students in a nearby lab turned off the lights and hid under desks 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. Everyone is the same as me, shocked and terrified that something like this happened, she said. Brown, the seventh oldest higher education institution in the U.S., is one of the nations most prestigious colleges with roughly 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. ___ By Kimberlee Kruesi, Jennifer McDermott, Hannah Schoenbaum and Alanna Durkin Richer Associated Press Schoenbaum reported from Salt Lake City and Durkin Richer from Washington. Associated Press journalists Mike Balsamo and Seung Min Kim in Washington, Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota, John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, and Martha Bellisle in Seattle contributed. The construction of the controversial Glassboro-Camden Light Rail line took recently two significant steps forward as public agencies started bridge construction and approved a plan to buy property. The line would connect Gloucester County to a rail network in Camden County that intersects with NJ Transits RiverLine to Trenton. It would also link to trains to Atlantic City and the Delaware River Port Authoritys rail line from Lindenwold to Philadelphia. On Dec. 10, NJ Transits board approved purchasing or using eminent domain to acquire property at 525 Martin Luther King Boulevard in Camden. The tract would be used both for the light rail line and as a construction staging area for the $250 million redevelopment of the Walter Rand Transportation Center in Camden. The Camden property is the first of 216 properties needed in 14 towns for the light rail line. The land could ultimately be used for right-of-way for the proposed light rail line, which is also known as the South Jersey regional light rail line, NJ Transit documents said. The $2 billion plan calls for the light rail line to run largely along existing Conrail freight rail line separated by about 25 feet from existing freight lines. That is similar to how the RiverLine between Camden and Trenton operates. A related Glassboro-Camden light rail project is also being advanced by the Delaware River Port Authority. That agency is set to award a contract to rebuild a bridge in Mantua that carries Mantua Boulevard over the Conrail line that the proposed light rail trains would use. Three construction companies have been short-listed in response to a request for proposals in July. NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said the steps were taken because the project has the support of both Gov. Phil Murphys administration and incoming Gov. Mikie Sherrill. When I started in January, one of the first things I said was we are going to keep moving this project forward, Kolluri said. Acquiring properties is part of it, without property were not going to be able to build it. There is a commitment to do GCL and our job is to keep it moving, he added. The project would be funded with state funds, Kolluri said. That could hit some speed bumps from opponents who formed a grassroots group that have successfully petitioned to have referendum questions placed on the ballot asking residents of various towns if they want the rail line. The towns of Mantua, Pitman and Woodbury Heights, all in Gloucester County, passed resolutions in 2022 and 2023 opposing the rail line. Five of the 14 towns with proposed light rail stops have either passed resolutions opposing it or voters approved non-binding referendums against the light rail line, said Charles Hughes, co-founder of Stop the GCL group. We knocked on doors, he said. If you ask anyone who live a quarter mile from the tracks if want it, they say no because of the noise, it runs every seven minutes and traffic. He cited the cost to build and operate the light rail and whether ridership would justify the expense to build it. Hughes, a retired aerospace engineer, lives in Woodbury, a town that would have a light rail station. Opponents plan to have petition drives in Gloucester City, Woodbury and Westville to put a referendum question on the ballot, he said. They are also trying to get the state Assembly to hold hearings. A better, more cost effective alternative to a light rail line is micro transit ride share programs similar to those operated in Jersey City and Camden under contract with VIA, said Hughes. This system takes you where you want to go, a system like this would revolutionize transportation, Hughes said. If we had a system like this, we wouldnt need the light rail. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission estimates Gloucester Countys population and employment will grow by 29% through 2045. Its among the highest projected growth rates in the state. Studies for the proposed light rail line began in 2003 when the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission initiated a study completed two years later. A more involved environmental study was completed in 2020. The corridor has older, densely-populated communities, including Glassboro, Woodbury and Pitman, that developed along an existing freight rail line. The rail line could serve colleges, medical centers and other businesses, largely based in Camden and Gloucester counties and Philadelphia, which contribute to the regional economy, supporters said. Gov. Phil Murphy said officials will increase security at synagogues in New Jersey after an attack on a Hanukkah celebration left at least 11 people dead in Australia on Sunday. The two gunmen opened fire during an event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where hundreds had gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. Murphy said while there were no specific threats to New Jersey, officials will be boosting security at synagogues and Jewish events throughout the state at the start of the eight-day festival. I am horrified by the cowardly terrorist attack that took place during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, resulting in the loss of 11 innocent lives and additional injuries, including to law enforcement. Antisemitism is a growing global problem that poses serious and immediate threats to public safety. It must be condemned forcefully and unequivocally, Murphy said. We must never allow terrorism to prevail and threaten our way of life, he added. Murphy directed state officials to meet with rabbis on Sunday who are concerned about their places of worship following the attack. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, the states top law enforcement officer, said he was appalled and outraged by the antisemitic terrorist attack in Australia. We join the people of Australia, the loved ones of the victims, and those seeking peace around the world in unity. While there is no known threat to New Jersey, in an abundance of caution, I have directed an increase in police presence around holiday celebrations here, Platkin said in a statement. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill said she was horrified by the attack. Im horrified by the antisemitic terrorist attack that took 11 lives at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, and Im sending my condolences to the families and friends of those lost, said Sherrill, who won last months election to succeed term-limited Murphy. The Festival of Lights should be a time of joy, peace, and celebration. As antisemitism continues to rise across the globe, we have a responsibility here in New Jersey to stand up against hate and make sure that our Jewish friends and neighbors can worship safely, proudly, and without fear, she added. U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., called the attack horrific and tragic in a statement. Tonight, Jewish families from across our state and around the world will gather for the beginning of Hanukkah. Theyll do so following the horrific and tragic murders targeting the Jewish community in Sydney. Hanukkah teaches us that light overcomes the darkness. May each candle lit be a reminder of resilience and to stand with one another against hate, Kim wrote on X. He also shared a video circulating on social media of a bystander who appeared to tackle one of the gunmen at Bondi Beach. Ive watched this video at least 10 times and I still get overwhelmed by witnessing an act of pure heroism. We dont see this enough these days. He reminds us that we dont need to give in to fear and be helpless. Each of us has power, Kim said. The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey issued a statement condemning the attack on Sunday. The organization also noted that its security initiatives are on full alert for any upcoming Hanukkah celebrations and that it is working with its law enforcement partners. This was a deliberate Islamic terrorist act targeting the Jewish community in Sydney as they celebrated the first night of Chanukah. Our prayers are with the families, the statement read. Rabbi Mendel Solomon, the director of Chabad of Short Hills, said in a Facebook post that his colleague, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was one of the victims killed during the attack on Bondi Beach. He shared a photo of Schlanger assisting an attendee before the attack took place. Thirty minutes before the menorah lighting in Sydney, my colleague, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, proudly helped an attendee put on Tefillin, a simple, sacred act of Jewish life and faith. Less than an hour later, in a brutal act of terror, his life was taken in front of his family, Solomon wrote on Facebook. He said he grew up visiting Schlangers family home, adding that his brother is one of his closest friends. Solomon said he will honor Schlanger and the rest of the victims at a menorah lighting on Sunday night. This is not just an attack on Chabad. It is an attack on all Jews AND on all who cherish democracy, on the right to live openly and safely, and on the very foundations of freedom itself. This is not my loss alone, it is all our loss, Solomon said. U.S. officials said they are providing assistance to Sydney in the wake of the attack. I have been in touch with our counterparts in Australia regarding the horrific attack on a Hanukkah festival in Sydney - we are providing the requested assistance and will update with more information as we are able. Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the attack in a statement, saying antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia, he added. The ads are pretty frightening. They claim a crook could steal your home with nothing but a bit of paperwork. You dont check your home title every 24 hours. Thats all the time criminals need to steal it, leaving you with a nightmare of a legal battle. ... Worse still, you wont even know about it until they come to evict you. That commercial was hosted by Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House turned Republican political commentator. Similar ads have aired starring other right-wing celebrities, including former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Fox News host Sean Hannity. They were all hawking a product thats been advertised online, on radio and on television a whole lot lately. Its for the company Home Title Lock. It promises to protect homeowners in the event of title fraud. Title fraud is a scam that involves criminals stealing your home, then borrowing against it or selling it behind your back, the companys website says. Your home and hard-earned equity can be snatched away with just a signature. The threat of title fraud is real and the impact can be devastating, it adds. The commercials often feature a former FBI agent, Art Pfizenmayer, and Matthew Cox, an ex-con who used to steal home titles for a living. They warn audiences about how easy it is to perpetrate title fraud. The company claims it can constantly monitor your title to alert you if there is ever a change, and then it will pay up to $1 million in legal fees, filing costs, and administrative support to fix the fraud & help clear your name should the worst happen. The Texas Attorney General had concerns about the ads in 2023 and began an inquiry. I wont tolerate false, misleading, or deceptive advertisements targeted to any Texas consumers especially Texas seniors, Ken Paxton said in a news release about the investigation, which is still ongoing. SCARE TACTICS OR PROTECTION? Here in New Jersey, Home Title Lock has gotten the attention of some Bamboozled readers. One mentioned the company and a $19.95 per month offer asking us how to prevent title fraud. Another was sick of the come-ons. These ads are scaring people to death, they said. Since we are being bombarded by these ads, I think you would be doing everyone a public service by writing about this. That reader made another important point: (The company) can only tell you after someone has recorded a deed or mortgage against your property; they cant prevent it from being recorded. Monitoring itself cannot prevent title fraud. No one can lock your title. Its not like freezing your credit report, which stops con artists from taking out loans in your name. You cant do that with your title. But monitoring and alerting you that something has changed? You can get that for free from your county clerks office unless you live in Hunterdon County. Thats the only county of the states 21 that doesnt offer a free title alert service that residents can sign up for on their website. Mary Melfi, the Hunterdon County clerk, confirmed its not available there. But she also pointed out that her county is the only one in the state that does not make land records available online for the property owners protection, she said. Hunterdon is upgrading its land record system, and it may in the end include a fraud alert, she said. But that wont happen until 2026. But, Melfi stressed, the alerts do not stop title fraud. It is only an alert. I believe it gives a homeowner a sense of false security, she said. The law needs to be changed with stronger protections for the property owner. Home Title Lock sees it differently. Pfizenmayer, the retired FBI agent who appears in the companys ads, said hes not only a senior advisor to the firm, hes also a customer. He defended the commercials, saying they help people understand if they are vulnerable. They need to know that that money is literally on the table, and it is pretty much unprotected from someone trying to steal it, Pfizenmayer said about a persons home equity. He said county recording offices are required to accept completed forms from anyone who pays the fee. Thats true. But can Home Title Lock stop that from happening? No, admitted Pfizenmayer, who has been with the company since it started in 2017. We cannot prevent an attempt on your equity from taking place, he said. We will spend a million of our money to make sure the title gets back into your name. The key is you need to make sure that you start the procedure before the ink dries on the first check issued for the bad guys trying to use your equity. So if you can get an alert for free from your county, do you need the extra protection that companies like Home Title Lock promise to provide? Title insurance something you buy when you close on a home if you have a mortgage protects against past problems that could impair your ownership rights, said Mark Friedlander of the Insurance Information Institute. Those policies provide coverage for financial losses and legal expenses resulting from defects, liens or claims against a propertys title, including issues like unpaid taxes, fraud, errors in documents or undisclosed heirs, according to Friedlander. It doesnt necessarily protect you against future title theft actions by unscrupulous actors, but it will provide coverage for legal defense expenses to prove your ownership of the property, he said. It will also cover the legal process for removing fraudulent claims from your title and financial losses incurred. But New Jersey homebuyers can purchase an extended or enhanced owners title policy, which would cover many post-closing risks such as forgery or liens filed after you own a home, according to Megan Hernandez of the American Land Title Association. The association also offers new policy endorsements that are designed to help protect homeowners from the growing threat of seller impersonation fraud, which occurs when criminals forge documents in order to sell someone elses real estate and steal the proceeds, Hernandez said. Those endorsements, though, and the enhanced policies, would need to be part of a new title policy, not an existing one. If you already own a home, you may think buying a new title policy is nonsensical. But the advantage is youd pay once to cover a lifetime of ownership rather than a monthly or yearly fee as you would for products like Home Title Lock, according to Lisa Dombrowski, president of the New Jersey Land Title Association. For a $250,000 home, a standard policy would cost $1,163, while an enhanced policy to cover fraud would cost $232 more. A standard policy for a $750,000 home would cost $2,913, and an enhanced policy would cost $3,495. Its basically 20% more for the added coverage. You can see the policy rates per thousand based on your homes value on the New Jersey Land Title Association website. The math is simple. If youre in your home for the long term, it wont take all that long to break even on a new title policy compared to a service like Home Title Lock. The Bamboozled columnist is a big fan of Paul Simon's song, "Graceland" (though "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" are also loved). Graceland, the Elvis Presley estate, was the target of scammers. Canva illustration for NJ Advance Media | Photos by Evan Agostini; AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File IS IT WORTH IT? Were not saying title theft isnt a real thing. You might remember the woman who was sentenced to more than four years in prison for a host of loans and forgery shenanigans in an attempt to steal Graceland. Yes, that Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Forgive me, Elvis fans, but Paul Simon always comes to mind when I hear Graceland.) There arent a ton of statistics showing how common title fraud really is. The National Association of Realtors 2025 Deed and Title Fraud Survey found more than two-thirds of real estate professionals said they knew of cases in their neighborhoods. But of those, only 12% involved owner-occupied homes and more than half the cases involved residential land empty land earmarked for housing. IC3, the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center, does not specifically track title fraud, though the Newark field office posted a warning last year about it. So is it worth shelling out nearly $250 a year for a so-called protection service? The Federal Trade Commission says no. Stop. Take a breath. Its just a ploy to scare you, the agency said in a blog post. So what can you do? Sign up for your countys alerts. Keep an eye on your mailbox and your credit report for anything suspicious. And the next time you see one of these commercials, consider changing the channel. By Christin Deacon I have watched with a mixture of frustration and inevitability as the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) slid into exactly the kind of fiscal and structural collapse that many of us warned about for years. I say this as not only a state property tax payer but as a former New Jersey Treasury employee and State Health Benefits Program/School Employees Health Benefits Program administrator. It is the Local Government SHBP plan that bore the greatest harm - trapped in a system they didnt design, couldnt reform, and were financially punished for staying in. That collapse is now being marketed as a crisis rescue. In reality, its a bailout. Not of public-sector workers, not of municipalities, and certainly not of taxpayers, but of a system whose failures were engineered, enabled, and ignored by the very administration now claiming to save it. In 2021, the SHBP-LG still maintained positive reserves more than enough to meet standard actuarial thresholds for stable claims reserves. By 2025, those reserves are not only gone; the local pool is insolvent. In the red by over $160 million, with loans from the state required just to cover monthly claims. Over the last four years, premiums have increased more than 60%, driving healthy, lower-cost municipalities out, further destabilized the risk pool, triggering additional rate hikes, and accelerating attrition. Gov. Murphy is calling it a death spiral. Except it isnt a spiral. Its an outcome. The causes werent unknown. They were ignored. During the governors tenure, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon) will have received close to $1 billion in ASO, administrative and other fees (that we know about) for managing the state plan. And the third-party administrator contract? In 2022, Horizon was rewarded with a rare four-year contract award (not the customary three years) all while Horizon was actively being investigated by both federal and state agencies for alleged contract fraud related to their administration of this very program. That investigation has now culminated in a $100 million settlement including detailed allegations that Horizon systemically and knowingly overpaid claims, overbilled the state, and sent inaccurate explanations of benefits to members. These are not paperwork errors. They are governance failures. In a move that was tone-deaf at best and openly dismissive of taxpayers at worst, just one week after the $100 million false claims act settlement with Horizon was announced Murphy appointed one of his longtime campaigners and advisors to Horizons Board of Directors. So, how should we view Murphys offer of a one-time $260 million injection to shore up the program? Certainly not as an investment. It is a taxpayer-funded bailout an attempt to fill a hole that his own administration helped dig through years of neglected oversight, unenforced contract terms, and refusal to confront the very vendors whose incentives are tied to rising costs, not savings. And rather than fixing those structural failures, the proposal simply shifts the burden onto public workers. By reducing the actuarial value of plans down to 88% (PPO) or 78% (HDHP), the state isnt reducing costs its just moving them. The result may be lower premiums on paper, but higher out-of-pocket costs for teachers, DPW workers, police officers, librarians, municipal clerks, and public health nurses. In other words, the program gets cheaper only because health care gets more expensive for them. That is not reform it is redistribution. It is a transfer of liability, away from Treasury and toward the very members who had no ability to prevent the mismanagement that led to insolvency in the first place. And it leaves untouched the most expensive and least accountable parts of the system: the opaque contracts, the unexamined vendor payments, and the incentive structure that rewards higher spending rather than value. A true investment would correct those failures. This one simply covers them up. And a real solution would not ask public workers to pay more for less it would give them control over their own plan. It would rebuild a system where fiduciary duty, transparency, and accountable governance matter more than political appointments or vendor protection. Because at its core, this is not a funding crisis it is a governance crisis. Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assembly member and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature websites Legislative Roster. Christin Deacon is the former assistant director at the state Division of Pensions and Benefits, SHBP/SEHBP. By Maribel Joven The recent Trump administration push to redefine what counts as a professional degree is not just a policy tweak. It is a direct assault on professions that have long been the backbone of our communities. These are not niche jobs. They are careers overwhelmingly held by women: nursing, teaching, social work, speech pathology, dental hygiene, education counseling, public health, early childhood development; fields that sustain our schools, our families, our hospitals, and our future. By targeting these careers, the federal government is sending a chilling message: that the work performed by women, the work of care, of teaching, of healing, is less legitimate, less worthy, less professional. When we devalue these professions, we devalue the contributions of the women who choose them, often not for glamorous titles or massive paychecks, but because they want to serve, to improve lives, to build community. In New Jersey, we already confront real shortages. We struggle to find enough qualified teachers to staff our classrooms. We cannot recruit enough nurses to meet the demands of our hospitals. We lack adequate speech therapists, social workers, and early childhood educators, essential professionals working in schools, clinics, and community programs. These are not back burner jobs. They are the infrastructure of our society. But the federal reclassification threatens to worsen the crisis. It jeopardizes student access to federal aid, restricts career pathways, and undermines the dignity of these fields. Without strong pushback, we risk discouraging the next generation of caregivers and educators, especially women, from pursuing careers they are passionate about and that our state desperately needs. New Jersey has to act and Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill must lead. She has an historic opportunity to speak out, to protect, and to invest. Her administration can: Expand state funded tuition assistance and loan forgiveness programs for teachers, nurses, speech therapists, social workers, and other high need professions Strengthen partnerships with universities and community colleges to grow enrollment in these fields, especially in underserved areas Safeguard and boost diversity driven recruitment initiatives to ensure our workforce reflects the people it serves Support mental health resources for professionals in high stress, high burnout roles Use her public platform to condemn any federal policy that diminishes the value of women dominated professions, affirming that these careers are not just necessary, they are noble and essential The message must be unequivocal: womens work matters. The professions that educate our children, tend to the sick, guide our most vulnerable, they are not optional. They are central to the health, strength, and future of New Jersey. Beyond the shortages and economic implications, there is a safety dimension that cannot be ignored. Many of these careers are mandated reporters.They are often the first line of defense for children and vulnerable adults, legally obligated to identify and report abuse, neglect, or unsafe situations. If fewer people enter these fields because of policy reclassifications or devaluation, fewer eyes will be on those who need protection most. The consequences are profound: children in danger may go unseen, families in crisis may go unsupported, and our communities will suffer. Protecting these professions is not just about jobs and pay; it is about safeguarding lives. If New Jersey stays silent now, we risk allowing political decisions in Washington to devalue these fundamental careers. But if we act, if the Sherrill administration makes it a priority, we can protect these vital professions and the women who dedicate their lives to them. Our state cannot afford anything less. Maribel Joven, of Newark, is an educator, writer, and advocate for equity in public education. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership. 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. MOSCOW, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian air defenses downed four guided aerial bombs and 290 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day, Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday. According to the ministry, Russian forces have hit fuel depots and temporary deployment sites of the Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 142 locations. Russian forces have taken control of the village of Varvarovka in the Zaporizhzhia region, it said, adding that the forces continue to advance deeper into Ukrainian defenses. Basically finished and ready to party Still needs some work It'll be a photo finish It's really more a collection of sequins than a costume Vote View Results 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. Comedian Olga Koch is set to visit Exeter later this year as part of her nationwide 2026 tour, with a performance of her new show Fat Tom Cruise scheduled for 23 September at the Exeter Phoenix. The tour marks a new chapter for Olga, who has built a strong following in the UK comedy scene through her sharp observational humour and distinctive storytelling style. Fat Tom Cruise is described as an immersive, story-driven show that unpacks what Olga calls one good story from recent history, though the full details of that story are being kept under wraps, in typical comedy-tease fashion. Before arriving in Exeter, the show will begin with a multi-night residency at Londons Soho Theatre in February. READ NEXT: Exeter City FC players bring Christmas cheer to young patients at Royal Devon Hospital From there, Olga will travel to venues across the UK, including stops in Maidenhead, Oxford, Sheffield, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Bristol. Olga, who has appeared on Mock the Week, QI, Live at the Apollo and international programmes in Australia and New Zealand, has earned multiple award nominations throughout her career. These include nods at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, along with a Writers' Guild Award for her BBC Radio 4 programme Fight. She also hosts the podcast The Glue Factory and the online comedy series Bad Advice. For Exeter audiences, the show adds to a growing list of nationally touring performers choosing the city as a key stop. The Phoenix continues to attract a wide range of acts, reinforcing its position as a major arts venue for the region. Olgas visit is expected to draw interest from local comedy fans eager to see new work from a performer repeatedly praised for her wit, range and ability to blend personal narrative with broader cultural commentary. Full tour dates, including bookings and venue information, can be found on her official website. LONDON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's research and higher education sector has seen remarkable progress, with Chinese universities emerging as important partners for international higher education institutions, Michael Spence, president and provost of University College London (UCL), said in an interview with Xinhua on Friday. Spence made the remarks after attending an international academic forum in Beijing, noting that China has played an important role in his academic career. He said the rapid development of China's research and education sector has drawn growing global attention, as many countries look to China's experience when considering how to advance their own higher education systems. Reflecting on the event, Spence said he moderated a discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa, describing the exchanges among Chinese universities, African universities and businesses as highly constructive. "It was terrific to watch the exchanges," he said. On academic collaboration with China, Spence said cooperation between UCL and Chinese partners spans nearly all research fields. UCL is actively engaged with Chinese universities across a wide range of disciplines, with few areas untouched by joint research or academic exchange. Spence also highlighted the growing role of AI in research, noting that while AI encompasses many different applications, it is set to become increasingly integral to future research across disciplines. UCL has one of the largest populations of Chinese students in Britain, Spence said, describing them as highly talented and deeply involved in campus life, contributing actively to the university community. Looking ahead, Spence said UCL sees broad prospects for further collaboration with Chinese universities. "There are all sorts of collaborations ... on the horizon, and the future is a future of partnership and engagement," he added. Algorithms and autocrats have rattled global stability. To safeguard liberty, the U.S. must remake its military. Opinion The Editorial Board A Free World Needs a Strong America As recently as a decade ago, it would not have been hard to unite a broad majority of Republicans and Democrats around a shared idea of what Americas military power should be for. Defense of the homeland. Deterrence of would-be aggressors. Cooperation with treaty allies and protection of kindred democracies confronting common foes. Humanitarian aid and relief. The security of the global commons: sea lanes, air corridors, undersea cables, digital networks. Upholding the laws of war. In sum, the ability to prevent war wherever possible and win it whenever necessary all for the sake of a safer, more open, rules-based world. The Trump administration brings a starkly different mind-set to the issue. Out with the Department of Defense; back to the Department of War. Well-established rules of engagement have yielded to blowing up small boats on the high seas. In place of standing with Ukraines embattled democracy against Russias invasion, the administration has adopted a course of moral equivalence between the two sides while seeking profits from the war through arms sales and mineral deals. As for the kind of military alliance-building that typified American foreign policy for much of the 20th century, President Trump has reverted to threats of conquest more common in the 19th. And this is to say nothing of his efforts to deploy troops to American cities, impose political loyalty tests on senior officers or hamstring reporters at the Pentagon. The Trump administrations deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities has drawn legal blowback from state and local leaders and harsh criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Mr. Trump justifies his approach by claiming that the Pentagon needs an entirely different mentality for a new era of great-power rivalry. Thats not wrong. Chinas rise and Russias revanchism means our security is more threatened today than it has been in decades. But so does the fact the United States has forfeited our militarys edge. The president has done better than his predecessors in getting NATO allies to start budgeting adequately for their defense. Hes been right, also, to cut through layers of entrenched Pentagon bureaucracy that have prevented the military from keeping pace with technological changes that leave us increasingly vulnerable. But Mr. Trump and his administration are grievously wrong to think the America First approach theyve adopted meets the moment. America cannot adequately defend itself and its vital interests unless it recovers the strategies and instincts that served it well in its greatest triumph of the past century not World War II, but the Cold War. The phrase Cold War mind-set is usually meant as an insult, sometimes with good reason. Stretches of that long struggle were marked by political paranoia, nuclear brinkmanship and ideological Manichaeism that nobody should want to repeat. There were blunders and fiascos, none greater than the war in Vietnam. Yet it is worth remembering that our victory in the Cold War didnt come at a cost of more than one million American casualties, as World War II did. The architects of the Cold War understood that the countrys future security required engagement, not isolation, and that the primary purpose of military power was the prevention of war through deterrence, alliances and international legitimacy hence the name the Department of Defense, not War. The Trump administration routinely prioritizes national interests over multilateral alliances like NATO. Americas Cold War strategists also knew that previous concepts of security were inadequate in an era of long-range bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles. A return to isolationism was the road to a second Pearl Harbor. They knew that the United States could not hope to win an ideological struggle against Communist adversaries if we were faithless to our own ideals. Among the reasons that President Harry Truman desegregated the armed forces was that the United States could hardly offer itself as a model of freedom and justice while enforcing racist policies in the ranks of those we sent around the world to advance those values. They knew that deterring the Soviet Union required preserving Americas scientific and technological edge, which in turn called for national investments in research and development and partnerships with American universities. The first modern computer, ENIAC, was developed for the Army at the University of Pennsylvania; the Tomahawk cruise missile was largely developed by Johns Hopkinss Applied Physics Lab. They knew that the only enduring form of world leadership came through voluntary followership. Moscow had to coerce Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and other satellites into membership in the Warsaw Pact; their restiveness was the Soviet Unions undoing. Washingtons key allies, by contrast, mostly chose to be on our side. Checkpoint Charlie, the crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War, now a tourist draw. And they knew that shared prosperity was vital to democratic credibility. The people who created the institutions of the postwar world said that they were binding people together economically so that they would stop fighting with one another. It was an explicit rationale for lowering trade barriers, and it worked. We won the Cold War because the lights were brighter on this side of the wall. None of this is to ignore the furious policy debates of the Cold War. Yet whats striking about the era is the broad continuity of policy between Republican and Democratic administrations. Dwight Eisenhower adopted the containment policies bequeathed to him by Truman. Richard Nixon embraced the logic of arms control and detente that he inherited from John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. Ronald Reagan expanded the defense buildup started under Jimmy Carter. Continuity meant predictability, and predictability helped maintain peace. This is not the approach of the Trump administration. Mr. Trump believes in cutting deals, not sharing values; in making money, not winning friends. He has waged a funding war against basic research at our leading universities. And he is infatuated with displays of hard power the power to coerce, in the formulation of the political scientist Joseph Nye but contemptuous of the value of soft power, which is the power to attract. His latest National Security Strategy, released this month, is notable mainly for its indifference to the distinction between despotism and democracy. His approach is inadequate for the long-term challenge America faces. A countrys military is only as good as the purpose to which it is harnessed. And the central purpose of American power should be to defend political liberty and the rule of law that undergirds it, against all enemies foreign and domestic. The White Houses latest National Security Strategy stresses American might in the Western Hemisphere. That mission may be impossible for an administration whose defining trait is the assault on the rule of law, which is as much a foreign-policy crisis as it is a domestic one. The United States cannot lead the free world, inspire those who want to be a part of it, or oppose those who seek to undermine and destroy it if we cease to be a model democracy ourselves. What of future presidents? Mr. Trumps presence in the White House does not erase the reality that Russia seeks to annex one neighbor and probably others. Or that China is eyeing regional hegemony in the Indo-Pacific while it rapidly expands its conventional and nuclear arsenals. Or that America remains threatened by extremist groups that can use A.I., drones, bioweapons or other increasingly ubiquitous and inexpensive technologies to perpetrate future Sept. 11-type attacks. The horrors that China has visited on the Uyghurs and Russia has imposed on Ukrainians are not only a sign of the immoral core of these regimes; they are also the portents of violent instability to come. A Chinese attack on Taiwan that ends up disrupting or destroying that islands chip foundries would push the world into an economic crisis. A Russian attack on even a small NATO member state, such as Estonia, would put Europe and America alike on a global war footing. All this strikingly resembles the challenge America and our allies faced from the Soviet Union at the outset of the Cold War: a contest both ideological and military, requiring a response equal to both. After World War II, the United States met the threat of Russian arms with military investments that yielded some of the most transformative technologies of the century: supersonic aircraft, nuclear-powered submarines, thermonuclear weapons, guided missiles, satellite reconnaissance. They were essential in dissuading Soviet leaders from doing to Western Europe what Vladimir Putin is doing to Ukraine. America must pursue todays military innovation with equal resolve. But arsenals alone did not win the Cold War. Just as important were the tools of soft power. Respectful consultation among allies. Mutually beneficial trading ties. Fidelity to democratic ideals. A willingness to face and overcome the moral hypocrisies of democratic states. Strategic firmness matched with diplomatic flexibility toward our foes. In the end, the power of our military deterrent and the resilience of our global alliances in the 20th century buttressed the most important weapon in the struggle against totalitarianism: patience. From one president to the next, Americas leaders waited out authoritarian challengers until they came apart on their own internal contradictions. The Cold War ended in Berlin, of all places, because ordinary people in the eastern half of the city yearned for a better life in an open society, just over the barbed wire on the other side of the wall. If the United States is indeed on the cusp of a new Cold War with authoritarian adversaries, these will be the tools we will require to get through another long struggle. We cannot afford the consequences of a world in which dictators can aggress at will, as they did before World War II, and as they have started to do again. Preventing that requires a military that has the right tools, the right tactics and the right culture. It requires a global alliance of like-minded democracies. Most of all, it requires leaders with the wisdom and vision to explain the stakes and rally the free world to the work ahead. Sam Rivers wasn't just our bass player he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound. - Limp Bizkit on the death of their bassist It has been a rough year for fans of heavy metal. It started with news of the death of John Sykes, the co-writer and lead guitarist on Whitesnake's legendary eponymous album. Ozzy Osbourne, one of the genre's founding fathers, passed away in July, just weeks after his farewell performance. In October, guitarist Ace Frehley, a founding member of KISS, succumbed to his injuries after a fall. And then, Limp Bizkit announced the death of their bassist, Sam Rivers. I discovered Limp Bizkit during a lull in my own musical exploration. With the demise of KNAC, I had retreated into my CD collection and stopped seeking new sounds. That changed when I purchased tickets to Woodstock 99, an event headlined by some of my favorite bands like Metallica and Rage Against the Machine, but also included bands I barely knew, including Korn, Offspring, and Limp Bizkit. All radio is dead - Limp Bizkit, Creamer To prepare, I joined Columbia House and used my 13 free CDs to close my musical blind spot. Limp Bizkit's debut, Three Dollar Bill, Yall, hooked me instantly with their raw, defiant cover of George Michael's Faith. As someone whose first band once noisily covered Spandau Ballet's True, I could appreciate the art of transforming a sappy pop song into something feral and loud. The only band that has done a cover better in that style is The Offspring with their warped version of Feelings. Encouraged by the band's first effort, I purchased their second album, Significant Other, when it dropped a month before the festival. This more polished effort was full of angry energy, the perfect soundtrack for a generation that was promised that they would benefit from the trickle-down of Reaganomics, but lived in the economic reality where the rich were just pissing on them. If the world was going to end in a Y2K meltdown at the end of the year, this was what I wanted to go out listening to. The band's recorded performances did not prepare me for what I would experience on the grounds of an abandoned Air Force base in Rome, New York. The intensity of the band, riding on an upward career trajectory, was apparent as soon as they hit the stage. Feeding off an audience reveling in the anger they were selling, that ferocity only grew. It remains the most intense concert experience in all of the many shows I have attended, and I have been to a few Slayer concerts. The climax of the show came during the song Break Stuff. Letting loose after a day of being charged $4 for water in 100-degree heat and backed-up Porta Potties, the crowd had already started to rip plywood off the walls meant to contain them. The destruction only intensified as Fred Durst launched into his song about one of those days where your breaking point has been reached. Time to reach down deep inside and take all that negative energy, all that negative energy, and let that s*it out of your f*cking system. - Fred Durst Going into the song's break, Durst urged the crowd to get in touch with their negative energy and let it out. The feeling that swept over the crowd was amazing, almost like a worship service. For some, the call to Give me something to break was followed literally as walls were torn off the site's infrastructure. For others, it was a chance to let go of the challenges of life and just feel free. That was when promoters cut Durst's mike, pushing the crowd closer to the edge of complete anarchy. It was at about this time that I started looking for a safe route off the field. We already let all the negative energy out. Its time to reach down and bring that positive energy to this motherf*cker. - Fred Durst Luckily, cooler heads prevailed, and the show was allowed to continue, launching into their then-current single, Nookie. During this song's break, Durst urged the crowd to let loose once again, this time freed from the negative energy they had let go of during Break Stuff. Again, a wave of energy flowed through the crowd, this time without the destruction. Watching the video in the wake of Sam River's death, it is clear how important he was to creating the band's energy on stage. He arrives on stage with the intensity of a prize fighter, his middle fingers in the air. He jumps, squats, and grimaces through the set, channeling the deep-seated anger of the audience. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). There is an extremely good reason why Jews do not believe in Jesus and its about time for the rest of us to know why. The life and times of Jesus were said to occur during the 1st century in Judea when it was under military occupation by the Roman Empire. The ruling-class Jewish elites provided crucial assistance to the expanding Roman Empire by helping Rome take over the management of the Jewish religion and make it more compatible with Roman interests. The stunning success of Romes power over huge populations was because of its ability to absorb and control all religions. The regulation of religion was so important to the security of the state of Rome that the Roman Emperor himself had to be directly involved. While Rome appeared to tolerate and encourage religious freedom, in reality, it exercised total control over the management of all religion to make sure it stayed aligned with Roman rule, and this included the Jews. Roman law also required the placement of statues of the Roman Caesar for worship in all religious temples throughout the entire Roman Empire. This created a big problem with the Jews, particularly the militant working-class Jews, who believed in a coming Messiah who was going to kick Romes ass, to use the slang language of today. No matter what the Roman Empire did to maintain control over Judea, the lower-class Jews refused to pay taxes to Rome or bow down to the Roman Emperor as their God. Worse, these Jews fervently believed that their God would send them a warrior Messiah who would help them defeat the Romans and overthrow Roman rule once and for all. By the time Titus Flavius became Roman Emperor in 79 C.E., this Jewish faith in the arrival of a Warrior Messiah had been inspiring generations of lower working-class Jews to repeatedly rise up against Rome for well over a hundred years. In their last uprising against Roman rule in 66 C.E., the Jews managed to drive the Romans out of Judea which took the Romans another seven years to regain control. Rome could not afford any more Jewish insurrections like that ever happening ever again, and it was an imperative for Rome to stabilize Judea as a source of tax revenue. So Titus Flavius had to come up with a more cost-effective solution to prevent further Jewish insurrections once and for all, and to make the lower working-class Jews worship the Roman Caesar as their God. The only firsthand accounts from 1st century Judea that survived the Roman occupation are the New Testament and the written works of Josephus Flavius. Josephus Flavius was an upper-class Jew who, after being captured by Titus and his father Vespasian Flavius, declared Vespasian as the real Lord of all mankind predicted by the Bible -which, back then, was just the Jewish Old Testament. Josephus was then adopted by the Flavian family and he moved into the Flavian palace to become the chief propagandist or official historian for the Flavian dynasty, which lasted from 69 to 96 C.E. In 79 C.E., Titus Flavius gave his official signature of approval to a written work by Josephus Flavius, called Wars of the Jews, which became the keystone of the foundation of Christianity. For almost 2,000 years, until the early 1900s, the Wars of the Jews document was revered by Christian scholars as the only historical verification of the New Testaments Gospels, which they proudly proclaimed was the historical proof that Jesus had really existed and was the son of God. Christianitys earliest scholars indeed, proudly boasted that Jesus had accurately predicted the 70 A.D. fall of the Temple of Jerusalem, an actual historical event inflicted by the military campaign of Titus Flavius which Josephus Flavius documented in his Wars of the Jews (Good ole Titus Flavius, just doing Gods will, right?). This so-called ability of Jesus to accurately predict the future was declared a miracle by Christianitys earliest scholars, which they also promoted as proof that Jesus was the son of God. It wasnt until the early 1900s that Christian scholars suddenly dropped any mention of this deep Flavian connection with the origin of Christianity. After the Flavian dynasty ended in 96 C.E., the succession of Roman rulers, all except for two, all adopted the Flavian name out of homage. Today, however, Christian scholars are apparently so embarrassed by this historical connection between Titus Flavius and the origin of Christianity that they now refuse to mention it. Why? Throughout the entire history of Christianity, Jews have lived under the constant threat of torture and execution to remain silent about what they know about Titus Flavius and the real origin of Christianity, and its about time we knew what that is. To avoid the risk of more expensive battles against future Jewish rebellions against Rome, Titus had to come up with a completely different tactic to stabilize Judea as a source of tax income for Rome. Numerous Romans posing as Jews, as well as the numerous Jews on the payroll of Rome, were having no effect on subverting the rebellious working-class Jews. So, the only option left for Titus, as he saw it , was to convince the lower-class Jews their Messiah had already lived and died and was not the warrior Messiah theyd expected, but rather, a peaceful Messiah who wanted the Jews to stop fighting against Rome and turn the other cheek, and render to Caesar what is Caesars etc., in short, accept Roman rule as Gods will. As the most powerful person in the Roman Empire, and with unlimited access to the best Jewish minds from his inner circle, including his adopted Jewish brother Josephus Flavius, there was nothing that could stop Titus from accomplishing this. It is widely accepted by scholars that the authors of the New Testaments Gospels intentionally made their new, peaceful Messiah appear to be the legitimate fulfillment of the Jewish Old Testament prophecies. This was done through the use of an ancient-Jewish writing technique called typology, as Joseph Atwill explains, by taking events from the lives of Old Testament prophets and using them as types for the events of Jesuss life (such as the back-story of baby Moses being re-used as the back-story for baby Jesus, for example), and then placing them in the same sequence and locations as they occurred in the Old Testament. This ancient Jewish typology is similar to archetypes or stereotypes used in literature today except, as Atwill is careful to explain, it is made up of parallel concepts, not parallel words, which makes it much harder for non-Jews to detect. Atwill is the first researcher to go on public record with the discovery that the 70 C.E. fall of Jerusalem was not the only thing that Jesus accurately predicted about Titus Flavius. But the writers who created the typological parallels between Old Testament prophets and Jesus in the Gospels, also went one step further and created typological parallels between Jesus and Titus Flavius in Josephus Flaviuss Wars of the Jews, which only the Jews were able to detect. Every incident in the Gospels where Jesus specifically states something shall occur, as Atwill noticed, would literally occur in the military campaign of Titus Flavius in Wars of the Jews in the same order and location, except it would occur in the most horrific and unexpected manner. The fact that the parallels of Jesus and Titus were placed in the Gospels in the exact same sequence and locations as they occurred in Wars of the Jews, is precisely why Atwill is convinced it was no accident. To Atwill, it seemed as if the writers of the Gospels were trying to show off a more perfect, more complex form of Jewish typology. But what Joseph Atwill found most disturbing about these Jesus/Titus parallels was how the benign, harmless predictive words of Jesus turned into viciously cruel satire and a morbid dark-comedy, when interpreted literally in the gruesome events described by Josephus Flavius in Wars of the Jews. While reading the Gospels alongside Wars of the Jews, Atwill noticed the predictive words of Jesus consistently matched up with literal descriptions of the gruesome horrors that Titus inflicted upon the Jews. For example, in the beginning of the ministry of Jesus and the beginning of the military campaign of Titus when Titus attacked a band of Jewish rebels at the Sea of Galilee and slaughtered them as they tried to swim away, their slaughter was depicted by Josephus in Wars of the Jews as Jews caught like fish. Atwill notes this event is clearly satirized by the Gospels when, at the beginning of his ministry, Jesus predicted fishers of men at the Sea of Galilee at the same location where Josephus Flavius reported Roman soldiers under the leadership of Titus Flavius had literally caught Jews like fish the cruel joke being that it came to pass literally, as Atwill explains, and not in the symbolic manner that Jesus seemed to have meant with the phrase. Even the most seemingly insignificant and benign predictions of Jesus, always with the word shall in the Gospels, would all occur literally in Wars of the Jews but in the worst horrific interpretation imaginable, and clearly written by someone with a morbid sick sense of humor with the intention to ridicule the suffering of Jews and humiliate them as much as possible. In another morbid example that Atwill points out, just after a character in the Gospels named Martha complains that her sister Mary was sitting with Jesus instead of helping her out with the food, Jesus says to her, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:3842) The only possible interpretation of this benign prediction about a good portion which shall not be taken away from her is that listening to the words of Jesus is more important than household chores like serving food? However, when read in the context with Wars of the Jews, the concept of a good portion which shall not be taken away from her literally does take place in a most horrendously gruesome manner possible, with another character named Mary who attempted a most unnatural thing as Josephus Flavius described it, during a Roman-inflicted famine on the Jews. According to Josephus Flavius, n the midst of the famine brought on by a Roman siege of Jerusalem, a most gruesome cannibalistic incident occurred when a starving Jewish woman named Mary killed her infant son, roasted him and ate half of him and then saved the rest for the Roman soldiers who regularly raided her home for food. When the Roman soldiers showed up and threatened to cut her throat for the roasted remains theyd just smelled out in the street, Mary told them that she had saved a very fine portion of it for them and uncovered what was left of her son. According to Josephus Flavius, the scene was so disturbing to the Roman soldiers that they promptly left the rest of that meat to the mother, as Josephus put it. The obscenity of this incident is so extreme that it is barely recognizable as the same concept of a good portion which shall not be taken away from her that Jesus predicts in the Gospels. But all of the concepts consistently match up as literal descriptions in Wars of the Jews, and in the same sequence and locations, and are too exact and too complex to have occurred by chance, as Atwill emphatically points out. There are plenty more examples which Atwill goes through in far more rigorous detail in his 2011 book, Caesars Messiah. But be warned, allegory was regarded by ancient Romans as a science, so some of it is quite heavy reading and too encyclopedic for people today (and Atwills book on this is 390 pages). Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Yehuda and Tal at the Chabad Event (Image by Meridian Hill Pictures) Details DMCA Holding Liat is the story about the kidnapping of Liat Beinin Atzili by Hamas commandos. Beyond being a documentary covering the efforts to free an Israeli-American hostage, it is a window into various perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, via three generations of a family and bridging two countries. The story opens with a phone call: a father learns from an Israeli army intelligence officer that his daughter Liat is being held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip and is apparently alive. There is no news available about his son-in-law. Director Brandon Kramer and producer Lance Kramer, who are related to the family, begin chronicling their relative's experience two weeks after October 7, when Liat and Aviv Atzil were kidnapped during the Hamas attack on Southern Israel. They use cinma vrit to capture the narrative without being intrusive. Liat's parents, Yehuda and Chaya, are introduced alongside images of the wreckage in Kibbutz Nir Oz. A bird perched tranquilly on barbed wire contrasts with the destruction. Observing the scene, Chaya remarks, They didn't protect her very well. The couple's backstory is shared. Liat is a dual citizen and a history and civics teacher who specializes in Holocaust studies. Aviv, an artist, was born on Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he was the manager of the agricultural garage. They met at a young age, were married for thirty years, and had three children. Yehuda Beinin, born in Philadelphia, emigrated to Israel along with Chaya in the early 1970s. They put down roots in Kibbutz Shomrat in northern Israel. Early in the film, we see a Bernie sticker on his car, a precursor to the political ideologies he will espouse. Understanding that Liat is in a situation beyond their control, Yehuda asserts with exasperation, We are being led by crazy people, whether it's on the Israeli side or the Palestinian side, and the result is all this death and destruction. The depth of Yehuda's anger and resentment toward the Netanyahu government is evident as he watches clips of Bibi on the news, vocalizing about avenging the Hamas attack. Yehuda points out how the Prime Minister never wastes a crisis to advance his own agenda. The horrifying situation is a classic dream for Netanyahu, a way to save his government and his coalition (not to mention a deflection from his legal woes), and dazzle right-wing Israelis with his goal of annexing Gaza. The hostages become a sidebar to his interests. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). "In order to comply with the January 2025 Executive Order 14161 (Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats)," US Customs and Border Protection informed the public in a December 10 Federal Register entry, "CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an ESTA application." ESTA -- "Electronic System for Travel Authorization" -- is used by tourists coming to the US for short stays from countries with which the US government has "visa-free" arrangements. ESTA travelers will have to share five years of social media history with CBP snoops if they want to visit the Grand Canyon or catch Keanu Reeves's turn as Estragon in Waiting for Godot on Broadway. Travelers who have to request visas (students and workers, for example) have been required to set their social media profiles to "public" for "a comprehensive and thorough vetting" since June. Even assuming a need or authority on the US government's part to "vet" travelers -- an assumption I reject -- the idea's kind of silly for two reasons. First, how much does CBP really need to know, other than that a traveler isn't toting a suitcase nuke or an aerosol can full of smallpox virus? Second, how long will it take for bad actors start manufacturing -- even retroactively -- false social media histories, leaving them free to travel while adding yet another layer of useless inconvenience for everyone else? Worse, from what one might think of as an "America First" point of view, how long before the "national security" state's bureaucratic camel gets this same nose under the domestic tent? Don't tell me it can't happen here. I'm not THAT old, and I'm old enough to remember when the process of boarding an airplane in the US was as simple as running your bag through an X-ray machine and showing a boarding pass. These days, you have to show a Very Special Important Federally Approved ID Card (as late as the 1990s, "conservatives" opposed "national ID" schemes) and budget an extra hour or more for body scans (with, potentially, "enhanced" manual groping) just to get from New York to LA in a timely manner. America's already crawling with creepy wannabe cops demanding -- Third Reich or Soviet Union style -- that people "show their papers" as a condition of going just about anywhere or doing just about anything (including their jobs if the ICE gang happens to drop in on a workplace). If you think they won't eventually escalate to browsing through YOUR shared memes, photos of cats and memories with your significant others, etc., think again. As a practical matter, all this snooping just gums up the works of everyone's life so more government employees can collect more paychecks. It doesn't protect "America" and it doesn't protect you. As a moral issue, let me phrase this as a question and answer: Q: Who do they think they are? A: They think they're your masters. We shouldn't tolerate that attitude, or this nonsense. Neither at, nor within, the border. Pundits frequently remark on the warm and friendly relationship between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. In explanation, some suggest that Putin possesses compromising material on Trump. Others point to their autocratic style and their rightwing agendas. But another factor plays a role in the Putin-Trump bromance: their embrace of great power imperialism. For example, their aggressive policies toward Ukraine and Venezuela are remarkably similar. Putin began his takeover of Ukraine by charging that its government was controlled by fascists and, moreover, that its closer relations with Western Europe would irreparably damage Russian national security. Similarly, Trump has sought to overturn the Venezuelan government, arguing that it is controlled by drug traffickers and represents a significant menace to U.S. national security. In fact, both national leaders seem to be driven by more traditional concerns. Before Ukraines recent independence, that land, for centuries, had been part of the Russian empire, and, through reconquest, Putin has sought to restore Russias imperial glory. As for Trump, the flimsiness of the drug trafficking charges and his obsession with military power and fossil fuels suggest that he is primarily concerned with using military power to oust a stubbornly independent regime and, thereby, gain control of Venezuelas oil reserves, the largest in the world. Both Putin and Trump began gradually with a display of vast military might, hoping to intimidate these smaller nations and secure their goals. When Ukraine resisted capitulation, a full-scale invasion ensued. The same pattern appears to be playing out in U.S. relations with Venezuela. Meanwhile, like sophisticated mob bosses, Trump and Putin are attempting to avoid conflict with one another by staking out different territory. In accord with this approach, the Trump administrations official National Security Strategy, released on December 4, promotes an arrangement for the two great powers to focus on separate imperial spheres. Avoiding any suggestion that Russia is a threat to the United States, the document instead criticizes European officials for blocking U.S. efforts to end the Ukraine War on terms advanced by Putin. It also prioritizes reestablishing strategic stability with Russia. Europeans, it adds disparagingly, face civilizational erasure thanks to the immigration of non-white people, and should support Europes rightwing, patriotic parties, which follow the Russian line on European affairs. Having more or less abandoned Europe to the Russian imperium, the Trump National Security Strategy allocates Latin America to the United States. Invoking what it calls the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, the document declares that the United States must be preeminent in the Western Hemisphere as a condition of our security and prosperitya condition that allows us to assert ourselves confidently where and when we need to in the region. This assertion, the document explains, includes the use of lethal force. Naturally, the Russian government is pleased by Trumps new National Security Strategy. The adjustments were seeing . . . are largely consistent with our vision, declared the Russian regimes official spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov. We consider this a positive step. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). "[T]here is no way on earth we should be going to war or trying to do regime change in Venezuela," US Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) told The Hill on December 4. The US, says Smith, "should be out of the regime-change business." So, did Smith still think that on December 9, when US military aircraft overflew the Gulf of Venezuela, and on December 10, when US troops -- in a blatant act of piracy on the high seas -- hijacked a Venezuelan oil tanker in the Caribbean? On December 10, Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, came out in support of forking over nearly $1 trillion to the US regime-change machine. "I do support this bill. This does not mean that I do not have concerns. I do," Smith said as he speechified for, then voted in favor of, the latest "National Defense Authorization Act." That money constitutes the entire revenue stream for the "regime-change business" Smith claims he wants to shut down. It pays for the troops. It pays for the guns. It pays for the planes. It pays for the boats. It pays for the bombs. In what universe do you shut down a business by shoveling money at it? The most Congress could bring itself to do in terms of funding reductions over this matter was to insert a provision cutting US secretary of defense Pete Hegseth's travel budget by 25% unless he turns over video of recent US military murders (of supposed narcotics traffickers) in the Caribbean. Not that a 25% reduction would cut Hegseth's actual travel -- he'd just hitch a ride on Air Force One or with some general or admirable whose travel budget HASN'T been cut -- but even if it would, that's some pretty weak tea right there. Spare me any pretend shock that the executive branch is "out of control" on foreign and military policy ... when's the last time it was UNDER control? Congress hasn't declared war since the early 1940s, but that hasn't prevented presidents from waging wars large and small around the globe, at their sole discretion and without meaningful pushback from Congress or the courts. Oh, there's frequent performative chest-beating over war powers, and occasionally an instantly dismissed lawsuit from politicians in the current congressional minority, but never anything as convincing as a credible impeachment attempt ... and never, ever, EVER an actual use of Congress's most effectual power -- the power of the purse -- to put a stop to the nonsense. Money talks, and Smith's support for throwing outlandish amounts of money at the "regime-change business" loudly contradicts the words coming out of his mouth. So long as Congress keeps paying presidents to wage wars, presidents will happily take that money, and enthusiastically deliver the goods. Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has been excluded from the list for the Peace Council proposed by US President Donald Trump to oversee Gazas post-war transition. The decision follows strong Arab and Islamic opposition to Blairs inclusion due to his leading role in the US-UK attack, invasion, destruction and occupation of Iraq in 2003, which killed thousands of unarmed civilians. Blair, who was initially the sole publicly known candidate for a senior position in the council, had been discussed as part of Trump's 20-point plan announced in late September to end the war between Israel and Hamas. But, according to media sources, the backlash against his potential appointment ultimately led Washington to cancel his role. Reports indicate that multiple Arab and Muslim governments formally objected to Blairs involvement, a source close to Blair confirmed he "will not be a member of the Peace Council," explaining that the council will include current heads of state and sitting officials. The Executive Committee and Emerging Governance Framework for Gaza British media revealed that the proposed executive committeeexpected to be chaired by former Bulgarian Foreign Minister and UN Middle East Envoy Nickolay Mladenovwill serve as the interface between the US-led Peace Council and a Palestinian technical committee responsible for local administration. The restructuring effort comes as President Trump prepares to announce the second phase of the Gaza peace initiative, including the new governance architecture for the strip ahead of Christmas. US officials and Western diplomats told Israels Channel 12 that the formation of the international security force and the new administrative structure is in its final stages, with an announcement expected within two to three weeks. Since the October 13 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the movement has handed over all living Israeli captives and several bodies, while Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. Confusion and Contradictions: Trumps Gaza Plan Faces Early Turbulence The Financial Times reported that Blairs removal reflects growing disarray surrounding Trumps Gaza plan. The proposalco-authored in part by the Tony Blair Institute in coordination with Jared Kushnerhas been criticized for lacking a clear timeline for establishing a Palestinian state, proposing a separate legal framework for Gaza and the West Bank, and risking further division between the two territories. Palestinian Analysts: No Solution in Gaza Without the Palestinian Authority According to Palestinian political and military experts, the stalled transition to phase two of the ceasefire agreement is rooted in three critical challenges: disarming Hamas, Israeli military withdrawal, and forming an international stabilization force. Defense expert Maj. Gen. Samir Al-Abbara argued that the Palestinian Authority (PA) must be integrated into Gazas future governance, stating it is the only body capable of assuming a sustainable administrative role in the strip. But, both Israel and Hamas reject enhanced PA involvementIsrael due to political considerations, and Hamas due to fears of losing control over the strip. Who Might Replace Blair? Political analyst Dr. Ayman Al-Raqab told Al-Mashhad that Washington may now favor Jared Kushner or presidential envoy Steve Witkoff to oversee the Gaza transition committee. At the same time, Western reports suggest the US is considering launching Gaza reconstruction in the yellow zonean area fully controlled by Israeldue to ongoing disputes over Hamas disarmament. Israel currently maintains control of 53% of Gazas territory under phase one of Trumps plan. Egypt, however, has explicitly rejected any arrangements that appear to divide the Gaza Strip. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty affirmed Cairos opposition to any proposal that seeks to carve up Gaza, adding that Egypt has already begun training Palestinian police forces to assume security duties in the strip. Netanyahu: Phase Two Is Near, but Major Disputes Remain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the transition to phase two of the US plan Is very close, yet major disagreements remain unresolvedespecially concerning the deployment of a multinational security force. Netanyahu plans to meet President Trump at the end of the month to discuss ending Hamas rule in Gaza, ensuring Israeli security requirements, and moving forward with the next phase of the ceasefire plan. The ceasefirenow in its second monthcontinues to be marred by mutual accusations of violations from both sides. Disarmament of Hamas: The Central Sticking Point Dr. Al-Raqab noted that disarming Hamas remains the most contentious issue. He added that Qatar and Turkey have proposed freezing Hamas weapons rather than dismantling them, Israel insists on complete disarmament, and Hamas rejects both options. Regarding PA participation, he noted that the Authority has roughly 5,000 employees in Gaza who could assume administrative roles, but internal political obstaclesparticularly President Mahmoud Abbass reluctance to initiate reforms or electionscomplicate this pathway. Hamas officials stressed that the proposal for an international force to forcibly disarm the resistance had never been discussed with the movement. Political analyst Wissam Afifa argued that Blairs removal represents the first significant crack in the U.S. plan for Gazas transitional phase. Israeli Military Escalates Tensions: The Yellow Line Declared a New Permanent Border During a controversial visit inside Gaza, Israeli Army Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir declared the yellow line a boundary drawn under Trumps plan to mark temporary Israeli deploymentas a new long-term border and an advanced defensive line for Israel. Under phase one of the plan Israel was to gradually withdraw from areas west of the yellow line, the line was to remain temporary, and it was intended solely to separate civilians from military forces. However, Israel has since built over 20 permanent military outposts along the line, installed concrete barriers and surveillance towers, constructed paved military roads, and effectively transformed the temporary boundary into a de facto border. This development suggests a strategic shift toward long-term occupation of roughly 210 square kilometersmore than half of Gazas territory. Zamirs comments contradict Netanyahus assurances about progress toward phase two, raising concerns about internal contradictions between Israels military and political leadership. A Direct Violation of Trumps Peace Plan Transforming the yellow line into a permanent border constitutes a serious breach of the Trump plan, which stipulates that Israel must gradually withdraw, civilians must regain access to their homes and farmland, and the buffer zone must not become a tool for demographic or territorial engineering. Instead, the new reality threatens permanent displacement of thousands of Palestinians, fragmentation of Gaza into separate zones, and undermining humanitarian access and reconstruction efforts. A Peace Plan in Crisis Israels entrenchment along the yellow line threatens to derail the entire framework before phase two even begins. With Trump expected to unveil the next stage of his plan soon, Gazas political landscape remains unstable, contested, and hostage to competing regional and international agendas. Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist. Trump missing one major instrument of power Harvard professor emeritus Joseph Nye Jr. joins CNN's Jim Sciutto to discuss soft power, a term Nye created. (Image by YouTube, Channel: CNN) Details DMCA Donald Trump, as a malignant narcissist, is unable to trust or feel real empathy. He is a transactional man. That makes him see soft power as weakness and a waste of resources. When it comes to power between people, nations, organizations and groups, there are several kinds. There's hard power, the carrot and the stick. That means using weapons, brute force or the threat of using it or using money or some other kind of carrot to motivate people to do what you want them to do. Then there's soft power which is based on attraction and seduction. It's the honey versus the carrot or the stick. Because of Trump's inability to see the value of soft power, he has literally thrown away trillions of dollars in soft power assets. How do you measure soft power assets? Look at what has been invested in creating them. Billions have been invested in diplomacy in building embassies in creating radio, free Europe and other outreach programs that build a positive attitude towards the United States. Billions have been spent on helping others in other nations, by building schools and hospitals by providing medications. Here's what I found doing some AI research: Based on the search results, the Trump administration has made significant cuts to traditional U.S. soft power programs. Here are the key actions:Major cuts and eliminations:USAID has been effectively dismantled, with thousands of foreign assistance grants terminated (Axios) (Population Matters)Funding cut off for Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Euronews)The Fulbright program was frozen, cutting off stipends for thousands of students, with a proposed 93% budget cut to educational exchange programs (The Nation)The State Department faces proposed budget cuts of nearly 50%, with humanitarian assistance facing 54% cuts and global health funding down 55% (The Washington Post) Trump has expressed skepticism about international aid, saying "We're giving billions and billions of dollars to countries that hate us" (NPR) . The administration appears to view these programs as wasteful spending rather than strategic investments. Skepticism about soft power's effectiveness: The administration may doubt whether cultural exchanges, aid programs, and international broadcasting actually generate meaningful returns in terms of influence or security. Budget prioritization: The cuts align with a broader effort to reduce federal spending on international programs while potentially redirecting resources to domestic priorities or military spending. Different strategic approach: Some argue Trump is "redefining, not abandoning" American soft power (Asia Times) , possibly favoring more transactional, bilateral relationships over multilateral soft power initiatives. The irony, as critics note, is that these cuts come as the administration has "stepped back from key arenas in which the U.S. has sought to blunt China's rise" (Axios) , potentially ceding influence to competitors who continue investing heavily in their own soft power programs. Your psychological analysis touches on an important tension in how soft power actually works versus how certain personality types might approach international relations.Soft power fundamentally depends on attraction and voluntary cooperation - people and nations choose to align with you because they admire your values, culture, or approach. This requires what political scientists call "credible commitment" - others need to trust that you'll follow through on agreements and act in predictable, principled ways.The personality traits you're describing could indeed create obstacles to effective soft power deployment: Trust issues: If a leader is fundamentally suspicious of others' motives, they may view soft power programs as naive or exploitable. Cultural exchanges, educational programs, and humanitarian aid all require believing that goodwill can eventually translate into strategic benefits - but this payoff is often indirect and long-term. Transactional worldview: A purely transactional approach ("what have you done for me lately?") can undermine the patient relationship-building that soft power requires. When every interaction becomes a zero-sum calculation, it's harder to generate the genuine attraction that makes soft power effective. Need for immediate validation: Soft power programs often work subtly over years or decades. If a leader needs constant, visible demonstrations of respect and deference, they might find these slower-burn influence tools frustrating or pointless. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Chinese ambassador to Germany Deng Hongbo speaks at a symposium on China-Germany relations in Berlin, Germany, Dec. 12, 2025. Deng has called on China and Germany to deepen mutual trust and jointly write a new chapter of friendship. The symposium was held here on Friday by the Chinese Embassy in Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu) BERLIN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese ambassador to Germany Deng Hongbo has called on China and Germany to deepen mutual trust and jointly write a new chapter of friendship. At a symposium held on Friday, German guests recounted stories of mutual assistance between the two peoples, citing examples like German businessman John Rabe's efforts to protect Chinese civilians during the Nanjing Massacre and Shanghai opening its door to Jewish refugees during World War II. Noting that this period of history deserves to be remembered by the people of both countries, they said that the two sides should carry forward their friendship, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, deepen win-win cooperation, and work together to pursue common development and build peace. Both sides should cherish these valuable experiences, adhere to the positioning of partners, deepen mutual trust through cooperation and jointly write a new chapter of bilateral friendship, said the Chinese ambassador. On the Taiwan question, Deng elaborated on China's position from historical, factual and legal perspectives, pointing out the severe harm caused by recent erroneous remarks on Taiwan made by the Japanese leader. Deng emphasized that, unlike Germany, Japan has yet to thoroughly reflect on its history of aggression even 80 years after the end of World War II. The ambassador expressed hope that the German side would fully understand and support China's just position, strictly abide by the one-China principle, oppose attempts to reverse the course of history, and work together to safeguard international fairness, justice and the post-war international order. This photo taken on Dec. 12, 2025 shows a symposium on China-Germany relations in Berlin, Germany. Chinese ambassador to Germany Deng Hongbo has called on China and Germany to deepen mutual trust and jointly write a new chapter of friendship. The symposium was held here on Friday by the Chinese Embassy in Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu) Trump: US land action in Venezuela will start 'very soon' President Donald Trump suggested Thursday that the United States is preparing to take new action against alleged drug ... (Image by YouTube, Channel: CNN) Details DMCA US President Donald Trump announcing land strikes on Venezuelan drug operations could begin "pretty soon" Earlier this week the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela that was bound for Cuba. According to US Attorney General Pam Bondi the tanker was a sanctioned ship and seized "due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations." [1] "The US sanctioned 'The Skipper' oil tanker in 2022 for allegedly smuggling oil to support Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah". Venezuelan President Nicolas Madoro believes US President Trump wants to overthrow him and start "a crazy war" against his country and steal its resources. Venezuela contains the world's largest proven oil reserves. Meanwhile Trump has sent a US naval armada including the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and support ships with some 15,000 military personnel on board. Since September some 20 alleged drug boats operating in international waters in the Caribbean Sea have been attacked by US naval personnel killing scores of alleged drug traffickers. On Friday Trump said land strikes aimed at alleged Venezuelan drug operations could begin "pretty soon". Madoro has vehemently denied he and his country are engaged in drug trafficking as alleged by Trump. Interestingly Russia has strong ties with Venezuela and has publicly backed Madoro with Russian President Vladimir Putin "expressing solidarity with the people of Venezuela and affirmed his support for the Madoro government's resolve to defend national interests and sovereignty against foreign pressure." [2] "The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a strategic partnership treaty signed in May". Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Trump administration seems determined to deliver peace in Gaza, but the people continue to suffer from Israeli attacks, lack of humanitarian aid, and the bitterly cold winter rain storms. Many living in Gaza have questioned if there is any agreed upon peace plan, because they are not feeling it. Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed Malek Nabil Al-Jaabari, a journalist and writer on Palestinian issues. 1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): How was the ceasefire and peace agreement implemented on the ground in Gaza, and what challenges or violations have been reported since its adoption? Malek Nabil Al-Jaabari (MNA): The ceasefire agreement in Gaza was not implemented as precisely as expected. The Palestinian territories have witnessed widespread Israeli violations since its adoption. More than 380 Palestinians have been killed and around 900 injured as a result of missile strikes, drone attacks, and naval shelling, under pretexts such as targeting groups planning to attack the Israeli army. However, the majority of the victims were children and women, which undermines these claims. On the humanitarian level, the agreement remained fragile. It was stipulated that 600 aid trucks should enter daily, yet the actual number did not exceed half of that. In addition, the Rafah crossing was not opened in both directions to allow patients to leave or stranded individuals to return. The Strip also suffered from a severe shortage of medicines, medical supplies, and fuel necessary to operate hospitals. Only about five fuel trucks entered daily instead of the 50 agreed upon. More than 730 violations of the agreement were recorded, including direct gunfire at civilians, incursions by military vehicles into residential areas, and the expansion of the yellow line to cover nearly 60% of the Gaza Strip. Although the prisoner exchange process was partially successful, it was marred by Israeli delays under the pretext of a missing captives body, which hindered the full implementation of the humanitarian provisions of the agreement, despite Palestinian factions affirming that this issue would not obstruct the continuation of the agreement. Major challenges remain, especially with the approach of the second phase, as current indicators raise fears of a broader expansion of Israeli violations. 2. SS: What role do international actors (such as the United Nations, Egypt, the United States, and the European Union) play in supporting the peace process in Gaza and humanitarian relief efforts? MNA: In supporting humanitarian relief efforts, there are aid institutions affiliated with Arab states that are active in Gaza. For example, Egypt has the Egyptian Committee, which participated in searching for the bodies of captives in Gaza, brought in aid equipment, and established camps for displaced people. Some European states also run field hospital and relief projects. The United Nations, through its well-known agencies such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and UNRWA, is also involved. However, UNRWA in particular has been subjected to incitement campaigns by the occupation and has been prevented from bringing in aid trucks, despite being a UN institution. As for the peace process, there is no real value to the efforts of all the aforementioned parties unless they are translated into action on the ground. Such translation is impossible without cooperation from the occupying power. No one is capable of compelling the occupation except the United States, and it appears that, to this day, it does not wish to force Israel to engage in a genuine peace process. The continued violations in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus statements that the war is not over are clear evidence of this. Therefore, any claim that a genuine peace process exists in the region is highly inaccurate. Gaza has not experienced peace, has not been rebuilt, and killing has not stopped. Moreover, Gaza is currently drowning in winter rains, and at least 14 peoplemostly childrenhave died due to rain and cold. 3. SS: What are the main conditions and unresolved issues being discussed to move to the next stages of the peace agreement, including Israeli security demands and Palestinian political and geographical considerations? MNA: The problem now is that talks to move to the second phase remain suspended. Trump has spoken about forming a so-called Peace Council to manage arrangements for the second phase of the agreement. Palestinian factions involved in the Gaza warspecifically Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and six other factions (eight in total)met in Cairo in late November. All of them rejected the idea of a Peace Council altogether. What they rejected even more strongly was the inclusion of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the council, although reports later suggested that he was excluded. The issue of an international stabilization force also remains unresolved. No agreed-upon protocol for its operations exists, and the force has not yet been formed, despite more than two months having passed since the agreement was signed. Arab states will not participate in a force that might be required to clash with Palestinians, especially since, from the perspective of the United States and Israel, the mission of this force would be the disarmament of Hamas. This is a task Israel failed to achieve during its war on Gaza, making it unlikely that an international force tasked with protecting the agreement and civilians could accomplish what Israeli military force could not. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Oregons manufacturing sector continues its rapid decline with employment down more than 5% in the past year. Newly released state data shows factory employment has fallen below the depths it hit in the dark days of the pandemic recession. The state had about 177,000 manufacturing jobs in September, the Oregon Employment Department reported last week. Thats the fewest number since December 2013. Manufacturing is a big deal in Oregon. The state has a higher concentration of blue-collar jobs than most other states, a function of its roots in forest products, food processing and electronics manufacturing. The states tax code also favors heavy industry. Oregon has no sales tax and offers lucrative property tax exemptions to large manufacturers. It exempts companies from income and revenue taxes on products they make here and sell in other states or countries, though the states new corporate activity tax is adding to the cost of some equipment and materials that manufacturers use. Oregon factories began shedding jobs three years ago but as recently as last spring state economists were hopeful the worst was over. It wasnt. The decline accelerated as the year went on and Oregon has now lost nearly 10,000 factory jobs in the past 12 months. Much of the trouble corresponds to severe issues in Oregons semiconductor industry, the states largest economic sector in dollar terms. Intel remains the states largest corporate employer but it has laid off more than 6,000 workers since the summer of 2024. The chipmakers Oregon workforce is at its lowest point in more than a dozen years, at a little more than 16,000 local employees. Intel is struggling to overcome years of setbacks in its production technology, playing catchup to industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. CEO Lip-Bu Tan says a smaller workforce will make Intel more agile. Its not just Intel cutting jobs. Microchip Technology, Onsemi and others have laid off an unspecified number of Oregon workers in response to setbacks in their own businesses. Altogether, Oregon chipmakers have shed about a fifth of their jobs in the past 18 months. President Donald Trumps trade war may also be playing a role in Oregons manufacturing woes. The president says his tariffs are designed to bring factory jobs back to the U.S. but they have also triggered retaliatory tariffs from other countries. That stings in Oregon, which is among the most trade-dependent states in the nation. The states exports were down 19% through the first nine months of the year, according to the latest federal data collected by WiserTrade. Its not clear how much of that decline was triggered by the trade war, though, and to what degree fewer exports translated into fewer jobs. In their quarterly revenue forecast last month, state economists told a legislative committee that Oregon factory workers are also spending less time on the job in recent months a worrisome sign that suggests manufacturers are continuing to scale back. The current direction of manufacturing hours worked per week in Oregon, coupled with ongoing job losses, raises concerns for the sector, the economists wrote. This is Oregon Insight, The Oregonians weekly look at the numbers behind the states economy. View past installments here. Downtown Portland demonstrators directed their holiday jeer at Apple on Saturday, demanding the tech company restore an app that helps everyday onlookers report federal immigration enforcement activity. More than 30 protestors flew signs and sang satirical carols within view of security, employees and holiday shoppers just off the steps of the glassy Apple store at 450 S.W. Yamhill St. They sang from booklets or in at least one instance, an iPad of holiday protest lyrics rewritten to lambast Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook. ICEBlock allows users to anonymously flag sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and had garnered more than 1 million users. Apple removed the software from its app store in October after being contacted by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who argued it placed federal officers in danger by letting users track their movements. In a lawsuit filed last week, ICEBlocks developer alleged the Trump administration violated its free speech protections, arguing Bondi marshaled state power to pressure Apple to take down its app. Downtown Portland protesters urged the return of the app to Apple devices and have been out weekly since Black Friday, said event organizer Julia VanDerslice, who works as a veterinarian in her day job. Demonstrators plan to return regularly until Christmas, she said. We really feel like thats a violation of our First Amendment rights, to (not) be able to report and track things that we dont think are right in our community, VanDerslice said. --The Associated Press contributed to this article. Between 128,000 and 186,000 years ago, when ice covered the Sierra Nevada, a lake 100 miles long and 600 feet deep sat in eastern California in what is now the Mojave Desert. As the climate warmed and the ice retreated, the lake dried up, leaving a white salt pan in its place. But a November of record rainfall has brought the ancient lake, known as Lake Manly, back to life. Now Death Valley, one of the hottest places on Earth and the lowest point in North America, has a desert lake framed by snow-capped mountains. As far as lakes go, this one is pretty small and is likely to disappear soon. But its a marvel to people who live in or visit Death Valley, and a reminder of the extreme weather that has been hitting the area more than 200 feet below sea level. Climate change has been a growing concern. A few years ago, when temperatures approached the 130-degree mark, heat tourists flocked to the desert. Officials have expressed concern about how hotter conditions can affect the plants, birds and wildlife. Then, there is the rain. From September to November, the park received 2.41 inches of rain, with 1.76 inches of that total coming in November alone, the Park Service said. The previous wettest November on record was 1.70 inches, set in 1923. The lake last made an appearance in 2023 after Hurricane Hilary, which degraded to a post-tropical low before reaching Southern California, dumped 2.2 inches of rain on the park and filled the basin. Water levels receded until February 2024, when an atmospheric river dumped an additional 1.5 inches of rain onto the lake, making it deep enough that people could kayak on it. NASA researchers found that the temporary lake was about 3 feet to less than 1.5 feet deep over the course of about six weeks in February and March 2024. The lake there today doesnt really compare, locals say. Its an attraction but its not really a lake, said an employee at the Death Valley Inn, who asked to be identified only as Katt, when reached by phone Thursday. Its the size of a lake but its not deep. ... Its more like a very, very large riverbed without the flow a wading pool maybe. Regardless of its size, the novelty of the lake is an attraction unto itself. The inn has gotten more visitors since the rains, Katt said, because the hotel is only about seven miles from the park entrance and isnt as expensive as the hotels inside its boundaries. She said that business has increased 20% to 30% since the lake reappeared. When the lake last emerged in 2023, the inn sold out for a few nights, she said. She has visited it herself recently and said the water went up to her knee in some spots. The recent storms have also closed roads throughout the park, covering paved roads in debris and making them impassable, according to a National Park Service news release. Zabriskie Point, Dantes View, Badwater Basin and Mesquite Sand Dunes remain accessible and open. Visitors should proceed with caution if traveling on back-country roads and be prepared to self-rescue if necessary, officials said. The lake is much smaller compared with previous years, and theres no way to tell how long it will last, said Death Valley park ranger Nichole Andler. She said that how long the lake is there depends on how much wind Death Valley gets, how warm itll be and if it rains again anytime soon. Visitors can expect to see the lake into the new year and maybe a little longer because temperatures have been cool. Some of the best views of the lake are from Dantes View, and sunrise is a great time to see it, Andler added. Death Valley gets only about 2 inches of rain per year because of rain shadows from mountains. The towering Sierra Nevada range stops moisture from coming in from the Pacific, causing most rain to fall on the other side of the mountains. Death Valleys low elevation means that any rainfall that does arrive usually evaporates due to the heat. IZNIK, Turkey Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered one of the most important finds from Anatolias early Christian era: a fresco of a Roman-looking Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The painting was discovered in August in an underground tomb near Iznik, a town in northwestern Turkey that secured its place in Christian history as the place where the Nicene Creed was adopted in A.D. 325. Pope Leo XIV recently visited the town as part of his first overseas trip. At the time, the region was part of the Roman Empire, and the tomb in the village of Hisardere is believed to date to the 3rd century, a time when Christians still faced widespread persecution. The Good Shepherd fresco depicts a youthful, clean-shaven Jesus dressed in a toga and carrying a goat across his shoulders. Researchers say it is one of the rare instances in Anatolia where Jesus is portrayed with distinctly Roman attributes. Before the cross was widely adopted as Christianitys universal symbol, the Good Shepherd motif played a key role in expressing faith, indicating protection, salvation and divine guidance. Despite its central role in early Christianity, however, only a few examples of the Good Shepherd have been found in Anatolia and the one in Hisardere is the best preserved. The Associated Press was the first international media organization granted access to the tomb. Lead archaeologist Gulsen Kutbay described the artwork as possibly the only example of its kind in Anatolia. The walls and ceiling of the cramped tomb are decorated with bird and plant motifs. Portraits of noble men and women, accompanied by slave attendants, also decorate the walls. Eren Erten Ertem, an archaeologist from Iznik Museum, said the frescoes showed a transition from late paganism to early Christianity, depicting the deceased being sent off to the afterlife in a positive and fitting manner. The excavation uncovered the skeletons of five individuals, anthropologist Ruken Zeynep Kose said. Because of poor preservation, it was impossible to determine the ages of two of them, but the others were two young adults and a 6-month-old infant. Pope Leo XIV visited Iznik last month to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea that produced a creed, or statement of faith, that is still recited by millions of Christians today. Joined by patriarchs and priests from the Eastern and Western churches, Leo prayed that Christians might once again be united. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, presented a tile painting of the Good Shepherd discovery to Leo during his visit. Anatolia witnessed pivotal moments in Christian history: St. Paul was born in Tarsus, St. John spent his final years in Ephesus and the Virgin Mary may have lived her last days near the same city. --By Mehmet Guzel and Andrew Wilks/The Associated Press Nothing can undo the loss of Olga Dames brother and two nephews, who number among many whove died in the ongoing war in Ukraine. But the retired medical interpreter said shes trying to do her part to help others still on the frontlines. On Saturday, that meant a seemingly small act, selling homemade cookies and sourdough bread, to attendees of the third Ukrainian Winterfest a festival started in the wake of Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Half the proceeds will go to festival organizers to buy supplies for Ukrainians, Dame said. We do everything that we can to help them, and this event is just to help even more, she said. Kind of to give more. Olga Dame sells her homemade Ukrainian bread and cookies at the event. Allison Barr/The Oregonian More than 100 people, many of them in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, milled through Portlands Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Attendees and vendors spoke at booths that displayed all kinds of wares, from traditional clothing to handmade dolls. Yulia Brockdorf, board president of DAWN, the nonprofit that organizes the event, said the point of the Ukrainian Winterfest is to bring joy during the holidays, a bedrock of the culture. 34 1 / 34 Ukrainian Winterfest 2025 At the same time, she said, part of the event is to raise awareness about the experiences of Ukrainians, as well as to raise money to send medical supplies and aid missions to the war-torn country. We are honoring and bringing to life that which Ukrainian defenders are currently fighting for, dying for and defending Ukraine, Brockdorf said. Several displays conveyed different aspects of the war. One booth contained tables covered in shrapnel, explosive-torn shoes, battlefield helmets, a demo model of a modified drone that Russian soldiers would have used. Another table displayed a cache of emergency medical supplies that donations would help buy. Yulia Brockdorf is the Board President of DAWN and a Trauma Psychotherapist. She is often flies to Ukraine to support soldiers. While on the frontline, she collects findings to bring back to the U.S. Here, you can see children's shoes and a drone. Allison Barr/The Oregonian Musicians livened up the stage with performances that stretched through the day. Flutist Amelia Lucas said she was born and raised in the United States, but music has helped her connect with her Ukrainian heritage and raise awareness about the war. Music is such a powerful way to open up our hearts and kind of feel through all the difficult emotions around, you know, really troubling world events like this, she said. Its a great way to bring the community together and express some of whats going on collectively. Elsewhere, virtual reality goggles gave users an up-close view of the destruction Russian attacks had caused in civilian zones across Ukraine. Ive never done it before, said one attendee as Mykola Omelchenko helped him strap into a virtual reality headset. Moments later, Omelchenko activated the headset and the visitors field of view filled with 360-degree footage of Ukraine before and after the 2022 invasion. Omelchenko who said he was in Kyiv when Russian forces bombarded the city in 2022 as troops invaded the country is no stranger to helping people view the extensive archive of footage that he and his collaborators collected. Their collective efforts have resulted in the VR Museum of War, a traveling pop-up exhibition that aims to educate people across the world on the brutal realities that Ukrainian citizens face after years of Russian advances. A lot of people, not even today, cannot comprehend the mass of the destruction of the country, Omelchenko said. They think (from) far away, not feeling it, not knowing. When running for mayor, Keith Wilson gave the public an easy yardstick by which they could measure his first year in office. By Dec. 1, he said, he would add 1,500 overnight beds as a pivotal part of his strategy to end unsheltered homelessness. Neither funding crunches nor skepticism dissuaded Wilson from pursuing this singular focus. And he has largely met the goal, as The Oregonian/OregonLives Lillian Mongeau Hughes reported. While his achievement comes with an asterisk several hundred are not yet open or are flex beds to be set up when needed give Wilson his due. He made a bold promise and kept it. To be sure, no one should mistake this for a mission accomplished moment. As Mongeau Hughes reported, unsheltered homelessness has only increased. The lack of sufficient day centers means people are back out in the cold when overnight shelters close at 6 a.m. Employees and neighbors have reported problems at and around some of the locations. And the addition of emergency beds does nothing to change the overarching dynamic of an unaffordable housing market and a shortage of options, especially for families. But it is undeniably a win for Wilson and for Portland. The expansion not only adds needed places for people to go as the weather grows colder and wetter, but it also heralds a philosophical shift: Portland is ready to turn the page on rampant camping. While following through still requires significant investment and coordination across agencies, Wilson has put a floor under Portlanders expectations of what the city should allow. Residents should recognize what a significant act of leadership that is, particularly in a region where too few elected officials have offered or executed on a vision. With hundreds of beds now available, Wilson has directed police to start enforcing the camping ordinance, which prohibits camping in public places when there are reasonable alternatives. Although the number of people who are living unsheltered still exceeds the number of beds available, the shelters have had plenty of capacity each night, allowing for people to come in if theyre willing to. Importantly, Wilson has emphasized connecting people to shelter and services including the countys underused substance abuse deflection center over issuing citations. Arrests have only been for those with outstanding warrants or who are suspected of criminal activity. Connecting people to services must always be the primary goal, even as city officials recognize the need to have enforcement tools to make that choice a real one. Wilson described some of the culture shift at last weeks Oregon Leadership Summit, a conference of elected officials, business leaders and community advocates. The city has returned to enforcing health and safety standards in our neighborhoods, he said, adding that weve ended the era where open warrants are meaningless and court dates are optional, according to prepared remarks. Those are welcome words for those who have long grown frustrated with tents overtaking sidewalks and the vague goals that have come to define the regions homelessness efforts. But Wilson and the Portland City Council must keep the forward momentum going including maintaining a threshold of emergency beds, despite some advocates opposition to Wilsons approach. Certainly, critics, who include some city councilors, are correct that emergency shelter beds dont address the root causes of homelessness. But it would be short-sighted to try to unwind Wilsons work. Emergency beds are a necessary component of a comprehensive plan to move people from the streets to permanent housing. Either the city or Multnomah County which receives the lions share of taxpayer dollars for homelessness must commit to keeping an adequate amount of shelter funded. Its beyond time that all our leaders recognize that leaving people to sleep in the elements is a humanitarian failure. Still, District 1 councilors offer a good argument for using some of the $21 million in newly found housing dollars to go to rent assistance and eviction prevention services. Although these are stopgap measures that wont make housing as a whole more plentiful or affordable, they are essential to helping limit the flow of people into homelessness. Theres plenty of work still to be done, from more tightly coordinating with the county to aggressively adding more housing. The city must also collaborate with its nonprofit partners on how to more quickly move income-limited tenants into publicly subsidized affordable housing. A recent story by The Oregonian/OregonLives Jonathan Bach and Mongeau Hughes reported that about 1,900 such units are sitting vacant despite long waiting lists and the clear need for housing. But Wilsons success in fulfilling his promise provides Portlanders a badly needed boost and hope that the city is finally on an upswing. -The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board Streaming giant Netflix announced a deal to acquire rival Warner Bros. for $83 billion, including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO. That prompted a hostile bid from Paramount valued at $108 billion for those assets plus the Discovery cable networks, including CNN. Whoever wins, the acquisition faces anti-trust scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department. Michael Ramirez leads this weeks editorial cartoon gallery with his view that the deal would spell the end of high-quality films in movie theaters. But well always have Squid Games, says Humphrey Bogart to Ingrid Bergman, paraphrasing the famous line (Well always have Paris) from the Warner Bros. classic film Casablanca. Bill Bramhall shares that opinion, only he riffs on Thats All, Folks, the title card that ended every classic Warner Bros. cartoon. Bramhall also makes visual reference to the horse in the bed scene from The Godfather. Also this week, cartoonists took note of changes to the childhood vaccine schedule in a vote by a Centers for Disease Control panel. Walt Handelsman draws Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. breaking down the new guidelines by ripping them up. Drew Shenemans doctor peddles vaccines on a street corner. Bramhall revises the doctors creed to say, First Do Harm. Other news events in this weeks gallery include a failed vote in the Senate to restore federal health insurance subsidies that are expiring at the end of the year; President Donald Trumps skepticism of an affordability crisis; more fallout from U.S. strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats; and Russian leader Vladimir Putin asking Santa Claus for Ukraine ... all of it. Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate. Kimberlee Armstrong For The Oregonian/OregonLive Armstrong, Ed.D., is superintendent of Portland Public Schools. In my first year as superintendent, I set three main priorities: literacy; rebuilding trust; and ensuring safe, supportive learning environments for our students and staff. Priority three has guided my leadership every single day because safe, modern environments are not optional. They are the foundation of learning. And for too long, our students have been asked to wait for the spaces they deserve. I am proud to say that that wait is over. After years of stalled timelines and rising costs, the school board is advancing construction on our next generation of schools and has approved the purchase of the building that will house The Center for Black Student Excellence. The boards decision to move forward with our high schools and make good on our promises proves that our word is our bond and our students needs are our north star. When I was hired, the delays in completing the modernization of Benson Polytechnic High School and in starting the Jefferson rebuild were significant. An external audit and internal investigations of our bond program confirmed what families and educators already felt. Costs were increasing. Schedules were drifting. Oversight was scattered among multiple firms and internal teams that were not working in sync. Jefferson High School required an additional $55 million in contingency funds. Harrison Park required more than $25 million. For nearly five years, there was little progress in creating the Center for Black Student Excellence that voters authorized in 2020. These are not just numbers in a spreadsheet. Our students, families , and educators have lived with the consequences of these delays every single day. I accepted this role knowing that I would and should be held accountable when our systems fail our students and school communities. And it is precisely because I care deeply about delivering on our pledge to every student that I have been working with our central office teams to diagnose exactly what was broken. Over the last 15 months, we have reviewed every data point available the external audit, statewide comparisons of 2020 and 2022 bond programs and the gaps in critical oversight roles. The conclusion was undeniable. The systems were not working. The structure needed to change. This fall, we issued a nationwide request for proposals for a single program management firm to oversee the job of delivering three remodeled high schools and major capital projects under a unified plan. Three national firms applied. One, Procedeo, was selected. Procedeo rose to the top because of the companys deep K-12 experience and clear alignment with our vision, priorities and unique requirements as a public school district. They share our commitment to creating learning environments that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of every student, and I will hold them accountable for delivering concrete results something that quite frankly hasnt happened in the past. I know that there have been questions and criticisms of the selection process, and its fair for the public to ask about process, timing and review of how we chose the winning bid. Transparency matters. Accountability matters. Public confidence matters. That is why we relied on months of internal and external analysis, independent audits and statewide benchmarks to guide our decision. It is also why we moved with urgency. Every month of delay carries real and unacceptable costs for Portland families and taxpayers. Likewise, questions about the construction timeline deserve clarity. The plan to open Jefferson, Cleveland and Ida B. Wells high schools in fall 2029 has been the districts plan since August. That schedule predates the new contract with Procedeo. What the contract does, however, is provide the management structure capable of delivering on that long-standing target, on time and on budget. The public should expect nothing less. The boards votes earlier this month reflect a district ready to move forward. Advancing school construction brings us in line with Oregon districts that have managed to complete their bond projects while ours remained stalled. And the purchase of the building for the long-awaited Center for Black Student Excellence fulfills a promise overdue to Black students and families who have waited years for a home designed for their success. These decisions are victories. They are victories for our students who deserve safe and inspiring classrooms. They are victories for our educators who have waited for modern facilities. They are victories for families who voted for these bonds with trust that we would deliver. They are also a victory for a community that has demanded urgency, clarity and responsibility and is now seeing those values reflected back. The work ahead will be challenging, but the direction is clear. Portland Public Schools has chosen coherence over fragmentation, accountability over drift and momentum over stagnation. Our students cannot wait, and now, with these critical votes secured, they will not have to. KIEV, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that the U.S.-proposed plan to establish a "free economic zone" in parts of the eastern Donbas region is unfair. Zelensky said it remains unclear who would manage the proposed economic zone and added that Ukraine must seek alternative ways to end the conflict with Russia if the current peace talks fail. The United States suggested a compromise in which the Ukrainian Armed Forces would withdraw from the region, and Russia would not enter parts of eastern Ukraine, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted Zelensky as saying. "We need to pull ourselves together, find another approach and do everything possible to end this war," Zelensky said. Annie Naranjo-Rivera and Jody Wiser For The Oregonian/OregonLive Naranjo-Rivera and Wiser are co-chairs of the Oregon Revenue Coalition, a coalition of progressive organizations that advocate for tax fairness. Naranjo-Rivera is also executive director of the Oregon Working Families Party. Wiser is also the founder of Tax Fairness Oregon. Oregon families are facing an affordability crisis of Washingtons making. Tariffs found unlawful by a federal appeals court are jacking up costs. People are losing health insurance or seeing premiums double. Thousands lose their housing each month because they cant afford rent. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will hurt upwards of 313,000 Oregonians. Trump and Congressional Republicans gave away unprecedented federal tax breaks primarily to wealthy corporations and individuals through HR 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill. But the impact of these cutsand the drop in revenueisnt limited to the federal government. Because our state automatically mirrors federal policy on how Oregonians calculate the taxes they owe the state, these giveaways will cost Oregon nearly $900 million in state revenue in the 2025-2027 biennium, and significantly more in budget cycles to come. In addition, the reckless policies of the Trump Administration will lead to billions of dollars in cuts to programs, making everyday expenses like groceries, rent, child care and health care unaffordable. However, it is not too late for us to take action here at home. What many Oregonians dont know is that the state actually has the power to disconnect from parts of the federal tax code and reject the Trump tax giveaways here in our state. In fact, during the 2025 legislative session, the Oregon House actually did vote to disconnect our state tax code from federal changesa move that would have prevented this looming crisis. But the Oregon Senate chose not to vote on that bill. Why? Because corporations have been hard at work lobbying state lawmakers to not disconnect from the federal tax code. While its too late to change this for the 2025 tax year, we can still do what is best for working families across Oregon in 2026. Independent analyses show approximately 80% of the federal tax cuts will flow to the wealthiest 10% of Oregonians. To be clear, corporations and wealthy Oregonians will still get the Trump tax cuts on their federal tax returns. Disconnecting here in Oregon means that they cant double dip on the tax giveaways on both their federal and state tax returns. The Legislature has disconnected in the past, and they should do it again. Other states are disconnecting from specific provisions of the federal tax changes and Oregon legislators should similarly write our own tax laws for 2026 and beyond, rather than allowing every tax giveaway in HR 1. The Legislature should pursue a series of commonsense tax policies in the upcoming short session to raise state revenue from those who can afford it most: corporations and ultra-wealthy Oregonians. This includes making data centers like Apple, QTS and Amazon pay property taxes from day one, instead of granting incentives that allow them to go five to 15 years without paying property taxes. Oregon should hold global corporations that hide their profits overseas accountable and include more of their global profits in assessing their tax liability. And Oregon should shut down the Qualified Small Business Stock exclusion, a state tax break for millionaires and billionaires investing in tech startups that dont even need to be in Oregon. Oregons state budget relies heavily on taxing wages that working Oregonians earn from their own hard labor. While working Oregonians have few options for lowering their tax bills, corporations and wealthy Oregonians benefit from a system that builds in corporate loopholes and imposes lower tax rates on certain kinds of investment and business income. Oregon entered this budget cycle with a $475 million surplus. We made responsible investments in education, housing and infrastructure. Then Washington changed the rules mid-game, transforming a surplus into a deficit and forcing a crisis. We cant do much about whats happening in Washington, D.C., but we can act here in Salem. At the very least, the Senate must act on decoupling to meet budget challenges. Its time for our elected leaders to reject the Trump tax giveaways, end corporate subsidy programs, and make corporations and wealthy individuals pay their fair share. Oregon ethics officials will investigate whether six Portland city councilors violated public meetings law when they met for a private August retreat. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted 7-0 Friday to investigate Councilors Candace Avalos, Jamie Dunphy, Mitch Green, Sameer Kanal, Tiffany Koyama Lane and Angelita Morillo. Ethics commissioners made separate unanimous votes for each council member. The core issue, according to ethics commission staff, is an Aug. 6 retreat where the councilors had planned to discuss topics including defunding city economic development agency Prosper Portland. Under Oregon public meetings law, members of legislative bodies are prohibited from privately discussing legislative matters among a quorum the minimum number of members required to hold a vote. The six councilors form a left-leaning council bloc that calls itself Peacock, shorthand for progressive caucus. The vote marks the second time complaints have prompted the ethics commission to consider the caucus in the past year, but the first time it has launched an investigation. The ethics commission earlier this year declined to look into allegations that the six city councilors plus Councilor Steve Novick broke transparency rules when the six communicated through a private text message thread during public budget meetings this spring. At the time, the ethics commission said state law provides only a narrow window in which grievances can be filed and that time had expired. In the Friday case, at least one complaint, filed by former city council candidate Ciatta Thompson, alleged that because the progressive councilors serve on four separate council committees but gathered in August without proper public notice, they violated public meetings law. Portlands eight policy committees tee up issues for the broader City Council to discuss and vote on. Committees each have five members. There are four committees on which Peacock members could make up a quorum: the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Homelessness and Housing Committee, Labor and Workforce Development Committee and Climate, Resilience, and Land Use Committee. By holding this retreat in secret, Thompson wrote in the Aug. 21 complaint, these councilors appear to have disregarded both the letter of the law and the expectation of transparency owed to Portland residents. At the Friday executive session, investigator Daniel Pacheco said that by appearing at the private retreat, the Peacock members may have reached a quorum of at least one of their policy committees. Furthermore, Pacheco said, an agenda item for the retreat included vision and strategy alignment, though the city and some Peacock members argued they did not reach that part of the agenda. The city acknowledged that such discussions would have implicated public meetings law if those policies would likely come before any of the four committees for which a quorum was present, he said. Multiple councilors, as well as Oregon Justice Resource Center attorney Ben Haile, defended the agenda as a draft document and said the meeting was meant for team building. Haile represented several of the councilors. They did not talk about anything that would be decided by City Council or any of its committees, Haile told the commission. Haile could not be reached for comment Saturday. At least four councilors Kanal, Avalos, Koyama Lane and Green appeared by video link before the ethics commission during the Friday executive session. Through Haile, Dunphy conveyed his apologies for missing the meeting. The ethics commission has tentatively scheduled another meeting on the investigation on May 8, 2026. --Betsy Hammond and Carlos Fuentes contributed to this article. At the beginning of each shift, Officer Rachel McDonald and social worker Sarah Scafani go over the list of people they need to find. The pair are one of five officer-clinician teams who make up the Portland Police Bureaus highly specialized Behavioral Health Unit. They share a patrol car, spending several hours every day trading notes about the people on their caseload, swapping stories about their toddlers and debating the need to wear their ballistic vests every minute of their shift. (McDonald wears hers. Scafani doesnt.) I love this job, said McDonald, who initially trained as a therapist and then served as a patrol officer for seven and a half years before joining the unit in 2024. We actually have time to help people. But helping the people they are assigned is no easy feat. It often feels like a hamster wheel, said Scafani, a licensed clinical social worker with nearly seven years experience on the unit. Theres barriers on barriers on barriers. Across two shifts observed by The Oregonian/OregonLive this year, McDonald and Scafani sought out a half dozen people nearly everyone else was busy avoiding. There was the man who suffered from delusions and was frequently violent toward his mother. There was the woman known to have a shotgun whose deteriorating mental health had caused her friends to call police. And there was the homeless person whod lost the flesh off the tip of his finger and was avoiding medical care even though bone could be seen sticking out. Before leaving the precinct one spring morning in search of several of these people, McDonald realized she had run out of her most valuable deescalation tool: cigarettes. She circled back, asking around until a colleague offered a few. Thus equipped, the two women loaded into their patrol car and set off. Officer Rachel McDonald, a member of the Portland Police Bureaus Behavioral Health Unit, works on a built-in laptop inside a police SUV in Portland this spring. The unit pairs officers with mental health clinicians to respond to crisis calls and connect people with support services. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Scafani, McDonald and their unit are one part of a decade-plus-long effort to overhaul Portland polices approach to people with mental illness. Nationally, research shows that people with serious mental illness are nearly 12 times more likely to have force used on them by police. Sued by federal officials for its officers own track record of harming or killing people suffering mental health crises, the Portland Police Bureau still is not in full compliance with standards laid out in a settlement agreement signed in 2014. But while many questions about the effectiveness of that multi-layered effort remain, even critics grant that the behavioral health units co-responder teams seem to be having a dampening effect on the fraught relationship between police and people with mental illness. Launched in 2013, the behavioral health unit is not large. It had a $4 million budget last fiscal year, which accounted for just over 1% of the bureaus total budget, according to Sgt. Kevin Allen, a spokesperson for the police. Everyone on the behavioral health units caseload the team worked with more than 500 Portlanders in 2024 has been referred by patrol officers. Most make the list due to escalating behavior, recurring contacts with police or because they may pose a danger to other people. Its rarely clear how each day will go or what help the teams will be able to provide. From 2014 through 2024, about 9% of people contacted refused service and 12% of people assigned to the units caseload were not located, according to police data. Another 11% ended up in the criminal justice system and nearly 6% were committed to the states mental health hospital for mandatory treatment. Sgt. Josh Silverman, who oversees the unit, said his officers and clinicians are dedicated to reducing police contacts for the people they aim to help, most of whom are mentally ill or struggling with chronic addiction problems. By design, were working with folks who have fallen through all of the cracks, Silverman said. If there was an easy solution it would have been tried already. And options for help are limited. Emergency departments are overwhelmed. Detox beds are few. Inpatient care is hard to find. And even if an officer or clinician believes someone needs help, that person may refuse it or fail to meet the qualifications for mandated mental health care. Theres also not enough housing or shelter to go around. Nor enough attorneys to act as public defenders for people accused of minor crimes. We are at the intersection of two nearly broken systems, Silverman said, referring to the states overloaded justice system and fraying social and health care safety net. If our job is to connect the dots and there arent enough dots to connect, thats a problem. Still, nearly 40% of people served by the unit do receive some concrete help, whether thats a clinician connecting them with a housing counselor or an officer coordinating with their parole officer, according to police. And in 21% of cases, the outcome is marked as concern mitigated, meaning the team was able to determine that whatever caused the problem had passed. McDonald, Scafini and others on their team say theyll do whatever they can to help. They call family members, often developing ongoing relationships with concerned parents and siblings. Officers reach out to the district attorney or other justice system contacts. Clinicians contact housing providers and sometimes arrange for medical or mental health care. Much of what they offer is simply time and focus, two things most of the people in their orbit desperately need. Critics wary of giving police too much credit The Portland Police Bureau has invested significant time and energy in the past 11 years to improve how officers manage calls involving people with mental illness. But not everyone is ready to declare success. Among other things, the bureau now requires training in deescalation for every officer. And 130 officers, up from 53 in 2014, received a more rigorous Crisis Intervention Team training. The bureau carefully tracks use of force reports and publishes their records. Officers making the reports must note when someone appears to be mentally ill. The city has also created Portland Street Response, which allows 911 dispatchers to send unarmed mental health providers to help people who are not believed to be dangerous. After changes in March, Portland Street Response has longer hours, more staff and a broader job description. Responders can now enter public places and transport patients, for instance. But the efforts have not prevented tragedy entirely. Just this summer, a man in the midst of a mental health episode died while in police custody. The cause of Damon Lamarr Johnsons death was determined to be prone restraint and a heart attack, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney. A grand jury last month declined to indict the three officers involved in the restraint. Since 2015, Portland police have shot and killed at least eight people in mental health crises, according to a Washington Post database of police shootings and a review of Oregonian/OregonLive coverage. Portland police declined to say whether any of them, or Johnson, had previously been on the radar of the behavioral health unit. Meghan Apshaga, a staff attorney for Disability Rights Oregon, which advocates for people with mental illness, said that she would prefer police almost never respond to people with mental illness given the potential for problems. And though she serves on the behavioral health unit advisory committee, she thinks Portland Street Response is a more important part of the institutional change she would like to see. Officer Rachel McDonald, left, and officer Zachary Nell, members of the Portland Police Bureaus Behavioral Health Unit, check on a woman at the door of a Portland apartment building in May. The woman was reported to have a shotgun and believed she was being stalked. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Still, Apshaga said, she recognizes there are times when sending a police officer to respond to people with fragile mental health is the only safe option and appreciates that the unit attracts people who like the work. The people who are in the behavioral health unit want to be there, Apshaga said. They are officers who have a particular interest in working with this population. Thats a great thing. Silverman, the sergeant, argues the existence of his team gives patrol officers a proactive option when they suspect mental illness is playing some role in the behavior of the people they encounter. They are no longer stuck shrugging and waiting to get called out again for the same people, often for concerning but non-criminal behavior. And, over the years, officers have gotten better at making useful referrals, according to police data. While fewer come in now than at the start of the program, more of them are assigned, meaning officers are doing a better job evaluating who qualifies for help. Local activist Jason Renaud, who runs the Mental Health Association of Portland and has been closely watching Portland police since 1989, remains skeptical. He gives the bureau little credit for improvement on its interactions with people with mental illness. And he doesnt like that the behavioral health units advisory committee meets behind closed doors. But even Renaud said he thought Portland police officers are approaching mental health differently now than they were a decade ago. Im pleased about the shift in culture thats occurring and thats largely (Police Chief) Bob Day, Renaud said. He brings a completely different attitude. Youre not in any trouble Despite the sometimes life and death stakes, a lot of the minute-to-minute work of the behavioral health unit is almost mundane: Navigating traffic, dropping off a food box, checking a new clients criminal record. Its the work of paying attention and showing up, not the work of a high-drama cop show. One April morning, McDonald and Scafani began their shift by conducting a routine check on someone the unit had previously been able to help a man named Gregory Martin, 53, who talks to his stuffed animals and believes the FBI is after him. Years ago, when Scafani first met Martin, hed come to officers attention because he frequently called 911 in a panic, threatening to bomb the FBI building or kill himself. Scafani had a different officer partner in those days, and the two worked with Martin to gain his trust. Eventually they were able to get him mental health services and a place in permanent supportive housing, which is an option for people who need significant help to live independently. I have mental health problems, Martin said that morning in April as he stood outside his apartment building chatting with a neighbor. I was having an episode and they came out. Everybody says Ive done really well in the past couple years. Not every outcome is as happy. Members of the Portland Police Bureaus Behavioral Health Unit say free cigarettes, being handed out here in April, and other small gestures build trust with people experiencing mental health struggles. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Back in the patrol car, Scafani said the work has taught her to set aside her own idea of what success looks like and instead focus on helping people get what they need according to their own assessments. Sometimes that doesnt mean getting them permanent housing and meds. Sometimes it just means a conversation. In the end, thats all they were able to offer the man with schizophrenia whose mother had requested a welfare check. The mother already had a restraining order against her son, whod been violent to her in the past. McDonald and Scafani knocked on his motel room door. Nothing. When they offered a cigarette, he relented. But the brief conversation, held through a partially opened doorway, showed Scafani that he didnt quite meet the qualifications for a medical hold or civil commitment. And he didnt want anything else from them, other than another cigarette. They gave him one, then gave their card to the motel owners and left. Youre really dealing with people where theyre at, Scafani said. Within the month, the man had been arrested for violating his mothers restraining order. Officer Zachary Nell, left, Clinician Sarah Scafani, in orange, and Officer Rachel McDonald check on a man reported to be experiencing mental health issues at the motel in Southeast in May. Mark Graves/The Oregonian On another day, McDonald, Scafani and a back-up officer from their unit arrived in front of a different apartment building to check on the woman whose friends called to say she had a shotgun and an extremely disordered mental state. A second police officer is required if a gun is reported to be present. Once outside the womans apartment door, McDonald and Zachary Nell, the back-up officer on the call, snapped into a focused calm. They shooed everyone else into the elevator well and stood outside the door, ready to react quickly. Then, a polite knock. McDonald identified herself as a police officer. Hey, youre not in trouble or anything, she called through the door, adding, Im here with a social worker. Scafani joined in. I just wanted to see if you wanted any resources or anything, she said. No answer. Scafani slipped a card under the door and they left. Clinician Sarah Scafani and Officer Rachel McDonald look at a photo on a private security guards phone at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. They had been asking after a person they were trying to find who had badly injured his hand and the guard had seen and photographed him recently. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Sometimes teams make multiple visits before they connect with someone. The woman with the shotgun opened the door the second time the team visited her and she was willing to talk, McDonald said later. Asked if she had a shotgun, the woman said yes but that it wasnt hers. She happily turned it over to McDonald, who discovered it had been stolen from its owner in 1988. Its now in the Police Bureaus property room. Despite several other visits, the woman didnt accept McDonalds offers to connect her with mental health services. On the third visit, the woman announced shed soon be moving to Idaho. Shortly after, the 911 calls stopped. But we have the gun, McDonald said. Thats a win. Clinicians with bullet-proof vests Figuring out how to quantify the wins in this work is difficult, but that doesnt mean they arent happening. Amy Watson, a professor and researcher at Wayne State University in Michigan, studies what can be done to reduce negative interactions between law enforcement and people with mental illness. She was on the compliance team for Portlands settlement agreement in 2014 to 2017. Watson said Portlands model of following up on internal referrals makes more sense than sending officers and clinicians out together as first responders because it deploys police to handle issues that are known to be riskier. And she thinks its important that the unit is not considered a stand-alone answer to mental health, but one part of an improved, bureau-wide system. Theyve put in a lot of work, she said of Portland police. Theyve got some good things going on. I dont think theres a law enforcement agency in the country thats got it in great shape. But she said there is limited research on the effectiveness of a co-responder model like Portlands. And the nature of the work can make the units efforts hard to measure or evaluate. Clinician Sarah Scafani stands by her desk inside the Penumbra Kelly Building in April. Scafani has been with the unit for the better part of seven years. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Thats especially true when they spend time looking for someone they never find, like the man with the missing fingertip. He did eventually end up at the hospital, McDonald heard later, but not until after he had developed a bad infection. Now, hes out again, she said, in the wind. Watson said another strength of the Portland behavioral health unit model is that people with mental illness are sometimes sick of social workers and therapists and would rather talk to police. Scafani agreed. Theres a really big misconception that mentally ill people dont want to talk to police, she said. That, in my experience, is largely untrue. Scafani and McDonald said theyve learned to swap in and out of the lead role, depending on how the person they are working with responds. Silverman, the sergeant, doesnt believe his unit is the only answer to the question of what police can do better, but he does think it is part of the answer. He said there is simply no one else available to do the work his teams can do. We are the only clinicians with ballistic vests, he said. And yet, Silverman is under no illusion that even a successful intervention will ensure a long-term positive outcome for every person with whom they engage. There are too many holes and shortages for that, he said. So he keeps his team focused on what is within their control. My guiding philosophy is we will not be the weak link, he said. We will be really good at the part that we own. And were doing a darn good job. A chance of Sunday morning rain in the Portland area will dip after 10 a.m., according to forecasters at the National Weather Service, resulting in mostly cloudy skies for the rest of the day. The likely dry afternoon could offer one last reprieve before rain again pounds Portland next week. By 4 a.m. Monday morning, rain is 100% likely. Rain on Tuesday. Rain on Wednesday. Rinse and repeat for the foreseeable future. High temps will hit the mid 50s on Sunday and warm up to nearly 60 on Monday and Tuesday. But Wednesdays high temperature drops down to 50 degrees. Wednesday night could also bring snow to mountain passes, forecasters say -- though just how much remains a mystery. The driest weather could mean just 1 inch at the Santiam Pass, and the wettest scenario could bring more than a foot of snow. emoluments to soothe the feelings of the arresting officers and to prepare for the goodwill of the presiding judge.Sibylle explained to meshe was plotting out a streaming s )A literary writer in 2025 may not pull throngs of fans hanging off a barricade the way an action comedy TV series canThe cultural trends of the sixties and early seventies m hoping that sustained focus on his work might allow me to discover a critical language for talking about accessible poems.The vast processing power and conducting qualities the dog disavows the scholarly worldhes not part of the Honored members of the Academy! whom Red Peter addressesin the name of another sort of theory.The Turkish blanket is and then returning: Woodrow Calls long trek back from Montana in Lonesome Dove; Danny Decks deathless drive back from California in All My Friends Are Going to Be Strangers; And despite the man-made lightning that scrapes intimacy from the parks with its halogen spies.Other research I did for this essay: asked my parents/brother for their most m I feel Americana aint no part of nothing and is a distraction from the issues that were facing on a bigger level as country music singers.Type Disney World is good for the opposite reason: its success comes from its dishes almost extr It would be revealed to the others the next morning: Who arrived at cafeteria breakfast and who did not.the no-fun social media friends seeding our streams with confrontatio I recalled Juan staring at a silverfish in our shared bathroom with a dark beam of murder emanating from his face.I remember older guests at the Webstera group of fifteen or An enormous banner of Cruise and a motorbike falling through space was draped in front of the iconic theater.as though every effort had been made to keep my eyes directed aw the step youve taken beyond them is this: that you not only relate present to past (act to myth.and reimagine experiences that may represent a particular set of existe ATHENS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Greek farmers on Saturday rejected a government invitation for talks, vowing to escalate protests that have disrupted traffic across the country for a third week. The decision was made during a nationwide meeting of farmer representatives, who stated they would first submit a list of demands and only engage in dialogue after receiving concrete government responses. The protests, involving blockades of highways, border crossings and ports, were triggered by delays in EU subsidy payments following a corruption investigation into Greece's agricultural payments agency. Farmers are also demanding state support for rising production costs, livestock disease losses, weather damage, and long-standing structural problems. Experts note Greek farmers remain heavily dependent on subsidies, which constitute about 47 percent of the average farmer's income. "Farmers are dependent on subsidies. Structural problems were never resolved, while costs continued to rise," Efstathios Klonaris, professor of agricultural economics at the Agricultural University of Athens, was quoted as saying by the local daily To Vima. The government has acknowledged payment delays and pledged substantial funds by the end of December, but stressed all payments must comply with EU regulations. It also warned that demands should consider the broader societal disruption. While public surveys show most Greeks view the farmers' demands as legitimate, many oppose the roadblocks. With protests continuing into the Christmas period, concerns are growing over impacts on travel, tourism, and trade. Let me list the elements of my ugly bathroom: the sink has plastic handles and its impossible to clean be that it might become our tombs; she is scared to sleep because Imlay appears in her dreams with dierent casts of countenance; s Children across drought-hit parts of Kenya are facing a rising risk of starvation after deep cuts to United States aid under President Donald Trump disrupted lifesaving food and nutrition programs, aid agencies and health workers say. Clinics that once treated severely malnourished children with specialized therapeutic food now report empty shelves, reduced staff, and growing queues of worried parents. U.S. Aid Cuts Threaten Children in Kenya Kenya has long depended on US support, mainly channeled through the nowshuttered US Agency for International Development (USAID), to fund treatment for severe acute malnutrition and to support food assistance for vulnerable communities and refugee camps. From 2020 to 2025, USAID pledged about $2.5 billion to Kenya, most of it for health programs, but this pipeline was abruptly interrupted when Trump ordered a pause and then major cuts to foreign assistance earlier this year, according to Reuters. The World Food Programme (WFP) says a sharp drop in US and other donor funding forced it to slash food rations and suspend cash transfers for hundreds of thousands of refugees in Kenya, many of them children. In some camps, rations reportedly fell to about 40 percent of previous levels, leaving families struggling to cover even basic daily meals. Health workers in arid counties such as Turkana report more children arriving at facilities with severe wasting, often after walking long distances because outreach projects that once screened and referred cases have been scaled back or shut down. Aid groups warn that when therapeutic foods and early detection are not available, minor illnesses can quickly become fatal for malnourished children. Disruption of Supply Chains UNICEF, the largest buyer and distributor of readytouse therapeutic food, confirms that most US funding for the peanutbased paste was restored in March and that a later State Department grant is expected to cover supplies for nearly one million children in 13 countries, including Kenya, Market Screener reported. However, the agency and local health staff say it takes time for supply chains and community programmes to recover, and gaps in care remain in several Kenyan counties. The US government insists it is still addressing global malnutrition and has announced additional support to UNICEF and food agencies, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rejected claims that people have died as a direct result of the cuts. Humanitarian organizations argue that overall US foreign aid has more than halved in 2025 and warn that Kenyan children will remain at heightened risk of hunger and disease unless longterm funding is restored and other donors step in, as per the BBC. Purdue University is facing growing criticism over reports that it has told graduate admissions committees to stop admitting students from China and several other countries described as "dangerous" or "adversary nations." The alleged directive has raised alarms among students, faculty, and civil rights advocates, who say it amounts to discrimination against international applicants based on nationality and perceived security risks. Purdue University Facing Widespread Backlash According to multiple reports from campus and higher education outlets, Purdue administrators recently informed departments that it would be "highly unlikely" for graduate applicants from a list of countries to be admitted for upcoming terms, according to Inside Higher Ed. Faculty and graduate organizers say that list includes China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela, mirroring a group of nations the U.S. government has labeled foreign adversaries in national security and export control policies. One graduate worker leader told reporters the instructions were delivered verbally rather than in writing, reportedly to reduce the chance of creating a paper trail. Chinese graduate students and prospective students say they have already felt the impact of the alleged policy. At least one Chinese applicant told Inside Higher Ed he received a lastminute rejection after previously being accepted, moving to West Lafayette, and signing a lease in preparation for starting his program, JC Online reported. Student organizers claim that dozens, and possibly more than 100, Chinese applicants have been turned away or had offers reversed in recent cycles, though Purdue has not confirmed specific numbers. Purdue has declined to directly address the detailed allegations, instead issuing general statements about competitive admissions and the need to comply with federal law and national security requirements. The controversy comes as the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has been investigating Purdue and several other research universities over the presence and research activities of Chinese nationals on their campuses. Rejecting Students Based on Origin Country Advocates at Purdue argue that federal scrutiny has encouraged the university to go further than what government reports formally recommend, creating what they describe as an "extralegal" ban that conflicts with Purdue's own nondiscrimination policies. Critics on and off campus warn that the reported shift could damage Purdue's global reputation and undermine its ability to recruit top researchers, particularly in STEM fields where international students make up a large share of the talent pool, as per WFYI. They also say the move fits into a broader pattern of heightened suspicion and restrictions targeting Chinese students and scholars in the United States over the past decade, including previous federal initiatives framed around countering espionage. As of now, Purdue has not announced any formal change to its written admissions rules, leaving current and prospective international students uncertain about their chances of being admitted. Purdue University is facing growing criticism over reports that it has told graduate admissions committees to stop admitting students from China and several other countries described as "dangerous" or "adversary nations." The alleged directive has raised alarms among students, faculty, and civil rights advocates, who say it amounts to discrimination against international applicants based on nationality and perceived security risks. According to multiple reports from campus and higher education outlets, Purdue administrators recently informed departments that it would be "highly unlikely" for graduate applicants from a list of countries to be admitted for upcoming terms, according to Inside Higher Ed. Faculty and graduate organizers say that list includes China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela, mirroring a group of nations the U.S. government has labeled foreign adversaries in national security and export control policies. One graduate worker leader told reporters the instructions were delivered verbally rather than in writing, reportedly to reduce the chance of creating a paper trail. Chinese graduate students and prospective students say they have already felt the impact of the alleged policy. At least one Chinese applicant told Inside Higher Ed he received a lastminute rejection after previously being accepted, moving to West Lafayette, and signing a lease in preparation for starting his program, JC Online reported. Student organizers claim that dozens, and possibly more than 100, Chinese applicants have been turned away or had offers reversed in recent cycles, though Purdue has not confirmed specific numbers. Purdue has declined to directly address the detailed allegations, instead issuing general statements about competitive admissions and the need to comply with federal law and national security requirements. The controversy comes as the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has been investigating Purdue and several other research universities over the presence and research activities of Chinese nationals on their campuses. Advocates at Purdue argue that federal scrutiny has encouraged the university to go further than what government reports formally recommend, creating what they describe as an "extralegal" ban that conflicts with Purdue's own nondiscrimination policies. Critics on and off campus warn that the reported shift could damage Purdue's global reputation and undermine its ability to recruit top researchers, particularly in STEM fields where international students make up a large share of the talent pool, as per WFYI. They also say the move fits into a broader pattern of heightened suspicion and restrictions targeting Chinese students and scholars in the United States over the past decade, including previous federal initiatives framed around countering espionage. As of now, Purdue has not announced any formal change to its written admissions rules, leaving current and prospective international students uncertain about their chances of being admitted. This story was updated at 4:25 p.m. Sunday to reflect the higher number of people killed. By KRISTEN GELINEAU, CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY and ROD McGUIRK, The Associated Press SYDNEY (AP) An attack at a famous Australian beach killed 15 people, including a child, officials said Monday, after two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it an act of antisemitic terrorism. Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack. New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in the hospital, he said. This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. ... What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity, Park said. The massacre at one of Australias most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didnt suggest that those and Sundays shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws. One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat. A small Christmas tree is at the center of an abandoned holiday picnic at Bondi Beach after a reported shooting in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) AP At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located. Police said officers were examining a number of suspicious items, including improvised explosive devices found in one of the suspects car. The shooting targeted a Jewish celebration This attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said. The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival. Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish movement that runs outreach around the world and sponsors public events during major Jewish holidays, identified one of the dead as Rabbi Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and an organizer of the event. Israels Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of an Israeli citizen, but gave no further details. A motorcycle lies on the ground in the early morning near the site of a shooting Sunday at Sydney's Bondi Beach, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) AP Police said emergency services were called to Campbell Parade in Bondi about 6:45 p.m., responding to reports of shots being fired. Video filmed by onlookers showed people in bathing suits running from the water as shots rang out. Separate footage showed two men in black shirts firing with long guns from a footbridge leading to the beach, as sirens wailed and people cried out in the background. One dramatic clip broadcast on Australian television showed a man appearing to tackle and disarm one of the gunmen, before pointing the mans weapon at him, then setting the gun on the ground. Minns called the man, named by relatives to Australian media as fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed, a genuine hero. Witnesses fled and hid as shots rang out Arsen Ostrovsky, a lawyer attending the Hanukkah ceremony with his wife and daughters, was grazed in the head by a bullet. Ostrovsky said he moved from Israel to Australia two weeks ago to work for a Jewish advocacy group. What I saw today was pure evil, just an absolute bloodbath. Bodies strewn everywhere, he told The Associated Press in an email from the hospital. It was like reliving Oct. 7 all over. Ambulances move around at Bondi Beach after a reported shooting in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) AP I never thought it would be possible here in Australia. Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, told the AP he was waiting for his family when he heard shots. He dropped the beer he was carrying and ran. I sprinted as quickly as I could, Moran said. He said he heard shooting off and on for about five minutes. Everyone just dropped all their possessions and everything and were running and people were crying and it was just horrible. Australian leader expresses shock and grief Albanese told reporters in the capital, Canberra, that he was devastated by the massacre. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, Albanese said. He vowed the violence would be met with a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith. King Charles III said he and Queen Camilla were appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on X he was horrified, and his heart is with the Jewish community worldwide. Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a reported shooting at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) AP U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X: The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration. Antisemitism has no place in this world. Police in cities around the world, including London, said they would step up security at Jewish sites. Antisemitic attacks have roiled Australia Australia, a country of 28 million people, is home to about 117,000 Jews, according to official figures. Antisemitic incidents, including assaults, vandalism, threats and intimidation, surged more than threefold in the country during the year after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel launched a war on Hamas in Gaza in response, the governments Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal reported in July. Last year, the country was rocked by antisemitic attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Synagogues and cars were torched, businesses and homes graffitied and Jews attacked in those cities, where 85% of the nations Jewish population lives. Albanese in August blamed Iran for two of the attacks and cut diplomatic ties to Tehran. Pastor Matt Graham was conducting a service at Bondi Anglican Church when panicked people began entering for shelter. He said antisemitism has been brewing in Sydneys eastern suburbs including Bondi, where the Jewish community is centered. Im surrounded by antisemitic graffiti constantly. I think for our community in the east (of Sydney), and as a Christian, I just want to declare I stand with the people of Israel, Graham told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Israel urged Australias government to address crimes targeting Jews. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he warned Australias leaders months ago about the dangers of failing to take action against antisemitism. He claimed Australias decision in line with scores of other countries to recognize a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. Your government did nothing to stop the spread of antisemitism in Australia ... and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today, Netanyahu said. Emergency workers standby at Bondi Beach after a reported shooting in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) AP His office on Monday released safety recommendations for Israelis traveling abroad. It recommends they avoid large gatherings that dont have security, especially events at synagogues and Hanukkah gatherings. It also calls for heightened awareness at Jewish and Israeli sites. Shooting deaths in Australia are rare Mass shootings in Australia are extremely rare. A 1996 massacre in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur, where a lone gunman killed 35 people, prompted the government to drastically tighten gun laws, making it much more difficult to acquire firearms. Significant mass shootings this century included two murder-suicides with death tolls of five people in 2014 and seven in 2018, in which gunmen killed their own families and themselves. In 2022, six people were killed in a shootout between police and Christian extremists at a rural property in Queensland state. McGuirk reported from Melbourne, Australia, and Graham-McLay from Wellington, New Zealand. Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report. By Frank Kummer, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) Congress appears poised to spend money in 2026 on beach replenishment projects in the wake of the zero dollars it allocated this year. But bills proposed in the House by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R- Tenn., and in the Senate by U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R- La., appear to still fall woefully short of whats needed, a coastal advocacy group says. U.S. House Rep. Jeff Van Drew, however, believes there will be adequate funding. Dan Ginolfi, executive director of the American Coastal Coalition, an advocacy group for coastal communities and beaches, said the current best case would be the Senate bill, which proposes to spend $62.2 million. The House bill proposes $23 million. However, both proposals fall short of the approximately $200 million needed to fund existing approved projects in various states that received no money last year, he said. Any approved money would go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which would choose which beach erosion projects to manage. In New Jersey, projects set for Cape May, Stone Harbor, Avalon, Sea Isle, Strathmere, Ocean City, and Long Beach Island have been stalled because of the lack of funding. So too have projects in Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, and Florida. That means the level of risk in New Jersey right now is unacceptable, Ginolfi said. He noted that its not only beaches at risk, but homes, businesses, public property, and infrastructure. It really is imperative that the federal and state government work together to achieve a solution, he said. Ginolfi noted that coastal communities in the U.S.generate $36 billion in federal and state tax revenue. So he sees $200 million as a good return on investment. He said his numbers for potential beach replenishment projects in the bills were confirmed with appropriations committees in both the House and Senate. However, the office of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a Republican who represents many New Jersey beach communities, said the coalitions numbers misrepresent the true amount of funding available. Paxton Antonucci, a spokesperson for Van Drew, said there is actually $166 million available in the House bill for costs associated with shore protection like beach replenishment, which is the typical amount. He said that the number will come close to $200 million, after we compromise with the Senate. New Jersey surveyors examined seaside areas that saw heavy amounts of sand loss on its beaches after a nor'easter on Oct. 12-13. Strathmere, a waterfront section of Upper Township, Cape May County, saw heavy loads of sand loss during the storm, officials say. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, provided In reality, Van Drew said, most beach replenishment funding comes from outside the regular budget process. He has actively sought such money. In October, Van Drew wrote to the Army Corps, requesting that it activate disaster recovery authorities to repair shore protection projects at the Jersey Shore, in response to damages caused by Hurricane Erin and by the recent noreaster over the weekend of Oct. 10-12. And he wrote to Gov. Phil Murphy and Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill this week, urging that New Jersey declare a state of emergency to secure federal money, for the severe coastal erosion and storm damage affecting the Jersey Shore. Van Drew said the Shore has been battered since July by intense wind, wave, and water impacts from storm events including Hurricane Erin, Hurricane Imelda, offshore Hurricane Humberto, and a succession of destructive noreasters. He said the result has been significant dune loss, beach profile collapse, and damage to public infrastructure in multiple municipalities. Indeed, the Ocean City Council declared a local emergency over beach erosion from the storms and urged state and federal officials to help. The American Coastal Coalition has faulted Murphys office for failing to request disaster repair projects from the Army Corps in the wake of the storms. However, Murphys office said the storms this year did not meet financial thresholds needed to qualify for major federal disaster declarations. In addition, the office said that, even if they did, replenishment projects at Army Corps-engineered beaches are not routinely eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement. Rather, the office blamed Congress for putting forth a budget that cut beach replenishment projects, and said that blue states are a target of the Trump administration. 2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A four-alarm house fire in Lebanon County blazed overnight as crews from four counties battled in the snow, according to Quentin Volunteer Fire Company. Crews responded around 10:30 p.m. to a multiple-dwelling structure fire in the 800 block of Cumberland Street in Lebanon City, according to the fire company. The fire was eventually upgraded from a three-alarm fire to a four-alarm fire, as crews from Lebanon, Dauphin, Berks and Lancaster counties responded. Quentin Volunteer Fire Company responded around 10:30 p.m. and was at the scene for around five hours, until around 3:30 a.m. The American Red Cross of Greater Pa. said its Disaster Action Team volunteers helped four people after the fire. Lewistown police posted a lengthy statement to its Facebook page on Saturday after it was bombarded with calls when a YouTuber with nearly 5 million followers sent his followers after the department and said police shouldve arrested the subject of his To Catch a Predator-style video. YouTube page JiDion Premium posted a video on Dec. 9, where he had a decoy pose as a 13-year-old girl and exchanged sexual text messages with what the YouTuber said was a 55-year-old man in Lewistown. Its part of the Youtubers series EDP Watch, influenced by the To Catch a Predator series, where adults pose as minors in an attempt to expose pedophiles. Clips of the video were also posted on the edpwatch Instagram Account. Comments on both videos attacked the police for not arresting the subject of the video. In the video, an officer explains to the YouTuber that for the police to use any information he had, he had to be working with law enforcement. Later, the YouTuber asks his followers to call into the department and make a fuss about the case. Multiple times, JiDionPremium says the department is doing lazy policing. We need this one shared out to everybody because the Lewistown Police Department has completely failed the community, the YouTuber said in his video. Police responded in their Saturday post, saying they disagree with the mischaracterization of the men and women of this department who work diligently night and day. They acknowledge that the subject of JiDionPremiums video made lewd statements to a decoy, but said under state law, a civilian has to be actually interacting with a minor or working with law enforcement to be arrested for unlawful contact with a minor. This has been communicated to several other copycat entities who catch predators, police said. The department contacted the Mifflin County District Attorney, who had experienced a similar situation, and the county DA told Lewistown police that when they charged a subject of a similar video, it was struck down in court because a civilian was interacting with the person. They said that they sent recent case law interpretation to the DAs office in order to determine whether charges are appropriate, legal and whether charges would likely result in a successful conviction. JiDionPremium claimed that there was a similar arrest in Lebanon County, but police said the arrest he was referring to has not been convicted. When we are asked to do something that we perceive is unconstitutional, we cannot justify the good by violating our oaths to the Constitution and breaking the trust placed on us to follow the rules of the law, the police department said. Lewistown Police said the department has a history of working closely with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney Generals Child Predator Unit. These folks are out in our communities every day not seeking attention as they remove some of the most dangerous and perverse people from our communities, the department said. You can read the departments full statement on its Facebook page. BERLIN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Sunday afternoon for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders. The German government said in a statement earlier this week that Merz would receive Zelensky on Monday for German-Ukrainian economic talks and an exchange on the status of peace negotiations in Ukraine. "Numerous European heads of state and government, as well as the leaders of the European Union and NATO, will join the discussions," it said. German newspaper Bild reported that Zelensky may also hold talks with representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump, but did not elaborate further. As the curtain falls on the penultimate day of the 2025 PokerStars European Poker Tour Prague 5,300 Main Event, just seven players remain from the 1,224-entry field. They will return to the Hilton Prague Sunday, having already secured at least a 206,900 payday, but the stakes are higher than ever, with one player being just six eliminations away from the EPT Main Event Trophy and 1,019,300 top prize. Bora Kurtulus began the day with the second-largest stack, and after five action-packed levels, he finished the night at the top of the counts with 12,325,000, more than a third of the total chips in play. Kurtulus has more than twice the chips of all but one of his remaining opponents, with Matan Krakow ending the night as Kurtulus' closest rival after bagging 9,700,000. Traian Stanciu rounds out the top three with 5,325,000. Kurtulus, a civil engineer from Antalya, Turkey, has already made his first-ever cash in an EPT Main Event count. He's guaranteed himself at least 159,150, well ahead of his previous best cash of $11,500 and total career earnings of just $58,364, and is in the best position of the seven remaining players to take home the lion's share of the 5,936,400 prize pool. Final Table Seat Draw and Chip Counts Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Dimitrios Gkatzas Greece 3,075,000 21 2 Paawan Bansal India 2,625,000 18 3 Vitezslav Cech Czechia 2,400,000 16 4 Bora Kurtulus Turkey 12,325,000 82 5 Conor O'Driscoll Ireland 1,225,000 8 6 Matan Krakow Israel 9,700,000 65 7 Traian Stanciu Romania 5,325,000 36 Krakow has been coming to EPT Prague for nearly ten years, with his first cash at the festival coming in 2016. Since then, he's had plenty of EPT cashes, including two side event final tables and two Main Event cashes, but tomorrow will be the biggest stage he's ever played at. Krakow started the day in the middle of the pack and steadily made his way towards the top of the counts after scoring the first elimination of the day. Dimitrios Gkatzas Dimitrios Gkatzas found himself in familiar territory today, having made another deep run in this event last year, where he finished 14th. Gkatzas has described himself as more of a pot-limit Omaha player, but his back-to-back deep runs in this event have proven that he can do more than hold his own when it comes to no-limit hold'em. Also still in the hunt is Vitezslav Cech, who has momentum on his side after finishing tenth in the 1,650 PS Open Main Event earlier this series, earning 41,420. Cech will go into the final day as one of three short stacks, alongside Paawan Bansal, who staged an epic comeback from two big blinds late in the night, and start-of-day chip leader Conor O'Driscoll. Day 5 Action The sixteen returning players took a generally cautious approach at the start of the day, with no eliminations occurring in the first 90-minute level. Filippo Ragone started the day as the short stack and was soon whittled down to six big blinds. He doubled up twice, first through Bansal and later through Kurtulus, to survive from the brink of elimination. Vasyl Pidhrusnyi had the opposite trajectory, starting the day with a top ten stack but finding no momentum from the start. Pidhrusnyi was in a great spot to double in the second level of the day with pocket nines against Krakows pocket deuces, but the deck had other plans, and after a deuce on the river, he became the first elimination of the day. Mehdi Senhaji was next to go soon after, losing a preflop race with ace-jack against Ding Fans king-ten. Maria Lampropulus Maria Lampropulos was aiming to become the first woman to secure an EPT Main Event title since 2014, but she got off to a rocky start after folding to a triple barrel from Krakow to get short-stacked. She managed to spike a three-outer to double through Stanciu, but her luck ran out after running into Kurtulus pocket aces to bow out in 14th place. Tobias Peters started the day with a bottom-three stack but quickly doubled up to average through Gkatzas in the opening level. Peters doubled up again after winning a flip against Eyal Maaravi, to leave the latter player with less than one big blind. Maaravi was out in 13th the next hand, and following Xiaowen Zhaos elimination in 12th, Peters was all-in against Gkatzas again, holding pocket nines to Gkatzas ace-queen. A queen on the flop spelled the end of Peters Main Event run as he was eliminated two spots from making the final table. Tobias Peters The final table bubble created an interesting dynamic, with three short-stacked players at one table, while all players at the other held above-average stacks. O'Driscoll, who started the day with the chip lead, began losing ground after Cech picked off a bluff on a five-spade board. Meanwhile, at the other table, Bansal was down to two big blinds before mounting an epic comeback. Bansal first doubled through Krakow, before getting several shoves and raises through preflop to effectively double again, this time without showdown. Bansal then got value with a flopped set to complete the comeback from two big blinds to 30 in half an hour. Soon after, Ragone fell in tenth after running into Stancius pocket kings to set up the unofficial nine-handed final table. Paawan Bansal Kortulus held a big lead going into the final table with nearly a quarter of the total chips in play. His stack surpassed eight figures soon after the final table began, after holding with ace-ten against Thomas Bazins king-jack suited to score the first final table elimination. He continued to dominate from there, picking off a bluff from Krakow with just king-high to extend his lead. Krakow reclaimed those lost chips soon after, waking up with pocket queens after Fan shoved with pocket nines to score the final elimination of the night. Remaining Payouts Place Player Country Prize 1 1,019,300 2 636,405 3 454,550 4 349,650 5 269,000 6 206,900 7 159,150 8 Ding Fan China 122,400 9 Thomas Bazin France 94,150 The final seven players return tomorrow, December 14, at 12:30 p.m. to battle it out for the EPT Main Event title, the seven-figure top prize, and all the glory that comes with it. The action will resume at Level 31, with the blinds at 75,000/150,000 (150,000). The coverage will be on a 30-minute delay to match the official live stream. Be sure to stay locked in with PokerNews tomorrow to keep up with all the action as the final day of the EPT Prague Main Event plays down to a winner. KIEV, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Ukraine stands ready to agree on security guarantees based on NATO Article 5 as a part of a compromise in the peace process, the Ukrinform news agency reported. "From the very beginning, Ukraine's desire was to join NATO, these are real security guarantees. Some partners from the United States and Europe did not support this direction," he told reporters. "Article 5-like guarantees from the United States and from European partners, as well as from other countries -- Canada, Japan ... would provide an opportunity to prevent another arrival of Russian troops," Zelensky said, adding, "It is already a compromise on our part." Zelensky said he was not yet ready to disclose specific details of the proposed security guarantees, saying they would be known in a day or two. Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Sunday afternoon for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders. German newspaper Bild reported that Zelensky may also hold talks with representatives of U.S. President Donald Trump, but did not elaborate further. You are the owner of this article. NEW YORK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A person of interest in the U.S. Brown University mass shooting has been detained, officials said on Sunday. The individual is in their 30s, with more information to be shared at a later date once verified, according to Oscar Perez, the chief of the Providence Police Department. Of the nine people injured in the shooting, seven are in stable condition, one is in critical condition, and another one was discharged, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told a press conference. The shelter-in-place order for the university and the surrounding areas has been lifted, said the mayor. At least two people were killed Saturday afternoon in a mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Authorities said earlier that the suspected shooter is a male dressed in black. Gun violence has been a severe problem for U.S. society for decades. In 2025, the country has seen 389 mass shootings, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,100 children and teenagers under the age of 17, both on and off campus, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Food & Dining Editor Parker Milner is the Food Editor of The Post and Courier. He is a Boston College graduate and former professional hockey player who joined The Post and Courier after leading the Charleston City Paper's food section. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-14 13:01:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 414 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 14, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or "the Company") (NYSE:ARE) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria securities between January 27, 2025 and October 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/ARE Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of the Company's Long Island City (LIC) property; (2) The Company's claims and confidence regarding the leasing value of the LIC property as a life-science destination were misleading and lacked a reasonable basis, particularly in connection with ARE's Megacampus strategy; and (3) As a result, Defendants' statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/ARE or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Alexandria you have until January 26, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-14 13:01:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 421 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 14, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Freeport-McMoRan Inc. ("Freeport" or "the Company") (NYSE:FCX) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Freeport securities between February 15, 2022 and September 24, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/FCX Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Freeport did not adequately ensure safety at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia; (2) the lack of proper safety precautions constituted a heightened risk that could foreseeably lead to the death of Freeport's workers; (3) this constituted an undisclosed heightened risk of regulatory, litigation, and reputational risk; and (4) as a result, defendants statements about Freeport-McMoRan's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/FCX or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Freeport you have until January 12, 2026, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-14 23:00:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1011 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 14, 2025 / Alta Copper Corp. (TSX:ATCU)(OTCQX:ATCUF)(BVL:ATCU) ("Alta Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") with Fortescue Ltd ("Fortescue") and its wholly owned subsidiary, Nascent Exploration Pty Ltd ("Nascent" or the "Purchaser"), pursuant to which the Purchaser will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Alta Copper (the "Alta Copper Shares") not already held by the Purchaser (the "Transaction"). The Purchaser currently holds 33,638,304 Alta Copper Shares, representing 35.7% of the issued and outstanding Alta Copper Shares.Under the terms of the Transaction, holders of Alta Copper Shares ("Alta Copper Shareholders") will receive C$1.40 in cash per Alta Copper Share (the "Purchase Price"), valuing the Company at approximately C$138.8 million on a fully diluted basis. The consideration will be funded from Fortescue's existing cash reserves.The Board of Directors of Alta Copper (the "Board") and its special committee have determined that the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view to Alta Copper Shareholders (other than the Purchaser and its affiliates), and the Transaction and the entering into of the Arrangement Agreement is in the best interests of Alta Copper, and the Board recommends that Alta Copper Shareholders vote FOR the Transaction. Alta Copper believes the Transaction is in the best interests of Alta Copper Shareholders for the following reasons:The Purchase Price represents a significant premium, including:50% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price ("VWAP") of the Alta Copper Shares in Canada of C$0.94 per share for the period ended December 12, 2025, being the last trading day before the Arrangement Agreement was entered into; and100% premium to the 30-day VWAP of the Alta Copper Shares in Canada of C$0.70 per share for the period ended November 7, 2025, being the last trading day before Fortescue and Alta Copper commenced exclusive negotiations.The Purchase Price also exceeds Alta Copper's 10-year high share price, providing immediate value at a level not achieved in the public markets over the past decade.The all-cash Purchase Price provides immediate, full liquidity at a premium price which is an outcome that may not otherwise be achievable given Alta Copper's trading profile. Alta Copper shares have historically traded with limited liquidity, restricting Alta Copper Shareholders' ability to exit their investment or realize meaningful value through market sales.Alta Copper requires financing to progress community engagement, permitting activities and technical studies for its Canariaco copper project (the "Project"). Advancing the Project independently will require material equity financing and will result in substantial dilution for Alta Copper Shareholders. The Transaction allows Alta Copper Shareholders to realize value without providing further capital.Advancing the Project independently would require Alta Copper to navigate a complex, multi-year community and regulatory approvals process in northern Peru, with no assurance of success. The Transaction allows Alta Copper Shareholders to avoid these material risks by transferring the development and approvals burden to Fortescue.Fortescue currently owns 35.7% of Alta Copper's outstanding shares and has informed Alta Copper that it intends to vote against any alternative proposal.Giulio T. Bonifacio, President & CEO of Alta Copper, commented, "This all-cash premium offer from Fortescue is an excellent outcome for our shareholders given the significant costs and risk associated with advancing the Canariaco project. We believe this represents the right time to deliver a substantial non-dilutive success to Alta Copper Shareholders and is consistent with our philosophy of delivering returns to shareholders at the appropriate point in the development plan of the Canariaco project." Transaction SummaryThe Transaction will be effected by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "BCBCA").Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, Fortescue has agreed to acquire through the Purchaser all of the issued and outstanding Alta Copper Shares (other than those held by the Purchaser and its affiliates), and the parties have agreed that all outstanding convertible securities would be exchanged for the applicable consideration and cancelled. Upon closing, Alta Copper Shareholders will receive C$1.40 for each Alta Copper Share they hold, optionholders will receive C$1.40 less the applicable exercise price, per underlying share, for the options they hold and holders of DSUs and RSUs will receive C$1.40 per underlying share, for the DSUs and RSUs they hold, respectively.The Transaction will be subject to the approval of:66% of the votes cast by Alta Copper Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy;66% of the votes cast by Alta Copper Shareholders and optionholders of Alta Copper present in person or represented by proxy, voting as a single class; anda simple majority of the votes cast by Alta Copper Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy, excluding votes cast by the Purchaser and its affiliates, and other persons required to be excluded under Multilateral Instrument 61 -101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("MI 61-101"),at the special meeting of securityholders of Alta Copper (the "Special Meeting"), including any adjournment or postponement thereof, to be called and held on January 26, 2026. Subject to Court approval, the record date for determining Alta Copper Shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Special Meeting is December 15, 2025.The directors, officers and certain other Alta Copper Shareholders representing 11,758,188 Alta Copper Shares and 4,037,500 options to acquire Alta Copper Shares, which collectively represent 12.48% of the issued and outstanding Alta Copper Shares and 16.01% of the issued and outstanding Alta Copper Shares and options to acquire Alta Copper Shares, have entered into voting agreements pursuant to which they have agreed to vote these Alta Copper securities in favour of the Transaction, subject to certain conditions.In addition to securityholder and Court approval, the completion of the Transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary conditions and applicable regulatory approvals.The Arrangement Agreement contains customary deal protection measures, including non-solicitation PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-14 16:12:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 558 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / December 14, 2025 / 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 lossesto submit their information now .The Lawsuit's Core Allegation: Concealed Inventory DestockingThe 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," saidReed 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 lossesto contact the firm now to discuss the investigation and their rights ."Timeline and Key Details:IssuerJames Hardie Industries plc (JHX)Class PeriodMay 20, 2025 - August 18, 2025Lead Plaintiff DeadlineDecember 23, 2025Stock Drop EventStock 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:Submit your JHX losses nowContact: Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email JHX@ hbsslaw.com Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hXU4zX9asY 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 JHX@ hbsslaw.com # # #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.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-14 00:00:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 491 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 13, 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 Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and CNL, on Thursday honoured outstanding young science students in Delta State at the 2025 Awokoya Memorial Chemistry Competition. In a statement issued Friday, Chevrons Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, NMA Region, Olusoga Oduselu, said the ceremony was held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Effurun, and drew participants from across the state. Speaking at the ceremony, Jim Swartz, the Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited, who was represented at the event, reaffirmed the companys longstanding partnership with the Delta State Government and the Chemical Society of Nigeria in advancing science education. We are delighted to witness the sustained commitment to the study of chemistry, as demonstrated by the outstanding performance of students in this years competition, Mr Swartz was quoted as saying. He noted that Chevron, through the NNPCL/CNL Joint Venture, remains proud to be the sole sponsor of the Awokoya Memorial Chemistry Competition in Delta State since 1992. Our investment in education is motivated by the remarkable achievements of past awardees, many of whom have excelled in science-related disciplines both locally and internationally, the official said. Held annually, the Chevron Awokoya Memorial Chemistry Competition promotes the study of chemistry among secondary school students. It is organised in partnership with the Chemical Society of Nigeria and state education authorities, particularly in Delta State, where the event is most prominent. The competition is held in memory of the late Stephen Awokoya, Nigerias first chemistry graduate and a respected professor who died on 15 March 1985. The contest features students from various local government areas competing through multiple stages, with winners receiving plaques, certificates, cash prizes and other incentives. Chevron announced that the highlight of this years edition was the emergence of Omazuwa Samuel of St. Augustine College, Oghara, as the overall winner of the 2025 competition. Mr Samuel topped participants from across Delta State to clinch the coveted first prize. Other outstanding students also received plaques, certificates and educational materials in recognition of their performance. Last year, the top prize went to Nwogwu Udoka of Delta Careers College, Ugboroke, Delta State. Chevron noted that its investments in education align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Nigerias National Policy on Education, adding that it continues to support school infrastructure, workforce development and scholarship programmes to promote sustainable development. The event was attended by representatives of the Delta State Ministry of Education, the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), officials of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), PTI, teachers, students, and members of the press. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and eight others wounded Saturday afternoon at Brown University in Providence, the U.S. state of Rhode Island, campus officials said. In an emergency alert issued in the evening, Brown University said "two community members" were the fatal victims, while eight others were hospitalized "in critical but stable condition." Police said the incident occurred near an academic and research area on campus, where students were in the midst of their second day of final exams. Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities said the suspected shooter is a male dressed in black and that an extensive search is underway. As the shooter is still at large, the university said that the campus remained in lockdown, urging all members of the community to remain vigilant and shelter in place. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the deadly shooting took place at the Barus and Holley building, which houses classrooms and laboratory space for the university's engineering and physics departments. U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday afternoon that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the FBI is on the scene. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said state police and the state emergency management agency are coordinating with local law enforcement in response to the incident. Brown University is a nonprofit research institution with some 7,300 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students, according to its website. The Ghanaian government has arrested 32 Nigerians residing in the country for alleged cyber fraud. The countrys Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, disclosed in a post on X that the Nigerians arrested were operating as a romance scam syndicate. Operatives of the Ghana Cyber Security Authority (CSA) targeted the syndicate in an early Saturday morning operation in Kosoa Tuba town in the northern region of the country. This dawn, another massive blow has been struck against cybercrime in Ghana. A joint operation between the Authority and National Security resulted in the arrest of 32 Nigerians operating a romance scam syndicate in Kasoa Tuba, Mr Sam wrote. He said the intelligence-led operation is aimed at making Ghana an unattractive destination for cybercriminal activity. We will continue to support the Authority in its efforts to do more as we make Ghana an unattractive destination for cybercrimes, he added. Items related to the alleged scam operations will be analysed while investigations are underway. This is the latest arrest of Nigerian nationals made by security operatives in Ghana as part of the fight against cybercrime. Last month, operatives of Ghanas Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) arrested 7 Nigerians in Accra, the countrys capital, for cyber fraud. Three months earlier, operatives apprehended about 50 Nigerian nationals after receiving credible intelligence pointing to suspected cases of human trafficking and cybercrime. The arrested criminals are usually prosecuted under Ghanaian law. For instance, in October, a Nigerian identified as Jacob Sunday was prosecuted by the Ghana Immigration Service and sentenced to 24 months imprisonment by the Madina District Court on charges including unlawful entry and engaging in cybercrime activities. In September, three Nigerians arrested for theft received a combined sentence of 96 years imprisonment. Nigeria and Ghana have friendly relations and are both members of the ECOWAS. Both countries take a strong stance against cybercrime and arrest thousands of people annually for their alleged involvement in cybercrime. (This is the second and final part of this report. You can read the first part here.) On a windy Tuesday afternoon on 18 February, Akaninyene Nelson had just returned from tapping palm wine in a swamp several kilometres from Ikot Ebom Itam, a community in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Sitting shirtless on a wooden bench, the tapper danced with his head and hands to music from a rechargeable radio set on a rickety bamboo table and gulped palm wine from a calabash. Known as Inyang in the community, the 52-year-old father of six took up palm wine tapping after his late father, who gave him the nickname, meaning Rivers in the Ibibio language. I was very close to my father. On several occasions, I would climb raffia palms alongside my father to understudy him. That is why I am the only one among my six siblings who took after him, he said. However, he is worried that the traditional trade is on the verge of extinction. None of my children wants to be a tapper, he said. For 28 years, Mr Nelson practised the trade across Akwa Ibom and Rivers states in the Nigerian south-south region, as well as in Bamenda in Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. He makes a considerable profit from palm wine sales. The location of his community in the suburb of Uyo provides him with a large customer base, as vendors book supplies in advance. Everything I have is through palm wine. My two plots of land, one house, and a store where I collect rent to train my children are proceeds of palm wine. I took after my father because if tapping were not profitable, my father would not have been able to build this family house. I make at least N10,000 a day from selling palm wine. I sell a jar (10 litres) for N4000 and a bottle (60cl) for N400, said Mr Nelson. Mr Nelson proudly showed this reporter an apartment that was his inheritance from his late father. While his siblings rented out theirs, the tapper stores palm wine materials, including jars and bottles, in the apartment. Raffia palm, palm wine, and scarcity Raffia, oil, date, and coconut palms are members of the plant kingdom Plantae and family, Arecaceae. However, the raffia palm is on the brink of extinction. Raffia palms are primarily grown near waters where swamps, bayous, and wetlands provide a suitable habitat. A few trees grown in residential areas are threatened by urbanisation, as landowners, particularly in cities, cut them down to allow for the construction of buildings, Samuel Akpan, a tapper from Nung Oku in Uyo, said. Mr Akpan said the raffia palm that this reporter met him tapping was the last in the community. I waited for seven years for this raffia palm to mature for harvesting, Mr Akpan said, adding that it would have died off because there is no other tapper in the community to have attended to it. For Johnson Effiong in Afaha Itam in Itu, palm wine, which decades ago was the most cherished drink, particularly in childrens naming ceremonies and traditional weddings, where it was the official drink used by the brides to introduce their grooms to their parents, has lost this value to modernisation. This is no longer the case, said Mr Johnson. The age-long tradition is replaced with exotic wines in glasses instead of the local beverage in a calabash. Raffia palms are becoming increasingly scarce in communities, while growers and tappers age and die without replacement, posing a serious threat to biodiversity. As a result, palm wine and its derivative, Kai-kai, which is distilled through steeping, are becoming increasingly scarce. The scarcity has led to significant price increases, making the beverages susceptible to adulteration by vendors struggling to meet customers demands. Why tappers are thinning in number At least six tappers from four local government areas in the state interviewed by PREMIUM TIMES said their trade is on the brink of extinction, as their numbers decline drastically. The tappers also said the trade is the source of their livelihoods. However, none of them wants their children to follow in their footsteps. They claimed tapping is very laborious. Let me suffer and train them (his children) in school, but I dont want any of them to take after me, Mr Ebong from Ikot Aka in Mkpat Enin said. He inquired why a child would choose to pursue tapping as a profession after completing tertiary education, rather than making a name for the family, a feat he said he could not achieve. A decade ago, there were more than eight tappers in this community, but I am the only one left, he said, acknowledging the thinning number of tappers. He, however, said the situation was not peculiar to tappers. We used to have over 15 bicycle repairers within these neighbouring communities, but you can barely find one now. Like Mr Nelson from Itu, Friday Peter from Ibiono also took to tapping after his late father. Using a motorcycle, Mr Peter would ride several kilometres to Uyo to supply vendors. Mr Peter became angry when asked if he would love his children to take after him. The tappers listed factors responsible for the declining number of tappers, including lack of succession, aging, death, refusal of young men to learn the trade, long years it takes raffia palm to mature, lack of research and investments by government and rural-urban migration, a key component of Akwa Ibom State Governments blueprint: Arise Agenda, that Governor Umo Eno promised to address. The impact of the declining number of tappers was evident in the number of raffia palms left unattended after reaching maturity in various communities visited. Mr Nelson said there were over 12 tappers in his community when he began tapping, but only two were left: himself and his colleague, whom he said was sick. Three other tappers also confirmed this drastic decline in their communities. For Mr Akpan, a tapper from Ikot Umiang in Mkpat Enin, it was bad that young men refused to engage in tapping when palm wine had become a hot cake. He recalled how a young man in his community began tapping without understudying any tapper. He said the raffia palm did not produce wine. Why children of tappers not taking after their fathers They feel tapping is bad and laborious, but they enjoy drinking, said Mr Nelson, triggering laughter from a young man, who came to his house to get some fresh palm wine. Asked why he prefers drinking palm wine to tapping, the customer, Kufre Etuk, said the trade is not meant for fresh guys like himself. Mr Akpan from Nung Oku could not understand why some youths were idle and sometimes got involved in crimes when they could tap raffia palm to earn a living. A raffia palm takes about 12 to 13 years to mature for harvest and dies off between two and three months. Mr Nelson believes this is another reason some youths who are looking for fast money would not like tapping. Utibe Sunday owns a palmy joint near Itam Divisional Police Station in Uyo. He said he would have taken the trade after his father, but regretted that his father died when he was young. A tapper in the village that supplies palmy in the city makes at least N16,000 a day, he said, adding that is far better than what commercial motorcycle riders in the suburbs of Uyo make in a day. Any business that is not progressive, people would leave and do something else, Trenchard Ibia, a professor of agriculture in the state, told PREMIUM TIMES, suggesting that the lack of modernisation in the way palm wine is produced discourages young people. Mr Ibia, a former commissioner for agriculture in Akwa Ibom, also said raffia palm is not among the crops listed by the Ministry of Agriculture for government intervention. Palm wine itself has some socio-cultural issues. Recently, the church has been criticising palm wine, a measure, he said, discourages young men from venturing into the trade. Iniobong Udoidem, a Catholic priest and professor of Philosophy, said his church is not against drinking palm wine but emphasises moderation. Mr Udoidem said raffia palm seedlings were used to line boundaries in compounds, but it is not so anymore because the upcoming generation are not interested, but they want to drink palm wine. To salvage the situation, Mr Udoidem recommended advocacy. You can key into Governor Enos Arise Agenda and advise people to go back to the farm. For Ini Akpabio, a professor of Agricultural Extension at the University of Uyo, The young people are not interested in drudgery farming: you suffer and sweat, they call that agriculture -They are looking for agribusiness where you make your money. Mr Akpabio, a former dean of the Faculty of Agriculture in the university, said the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) does research on all kinds of palms but may be facing funding challenges. Our challenge in Nigeria is value addition. We like to sell things raw. The same thing we do in the petroleum industry export crude oil and import petrol, said Mr Akpabio He recommended value addition to palm wine to increase its shelf life and funding for NIFOR for the production of improved seedlings. Mr Akpabio further recommended the engagement of extension officers, arguing that farmers would not be aware of the existence of improved varieties of raffia palm seedlings without the assistance of extension officers. Economy of palm wine Although it is challenging to quantify the contributions of palm wine to the economy due to a lack of data, there is still demand for the local beverage, driven by its nutritional value and antioxidant properties. Palm wine has a value chain; its derivative, Kai-kai, is believed to possess medicinal and herbal properties. In the first part of this report, Frank Akpan, a palmy joint owner along Wellington Bassey Way in Uyo, said he began retailing palm wine in 2017 at N800 and N50 a bottle. Seven years later (in 2024), the price had surged to N2,500 a jar and N250 a bottle. Less than a year later, the cost is N4,000 per jar and N400 per bottle. Mr Sunday described the palm wine economy as a free-for-all business, as, according to him, anyone can become a tapper since the trade is tax-free. (This is the second and final part of this report. You can read the first part here.) A fresh social media altercation involving Bashir and Bello El-Rufai, sons of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has once again thrust the family into a stormy national conversation about online conduct, political privilege and toxic tone of public discourse on X (formerly Twitter). The latest episode, which unfolded over several hours, began as a relatively sober debate on governance and alleged selective accountability under the President Bola Tinubu administration. It, however, quickly degenerated into personal insults, references to family members and vulgar language. How the exchange began Trouble started when an X user, @SodiqTade, criticised the arrest of opposition figures close to another election cycle, arguing that such actions amounted to political suppression rather than a genuine anti-corruption drive. He tweeted: If you are arresting opposition stakeholders a year to another election, you are not fighting corruption, you are simply fighting and suppressing the opposition. You didnt arrest them in your first and second year btw. We are not novice here. We are in a democracy. The post triggered a chain of responses questioning the consistency of the governments anti-corruption efforts. Another user, @dawisu, escalated the argument, alleging selective justice and questioning why some politicians with pending corruption cases appeared untouched by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yet remained in the good books of those in power. He tweeted, People with active corruption cases who are standing on the presidents mandate are not only untouched by EFCC, but are openly dining with him. Somehow their support seems to be stronger than the law. This govt really knows how to pick and choose when accountability matters! The conversation took a sharper turn when @yojora interjected with a pointed question, referring to a viral 2018 clip involving former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, allegedly receiving and stuffing United States dollars into his babariga, What category is someone who appeared in a video to be stuffing dollar in his Babariga? At that point, Bashir El-Rufai stepped into the thread. In a reply that shifted the debate from policy to personalities, his thinly veiled sarcasm suggested that such a person belonged in the same category as those appointed party chairpersons by political benefactors. He wrote: Good morning, Sir. Someone said I should tell you that that person would be in the same category with the individual that deemed it fit to appoint him as his political partys Chairman. The response drew a sharp rebuttal from @yojora, who broadened the allegation, Oh absolutely, they are the same. Including the ones that shared land to their Bashir demanded specifics and proof, insisting that lawful inheritance or allocation of land to children was not illegal. He then added a controversial comparison, Sharing land to ones children through due process is not illegal, far from selling cocaine and being an accountant of a cartel thereof, based in the windy city of Chicago. The conversation intensified as @yojora fired back with a direct accusation against Bashirs father, You are a fool for coming at me with this clownery!! Your father, Nasir El-Rufai revoked land as FCT minister and allocated them to his family members. Bashirs response marked the moment the conversation crossed fully into vulgar territory, It is your mother that is a fool. Since you refuse to act your age upon all the grey hair. @yojora thereafter attached a 2012 tweet in which an X user had publicly asked Nasir El-Rufai whether he revoked plots and reallocated them to family members. El-Rufai had replied at the time:..8 plots out of 27,000 i approved, yes! Bello El-Rufai joins the fray It was not long before Bello El-Rufai, the lawmaker representing Kaduna North federal constituency, joined the exchange. He denied owning any land, dismissed the allegation as baseless and warned that he would drag the user publicly if accused again, invoking another reference to the users mother in the process. Youre actually decent in some of your views. But I am the next El Rufai after Mallam. Unless your Momsy is my side chick, theres still no land in my name. Did I put it in her name? For your sake, clarify the family members. Theres no land in my name. I am in APC, but Ill make time to drag you like a dirty generator if you accuse me of land I dont have. And I assure you, no one will save you. No SA, SSA or anyone. Hence the Momsy reference, not personal. You brought Popsy here.I partly blame Bash. The post drew immediate backlash, not only for its confrontational tone but also for references to Momsy and threats of personal retaliation, which many users described as unbecoming of a serving legislator. The exchange reached its most sensitive point when @yojora referenced the boys mother, Hadiza El-Rufai, writing: @hadizel look at the disgusting things you birthed. I will not insult you like your badly raised sons do others, I actually feel pity for you cos I cant imagine a parent seeing his/her kids act like lunatics all the time. May Allah ease your affairs as you face this test. The post provoked strong reactions across X, with users divided between condemning the insult directed at a parent and criticising the El-Rufai sons for bringing mothers into online arguments. A familiar pattern What continues to unsettle many Nigerians about the recurrent online outbursts involving Messrs Bashir and Bello El-Rufai is not merely the language used in isolated moments, but the pattern that has emerged over the years, one that follows a recognisable cycle of provocation, escalation, vulgarity, backlash and eventual normalisation. Beyond individual outrage, the repeated episodes raise uncomfortable questions about selective enforcement of Nigerias Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 enacted precisely to address conduct of this nature. Section 24 of the Act criminalises the transmission of messages that are grossly offensive, obscene, menacing or intended to insult or harass individuals and their families. While journalists, activists and ordinary citizens have faced arrests or interrogations under this provision for far milder online expressions, similar scrutiny has never visibly followed the El-Rufai sons recurring outbursts. They have, in the past, been at the centre of public outrage over vulgar, threatening or inflammatory social media remarks, particularly those involving references to other peoples mothers. It often begins with a political or governance-related debate, corruption, accountability, power, land, appointments. At that stage, the exchange still sits within the bounds of democratic disagreement. But once the El-Rufai sons step in, the tone typically shifts from argument to personalisation. From there, the conversation almost inevitably descends into references to mothers, threats, or deliberately humiliating language. Another striking feature of the pattern is escalation rather than restraint. Rather than disengaging or de-escalating when a conversation becomes heated, both brothers have repeatedly chosen to intensify it with sharper insults, longer threads and more graphic metaphors. Bello El-Rufais 2020 controversy, in which he is believed to have threatened to gang rape an X users mother during an online argument, remains one of the most infamous examples of elite recklessness on Nigerian social media. He tweeted, Tell your mother Im passing her to my friends tonight, adding an ethnic diatribe: No Igbo sounds please! The backlash at the time was national, forcing an eventual apology after days of public condemnation. Although Mrs El-Rufai stated that she does not condone sexual violence against women, she stopped short of outrightly condemning her sons vulgar social media remarks, despite widespread calls for her to do so. She described the offensive statements attributed to him as fair when aimed at those who had insulted him. At the same time, she told PREMIUM TIMES that her son should nevertheless be held accountable for his tweets. Mr Bello later apologised for his conduct saying the controversy he sparked fell short of his familys enduring values of decency and tolerance. I wish to withdraw that statement and apologise to the gentleman concerned for the hurtful comment, he wrote. I also apologise for appearing to attack an entire ethnic group for the misdeed of one person. Mr Bashir has also, over the years, drawn public criticism over a string of incendiary social media posts, including comments widely perceived as threatening violence and inflaming ethnic or religious tensions. In one now-deleted tweet, he vowed to kill an X user following a reaction to a post by his mother, Hadiza. The exchange was triggered by Mrs El-Rufais comment on then United States President Donald Trumps travel ban on four African countries, including Nigeria. Reacting at the time, Mrs El-Rufai wrote: A great percentage of these Nigerian Americans making us proud abroad are Igbos. Theres always two sides to every story. The post generated a flurry of controversial responses, prompting her to issue a follow-up tweet insisting that online attacks would not silence her. No cyberbully can take away my right to express my opinion. Not everything is about politics, but that is something some of you will never understand, she wrote. An X user, identified as @jussstice09, replied with the comment: You no go die well ma. Angered by the remark, Mr Bashir responded with a violent threat: If you ever utter that phrase to my mother again & delete that tweet, I am going to find you (its easier than you think) & unalive you and your family. In another post, he wrote: Nigeria can become great again. Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on context) a few certain people have to kpai (die) to achieve this dream. Bashir has also been criticised for a tweet in which he appeared to threaten increased bloodshed in the Christian-dominated Southern Kaduna if attacks against Fulani continued. He later deleted the post and issued an apology following widespread backlash. On a separate occasion, he described the mysterious disappearance of Abubakar Dadiyatta Idris, a vocal critic of his father, as a fitting consequence for lying to the public. He also dismissed Nigerians campaigning for justice for Dadiyatta on X as clowns, further fuelling outrage. Though some of those posts were later deleted, screenshots ensured they remained part of the public record. The latest clash has once again raised broader questions about the conduct of politically exposed individuals online, especially children of powerful figures who command large followings but hold no formal accountability mechanisms. Though neither Messrs Bashir nor Bello rose to prominence through social media alone, their surname guarantees visibility. Their interventions are amplified instantly, their words dissected, screenshotted and debated nationwide. Bello is now a serving federal lawmaker while Bashir remains politically influential by association. Still, past episodes show that even when outrage peaks, consequences tend to be temporary. Supporters of the El-Rufai family, however, insist the brothers are private citizens entitled to defend themselves aggressively against what they see as persistent provocation and misinformation. President Bola Tinubu has approved the promotion of his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of brigadier-general, a decision that has sparked murmuring and discontent within the Nigerian Army. In a letter dated 12 December 2025 and addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Wahid Shaibu, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, conveyed the Presidents approval for Mr Yusufs elevation. The promotion has raised eyebrows within military circles because Mr Yusuf was only decorated as a colonel in January this year, making the latest advancement his second within a 12-month period. Several officers, including some of his coursemates, reportedly expressed frustration over what they described as an unprecedented fast-tracking of his career, with critics accusing the President of favouritism. This beggars belief and defies all logic, an aggrieved senior officer told PREMIUM TIMES. Someone who was just promoted to colonel this year? Neither the Presidency nor the Nigerian Army has publicly offered an official explanation for Mr Yusufs accelerated promotion. However, a Presidency source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the matter, said the President approved the elevation to align Mr Yusufs rank with those of other senior security officials attached to the Presidential Villa. According to the source, the Nigeria Police Force in August promoted the Presidents Chief Personal Security Officer, Usman Shugaba, from deputy commissioner of police to commissioner of police. Similarly, the State Security Services (SSS) recently elevated the Presidents Chief Security Officer, Adegboyega Fasasi, to the rank of director. The source explained that the police and SSS ranks are considered equivalent to that of a brigadier-general in the Nigerian Army. READ ALSO: Terrorist Bello Turji in new video narrates relationship with defence minister He added that without a corresponding promotion, Mr Yusuf would have remained subordinate in rank to his counterparts within the Villas security architecture, a situation he said could undermine esprit de corps among the presidential security team. Mr Yusuf was appointed ADC to Mr Tinubu on 1 May 2023, about four weeks before the Presidents inauguration. He held the rank of lieutenant-colonel at the time. Ghanas northern gold-mining belt faces growing exposure to extremist operations, new research has shown. The study, published by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, a Geneva-based non-profit organisation, showed that the informal nature of artisanal and small-scale gold mining, porous borders with Burkina Faso, and opaque financial flows create conditions that could be exploited by Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Sahels most powerful extremist group. The study is titled Violent extremist threats to northern Ghanas gold sector, and was published on 3 December. According to the study, gold mining in Ghana has been largely informal. Unlicensed gold mining is prevalent across northern Ghana, particularly in Wa and Tumu in the countrys Upper West region. In these areas, new mining sites are quickly established based on informal tips about gold-bearing locations, with operations remaining highly mobile and relying on a trial-and-error approach. As one of Africas leading gold producers, Ghanas mining industry is central to its economy and takes two main forms: industrial mining and artisanal mining. Primarily, large-scale operations are run by multinational firms in regions such as Ashanti, Western, and Ahafo. In these cases, the mines are formally regulated and account for most official gold exports. The report noted that unlicensed mining is widespread, with a substantial share of gold production diverted from official channels and sold to traders from neighbouring countries. Despite government efforts to tighten control on the sector, cross-border smuggling continues to thrive. This is caused by weak enforcement in remote areas, porous borders, and the financial influence of foreign traders offering better prices and prefinancing to miners. The study showed that about 60 to 70 per cent of the gold mined in northern Ghana is bought by Burkinabe dealers and smuggled across the border, where it enters wider trading networks. Why JNIM seeks Ghanas gold The new study showed that the JNIM is increasingly considering northern Ghana as a zone for resource generation. The terrorists seek to use the cheap gold sourced from this region to sponsor their operations in the broader part of the Sahel. JNIM operates across the Sahel, mainly in Mali and Burkina Faso, and is gradually pushing into nearby border areas. According to the report, the group raises money locally. In communities where it has control, it taxes villagers, uses smuggling routes, and exploits informal activities such as gold mining and livestock trading. Gold is essential to JNIM because it is easy to move and sell. Although Ghana has not suffered direct attacks, the report noted that the Upper West region has already become a logistics corridor for fuel, motorbikes, explosives, and fertiliser used in improvised devices. Security agencies have also recorded instances of militants crossing into Ghanaian territory and cases where local traders unwittingly engaged in commerce with JNIM-linked networks. The report revealed that Ghanaian citizens are engaged in trade with JNIM, sometimes knowingly and at other times unknowingly. They are also sometimes recruited or used as couriers, driven by factors such as limited resources and unemployment. JNIMs senior media commander has indicated that Fulani people from Ghana are present in Burkina Faso under JNIMs influence, where they provide logistical support but are not directly involved in military actions against Ghana. A member of the Burkinabe Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (Volontaires pour la defense de la patrie VDP) said that border security sweeps, a part of the report read. How JNIM penetrates the Ghana gold market JNIM is able to penetrate the Ghanaian local market because of the higher prices it offers to unlicensed artisanal miners. Also, the report identified that traders prioritise volume and seek smaller profit margins, making them more attractive to miners in Ghana. The report also noted that in several cases, Burkinabe buyers provide prefinancing to miners to secure gold production in advance while fixing prices at a lower rate. ALSO READ: Ghana announces plan to buy oil with gold instead of dollars The marginalisation of Fulani communities, most of whom live in border areas, also worsened the situation. The report noted that many Fulani are engaged in pastoralism, informal trade, or small-scale mining and often live in border areas with limited state presence. They also face persistent discrimination, frequent harassment by security agencies, and difficulties accessing national identity documents. Taking advantage of this, the terrorist group presents itself as a protector against abuse or injustice, especially where the state is weak or absent. JNIM also recruits from marginalised Fulani youth, particularly those affected by poverty, displacement, or violence. The recruits do not work as fighters, but rather as guides, couriers, informants, or suppliers, relying on their cross-border mobility and knowledge. To address this, the study recommended that the state government actively engage Fulani leaders and communities, reduce harassment, facilitate access to national identity cards, and address farmerherder conflicts through mediation and dialogue. It also suggested simplifying licensing processes and extending them to northern regions, and that border controls should focus on disrupting smuggling networks rather than profiling communities. Also, monitoring gold prefinancing and cash movements should be prioritised. It added that, Ghana, regional bodies, bilateral partners, and development agencies should invest in research to monitor and analyse JNIMs strategies for infiltrating extractive industries. Given the threat and the dynamic nature of both the sector and JNIMs activities, ongoing monitoring is crucial. Improved understanding of the groups operational shifts can inform adaptive responses across West Africas gold-producing regions, it stated. Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have agreed to forge a proactive and forceful united front to put an end to the spread of military coups, terrorism and other forms of insecurity across the region. The decision taken in Abuja on Sunday at the 68th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS leaders followed a series of successful military takeovers in the Sahel, with the bloc shifting from reactive sanctions to preemptive military and diplomatic intervention. The most concrete evidence of a united front was the rapid response to stop the coup in the Republic of Benin on 7 December 2025, when, within hours of soldiers seizing the national broadcaster in Cotonou, President Bola Tinubu deployed Nigerian fighter jets and ground troops to support loyalist forces. Immediate past Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Tinubu of Nigeria; the current Chairman, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, among others, who spoke at the 68th ordinary session hosted by Nigeria, maintained that a united front and solidarity are the way to go in order to halt military takeovers and violent extremism in the region. Represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the session tagged, Special Debate on the Future of the Community, President Tinubu listed incessant coups, transnational organised crime, arms proliferation, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity, and irregular migration as crises in the region that must be tackled collectively, saying these forms of criminality have no respect for borders. The Nigerian leader, while speaking during the opening of the session, acknowledged that member states disagree just like all families contest ideas, and test one anothers patience, pointing out however that disagreements and sibling rivalry do not erase belonging or annul shared blood. Excellencies, the external threats confronting West Africa today demand nothing less than a united front. Terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crime, arms proliferation, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity, and irregular migration recognise no borders. No single Member State, regardless of size or strength, can achieve enduring stability in isolation. Our security, prosperity, and resilience are indivisible. We must sit at the same table, speak with one voice, and act with shared resolve, he stated. President Tinubu reafirmed what he described as Nigerias proven fidelity to the ideals of ECOWAS and the nations unwavering commitment to collective action in defence of the regions common future. The Nigerian leader said the position of Nigeria and his abiding conviction demonstrated by his actions have consistently signalled that the regions unity is not transactional, but foundational, adding that fraternity, not force, must define the future of ECOWAS. President Tinubu regretted the steep descent into internal disagreement within the ECOWAS region, which, according to him, has shaken the very foundation of the union, just as he noted that a community is only as strong as the trust its members repose in one another. We are most vulnerable not when challenged from outside, but when weakened from within. Time and again, we have demonstrated that we are not threats to one another. Our shared challenge, therefore, is to ensure that internal divisions do not erode the collective strength we have built over decades, he added. The president thanked member states for their contributions toward restoring order, stability, and confidence in the region, saying, Your efforts reaffirm that our shared geography is not a curse, but an opportunity to build a Community that serves our collective good and protects the dignity of our peoples. For his part, Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bio of Sierra Leone, thanked his predecessor, Mr Tinubu, and the Federal Government of Nigeria for hosting the session, just as he applauded Nigerias win-win leadership across the region. He specifically commended the regional blocs leadership and singled out Nigeria for taking the lead in safeguarding constitutional order in the Benin Republic. President Bio described the ECOWAS 68th ordinary of session as a defining moment for ECOWAS and a turning point for over 400 million West Africans. He also disclosed that beginning from January 2026, ECOWAS will implement a landmark measure to reduce the cost of air travel across West Africa. Under this agreement, the ECOWAS Chairman said, member states will abolish air transport taxes, among other measures. On his part, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Touray, acknowledged the support of various foreign and continental partners to ECOWAS, emphasising however that events of the last few weeks in West Africa have demonstrated what regional solidarity can achieve. He cited the instability in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in Benin Republic, which, according to him, were addressed following a swift response led by President Bola Tinubu. Mr Touray commended regional leaders for their strong commitment to the community, noting that for over five decades, the ECOWAS Authority has met consistently to engage issues confronting the region with wisdom, foresight, and respect. He also announced that Africas richest man, Aliko Dangote, has accepted to serve as Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council, a platform that will facilitate dialogue between the private sector and governments for the development of the region. Also, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf, represented by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, said the session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to scale up coordination and strategic dialogue in advancing democracy and regional stability. He stressed that the attempted coup in Benin Republic and the associated instability in Guinea-Bissau remain regrettable and unacceptable to the African Union. Stanley Nkwocha Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President) 14th December, 2025 The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says its planned nationwide protest on 17 December aims to draw attention to Nigerias worsening insecurity and compel urgent action from stakeholders. NLC President Joe Ajaero stated this in Gombe on Saturday while speaking with journalists after meeting Governor Inuwa Yahaya on labour-related issues. Mr Ajaero said the protest would demand decisive government action against insecurity, stressing that the situation now affects every Nigerian, regardless of status or occupation. He said banditry and violent crimes were alien to Nigerias culture and must be collectively condemned to reverse what he described as a dangerous national narrative. According to him, insecurity is damaging the economy and weakening Nigerias ability to attract local and foreign investors. Our planned protest is to call attention to the impact of insecurity on investors and workers, who are kidnapped daily and sometimes killed, Ajaero said. He cited a recent incident in Kebbi, saying, The person killed was a teacher, while the kidnapped children included those of workers. So we are asking the government to help fish out the perpetrators and put an end to this menace, he added. Mr Ajaero said the protest was also meant to reassure authorities of public support in confronting insecurity. Government should know their hands are being strengthened to do the needful because Nigerians are saying this is wrong and must stop, he said. He urged collective action, noting that kidnapping for ransom undermines national values and social cohesion. READ ALSO: Reps deputy spokesperson warns NLC against joining ASUU strike Mr Ajaero said workers suffer severely, as kidnapped persons often lack ransom money and resort to borrowing or begging to survive. It is important for workers to join the call to end insecurity, unless government wants to give us security allowance to pay ransom. We dont have guns or cutlasses to chase criminals; protest is our only voice to Nigerians and the international community, he said The NLC president also urged the government to expand social safety nets, saying the minimum wage alone cannot ease hardship without supportive incentives. (NAN) The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice to immediately enforce the judgment compelling and directing him and president Bola Tinubu to widely publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of N6 trillion meant to implement the abandoned 13,777 projects and in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019. The judgment was delivered on Monday, 10 November, by Justice Gladys Olotu following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021, brought by SERAP. The court also ordered Mr Fagbemi and the president to publish and make available to the public the NDDC forensic audit report submitted to the federal government on September 2, 2021. In the letter dated 13 December 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: The continuing failure and/or refusal to publicly acknowledge the judgment and immediately enforce it makes a mockery of the countrys legal and judicial processes and the rule of law. SERAP said, Section 287(1) of the Nigeria Constitution 1999 [as amended] provides that the decisions of Nigerian courts shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons. This constitutional provision admits no exception and leaves no ambiguity. SERAP also said, the ongoing failure and/or refusal to enforce the judgment is a fundamental breach of both the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and a direct assault on the rule of law. The letter, read in part: The continuing failure to immediately obey Justice Olotus judgment exposes responsible officials to contempt proceedings, including personal liability. Obeying the judgment would reinforce the primacy of the Nigerian Constitution, and the countrys international obligations and show respect for the rule of law. The Attorney General is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation and as such has the responsibility to uphold the Nigerian Constitution, advise the government to ensure that its actions conform with judicial decisions, obey the rule of law and generally act in the public interest. Despite the clarity and binding nature of the Courts judgment and the service of the judgment on you and the president, you have failed, neglected, and/or refused to comply with the judgment. Justice Olotus judgment is not advisory; it is final, binding, and immediately enforceable against you and President Tinubu. SERAP is concerned that the continuing failure by you and President Tinubu to obey the court judgment is contributing to ongoing corruption and impunity of perpetrators in ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs]. The continuing failure and/or refusal by you to enforce legally binding judgment of court and to advise President Tinubu to implement the judgment is also entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigerias international human rights obligations. It is unacceptable for the Attorney General of the Federation and the government under which you serve to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride. Obeying the court judgment would go a long way in protecting the integrity of Nigerias legal and judicial systems. By immediately complying with the judgment, you and President Tinubu will show Nigerians that the administration is willing and able to end many years of brazen impunity for corruption in the country. Immediately implementing the judgment will also restore public trust and confidence in the ability of the Tinubu administration to respect the rule of law and contribute to the efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the management of Nigerias wealth and natural resources, including in the NDDC. As the Supreme Court eloquently stated in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, The rule of law presupposes that the state is subject to the law. The government should be the first to obey the law. The Court also held that a government that disobeys court orders invites anarchy. We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider pursuing contempt proceedings against you to compel you to uphold the Nigerian Constitution and the rule of law. In her judgment, Justice Olotu held that, The forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as the names of persons indicted therein, clearly fall within the definition of public records as contained in Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act. Justice Olotu also held that, NDDC forensic audit report and the names of persons indicted therein are not exempted under Sections 11-19, as the information relates to the use and management of public funds. Justice Olotu also stated that, The refusal of the president and the Attorney General to publish the audit report or act on the allegations therein, despite formal demand by SERAP constitutes a breach of their statutory duties under the Freedom of Information Act, Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigerias international obligations to promote transparency and accountability. SERAP notes the recent public commitments by President Tinubu to improve the welfare of the Niger Delta region and address the challenges facing the region. Immediately enforcing the NDDC judgment would ensure the fulfilment of these commitments. Kolawole Oluwadare SERAP Deputy Director 14/12/2025 Lagos, Nigeria Emails: [email protected] ; [email protected] Twitter: @SERAPNigeria Website: www.serap-nigeria.org The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has reported that many cattle of its members were killed after they were allegedly poisoned while grazing on Friday evening around Kwi village of Riyom LGA of Plateau State. Ibrahim Babayo, state chairman of the association, reported the incident, adding that on Friday of the previous week, six cows similarly died in the same village after they were allegedly poisoned. According to the MACBAN chairman, the group informed the sector commander of Operation Enduring Peace in Barikin Ladi LGA, who later deployed personnel of the operation to visit the scene of the incident. He could not ascertain the number of cattle killed so far because over 100 cattle were grazing in the area when the incident occurred, making it difficult to determine the exact number of casualties. The MACBAN chairman condemned the incident and urged the security forces to investigate those responsible for it. Army unaware Contacted on the development, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 3rd Division, Nigeria Army, Aliyu Danja, said they were aware of the incident, particularly that security personnel of the operation were seen at the scene of the incident. Mr Danja, a lieutenant colonel, said the army would follow up and get back to journalists on the alleged incident. The MACBAN chairman, however, described the alleged rustling and poisoning of their cattle as calculated to provoke herders in the state. What we are facing in recent days is clear evidence that we are being pushed to the wall. The world is witnessing what is happening to us. Some people have said that they would be attacked during the Christmas period, and that is why they have continued to kill herders and their animals, he said. The security agencies, including the police, SSS, and Operation Enduring Peace, are seeing what is happening to us. Just on Wednesday, over 160 cattle were rustled, and many cattle were poisoned. We are peaceful people and will continue to be law-abiding. We are calling on our members to remain calm and allow security personnel to investigate the matter, Mr Babayo added. We are not aware Berom When contacted, the National Chairman of Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Solomon Dalyop, said they were not aware of the incident. According to the BYM president, My response to this is that Fulani should leave Plateau. They are claiming that their cattle were poisoned, yet this evening they went to kill three persons in Drong in Foron and rustled many cattle. We cannot even ascertain the number of cattle rustled during the attack. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Sunday called for transparency in the Nigeria-France digital tax agreement. The partys National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement issued in Abuja, expressed concern over the agreement. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had recently signed a landmark cooperation pact with France. The agreement, FIRS said, was aimed at modernising Nigerias tax administration through digital transformation, capacity development and improved cross-border enforcement. NAN also reports that the agreement came barely weeks before the FIRS formal transition into the Nigeria Revenue Service by January 2026. FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji and the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, had signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of both countries. According to Mr Adedeji, the partnership symbolises a shared ambition to build stronger, more resilient and forward-looking tax systems at a time global public finance is being reshaped by technology, artificial intelligence and cross-border digital commerce. The ADC publicity secretary, however, urged FIRS to make full disclosure of the agreement or terminate the deal. Mr Abdullahi, while expressing concern over the tax agreement and supporting modernisation, questioned transparency, sovereignty, data protection and the process adopted. He said that reviews had shown that the digital tax deal could risk Nigerias data security and expose sensitive economic information. He argued that the tax agreements were business decisions, inquiring about what France would benefit from and why Nigeria entered into such a sensitive deal without the National Assemblys engagement or consultation. The ADC spokesman argued that Frances influence had been declining in the West African sub-region, wondering why such a move was made with the country. He also questioned the preference for foreign partnerships despite strong local capacity, stressing that tax reforms should build institutions, protect sovereignty and strengthen data security. Mr Abdullahi, therefore, called on the FIRS to publish the agreement, brief the National Assembly, conduct independent assessments of the data and cybersecurity risks, or terminate the deal immediately, if necessary. (NAN) NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Multiple people were shot on Saturday afternoon at Brown University in Providence, U.S. state of Rhode Island, according to local police. "This is an active investigation. Please shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice," Providence Police said on X. Around 4:20 p.m., students at the university received a text message alerting them to a shooter on campus. The alert from the university directed them to lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. It reminded them to run, hide or fight as a last resort to protect themselves. Police said the incident occurred near an academic and research area on campus, and law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the drone attack on a UN facility in war-torn Sudan, killing six peacekeepers on Saturday. The attack targeted a peacekeeping logistics base of the UN Interim Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in Kadugli, a city in central Sudan. The peacekeepers affected by the strike are Bangladeshi nationals serving with the UN Interim Security Force. In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr Guterres condemned the attack, saying it constituted an unjustifiable war crime. I strongly condemn the horrific drone attacks that targeted the @UNISFA_1 logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, resulting in fatalities & injuries of members of the Bangladeshi @UNPeacekeeping contingent. Attacks against @UN peacekeepers like this one are unjustifiable & may constitute war crimes. I remind everyone of their obligation to protect UN personnel & civilians. There will need to be accountability, he wrote on X. The Sudanese army accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, of being responsible for the attack. The army said the attack shows the subversive approach of the RSF rebel militia and those behind it, according to Al Jazeera. The RSF and the Sudanese army have been in a civil war for more than two years. Reacting to the attack, Bangladeshs interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, said the attack deeply saddened him. He identified that the attack led to the death of six nationals and injured eight others. He urged the UN to provide any necessary emergency support to the affected nationals. The government of Bangladesh will stand by the families in this difficult moment, he noted. The civil war in Sudan, which began in 2023 after the power-sharing arrangement broke down, has claimed more than 40,000 lives and created severe humanitarian crises. The recent attack comes just a month after the UN Security Council voted to renew the UNISFA peacekeeping mission. The council agreed to extend the mission until November 2026 by a 120 vote late in November, with Russia, China, and Pakistan abstaining. However, they warned that any future extensions would depend on tangible progress towards ending the fighting in the region. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunny and hazy weather conditions from Sunday to Tuesday nationwide. NiMets weather outlook released on Sunday in Abuja envisaged a sunny and hazy atmosphere over the northern region during the forecast period. According to the forecast, a slight dust haze is expected over the central region throughout the period. The agency anticipated a cloudy atmosphere with some hours of sunshine over the southern region during the morning period. NiMet forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Lagos and Akwa Ibom states in the southern part of the country later in the day. On Monday, moderate dust haze atmosphere is anticipated over the northern region throughout the forecast period. Slight dust haze is expected over the central region during the forecast period. Cloudy atmosphere with a few hours of sunshine is anticipated over the southern region, with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers States during the morning hours, it said. It predicted a cloudy atmosphere later in the day with intervals of sunshine over the southern region. According to the agency, a moderate dust haze is anticipated over the northern region on Tuesday throughout the forecast period. It envisaged a sunny and hazy atmosphere over the central region throughout the forecast period. It forecast a cloudy atmosphere over the southern region during the morning hours. The agency predicted isolated thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Anambra, Imo, Ogun, Ondo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Lagos, Delta and Rivers States. READ ALSO: NiMet forecasts 3-day sunshine, thunderstorms nationwide NiMet urged the public to take necessary precautions as dust particles could be in suspension over the northern region. People with asthmatic health condition and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition. Driving under rain should be with caution. Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations. Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website (www.nimet.gov.ng), it said. (NAN) At least eight people were killed and several others injured in communal clashes in Cameroons restive Anglophone region of Northwest, security sources said on Saturday. The clashes erupted early Friday after gunmen suspected to be armed separatist fighters raided the Mbororo community, killing three people, a security source in the region said. Overnight into Saturday, armed Mbororo tribesmen retaliated by attacking the Wowo village of the Wimbum tribe, killing five people. The Mbororo people assumed that people who attacked them were from Wowo village and invaded the village at night. READ ALSO: UN chief condemns fatal attack on peacekeepers in Sudan 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. (Xinhua/NAN) The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has issued a stern warning to Local Government Council chairpersons across the country that the era of unchecked access to public funds is over. The Chairman of the bureau, Abubakar Bello, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja. The CCB boss said the bureau has placed local government chairpersons among its top high-risk targets in the fight against corruption, stressing that every kobo must be accounted for from the first day in office to the last. He explained that the bureau identified local government chairpersons as high-risk individuals due to the increased resources now flowing directly to the councils under the autonomy framework. He said Intelligence reports indicated that some officials were already diverting these funds for personal use. My message to local government chairmen and officials is simple. CCB is here, and we are watching. Once you assume office, you will declare your assets at the beginning of your tenure and at the end. You will also account for the difference. If you cannot explain it, we will take it, he said. Mr Bello added, Unlike other law enforcement agencies that must prove beyond doubt that money was stolen, the CCB operates a simpler but potent system. Our own question is straightforward: can you explain the source of this money? The onus is on you, not on us. If you declared 10 million at the beginning of your tenure and 100 million at the end, you must explain the 90 million difference. We know your salary and allowances. If you cannot explain it, we can forfeit the money. We dont need to prove you stole it. Mr Bello noted that the bureaus mandate is largely preventive rather than reactive. He said by ensuring strict asset declaration and monitoring, the CCB aims to discourage public officials from stealing in the first place. What is the essence of stealing money when you know you will not enjoy it? If you know you will be tracked, you will think twice before taking public funds, he added. READ ALSO: Centre launches integrity index on local government accountability The CCB chairman described the bureau as one of the most potent tools in the fight against corruption. He warned that undeclared or unexplained assets would inevitably end up in government custody through the courts. The CCB chairman appealed to the citizens for intelligence and information, noting that corruption often runs through networks that may include seemingly low-level officers. Support us, encourage us and share information with us; together, we can rid this country of corruption, he said. (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 33-year-old alleged supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Niger State, three weeks after he escaped arrest during a raid on his home, the agency has said. The agencys Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said in a statement on Sunday that the suspect, Mohammed Sani, also known as Gamboli, was arrested on 11 December at his hideout in Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area, following what he described as processed intelligence by NDLEA operatives. According to the NDLEA, Mr Sani had earlier fled when operatives raided his residence in Anguwan Makera, Kuta, on 20 November, where they recovered 471.8 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis. The agency said intelligence reports indicated that the suspect is a major supplier of illicit drugs to bandits operating in Shiroro local government area. Mr Babafemi said the manhunt for the suspect eventually paid off when NDLEA officers traced and arrested him at one of his drug joints in Anguwan Fadama, Kuta. The NDLEA also reported a series of other drug busts across the country within the same period. In Abia State, operatives raided what the agency described as a clandestine codeine syrup-manufacturing factory at Amapu Igbengwo village in Osisioma Local Government Area, where 9,015 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 1,152.2kg were recovered. In Enugu State, two suspects were arrested on 11 December with a combined 101.8kg of skunk, while in Oyo State, a raid on a drug joint known as Beere the California led to the seizure of skunk, synthetic cannabis and methamphetamine. The alleged owner of the joint, identified as Idowu the killer, is currently at large, the agency said. Further arrests were recorded in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo and Gombe states. At the Seme border area in Lagos, two suspects were arrested with 50,000 pills of tramadol 250mg, while operatives in Ondo State arrested a mother and her son and recovered 1,187 kilograms of skunk and its seeds. At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, NDLEA officers on 13 December intercepted 170,000 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 23,579kg during a joint container examination with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies. The agency also said it intercepted no fewer than 907 pills of tramadol, tapentadol, cocodamol, amitriptyline and bromazepam concealed in shipments bound for the United States, Canada and Sweden. Mr Babafemi added that NDLEA commands across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres and communities during the week under review. While commending officers involved in the operations, the NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Marwa, urged them to sustain the agencys strategy. He enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency, the statement said. A mass shooting in Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, has led to the death of 11 people. The state police said around 29 people were also injured in the attack targeted at the Jewish community. The injured include two police officers and a child. The community had gathered at the beach to celebrate the start of Hanukkah, a major Jewish festival. The event had more than 1,000 people in attendance. Al Jazeera reported that witnesses described scenes of chaos as gunmen opened fire on crowds at Bondi Beach. It was kind of like fish in a barrel, a witness said, adding that some bystanders rushed to help the injured. A few people helped a few older people get up and get out of there, but it was like there were lots of bodies on the floor. One gunman involved in the shooting died in the attack, while another is in critical condition, according to the Australian police say PREMIUM TIMES reports that the countrys Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, described the attack as an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation. Directly addressing the Jewish community, he said, As prime minister, on behalf of all Australians, to the Jewish community: We stand with you, we embrace you, and we reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe. You have the right to worship and study and work and live in peace and safety. Netanyahu, other world leaders react Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the Australian authorities of making room for anti-semitism against the Jewish community to thrive. Mr Netanyahu said the Australian government had poured oil on the flames of antisemitism by its inaction and silence towards anti-Jewish sentiment in the country. Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders remain silent, and they must replace weakness with strength in facing it. That did not happen in Australia and today, something terrible occurred therea cold-blooded murder, he said, according to CNN. Several world leaders have also condemned the attack. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, condemned the attack and declared that there was no room for antisemitism in the world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia, Mr Rubio wrote in a post on X. Frances President, Emmanuel Macron, also said, France extends its thoughts to the victims, the injured, and their loved ones. We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against anti-Semitic hatred, which hurts us all wherever it strikes. Similarly, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared that he was horrified by the shooting on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hanukkah. Germanys Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said the incident called for increased action against anti-Semitism globally. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered N37.44 billion and $2.353 million in 2025 through asset seizures and forfeitures, marking one of its most significant annual recoveries. The commission disclosed the figures in Abuja during its end-of-year engagement and annual merit awards ceremony. Speaking at the event, the ICPC chairman, Musa Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), described 2025 as a pivotal year marked by substantial progress across enforcement, prevention, and public enlightenment. In a statement issued by the ICPC spokesperson, John Odey, Mr Aliyu said the commission investigated 263 cases during the year, exceeding its target of 250 cases. He added that the ICPC filed 61 cases in court and recorded a conviction rate of 55.74 per cent. Among the commissions notable achievements in 2025 was the conviction of a University of Calabar professor, Cyril Ndifon, who was sentenced to five years imprisonment for offences relating to sexual harassment and cyberbullying. Mr Aliyu said the judgement sent a strong signal of the commissions resolve to confront all forms of abuse of office. On corruption prevention, the ICPC chairman said the commission assessed 344 ministries, departments and agencies using the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard. He said the commission also conducted 66 corruption-monitoring activities and 1,490 project-tracking exercises nationwide. According to him, systems study and corruption risk assessments were completed in 12 MDAs to address structural vulnerabilities to corruption. Mr Aliyu said the ICPC intensified public enlightenment efforts during the year, reaching over 235,000 Nigerians through 644 sensitisation activities. He added that the commission generated 3.5 million digital engagements, established 86 anti-corruption clubs and vanguards, and trained 2,707 participants at the ICPC Academy. On partnerships, he said the commission initiated 15 collaborative activities, while civil society organisations carried out 57 complementary engagements in support of ICPCs work. The chairman also announced what he described as a historic achievement, saying the commission successfully secured the Cost-of-Living Adjustment allowance for its staff for the first time, a development he said reflected ICPCs commitment to staff welfare and institutional strengthening. He commended staff members who received merit awards, noting that the peer-driven nomination process ensured transparency and credibility, and also honoured retiring staff for their years of service. Looking ahead to 2026, Mr Aliyu urged ICPC personnel to avoid complacency and misconduct. Let us recommit ourselves to building a stronger ICPC and contributing more meaningfully to the national anti-corruption agenda, he said, calling for integrity, diligence, professionalism, and unity of purpose. In a goodwill message at the event, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission chairman, Victor Muruako, praised ICPCs interventions at the local government level and reaffirmed the commissions readiness to deepen inter-agency collaboration. Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa, Souad Osman-Aden, congratulated the ICPC on what she described as a productive year and commended its achievements in asset recovery and the fight against illicit financial flows. Similarly, the Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Umar Yakubu, represented by Victor Agi, praised the commissions partnership on the Accountability and Corruption Prevention Programme for Local Government, saying transparency in asset recovery enhances public trust. The 2025 recovery figures build on the commissions previous efforts. In 2024, the ICPC recovered about N29.7 billion in cash and nearly $1 million in looted assets, alongside broader national asset recovery initiatives involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The combined effect of pervasive inequities is the erosion of Nigerias capacity for long-term economic planning at both household and national levels. When health, education, and basic infrastructure are unreliable, individuals focus on immediate survival rather than on savings, entrepreneurship, or innovation. Domestic financial intermediation remains shallow because the average citizen lacks disposable income and confidence in formal systems. This limits the pool of local capital for private investment and constrains financial market depth. Nigeria has often been described as an investment haven, anchored on its vast endowment of natural and human resources. The country possesses over 34 commercially viable mineral resources spread across more than 500 locations, ranging from solid minerals such as gold, iron ore, and limestone to rare earth metals. The country is ranked tenth globally for crude oil reserves and ninth to tenth for proven natural gas reserves, positioning it as a major energy player. With a population exceeding 220 million, about 60 per cent of whom are within the working-age bracket (1564 years), Nigerias demographics should ordinarily confer a strong labour advantage and robust domestic market potential. Combined with an expansive arable landmass and strategic access to both African and global markets, Nigerias economic potential remains enormous. Despite this vast endowment, systemic inequalities have eroded investment confidence, both domestically and internationally. The country has witnessed a rising incidence of inequality, manifested in unequal access to quality education, healthcare, socio-economic infrastructure, and justice. These disparities have deepened along subnational lines North versus South, urban versus rural as well as through elite capture of state resources. The result is a political economy that sustains privilege for a few, while excluding the majority. This widening gap has not only heightened social discontent but also weakened Nigerias attractiveness as an investment destination. Inequality has risen to a height where it is no longer merely a political issue; it has become economic, institutional, and systemic: reproducing cycles of exclusion that deter long-term private capital and undermine sustainable socio-economic growth. The Unequal Foundations of Development and Investment Despite early post-independence strides, Nigeria has progressively declined into a state of weak human development indicators and fragile institutions, conditions that constrain its ability to translate vast endowments into sustained investment for inclusive growth. Chronic inequality in access to healthcare, education, socio-economic infrastructure, and justice has left the majority of citizens economically vulnerable and unable to think beyond survival. This deprivation limits their capacity to save, invest, and participate meaningfully in productive enterprise, conditions indispensable for building a resilient domestic investment base, deepening the banking system, and creating a globally competitive landscape attractive to long-term private capital. Access to healthcare remains one of Nigerias most visible inequities. According to World Health Organisation data (2024), total health expenditure accounts for just about 4 per cent of GDP, substantially below the African average of 6 per cent. More than 70 per cent of total health spending is financed through out-of-pocket payments, while less than 10 per cent of Nigerians are covered by any form of health insurance. Millions of households are therefore one illness away from financial distress, diverting income away from savings and productive ventures. Poor health outcomes reflected in low life expectancy (55 years), high maternal mortality (512 deaths per 100,000 live births), and prevalence of preventable diseases further reduce labour productivity and increase business costs, undermining investor confidence. inequality in access to basic social infrastructure electricity, water, sanitation, and transport continues to impose heavy costs on households and businesses. According to the 2024 Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report by UNICEF and WHO, only about 67 per cent of Nigerians have access to basic water services, and roughly 33 per cent to improved sanitation. The World Bank (2024) reported that while the national electricity grid nominally covers around 60 per cent of the population, effective supply reaches fewer than 40 per cent due to chronic outages and infrastructure inefficiencies. The education sector mirrors this pattern of inequality and underinvestment. According to UNICEF Nigeria (2024), around 18.3 million children are currently out of school (10.2 million at the primary level, and 8.1 million at the junior secondary stage), the highest number globally, with enrolment and completion rates varying sharply between regions. In northern states, up to two-thirds of children aged six to fifteen are not in formal education. Even where access exists, the quality remains poor due to underfunding, weak infrastructure, and curricula misalignment with technical, industrial and technological labour demands. This weak educational foundation perpetuates a low-skill workforce, constrains innovation, and inflates training costs for firms. Household inability to access quality education erodes long-term aspirations and traps generations in cycles of low income and productivity, stifling domestic capital formation and fuelling insecurity, including youth restiveness, kidnapping, and banditry. Similarly, inequality in access to basic social infrastructure electricity, water, sanitation, and transport continues to impose heavy costs on households and businesses. According to the 2024 Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report by UNICEF and WHO, only about 67 per cent of Nigerians have access to basic water services, and roughly 33 per cent to improved sanitation. The World Bank (2024) reported that while the national electricity grid nominally covers around 60 per cent of the population, effective supply reaches fewer than 40 per cent due to chronic outages and infrastructure inefficiencies. Households and firms rely heavily on private generators, accounting for an estimated 40 per cent of total electricity consumption and costing businesses over US$25 billion annually. These coping mechanisms consume disposable income that could otherwise be invested productively. From an investors perspective, unreliable infrastructure translates into higher operational costs, lower returns, and unpredictable supply-chain performance, diminishing national competitiveness. Weak rule of law and governance compound these socio-economic deficits. The 2024 Ibrahim Index of African Governance ranks Nigeria among the eleven lowest-performing countries in Africa, with particularly poor scores in security, rule of law, and accountability. Persistent corruption, bureaucratic vagueness, and arbitrary policy reversals have entrenched uncertainty in the investment climate. While Nigerias legal frameworks increasingly align with international norms, especially in trade, maritime, and human rights, the absence of full domestication of key treaties, coupled with institutional weakness and constitutional supremacy, limits enforceability. Citizens and investors alike experience diminished trust in public institutions, which discourages participation in the formal economy. A poorly aligned and inefficient judicial system raises transaction costs, distorts competition, and magnifies political risk. Inequality becomes self-perpetuating: a privileged few exploit institutional weaknesses to protect rents, while the majority face shrinking opportunities for upward mobility. Declining Competitiveness to Attract FDI Over the past decade, Nigerias capacity to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) has exhibited a concerning downward trajectory, highlighting the connection between weak institutional frameworks, underdeveloped human capital, and diminishing private capital inflows. According to UNCTAD (2024), Nigerias average FDI inflow between 2015 and 2019 was US$2.4 billion. In 2020, inflows increased modestly to US$2.6 billion, before rebounding to US$4.8 billion in 2021, driven largely by oil-and-gas and infrastructure project-finance deals. However, this momentum proved unsustainable. By 2022, the country recorded a net negative FDI of US$187 million, reflecting equity divestments and capital withdrawals, rather than new inflows. Most recently, 2023 data indicate inbound FDI of approximately US$1.87 billion, underscoring a persistent weakness in attracting sustained, large scale, and diversified investment. Ultimately, inequality in access to essential services and justice has evolved from a moral concern into a full-blown economic liability, directly disincentivising investment and undermining Nigerias economic potential despite its vast endowments. It has eroded productivity foundations, reduced market depth, and amplified governance risks, collectively undermining global competitiveness. It could be argued that ongoing government reforms, targeting improvements to the business environment, regulatory streamlining, and macroeconomic stabilisation, have yet to take firm root, leaving investors cautiously observing the implementation framework. The prevailing uncertainty and overall decline in recorded inflows suggest more than temporary cyclical factors. They reflect investors deeper scepticism about Nigerias structural vulnerabilities, most notably weak human capital, deficient infrastructure, and governance-related challenges. Government officials often contend that official statistics understate total inflows due to the growing use of unrecorded electronic channels, including fintech-driven transfers, diaspora investment apps, and digital peer-to-peer platforms. While partially valid, formal FDI records reveal a substantial deficiency relative to Nigerias potential, expectations, and policy projections. This discrepancy underscores weaknesses in capital reporting mechanisms and the broader erosion of confidence in formal financial and regulatory institutions, discouraging investors from using official channels. Conclusion The combined effect of pervasive inequities is the erosion of Nigerias capacity for long-term economic planning at both household and national levels. When health, education, and basic infrastructure are unreliable, individuals focus on immediate survival rather than on savings, entrepreneurship, or innovation. Domestic financial intermediation remains shallow because the average citizen lacks disposable income and confidence in formal systems. This limits the pool of local capital for private investment and constrains financial market depth. Externally, these conditions elevate the countrys risk profile, forcing investors to demand higher returns to compensate for social and institutional fragility, further discouraging inflows. Ultimately, inequality in access to essential services and justice has evolved from a moral concern into a full-blown economic liability, directly disincentivising investment and undermining Nigerias economic potential despite its vast endowments. It has eroded productivity foundations, reduced market depth, and amplified governance risks, collectively undermining global competitiveness. The paradox is unmistakable: while the nation abounds in natural wealth and human potential, structural inequities have created a dual economy rewarding a small elite while stifling the majority. Unless targeted reforms prioritise inclusive human development and institutional accountability, Nigerias promise as an investment haven will remain largely unrealised. Dipo Baruwa is a business climate development analyst. Only the joyful and the thankful go to heaven. When Jesus healed the crowd, He only healed their bodies. The healing did not require them to believe in Him. As a result, they were healed in the body but not healed in the soul. In the wilderness, Jesus healed the Israelites bodily. In 40 years, nobody fell sick: (He) brought His people safely out from Egypt, loaded with silver and gold; there were no sick and feeble folk among them. (Psalm 105:37). But He did not heal their souls. The psalmist says: He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. (Psalm 106:15). They all died in the wilderness without reaching the Promised Land. The same pattern was repeated in Jesus earthly ministry: Although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? (John 12:37-38). He healed their bodies, but since they did not believe in Him, their souls were not saved. Spirit-filled Believers The evidence that we have received the healing of the soul comes when we are lavish in thanksgiving. The Bible says when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we: (Give) thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20). No Thanksgiving, No Salvation Paul warns that: In the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful. (2 Timothy 3:1-2). The gift of salvation is too enormous. It is ginormous. If you receive it and are not thankful, you will forfeit it. You cannot be saved and be sorrowful. The Israelites were sent into captivity because they were not thankful. God said to them: Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. (Deuteronomy 28:47-48). The same applies to us. The saved cannot continue to be sorrowful: Surely (Jesus) has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. (Isaiah 53:4). If He has carried them, then we no longer have them. The real sorrow is the sorrow over our sins. That sorrow was removed when Jesus died for our sins. Thereafter, only the joyful and the thankful go to heaven. The Grateful Samaritan It happened that as He made His way toward Jerusalem, He crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As He entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met Him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us! Taking a good look at them, He said, Go, show yourselves to the priests. They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realised that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus feet, so grateful. He couldnt thank Him enough and he was a Samaritan. Jesus said, Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider? Then He said to him, Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you. (Luke 17:11-19). The Samaritan was healed twice because of his thanksgiving. The first time, he was healed in the body. He was cleansed of his leprosy. The second time, he was healed in the soul, because he came back to give thanks. If we are born again and spiritually healed but do not live a life of gratitude and thanksgiving, we will not be saved. The saved must not only give thanks, but they must also be thanksliving. The other nine lepers were only healed of leprosy. The Samaritan was healed physically and spiritually. He was healed and saved. Many are called, but few are chosen because many do not subsequently live lives of gratitude. Many are called, but they live their lives grumbling and complaining about everything. Grumblers cannot be saved. Only the thankful are saved. How can you tell if a man is saved? You know he is saved if he gives thanks in everything. You know he is saved if he rejoices forevermore. You know he is saved if he says continually: Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15). Jesus says, By their fruits, you shall know them. We give thanks by the fruit of our lips: (We) continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15). Praise becomes a sacrifice when it is proclaimed even in adversity. As believers: We are bound to give thanks to God always. (2 Thessalonians 2:13). We must do this in all situations, whether good or bad. Matthew Henry Matthew Henry was robbed; nevertheless, he thanked God. He wrote on the night he was robbed: I thank Thee. 1st, because I was never robbed before; 2nd, because although they took my purse, they did not take my life; 3rd, although they took my all, it was not much; and 4th, because it was I who was robbed and not I who robbed. Never Complain Love believes all things. Love believes that God will work all things together for good. That is why Paul says: In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Have you ever thanked God for your wife? Then you can no longer complain about her. You cannot complain about something or someone for whom you have given thanks. Complaining is deadly. When Israel complained, they were barred from entering the Promised Land. We must learn from their mistake. Therefore: (Dont) complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. (1 Corinthians 10:10). Jesus Biggest Miracle Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He gave thanks to God: Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. (John 11:41). He then called Lazarus out of the grave. This shows that out of thanksgiving, there is deliverance. Out of thanksgiving comes healing. Out of thanksgiving comes restoration. Out of thanksgiving, there is victory over death and affliction. We may lose the battle, but we always win the war: Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57). Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14). Resource Multiplication Jeremiah says: Out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry; I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. (Jeremiah 30:19). God multiplies our resources when we are lavish in thanking Him for what is inadequate. Your rent is 500,000. But all you have is 50,000. So, you go before the Lord and thank Him lavishly for the inadequate 50,000. You are on your way to getting 1 million. Jesus wanted to feed 5,000 people, not counting the women and children. But all they had were five loaves of bread and two fish. Instead of grumbling and complaining about this, He held it up before the Lord and gave thanks. Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down. (John 6:11). The food was multiplied. Everybody had enough to eat, and there were even baskets of leftovers. This is what happens when we are thankful for what we have. Without asking, God multiplies our resources. Cursed Blessings But when we are ungrateful and unthankful, God curses what we have. He even converts our blessings into curses: If you will not hear, and if you will not take it to heart, to give glory to My name, says the Lord of hosts, I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have cursed them already, because you do not take it to heart. (Malachi 2:2). Thereby, many are called, but few are chosen. [email protected]; www.femiaribisala.com regulators like NITDA must evolve beyond promoting innovation. They must defend Nigerias information sovereignty. Because if Google can destabilise the UKs news economy with a quiet experiment, what prevents it from doing the same in Nigeria where media organisations are more vulnerable and regulatory protections are weaker? Big Tech has always excelled at disruption, but rarely does it disrupt an entire nations media ecosystem with such confident audacity that the victims begin to wonder whether they are witnessing aggression or innovation. Yet, this is exactly what is unfolding in the United Kingdom, where Google has quietly throttled news visibility, restricted publishers reach, and effectively placed an entire national information system under a form of algorithmic hostage negotiation. If this seems shocking, it shouldnt. Google has perfected this dance for years: embrace publishers, feed them traffic, slowly withdraw the oxygen, then toss periodic innovation grants like a benevolent emperor sprinkling coins to calm starving peasants. What once looked like algorithmic indifference now appears more like deliberate pressure a flex disguised as experimentation. The company announced recently that news content in the UK may not appear as before, that visibility could change, and that Google was conducting experiments that determine how the public discovers information. Experiments is Big Techs polite euphemism for unilateral economic and political power. Whenever Silicon Valley uses the word, it usually means: were changing the rules, and youll find out the consequences later. Newsrooms suddenly realised they had become lab subjects in an experiment whose intent was never about improving user experience, but about demonstrating leverage at the precise moment lawmakers were considering a Digital Markets Act that would force platforms to pay publishers. The timing, of course, was coincidental the kind of coincidence that deserves its own laugh track. If this script sounds familiar, it should. Australia lived through a similar digital tantrum in 2021, when Google and Facebook attempted to intimidate the government over a proposed media compensation law. Facebook went as far as blocking not only news pages but hospitals, emergency services, and NGOs in the middle of a wildfire season. It was the corporate equivalent of tossing the baby, the bathwater, the bathtub, and the entire plumbing system out the window, then insisting the explosion was a technical glitch. The UK should have seen this coming. But after years of battling the Brexit chaos and revolving-door prime ministers, the political class seems to have forgotten how digital power works. Legislators began debating platform regulation; Google responded by subtly muting the national press. A coincidence? Or a warning shot? What makes the situation even more disturbing is Googles insistence that these changes are being made to improve user experience. This from the same company that increasingly pushes AI-generated summaries over real journalism, rewrites headlines with questionable accuracy, and gradually positions itself as both a gatekeeper and competitor to the news industry. The publishers, predictably, are panicking not because they are surprised, but because they surrendered control years ago. Entire editorial strategies were built around Google Search. Newsrooms tailored headlines to please Google Discover. Traffic became dependent on an algorithm that could change direction overnight. Now the leash is tightening, and the industry is shocked that the leash existed at all. But the implications stretch far beyond the UK. If Britain enforces a compensation framework and withstands Googles pressure, other nations especially in Europe, Africa, and Asia will be emboldened to push similar reforms. If Britain retreats, the message is clear: even sovereign governments must bow before Big Tech architecture. The real losers here are the public. Citizens do not know that their newspapers are suddenly downranked. They simply see fewer stories, more AI sludge floating to the top, and a narrowing of viewpoints. What they do not see are the invisible algorithmic decisions shaping their access to truth. Google insists it is not responsible for saving journalism, and technically it isnt. But it is responsible for not sabotaging it. When a company controls nearly 90 per cent of a countrys search traffic, its tests are not neutral. They are political interventions with national consequences. No matter how often Google claims neutrality, platforms that decide visibility are not neutral. They are editors unelected, unregulated, and unaccountable. What is happening in the UK is not a glitch. It is not a misunderstanding. It is a pre-regulatory power play designed to remind governments that policy bends before platform power, not the other way around. Our media ecosystem is already fragile. A single Discover tweak, a quiet downranking, or a change in search visibility could wipe out entire newsrooms without warning. Nigerian editors know this; they simply pretend not to. This is why regulators like NITDA must evolve beyond promoting innovation. They must defend Nigerias information sovereignty. Because if Google can destabilise the UKs news economy with a quiet experiment, what prevents it from doing the same in Nigeria where media organisations are more vulnerable and regulatory protections are weaker? We cannot continue sleepwalking into digital dependency. We cannot allow our public information ecosystem to be determined in Mountain View, California. And we cannot pretend this is not a matter of national security. Because while Google runs its experiments, entire nations are becoming test subjects. And the results are becoming painfully clear. Shuaib S. Agaka is a tech journalist and digital policy analyst based in Kano. Email: [email protected] NEW YORK, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and several others injured in a shooting on Saturday afternoon at Brown University in Providence, U.S. state of Rhode Island, according to U.S. media reports. "Multiple shot in the area of Brown University. This is an active investigation. Please shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice," Providence Police said on X. Around 4:20 p.m., students at the university received a text message alerting them to a shooter on campus. The alert from the university directed them to lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. It reminded them to run, hide or fight as a last resort to protect themselves. Police said the incident occurred near an academic and research area on campus, and law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene. U.S. President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the situation and that the FBI is at the scene. Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the 1-Megawatt Danja Mini-Hydroelectric Power Project, describing it as a transformative step toward rural electrification, economic growth and sustainable development in Katsina State. The ceremony, held at Danja Dam in Danja Local Government Area, marks the commencement of a project designed to convert existing water infrastructure into a dependable source of clean and affordable electricity for Danja, Kafur and surrounding communities. Speaking at the event, Governor Radda described the project as a turning point for rural communities. This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new future for Danja, Kafur and surrounding communities. We are transforming water infrastructure into sustainable power that will directly improve lives, livelihoods and economic opportunities, he declared. Mr Radda stated that the project reflects his administrations commitment to rural electrification, energy diversification and long-term energy security. Stable electricity is the foundation of dignity, productivity and youth empowerment. With reliable power, farms, irrigation systems, agro-processing centres, schools, health facilities and small businesses can truly thrive, he stressed. Governor Radda explained that the 1MW mini-hydro plant will help farmers reduce post-harvest losses by powering milling, processing and storage facilities, while also improving security, education, healthcare delivery and commercial activities across the area. Describing the Danja project as the first in a wider strategy, the governor said it will be replicated across other major dams in the state, including Zobe, Jibia, Sabke and Ajiwa. Our vision is to use our natural water assets to fight poverty, strengthen rural economies and drive inclusive growth across Katsina State, he stated. He disclosed that the project is being implemented through a partnership between the Katsina State Government, Oceans Energie and the French Treasury, noting that the collaboration reflects increasing international confidence in Katsina States development agenda and aligns with the Electricity Act 2023, which empowers states to drive their own energy future. Governor Radda added that the Danja Mini-Hydro Project fits into the states broader clean energy agenda, which includes over 10MW solar and battery systems for public institutions, the solar hybridisation of the 10MW Lambar Rimi Wind Farm, the construction of the states first LNG/CNG gas hub, the establishment of Nigerias first Ministry of Power, Renewable Energy and Energy Security, and solar support for rural small businesses. Hydropower is strengthening a balanced, resilient and sustainable energy mix for Katsina State, he concluded. Earlier, the Special Adviser on Power and Energy, Dr Hafiz Ibrahim, described the Danja Mini-Hydro Power Project as a major milestone in the states energy transition. This project goes beyond electricity. It will support irrigation, agro-processing, rural enterprises and social services, helping to reduce poverty and stimulate local economic growth, he stated. According to him, the project will provide year-round electricity to Danja, Kafur and neighbouring communities by optimally utilising existing infrastructure at the Danja Dam. This is a practical demonstration of how infrastructure can be repurposed to deliver sustainable development outcomes, he explained. He added that Governor Raddas structured energy plan has already delivered concrete results, including solar and battery installations in public institutions, the revival of wind energy projects and the promotion of cleaner fuels such as LNG and CNG. Strong political will has turned energy policies into real projects and attracted credible local and international partners, Dr Hafiz confirmed. Also speaking, French Treasury Consultant, Dr Salami, described the Danja Mini-Hydro Power Project as a new chapter in Katsina States energy and economic development. This project reflects the strong and growing cooperation between France and Nigeria, with key support from French institutions and the French Embassy in Nigeria, he stated. He explained that the project makes effective use of existing dam infrastructure developed by the Katsina State Government to deliver clean, renewable energy tailored to local needs, while benefiting from technical expertise drawn from similar projects across West Africa. Beyond power generation, this initiative will energy poverty, create jobs, support small businesses and improve living standards, he added. Dr Salami commended Governor Radda for his leadership and commitment to global best practices, expressing confidence that the Danja Mini-Hydro Power Project will serve as a model for sustainable energy development within Katsina State and beyond. In the same vein, a representative of Biodanja a local partner for the project, described the project as a historic development for Danja, Kafur, Katsina State and the wider Northern region. This project will strengthen electricity supply in Katsina State, ease pressure on the national grid and support KEDCOs embedded generation strategy, particularly at a time when available supply remains far below demand, he explained. According to the Biodanja representative, the projects year-round water control and pumped-hydro design will provide more stable power during both wet and dry seasons, supporting industrial users, agro-processing, cold storage facilities and small businesses, while reducing post-harvest losses, unemployment and rural-urban migration. Four children were killed in the early hours of Saturday when gunmen attacked Dorong village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, officials and residents have said. The victims were identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isaac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3. George Lambert, media aide to the member representing Barkin Ladi Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly, confirmed the attack, saying the assailants were suspected to be Fulani herders. However, security agencies have yet to officially verify the claim. Residents said the attackers fled before the arrival of security operatives, a development they described as a recurring pattern in similar attacks across Barkin Ladi and neighbouring communities. The incident plunged Dorong village into mourning and renewed concerns over the security situation in Plateaus rural areas, where communities have continued to face deadly attacks despite repeated assurances from authorities. The latest killings come amid a wave of violent attacks in Plateau State, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Bokkos local government areas, where dozens of people have been killed and several communities displaced in recent months. Efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to obtain official comments from the police were unsuccessful. Calls placed to the Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer on Sunday morning were not returned, while the phone number of the state Commissioner of Police was unreachable, as it had been switched off at the time of filing this report. READ ALSO: Plateau State urges collective action to tackle insecurity at Senate public hearing For years, Plateau State has grappled with persistent violence often linked to disputes over land ownership, grazing routes and identity, with women and children frequently among the victims. Residents and civil society groups have repeatedly urged the federal and state governments to take decisive steps to protect vulnerable communities and ensure accountability for those responsible for the attacks. There was an atmosphere of deep nostalgia, joy and celebration at Qua Iboe Church Secondary School, Ika Annang, on Friday, as members of the schools Alumni Association returned to their alma mater for their maiden Alma Mater Town Hall Meeting, marking their first official reunion in decades. The historic gathering, held at the school premises in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, brought together accomplished men and women who once passed through the institutions classrooms, laboratories and dormitories decades ago. For some of the visiting alumni, it was their first time stepping into the school since graduation. Dressed in their old green-and-white school uniforms, five of the alumni relived their student days as they toured familiar grounds, including former dormitories, the dining hall, laboratories and classrooms where their academic journeys began. The visit triggered emotional recollections and spontaneous storytelling, as memories of discipline, friendships and formative experiences came flooding back. The school community received the returning old students with prolonged songs of praise, drumming and energetic dances, creating a colourful and emotional welcome. Teachers and students alike joined in celebrating the alumni, whose presence was widely seen as both inspiring and reassuring. In his welcome address, the Principal General, Victor Udiong, himself an alumnus of the school, expressed profound gratitude to the visiting old students for choosing to reconnect with their roots. He described the reunion as symbolic and historic, noting the significance of the alumni holding their maiden town hall meeting at a time when one of their own is leading the school. According to him, the moment represented continuity, service and commitment to institutional growth. Mr Udiong also highlighted key challenges facing the school, including the absence of a functional water supply and a perimeter fence. He explained that the lack of fencing poses security concerns and exposes the school to unauthorised access, appealing to the alumni association to support efforts to create a safer and more conducive learning environment. In his remarks, the President of the Alumni Association, Nnamkere Umoren, commended the school management for the visible peace, order and development within the institution. He described the improvements as a reflection of the Principals leadership vision and administrative commitment. Mr. Umoren, the senior prefect of the 1989 set, also appreciated members of the association for their solidarity and collective effort, which ensured the success of the maiden meeting. He announced, on behalf of the alumni association, the donation of educational materials, including exercise books and biros, alongside a cash donation to support students academic needs. Incentives were also presented to students who entertained guests with impressive cultural dance performances. As part of the programme, the alumni president led members on an inspection tour of the school facilities to assess areas requiring urgent attention. He assured that the identified needs would be communicated to other members of the association at home and in the diaspora, with a view to mobilising broader support. The alumni also donated a new school billboard to the institution. Speaking at the event, Senior Specialist Nurse and former Senior Prefect (Girls), Comfort Utin, expressed delight at the reunion and praised members of the alumni association for their unity and sense of responsibility. READ ALSO: Chevron celebrates top Delta student at 2025 Chemistry competition She urged current students to remain disciplined, respect their teachers and parents, and uphold the core values of the school, while encouraging them to see themselves as future members of the alumni association. The event ended on a high note with a vote of thanks by the Principal, who once again expressed appreciation for the alumnis generosity and renewed commitment to the school. Qua Iboe Church Secondary School, Ika Annang, was founded in 1971, graduating its first set of students in 1975. It is the first, oldest, largest and most famous public secondary school in the former Ukanafun Local Government Area of the then Cross River State, drawing students from across Nigeria. With the creation of new states and local governments in 1987, the school is now located in Oruk Anam LGA of Akwa Ibom State The school has trained, produced and contributed professionals and artisans into the work force of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and the world at large. A Statement from Dr. David Jeremiah on the Violence that Occurred this Weekend SAN DIEGO, Dec. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- It is with a heavy heart that we extend our condolences, sympathy & prayers to the families affected by the terroristic event at Bondi Beach in Australia and the mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island. No family should have to endure this kind of pain and trauma. That these horrific events have occurred so close to Christmas, a time of joy, hope, and peace makes it even harder. At times like this, words can seem hollow, and even well-meaning statements can appear to be empty platitudes, but I believe every word spoken by Jesus holds immense truth. In His Sermon on the Mount, He said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." So that is my prayer for the families and communities of Brown University and Bondi Beach. May the God of all comfort sustain you today and, in the days, ahead. It will not be easy, and the heartache will still be felt, but I know God will be with us as. As we enter the third Sunday of Advent, and the start of Hanukkah, may the miracle of these blessed seasons and the hope, joy, and promise they instill in our hearts anchor us to our Savior who came once and is coming again to restore all things. Dr. David Jeremiah is a renowned Bible teacher, New York Times bestselling author, and founder/host of Turning Point Broadcast Ministry. With over forty years of ministry, his teaching has led to the creation of programming such as ProphecyExplained, BibleStrong.org, Airship Genesis, PassagesTV, Why the Nativity?, PerhapsToday, and The Coming Golden Age to name a few. Follow Turning Point and Dr. Jeremiah on Social Media and on YouTube https://www.davidjeremiah.org/facebook https://www.davidjeremiah.org/twitter https://www.davidjeremiah.org/instagram https://www.davidjeremiah.org/youtube About Turning Point Turning Point Ministries was founded in 1982 as Dr. David Jeremiah's broadcast ministry to deliver the unchanging Word of God to an ever-changing world. More than four decades later, with a multimedia network featuring radio, television, online programming, magazines, and books, Turning Point reaches people around the globe with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Turning Point is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization wholly supported by patrons and not underwritten by any church or organization. SOURCE Turning Point with David Jeremiah The seven-time Emmy Award winner and Northeastern alumna will speak to graduates on Dec. 14 CHICAGO, Dec. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northeastern Illinois University's December 2025 Commencement will feature award-winning investigative reporter PJ Randhawa. The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave., in Chicago. Tickets are required and made available only to graduates and their guests. The ceremony will be livestreamed at neiu.edu/commencement . As the daughter of immigrant parents who settled in Canada from India, Randhawa came to Northeastern as an international student and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, Media and Theatre in 2008. Randhawa then obtained a master's degree in journalism from DePaul University. In 2025, Randhawa proudly became a U.S. citizen, and she and her husband had their first child. "Like many Northeastern students, PJ found a strong sense of community and mentorship at NEIU," said Northeastern President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D. "Faculty describe her as dedicated, inquisitive and exceptionally hardworking, noting that she consistently went above and beyond in her academic pursuits." Randhawa is currently the Consumer Investigative Reporter for NBC 5 Responds. Previously, she was a political reporter in Columbia, South Carolina; a Morning News Anchor in Rapid City, South Dakota; a Lead Investigative Reporter at KSDK in St. Louis; and the Investigative Race and Equity Reporter for KING 5 News in Seattle. During her time at KSDK, her investigative reporting exposed corruption in police departments, mismanagement in city and state departments, and helped get new laws on the books surrounding sexual assault and cyber stalking. In addition to her seven regional Emmy Awards, Randhawa was named a 2023 DuPont Finalist and has won two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, a 2022 Crystal Mic for "Best Reporter" from the Illinois News Broadcasters Association, four Society of Professional Journalists Awards for News Excellence, a 2023 National Excellence in Journalism Award from NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, an International Sikh Award for political reporting, and several Missouri Broadcast Awards. On Jan. 14, 2022, the City of St. Louis declared the day "PJ Randhawa Day" for the positive changes that resulted from her investigations. "PJ's commitment to ethical storytelling, advocacy and public service reflects the values we uphold at Northeastern Illinois University," said President Bell-Jordan. "Her achievements make her an inspiring choice to address our graduates as they prepare for meaningful leadership and service in their communities." EVENT DETAILS WHEN: Sunday, Dec.14, 2025 Commencement begins at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are required. Livestream: neiu.edu/commencement WHERE: Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave. in Chicago ABOUT NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Northeastern Illinois University offers more than 40 undergraduate degree and certificate programs and more than 50 graduate degree, certificate, licensure and endorsement programs. The Main Campus is located on 67 acres in an attractive residential area on the Northwest Side of Chicago. Founded in 1867, Northeastern is a Minority-Serving Institution and the longest-standing four-year public Hispanic-Serving Institution in the Midwest. The University has additional Chicagoland locations, including the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, El Centro, and the University Center of Lake County. SOURCE Northeastern Illinois University Engineering and technical support company, JT4, LLC allegedly required employees to work while clocking out during what is supposed to be an employee's off-duty meal break. This may have resulted in missed wages for employees. **THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT** KERN, Calif., Dec. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action complaint alleging that JT4, LLC violated the California Labor Code. The JT4, LLC class action lawsuit, Case No. 25CUB00655, is currently pending in the Kern 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 JT4, LLC were required from time to time to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided ten (10) minute rest periods . Further, these employees 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 from time to time, a first and second rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked of between six (6) and eight (8) hours from time to time, and a first, second and third rest period of at least ten (10) minutes for some shifts worked for ten (10) hours or more from time to time. The lawsuit further alleges that Defendant failed to provide employees with complete and accurate wage statements which failed to show the correct gross and net wages earned. When the hours shown on the wage statements were added up, they did not equal the actual total hours worked during the pay period in violation of California Labor Code 226(a)(2). As a result, Defendant allegedly, from time to time, provided employees with wage statements that violated California Labor Code 226. For more information about the class action lawsuit against JT4, LLC, 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 SAN DIEGO, Dec. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) publicly traded securities between February 15, 2022 and September 24, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until Monday, January 12, 2026 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit. Captioned Reed v. Freeport-McMoRan Inc., No. 25-cv-04243 (D. Ariz.), the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit charges Freeport-McMoRan and certain of Freeport-McMoRan's top current and former executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-freeport-mcmoran-inc-class-action-lawsuit-fcx.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at [email protected]. CASE ALLEGATIONS: Freeport-McMoRan engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. Freeport-McMoRan operates the Grasberg Copper and Gold Mine in Papua, Indonesia, in which the Indonesian government holds a commercial interest, according to the complaint. The Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit alleges that throughout the Class Period defendants made false and/or misleading statement and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Freeport-McMoRan did not adequately ensure safety at the Grasberg Block Cave mine in Indonesia; (ii) the lack of proper safety precautions constituted a heightened risk that could foreseeably lead to the death of Freeport-McMoRan's workers; and (iii) this constituted an undisclosed heightened risk of regulatory, litigation, and reputational risk. The Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit further alleges that on September 9, 2025, Freeport-McMoRan disclosed that "a large flow of wet material from a production drawpoint occurred at one of five production blocks in the Grasberg Block Cave underground mine," which "blocked access to certain areas within the mine, restricting evacuation routes for seven team members." Freeport-McMoRan further allegedly disclosed that "[m]ining operations in the Grasberg minerals district have been temporarily suspended to prioritize the safe evacuation of the seven contractor workers." On this news, the price of Freeport-McMoRan stock fell nearly 6%, according to the complaint. Then, on September 24, 2025, the complaint further alleges that Freeport-McMoRan revealed that "two team members . . . were regrettably fatally injured in the September 8th incident," "[e]xtensive efforts are ongoing in the search for five [PT Freeport Indonesia ("PTFI")] team members who remain missing," and "mining operations in the Grasberg minerals district have been temporarily suspended since September 8th." Freeport-McMoRan allegedly further disclosed that "PTFI production in 2026 could potentially be approximately 35% lower than pre-incident estimates." On this news, the price of Freeport-McMoRan stock fell nearly 17%, according to the complaint. Finally, on September 25, 2025, the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit alleges that Bloomberg published an article entitled "Freeport Mine Setback Risks Fraying Relations With Indonesia," which stated, in pertinent part, that "[a] halt in production at the giant Grasberg copper mine in Indonesia looks set to strain the fractious relationship between Freeport-McMoRan Inc. and its host nation, at a time when the Jakarta government was already looking to take greater control." The complaint alleges that on this news, the price of Freeport-McMoRan stock fell more than 6%. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS: The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Freeport-McMoRan publicly traded securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Freeport-McMoRan investor class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Freeport-McMoRan shareholder class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Freeport-McMoRan class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud and shareholder litigation. Our Firm has been ranked #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for four out of the last five years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. In 2024, we recovered over $2.5 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases more than the next five law firms combined, according to ISS. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world, and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest ever $7.2 billion in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 [email protected] SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP GALLUP, N.M., Dec. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gallup-McKinley County Schools (GMCS) is responding to recent public discussion regarding state education funding to clarify how funds are allocated to local school districts under New Mexico law and to address inaccurate statements suggesting that the State owes additional funding to GMCS. First, statements made during a recent New Mexico legislative meeting claiming that GMCS terminated online education services in May 2025 are incorrect. On May 16, 2025, the GMCS Board voted to end its contract with Stride/K12 due to allegations of illegal activities and profiteering misconduct at the expense of students, with the termination effective June 30, 2025. GMCS notified the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED), the New Mexico Attorney General, and the New Mexico State Auditor's Office of Stride/K12's alleged misconduct and the facts supporting the contract termination. Notably, NMPED received a whistleblower complaint from a Stride/K12 administrator detailing the company's alleged illegal activities. GMCS became fully aware of the scope of this misconduct only after obtaining records through an Inspection of Public Records Act request to NMPED. On May 27, 2025, the GMCS Board approved a new online education provider for the 20252026 school year, ensuring that GMCS continues to offer an online learning option to students. Despite the whistleblower complaint and GMCS's notifications, NMPED later permitted other districts to contract with Stride/K12. Santa Rosa Consolidated Schools approved a Stride/K12 contract on July 31, 2025, and Chama Valley Independent School District approved a similar contract on July 28, 2025, both for the 20252026 school year. GMCS, by contrast, transitioned to a different provider and continues to provide online education services. Regarding statements by NMPED suggesting that additional funding is now required to support Stride/K12 programs at other districts, state statute is clear: public school funding is primarily based on prior-year student enrollment. When districts experience significant enrollment growth, as Santa Rosa and Chama Valley did for the 20252026 school year, NMPED provides current-year funding adjustments to those districts. Assertions that funding received by GMCS for the 20242025 school year should have been redirected to Santa Rosa or Chama Valley for the 20252026 school year are misguided and inconsistent with state law. The funding received this year compensates districts for services already provided during the prior school year. NMPED has been aware of the new virtual programs at Santa Rosa and Chama Valley ISD since August 2025. It remains unclear why NMPED did not brief legislators on these programs and their potential funding implications before the December meeting or clarify during the meeting how the public school funding formula operates. Historically, NMPED has sought additional legislative appropriations to address funding "shortfalls," including $19.9 million in House Bill 2 (2024), $11.1 million in House Bill 2 (2025), and, as discussed during the recent legislative meeting, approximately $20 million for enrollment growth at Santa Rosa and Chama Valley ISD and $14 million for K12 Plus funding. Recent references to a $35 million statewide funding "shortfall" reflect the timing of NMPED's funding calculations and adjustments, not any action taken by GMCS. NMPED independently administers the funding formula established by state statute and makes all related adjustments. Misunderstandings of this process, combined with inaccurate statements about online program timelines, have led to unfounded allegations that have unnecessarily caused public concern. GMCS remains committed to providing innovative educational opportunities and to promoting transparency in school funding. Deputy Superintendent Jvanna Hanks stated, "GMCS is committed to responsible stewardship of public resources, transparency, and keeping students at the center of every decision." She added, "Each year, GMCS provides all information required by NMPED for funding determinations under the legislative formula." "The suggestion that GMCS is responsible for any NMPED funding shortfall is simply false," Hanks said. "It is regrettable that NMPED did not clarify the facts or explain its processes to the legislative committee, or address the continued use of an online provider with such a troubling history." GMCS is currently litigating against Stride/K12 alleging misuse of public funds and to recover taxpayer dollars. Becky Coppa [email protected] 215-990-2176 SOURCE Gallup-McKinley County Schools In order to justify the effort of selecting individual stocks, it's worth striving to beat the returns from a market index fund. But the main game is to find enough winners to more than offset the losers So we wouldn't blame long term abrdn European Logistics Income plc (LON:ASLI) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 69% over a half decade. Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, abrdn European Logistics Income moved from a loss to profitability. Most would consider that to be a good thing, so it's counter-intuitive to see the share price declining. Other metrics may better explain the share price move. The most recent dividend was actually lower than it was in the past, so that may have sent the share price lower. You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). LSE:ASLI Earnings and Revenue Growth December 14th 2025 Balance sheet strength is crucial. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on how its financial position has changed over time. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, abrdn European Logistics Income's TSR for the last 5 years was -24%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective abrdn European Logistics Income shareholders gained a total return of 14% during the year. But that return falls short of the market. But at least that's still a gain! Over five years the TSR has been a reduction of 4% per year, over five years. So this might be a sign the business has turned its fortunes around. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. For instance, we've identified 4 warning signs for abrdn European Logistics Income (1 doesn't sit too well with us) that you should be aware of. Designed to inspire future travel and offer a vibrant taste of Taiwanese culture, TTA's event transformed the Great Hall into a mini-Taiwan fair, complete with themed walk-in photo booths, craft stations, traditional games, live performances, and a showcase of Taiwan's stunning sites on dual LED screens. The evening culminated in an exciting Taiwan flight ticket giveaway, where one lucky winner received a Premium Economy ticket from EVA Air, and another won an Economy Class ticket from China Airlines. Immersive Activities for All Ages Guests enjoyed four walk-in photobooths styled after iconic Taiwanese scenes. Visitors could pose with props, capture memories with the help of on-site staff, and enter the lucky draw by sharing their photos publicly with the hashtag #PictureMeInTaiwan and registering at PictureMeInTaiwan.com Other hands-on activities and games included a Taiwanese Pinball game, Traditional Paper Douli Hat Crafting, Zodiac Badge-Making DIY, and Ride the Waves of Wonder A cooperative two-player balancing game inspired by Taiwan's island landscapes. Taiwan Showcases Through Presentations and Live Cultural Performances Throughout the day, presentations from Taiwan Tourism Administration, and Taiwanese home carriers, China Airlines and EVA Air also introduced Taiwan as a wonderful tourist destination, as well as the best ways to get there, and how convenient it is to get there from Chicago through EVA Air's direct flight to Taipei. Audiences enjoyed Taiwanese folk melodies performed on flute and cajon, as well as a dynamic yoyo (diabolo) performance to immerse themselves with Taiwanese culture. Deepening Taiwan-U.S. Economic and People-to-People Connections through Tourism Director General Dennis Yen Feng Lei of TECO in Chicago highlighted Taiwan's recent economic and technological achievements. Taiwan's international visibility continues to rise, with the island ranking high in various global competitiveness and tourism indices. Furthermore, Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade exchanges and cooperation have become increasingly close, with Taiwan estimated to be the U.S.'s 7th largest trade partner in 2024. Taiwan's investment in the U.S. accounts for 40% of its total foreign investment, and U.S.-Taiwan trade has grown by 24%. The robust economic ecosystem between the two nations continues to thrive. Taiwan, a global leader in semiconductor and AI technologies, is a trusted partner to the U.S., and Taiwan's prosperity is closely linked to the world's overall success. If Taiwan flourishes, the world prospers, which also contributes to America's continued greatness. Director General Lei also emphasized that Taiwan has established a dense tourism network not only with the U.S., but also with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. Whether visiting Taiwan for tourism or embarking on a broader East Asia trip, Taiwan is an ideal destination. Through the immersive Taiwan cultural experience event at Union Station, it is hoped that tourism promotion will deepen Taiwan-U.S. economic, cultural, and people-to-people connections. Celebrating Taiwan in the Heart of Chicago "Our goal with #PictureMeInTaiwan was to offer Chicagoans a fun, engaging doorway into Taiwan's culture, creativity, and scenic beauty," said Director Jin Juang of Taiwan Tourism Administration's New York Office. "From hands-on crafts to captivating performances and interactive photo stations, we wanted guests to feel the warmth and excitement of Taiwan, and hopefully inspire them to plan their own journey." To further encourage international travel to Taiwan, the Taiwan Tourism Administration has also launched several promotional initiatives. Transit passengers may join complimentary half-day layover tours, while the popular "Lucky Land" travel campaign has launched a special "Thank You Season" lucky draw. Starting November 1, TTA also introduced the new "Enter Taiwan, Enjoy a Gift!" program. International travelers holding a non-ROC passport who transit through Taoyuan International Airport and enter Taiwan for up to 24 hours during their layover are eligible to receive an NT$600 voucher to be used at airport retailers. With direct connections via China Airlines and EVA Air and growing U.S. traveler interest in East Asia, Taiwan Tourism Administration continues to highlight Taiwan as a destination rich in culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. This Chicago event is one of several experiential activations rolling out across North America to raise awareness and inspire Americans' trip planning for 2026 and beyond. High-quality photos from the event are available here . ABOUT TAIWAN TOURISM ADMINISTRATION The Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) is the official government agency of Taiwan (R.O.C.) responsible for domestic and international tourism policy development and execution. The Eastern U.S. and Canada markets are managed by the New York office of TTA. For more information about Taiwan tourism, please visit the official website of the Taiwan Tourism Administration: eng.taiwan.net.tw Follow us on social media in North America: Instagram: @taiwantourism.na Facebook: Tour Taiwan - America Contact: Alex Trup [email protected] +1 (672) 202-8988 SOURCE Taiwan Tourism Administration If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here New Delhi, Dec 14 : The central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has summoned all party MLAs of Manipur to an important meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, with party leaders indicating that the discussions are likely to centre around government formation. Amid growing speculation about the formation of a new government and rising demands from a large number of BJP MLAs and leaders for the party to form the next government, Sunday's meeting has assumed significant political importance. Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, confirming about the Sunday's meeting in the national capital, earlier said that the central leadership has instructed every BJP MLA from the state to attend the meeting. Speaking at the sidelines of the 86th Nupi Lal Day, he said that although no formal agenda of the proposed meeting has been communicated, discussions related to forming a new government are likely. "BJP MLAs have been called to Delhi to review the situation in Manipur. We have not been told the precise agenda of the meeting, but it could involve government formation," he told the media. Strife-torn Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 13, four days after the resignation of N. Biren Singh from the Chief Minister's post. The 60-member state Assembly, which, after the promulgation of President's Rule, has been put under suspended animation, has a tenure till 2027. Two senior central BJP leaders -- National General Secretary (Organisation) B. L. Santhosh and the party's Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra -- visited Manipur for three days last month and held a series of meetings with state party leaders and MLAs, fuelling speculation about the possible formation of a new government in the Northeastern state. In October, 26 BJP MLAs, including Biren Singh, had met Santhosh and Patra in New Delhi and urged them to "install a popular government" in Manipur, expressing readiness to resume governance as a united team. Former Chief Minister Biren Singh recently said that all BJP legislators in Manipur remain united in their efforts to form a popular government in the state. He maintained that the process of government formation is already underway, while refraining from commenting on individual opinions expressed by legislators. Expressing concern over the plight of violence-hit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in relief camps, Singh had stressed the urgent need to address their problems and improve their living conditions. "Once a popularly elected government is established, the problems of the displaced families and other issues of the state would be the government's top priority," he added. New Delhi, Dec 14 : All legislators and more than 1,000 Congress party workers from Karnataka are attending the 'Vote Chori' protest at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday to strengthen the hands of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said 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. Shivakumar 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 party 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. Earlier on Saturday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar reached Delhi to take part in the 'Vote Chori' protest organised at Ramlila Maidan on December 14. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also scheduled to arrive in Delhi on Sunday to participate in the agitation. Speaking about the 'Vote Chori' issue, Shivakumar alleged that minority voters' names were removed from electoral rolls across the country. "Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, has raised this issue. They have not answered our questions; instead, they are asking us to provide information. Information is not being given under the Right to Information Act (RTI). I have also sought the information, but it was not provided," he said. The Congress party has maintained that the protest aims to draw national attention to alleged irregularities in electoral processes and seeks accountability from authorities over the deletion of voters' names. The party leadership has said the agitation is part of a broader campaign to safeguard democracy and ensure free and fair elections across the country. New York, Dec 14 : At least two people were killed and several others injured in a shooting at Brown University in Providence, US state of Rhode Island, according to US media reports. "Multiple shot in the area of Brown University. This is an active investigation. Please shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice," Providence Police said on X. Around 4:20 p.m., on Saturday, students at the university received a text message alerting them to a shooter on campus. The alert from the university directed them to lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. It reminded them to run, hide or fight as a last resort to protect themselves, Xinhua news agency reported. Police said the incident occurred near an academic and research area on campus, and law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene. US President Donald Trump said he has been briefed on the situation and that the FBI is at the scene. Earlier in a separate incident, a student was killed and another injured in a stabbing following a fight at a high school in the US state of North Carolina, police said. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough told a news conference on Tuesday (local time)that there had been a "loss of life" after an "altercation" between two students at North Forsyth High School, adding that an investigation is underway. The injured student was treated at a hospital and released, according to a sheriff's office spokesperson. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein described the incident as "shocking and horrible." "North Carolinians need to be safe wherever they are -- especially in school," Stein wrote on social media platform X. "We must never stop working toward a safer North Carolina." Authorities said the school will be closed on Wednesday, and that crisis counselling will be available to faculty, staff and students. Khartoum, Dec 14 : At least six UN peacekeepers were killed and seven others wounded when a United Nations facility in Kadugli, the capital of Sudan's South Kordofan State, was struck in a drone attack, Sudanese authorities said. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the strike, a claim the RSF denied, Xinhua news agency reported. According to an SAF statement, the drone fired three missiles at the UN headquarters and the Bangladesh Battalion, setting a UN storage facility on fire. All the casualties were members of the Bangladesh Battalion, which is part of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. In a separate statement, Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, which backs the SAF, condemned what it described as an RSF drone attack on UN premises in Kadugli, calling it a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the protections afforded to UN facilities. "Targeting a protected UN facility represents a dangerous escalation and criminal behavior amounting to an organized terrorist act," the council said, adding that the attack poses a direct threat to humanitarian and international missions. The council held the RSF "fully responsible" and urged the United Nations and the international community to take firm measures to protect UN facilities and humanitarian personnel and to hold those responsible accountable under international law. The RSF, however, denied carrying out any aerial attack on the UN facility. In a statement, it rejected the allegations as "baseless," saying they were an attempt to fabricate accusations against its forces. The RSF claimed its record is "entirely free" of attacks on international organizations, adding that it has previously worked to protect UN facilities and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers. It called on international bodies to verify information carefully. Sudan has been engulfed in a deadly conflict since April 15, 2023, when fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced inside the country and across its borders. Seoul, Dec 14 : A US Air Force unit based in South Korea said it has completed the recovery operations of a MQ-9 drone that crashed off the country's west coast last month. The drone, also known as the Reaper, crashed near Maldo-ri Island off the western city of Gunsan, about 180 kilometers south of Seoul, on Nov. 24, with no injuries reported. An investigation into the cause of the incident is under way, Yonhap news agency reported. "Following a thorough and collaborative effort, the recovery operation has now been successfully completed," the 8th Fighter Wing told Yonhap News Agency, in response to a query on follow-up measures. The US Air Force had conducted the operation in cooperation with the South Korean Navy, the Coast Guard and the Army. "The combined expertise and resources of our two militaries were essential to the success of this operation," it said, thanking the South Korean military for the "strong partnership." The US Air Force unit did not elaborate on whether it plans to deploy another MQ-9 to fill a potential reconnaissance gap caused by the crash, but said it remains committed to ensuring mission requirements. "Our priority remains the safety and effectiveness of our operations. We are continuously evaluating our operational posture and resource allocation to ensure mission requirements are met," it said. The crashed drone was among the fleet of MQ-9 drones that had been assigned to the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at the US air base in Gunsan, launched in late September. It marked the first time such a squadron was activated on the Korean Peninsula following previous rotational deployments. The MQ-9 is designed for both surveillance and attack missions and is capable of long-distance flight. Once deployed, it is believed to be capable of conducting surveillance on North Korea and monitoring China's activities in the Yellow Sea. United Nations, Dec 14 : United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the drone attacks that targeted the UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan on Saturday. The attacks resulted in six fatalities and eight injuries -- all members of the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent serving in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, the UN chief said in a statement on Saturday. Guterres expressed his "deepest and heartfelt condolences" to the government and people of Bangladesh and to the families of the fallen peacekeepers, and wished a swift recovery to the injured, Xinhua news agency reported. "Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and I remind all parties to the conflict of their obligation to protect UN personnel and civilians," he said. "There will need to be accountability." In the statement, the UN chief reiterated the call on the warring parties to agree on an immediate cessation of hostilities and resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process. The Sudanese Armed Forces have accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out the strike, a claim the RSF has denied. According to an SAF statement, the drone fired three missiles at the UN headquarters and the Bangladesh Battalion, setting a UN storage facility on fire. All the casualties were members of the Bangladesh Battalion, which is part of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, a disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan. In a separate statement, Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, which backs the SAF, condemned what it described as an RSF drone attack on UN premises in Kadugli, calling it a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the protections afforded to UN facilities. "Targeting a protected UN facility represents a dangerous escalation and criminal behavior amounting to an organized terrorist act," the council said, adding that the attack poses a direct threat to humanitarian and international missions. New York, Dec 14 : Two US soldiers and a civilian translator who were a part of the campaign to root out the Islamic State were killed in an attack in Syria by the terrorist group, and President Donald Trump has vowed "very serious retaliation". New York, Dec 14 (IANS) Two US soldiers and a civilian translator who were a part of the campaign to root out the Islamic State were killed in an attack in Syria by the terrorist group, and President Donald Trump has vowed "very serious retaliation". Trump said in a Truth Social post that three soldiers were also wounded in the attack on Saturday. In a tumultuous region infested with terrorist groups and civil strife, the attack on US personnel tests the US cooperation with the Syrian government that took power after President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December last year. It also tests the authority of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government as the alleged attacker was a member of the Damascus government forces, according to a government spokesperson, and Trump acknowledged the area was not under full Damascus control. The Syrian spokesperson, quoted by Syrian news agency SANA, also said that the US had not heeded warnings about the danger in Palmyra, where the attack took place. He said the attacker was "neutralised". The first casualties in Syria after al-Assad was overthrown, the victims were cadres in US Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) against the terrorist organisation known formally as the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS). Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell described their mission as "support of ongoing counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations". The attack happened "as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement", he said. Media reports quoted a Syrian government spokesperson, Noureddine al-Baba, as acknowledging that the terrorist who shot the US personnel was a member of the Syrian government forces. But SANA reported that he said that the attacker "held no leadership role within Internal Security and was not an escort to the Internal Security Commander". SANA quoted him as saying that Damascus had warned the US about a security breach or attack by ISIS, "but these warnings were not taken into consideration". He said investigators were examining "the attacker's digital data to determine whether he had direct organisational ties to ISIS or merely adopted extremist ideology, as well as reviewing his acquaintances and relatives". The assailant was already under investigation into whether he held "extremist or takfiri views", and a decision had been expected on Sunday. Trump, who has established ties with al-Sharaa, said the attack took place "in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by" his government. Al-Sharar "is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack", he added. A former member of al-Qaeda, who had once been in US custody, al-Sharaa is seen as a reformed leader and was welcomed to the White House by Trump last month to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fight against terrorism. Chennai, Dec 14 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin will attend the DMK Youth Wing's northern regional conference scheduled to be held in Tiruvannamalai on Sunday, party sources said. The meet, which brings together young party members from across the northern districts of the state, is being organised with extensive preparations. The regional conference covers as many as 91 Assembly constituencies and is being chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin. A large turnout of youth cadres is expected, reflecting the party's continued emphasis on strengthening its organisational base among young members. Ahead of the conference, Chief Minister Stalin released a video message welcoming DMK youth members to the Tiruvannamalai meet. In the message, he described the youth wing as a vital pillar of the party and said such gatherings were essential to nurture ideological clarity, discipline, and a sense of public responsibility among young cadres. CM Stalin is expected to address the conference, where the focus will be on reinforcing the party's Dravidian ideology and preparing the youth wing for greater organisational and political responsibilities. Party leaders said the meeting was conceived as a platform not just for mobilisation, but also for ideological orientation and leadership development. Referring to the party's legacy, the Chief Minister recalled how former Chief Minister and DMK founder C.N. Annadurai had welcomed his self-introduction in the Rajya Sabha as a "Dravidian". The CM said this assertion of Dravidian identity continues to shape the party's political philosophy and serves as a guiding principle for the present generation of DMK workers. According to party sources, discussions at the Tiruvannamalai conference will centre on organisational expansion, grassroots outreach, social justice politics, and effective public engagement, particularly among youth and first-time voters. Training sessions and deliberations are expected to outline strategies for strengthening the DMK's presence across Assembly constituencies in the northern region. With Udhayanidhi Stalin leading the youth wing, the DMK has stepped up efforts to energise young cadres and integrate them more closely with the party's governance and organisational structures. The Tiruvannamalai regional conference is being seen as a key initiative in that direction, aimed at ensuring ideological continuity and building a strong pipeline of future leaders. Chennai, Dec 14 : In a bid to address growing digital distractions among students and better prepare them for life beyond the classroom, Anna University will roll out a comprehensive life and workplace skills training programme for second-year undergraduate students starting in January. The initiative places strong emphasis on digital discipline while covering a wide spectrum of competencies required to thrive in modern professional environments. The programme will be spearheaded by the university's Centre for University-Industry Collaboration (CUIC), which plays a key role in placements and industry engagement. CUIC Director K. Shanmuga Sundaram said the initiative is designed to complement academic learning by equipping students with essential life skills and workplace readiness. "While our students are academically strong and possess many industry-required professional skills, we felt the need to train them in competencies that will help them navigate life after campus and perform effectively in fast-paced work environments," Sundaram said. University officials said the training aims to address challenges such as excessive social media usage and gaming, which often affect students' focus, productivity and emotional well-being. At the same time, it seeks to build resilience, communication skills, professionalism and goal-oriented thinking. A total of 15 thematic areas have been identified for the sessions. According to G. Shibu, Deputy Director of CUIC, digital discipline will form the core of the programme. "The sessions are designed to help students regain control over their digital habits while simultaneously building life and workplace skills that truly matter today," he said. Industry professionals and successful alumni will be invited to mentor students, ensuring that the training reflects real-world workplace expectations. To cater to varied career aspirations, the programme will offer specialised tracks, including entrepreneurship essentials -- covering idea generation, feasibility analysis and business models -- and guidance for government career pathways such as UPSC, SSC and TNPSC examinations. Communication skills will receive special focus. Students will undergo intensive English training covering sentence structure, idiomatic usage and connectors. Additional modules on professional image, body language, email etiquette and mock interviews aim to boost confidence during campus placements. The initiative will also introduce "super skills for corporate edge", focusing on concise communication, decision-making, teamwork and higher professional standards, along with management games and leadership mindset development. Support will also be provided for resume building, portfolio creation and LinkedIn profile optimisation. The programme was earlier conducted as a five-day pilot for students admitted under the 7.5 per cent government school preferential category and received positive feedback. Sessions will now be held every Saturday on campus, beginning with second-year students. The university is also exploring corporate social responsibility funding to support the initiative. --IANS aal/dpb New Delhi, Dec 14 : The first-ever investors' meet in Lakshadweep Islands has seen Rs 519 crore worth of planned investment to unlock fisheries and aquaculture potential, according to the government. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), in collaboration with the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, organised the investors' meet. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that the government issued fishing rules for the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), therefore the fishermen operating in EEZ can now legally fish with an authorised "Access Pass," enabling them to export high-value tuna and other fish products to international markets. As per international law, fishery resources present in India's EEZ will now be recognised as "Indian Origin," which will further facilitate the export of fish products, he said at the event. Singh stated that the government also issued the 'High Seas Fishing Guidelines' granting fishing vessels flying the Indian flag the legal right to operate in these waters. He urged investors to come forward and seize the vast investment opportunities in the Islands, which have immense potential for high-value species such as tuna, in strong global demand. An interactive session was held to provide platforms to the investors to share experiences and highlight challenges. The investors outlined several issues including transportation of the production to the mainland, cold storage requirement, ice plants, and development of chilled fish handling centres for post-harvest management. They called for value addition facilities for sashimi-grade tuna, fish oil refining capacities, requirement of skilled labour, ornamental fish brood banks for the strategic utilisation of Lakshadweep's EEZ to drive sustainable growth. Minister of State S.P. Singh Baghel highlighted Lakshadweep's untapped fisheries potential, called for the need to bridge the gap between Lakshadweep's current production of 14,000 tonnes and its potential of 1 lakh tonnes. He emphasised that the islands are naturally suited for premium-quality tuna fishing using pole-and-line and handline methods are globally recognised for their clean and sustainable practices. Baghel urged exporters to explore newer markets and leverage existing government welfare schemes to strengthen the fisheries value chain. IANS na/ Hyderabad, Dec 14 : Polling was underway for the second phase of Gram Panchayat elections in Telangana on Sunday. The polling, which began at 7 a.m. under tight security, will continue till 1 p.m. The counting of votes will be taken up from 2 p.m. The second phase of polls is being held for 3,911 Sarpanch posts and 29,917 Ward Member posts in 193 mandals. A little over 57.22 lakh voters (29.26 lakh female and 27.96 lakh male) would decide the fate of 12,782 candidates for Sarpanch posts and 71,071 for Ward Member posts. Under the second phase of elections, the State Election Commission (SEC) had issued a notification for 4,333 Sarpanch posts and 38,350 Ward Member posts. Of the candidates for 415 Sarpanch and 8,307 Ward Members were elected unopposed. No nominations were filed for 108 Ward Member posts. Elections are not being conducted in two Gram Panchayats and 18 Wards. Polling is being held for the remaining Sarpanch and Ward Member posts. The SEC had deployed 4,593 returning officers, 30,661 employees to conduct the second phase of elections. A total of 2,489 micro-observers have been appointed to oversee the poll process. The SEC is using 40,626 ballot papers, and it has arranged webcasting at 3,769 sensitive polling stations. After the polling, elected Ward Members will meet to choose Upa (Deputy) Sarpanches. The first phase polls were held on December 11, and 3,834 Sarpanches, 27,346 Ward Members and 3,347 Upa Sarpanches were elected. While 56,19,430 were registered voters, 45,15,141 exercised their franchise, registering 84.28 per cent turnout. The ruling Congress party claimed a sweeping lead in the first phase with the victory of 2,864 Congress-backed candidates in the Sarpanch elections. Congress-supported candidates won 67.63 per cent of the total 4,235 sarpanch seats. BRS-backed candidates won 1,143 seats (26.99 per cent), BJP-supported candidates bagged 185 seats (4.37 per cent), while Independents and others accounted for 43 seats (1.02 per cent). As per the notification issued by the State Election Commission last month, the panchayat elections will be held in three phases on December 11, 14 and 17 for 12,728 Sarpanch posts and 1,12,242 Ward Member posts. A total of 1.66 crore votes in rural areas are eligible to cast their votes in these elections. The Telangana Cabinet last month decided to conduct only Gram Panchayat elections in December as the Rs 3,000 crore grant, which should come from the Centre, will lapse by March 31, 2026. Elections for Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs), Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and municipal corporations will be held after the High Court's final orders on 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs). In October, the High Court struck down a government order providing 42 per cent reservation for BCs in local bodies but allowed conduct of the elections with a 50 per cent cap on total reservation for all sections. New Delhi, Dec 14 : Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian Army has intensified efforts to restore critical connectivity in Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. An Engineer Task Force of the Indian Army, working in close coordination with the Sri Lankan Army and the Sri Lankan Road Development Authority, has commenced preparatory work at the Chilaw and Kilinochchi bridge sites in Jaffna for the launching of Bailey bridges. Providing an update on the operation, the Indian Army said preparations are underway for the launch of a Bailey bridge to restore road connectivity in the affected region. Earlier on Friday, as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, which was launched to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah, an Engineer Task Force of the Indian Army was airlifted and inducted on a war footing to deliver critical engineering support. The primary focus of the task force, comprising 48 personnel, is the restoration of vital lines of communication, including the repair and construction of damaged roads and bridges. The team includes specialised bridging experts, surveyors and watermanship specialists, along with personnel trained in operating heavy earth-moving equipment, drones and unmanned systems. This combination enables precise, rapid and effective engineering support in challenging terrain and weather conditions. The Engineer Task Force is currently holding four sets of Bailey bridges, which were airlifted by C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force to support the restoration of disrupted connectivity. In addition, the team is equipped with pneumatic boats, outboard motors, HESCO bags and new-generation equipment such as heavy-payload drones and remotely controlled boats to enhance operational capability. Meanwhile, the Indian Army's field hospital established in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy is being wound up as local medical services return to normal. In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) stated: "Field Hospital in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy, established in the wake of #CycloneDitwah, is being wound up as the Mahiyanganaya General Hospital is now functional. The 78 personnel of the Medical team of the Field Hospital will return to India tomorrow (14)." The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka also shared an update on X, noting the continued diplomatic engagement and support: "High Commissioner @santjha visited the Field Hospital yesterday (12) alongwith Hon. Kapila Jayasekara, Governor of the Uva Province. The Hospital is part India's continued commitment to support during this challenging time." India's swift deployment of engineering and medical resources under Operation Sagar Bandhu underscores its commitment to standing with Sri Lanka during natural disasters and strengthening regional humanitarian cooperation. New Delhi, Dec 14 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has dismantled a large and well-organised transnational cyber fraud network and filed a charge sheet against 17 accused persons, including four foreign nationals, and 58 companies, officials said on Sunday. The action follows an extensive investigation that uncovered a sophisticated digital and financial infrastructure used to cheat thousands of citizens across multiple states in India. According to a CBI press release dated December 14, the accused were involved in running misleading loan applications, fake investment schemes, Ponzi and multi-level marketing (MLM) models, bogus part-time job offers and fraudulent online gaming platforms. "The investigation has revealed how a single coordinated syndicate created an extensive digital and financial infrastructure to defraud thousands of unsuspecting citizens," the agency said. The case was registered based on inputs received from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which indicated that large numbers of people were being cheated through online investment and employment schemes. Although the complaints initially appeared to be isolated incidents, the CBI said detailed analysis revealed "striking similarities in applications used, fund-flow patterns, payment gateways and digital footprints, pointing towards a common organised conspiracy". The CBI further stated that the cyber criminals adopted a "highly layered and technology-driven modus operandi", using Google advertisements, bulk SMS campaigns, SIM-box-based messaging systems, cloud infrastructure, fintech platforms and multiple mule bank accounts. "Each stage of the operation -- from luring victims to collection and movement of funds -- was deliberately structured to conceal the identities of the actual controllers and evade detection by law enforcement agencies," the release said. Investigators uncovered the backbone of the fraud network, comprising 111 shell companies incorporated with dummy directors, forged or misleading documents, fake addresses, and false business objectives. These shell companies were used to open bank and merchant accounts, enabling rapid layering and diversion of the proceeds of crime. Analysis of hundreds of bank accounts revealed that more than Rs 1,000 crore was routed through these accounts, with one account alone receiving over Rs 152 crore within a short span. Searches were conducted at 27 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Haryana, during which digital devices, documents and financial records were seized for forensic examination. The CBI said the analysis revealed "extensive communication links and operational control by foreign nationals directing the fraud network from abroad". Significantly, the agency found that a UPI ID linked to bank accounts of two Indian accused was active in a foreign location as late as August, "conclusively establishing continued foreign control and real-time operational oversight". The investigation established that from 2020 onwards, shell companies were incorporated in India at the instance of foreign handlers -- Zou Yi, Huan Liu, Weijian Liu and Guanhua Wang -- with the help of Indian associates. The CBI has charge-sheeted the four foreign masterminds, their Indian associates and 58 companies under charges including criminal conspiracy, forgery, use of forged documents and provisions of the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019. "This case forms part of CBI's sustained action under Operation CHAKRA-V against organised and transnational cyber-enabled financial crimes," the agency said, adding that it remains committed to dismantling cybercrime infrastructure and safeguarding India's digital economy. Seoul, Dec 14 : North Korea has built its second modern regional hospital as part of leader Kim Jong-un's push to expand medical facilities nationwide to improve public health services, state media reported on Sunday. Kim attended the inaugural ceremony of the Kusong City Hospital in North Phyongan Province to tour the facility, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The hospital follows the opening of the Kangdong County Hospital on the outskirts of Pyongyang last month, reports Yonhap news agency, quoting KCNA. Calling the Kusong facility "another precious creation," Kim said it reflects the ruling party's determination to strengthen regional areas and advance public health across the country. He also described 2025 as "the first year of the public health revolution," the KCNA reported. At a plenary meeting last week, the Workers' Party of Korea announced plans to build modern hospitals simultaneously in 20 cities and counties starting next year, based on experience gained from this year's pilot projects. During the ceremony, Kim reaffirmed his commitment to building modern hospitals across the country to lay a solid foundation for North Korea's public health system. Describing the Kusong hospital as "a model for modernising public health," Kim said it should serve as an example for the development of regional health services through its operation. He also stressed the need to overhaul the state medical education system, improve the quality of medical workers, and ensure the proper management and operation of modern medical facilities and equipment. Kolkata, Dec 14 : Following the chaos at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium aka Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata during Lionel Messi's event, the police on Sunday increased security outside the event organiser, Satadru Dutta's house in Hooghly district's Rishra. Dutta was arrested at the city airport shortly after the incident on Saturday. He was the main organiser responsible for bringing Lionel Messi to Kolkata. Additional police personnel were deployed overnight to prevent any agitation by fans seeking a refund of their ticket. A police picket was also set up in this regard. Meanwhile, additional police were also deployed at the Rishra police station to ensure that the repercussions of the incident did not spread to the locality. Chaos unfolded at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, after spectators resorted to vandalism on failing to catch a glimpse of Messi, alleging gross mismanagement by the organisers and obstruction of views by VIPs. Having paid exorbitant prices for tickets, the patience of the fans ran out when they couldn't see their favourite star, even after going to the stadium. The Yuva Bharati stadium turned into a battleground due to the spectators' rage, and vandalism was carried out. Police arrested the eventas prime organiser, Satadru Datta, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the constitution of a high-level inquiry committee to probe the incident. Dutta's house is in the Bangur Park area of aaRishra. While everything seemed normal in the morning, the situation changed after noon on Saturday. The doors and windows of the house were closed. The atmosphere was completely tense. On the other hand, the number of police officers in front of Dutta's house gradually increased since Sunday morning. One police van after another arrived. Following the incident, the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate is also on high alert. The officials do not want to take any further chances. Therefore, keeping the city's security in mind, extra forces were deployed to the Rishra police station overnight. "After yesterday's incident, there is a possibility that fans might turn up outside his house for another round of protest. Therefore, additional police personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident," said a senior officer of Chandannagar Police Commissionerate. Rhode Island : , Dec 14 (IANS) The suspected Brown University shooter, who is still at large, is a male dressed in black, police said, adding that an extensive search is underway. As the shooter is still at large, the university said that the campus remained in lockdown, urging all members of the community to remain vigilant and shelter in place. At least two people were killed and nine others wounded Saturday afternoon (local time) at Brown University in Providence, the US state of Rhode Island, campus officials said. The two fatal victims and eight of the injured were students at Brown University, President Christina Paxson told a news conference on Saturday evening, reports Xinhua news agency. Six of the injured are in critical but stable condition, one is in critical condition, and another is stable, local media reported, citing the hospital. Police said the incident occurred near an academic and research area on campus, where students were in the midst of their second day of final exams. Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene, and the investigation is ongoing. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the deadly shooting took place at the Barus and Holley building, which houses classrooms and laboratory space for the university's engineering and physics departments. US President Donald Trump said Saturday afternoon that he had been briefed on the shooting and that the FBI is on the scene. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee said state police and the state emergency management agency are coordinating with local law enforcement in response to the incident. Brown University is a nonprofit research institution with some 7,300 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students, according to its website. Saturday's incident occurred on the eve of the 13th anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the state of Connecticut, where a gunman killed 20 first-graders and six educators, marking one of the deadliest school shootings in the country's history. Gun violence has been a severe problem for US society for decades. In the year 2025, the country has seen 389 mass shootings, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,100 children and teenagers under the age of 17, both on and off campus, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The archive defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people, excluding the perpetrator, are shot or killed. New Delhi, Dec 14 : Amid the Congress party's rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday over alleged 'vote chori', BJP leaders rejected the charges and questioned the intent and scale of the protest, with Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal suggesting that the opposition leaders should learn from Bihar's SIR process. Reacting to the Congress rally, Jaiswal defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and cited Bihar as a successful example. "The SIR process was first introduced in the country in Bihar, focusing on the revision of the donor list. In Bihar, more than a crore donors fully supported SIR and the proper updating of the list. Once the SIR process was completed in Bihar, there was a record turnout, and donors openly contributed. Opposition leaders should learn from this example," Jaiswal said. Taking a swipe at the Congress over the choice of venue and the allegations of electoral manipulation, BJP MLA Gopal Sharma also dismissed the rally. "The Ramlila Maidan is small, so how can a large rally be held there? It has 2,200 seats, but around 3,000 people attend. If a bigger rally is held, where will people go -- Bhavani Niketan, Sanganeri Stadium, or Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium?" Sharma said. He further alleged that Congress was using the venue for symbolic reasons rather than public support. "Congress always holds rallies at Ramlila Maidan because of its historical association with Ramleela. It's a traditional site, and they are maintaining their tradition. If there is any vote chor in the world, none is bigger than the Congress," the BJP MLA added. The Congress, meanwhile, has stepped up its campaign against what it calls vote chori, organising a rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday to target the central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI). The party alleges collusion between the government and the ECI to manipulate electoral processes, an accusation strongly denied by the ruling party. The Congress high command is leading the protest, with party National President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi scheduled to address the gathering. Other senior leaders, including K.C. Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are also participating in the rally. Adding to the show of strength, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with all Congress legislators from the state and more than 1,000 party workers, have arrived in Delhi to join the protest. With British airports Heathrow and Gatwick both landing among the top 10 busiest airports in Europe, the two have also struggled to decrease the flow of traffic around the areas where drivers drop off passengers. Following a similar decision made at Heathrow (LHR) earlier this year, Gatwick Airport (LGW) in the West Sussex county south of central London is also raising the price of driving up to the airport without stopping. The fee increase, which does not apply to cars operating for rideshare companies like Uber and Bolt, comes into effect on January 6 and increases the fee charged to those dropping off friends and family by 43% from 7 to 10 ($13.37 USD). It is also a significantly bigger jump than the 6 to 7 increase implemented at Heathrow, the main London airport serving flag carriers and mainstream airlines, for next year. "Not a decision we have taken lightly": Gatwick Airport on price increase "This increase in the drop-off charge is not a decision we have taken lightly; however, we are facing a number of increasing costs, including a more than doubling of our business rates in the recent Budget," an airport spokesperson said in a statement reported by BBC and other local press outlets. Related: A major airport is cracking down on anyone dropping off travelers by car The airport also blamed higher business rates introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as the reason for the price increase that it's now passing on to the airport visitors in different ways. The increases at both Heathrow and Gatwick have been met with strong opposition from locals who regularly come to the airport. They see it as an example of price-gouging, presented as a "benefit" for passengers, or to shame people for not taking public transit to help the environment. London Heathrow is also increasing the cost of dropping off a passenger without parking the car.Shutterstock Shutterstock Travelers not happy as Gatwick blames others for dropoff fee increases "Heathrow's decision to increase its terminal drop-off fee to 7 and introduce a strict 10-minute limit is yet another example of rising airport charges impacting the very people who keep our economy moving," Clive Wratten, who heads the British Business Travel Association, said in a statement. Related: A timeline of TSA changes & announcements under Kristi Noem's DHS "The words 'Happy New Year' are unlikely to be uttered by drivers dropping off friends and family at Gatwick in January," Rod Dennis, a senior policy advisor for British road breakdown service provider RAC, told The Independent. "[...] Drivers tell us the main reason they use drop-off facilities at airports is to help people with bulky or heavy luggage something that can be incredibly impractical on public transport, especially if elderly relatives or young children are in tow." New Delhi, Dec 14 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said it has taken serious cognisance of the continuing and widespread practice of "proxy governance" in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), particularly in constituencies reserved for women. The issue stems from a complaint filed by Sushil Verma, former Member of the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which was examined by a bench of the Commission headed by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo on December 12. "After examining the complaint, the Commission observed that despite constitutional safeguards and judicial pronouncements, elected women representatives are often reduced to nominal heads, while actual administrative and decision-making powers are exercised by their husbands or male relatives, a practice commonly referred to as 'Sarpanch Pati' or 'Pradhan Pati'," the NHRC said. The complaint further points to the informal appointment of relatives of elected women representatives as liaison persons or as representatives of MPs and MLAs, which results in undue interference in the functioning of constitutionally mandated local self-governance institutions. The Commission recalled that even the Supreme Court has categorically deprecated this "unconstitutional and unlawful practice". "Such proxy representation undermines the spirit of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, defeats the objective of women's reservation under Article 243D, and violates fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15(3), and 21 of the Constitution of India," the NHRC said. The Commission also observed that such acts may amount to criminal misconduct under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including offences related to impersonation of public servants, criminal breach of trust, and the unlawful assumption of public functions. It noted that through proceedings dated September 9, a bench of the Commission presided over by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo had already taken cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and directed all states and union territories to submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs). "However, responses were received only from the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Uttarakhand, and from a few cities in Uttar Pradesh, while 32 States/UTs failed to respond," the Commission said. Given the seriousness of the issue and the continued non-compliance, the NHRC has now directed the issuance of Conditional Summons under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to the Principal Secretaries of the Departments of Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies of 32 States and Union Territories. The Commission said the concerned authorities have been asked to appear personally before it on December 30 at 11.00 a.m., along with detailed Action Taken Reports. "If the requisite reports are received by December 22, personal appearance shall be dispensed with. Failure to comply without lawful excuse will invite action under Order XVI Rules 10 and 12 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, including issuance of warrants," it added. Reiterating its position, the NHRC said women's reservation is intended to ensure real empowerment, dignity, and leadership, and not merely symbolic representation, adding that any form of proxy governance strikes at the very foundation of democracy and the rule of law. Speaking on the matter, NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo said, "The National Human Rights Commission is of the clear view that any form of proxy representation on posts reserved for women, whether in the form of 'Sarpanch Pati' or through any other informal arrangement, is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution. In a democracy, the elected woman representative alone is the lawful holder of the administrative, executive, and decision-making authority of her office." He added that the Commission's responsibility is not limited to the protection of rights alone, but also "extends to ensuring the effective and meaningful implementation of constitutional provisions". "When husbands or other relatives govern in place of elected women representatives, it amounts to a serious violation of women's dignity, equality, and right to self-determination," he said. Kanoongo further stated that it is for this reason that the Commission has adopted a strict approach to ensure accountability from all states and union territories. "This action is not confined to any particular state or region, but is a necessary step towards strengthening women's empowerment and reinforcing the credibility and integrity of democratic institutions across the country," he added. New Delhi, Dec 14 : The India-Russia summit for which Vladimir Putin made his first visit to India since the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia military conflict, went beyond the traditional focus on long-standing defence and strategic partnership to highlight economic and trade-related relations. The visit of Russian President is also to be seen in the backdrop of Western powers- particularly the US- pushing India to cut down on its oil import from Russia on the plea that it would discourage Russia from keeping up the Ukraine conflict. Prime Minister Modias observation that aelevating our economic cooperation with Russia to new heights is a shared prioritya was in a way Indiaas counter to the atariff pressurea put on this country by US President Donald Trump. At a media interaction after his talks with Putin, Prime Minister Modi stated that aIndia-Russia friendship had remained steady like a guiding star over the past eight decadesa in spite of many global ups and downs as it was built on a mutual respect and deep trusta. President Putin highlighted the agreements that were concluded to broaden economic cooperation and added that the two countries were a important partnersa in trade, investment and technologies. An Economic Cooperation Programme was initiated to carry the trade between India and Russia from the current 68 billion dollars to 100 billion by 2030 and the Prime Minister expressed confidence that this would be achieved even before that deadline. That economic and commercial ties took centre stage at the India-Russia summit was clearly in evidence. In the context of US sanctions on Russian energy firms, Putin pledged to continue the successful partnership, saying that Russia would remain aa reliable supplier of oil, gas,coal and everything for the development of Indiaas energya and stated that Russia was ready to acontinue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economya. Putin was implicitly urging India to disregard US tariff pressure. Describing energy security as a vital pillar of the bilateral partnership, Prime Minister Modi announced that cooperation in civil nuclear energy will also be carried forward for its importance in advancing clean energy priorities. Amidst fresh efforts of the US to find a peaceful solution of the war in Ukraine, Prime Minister conveyed to Putin Indiaas support for all efforts aimed at reaching a negotiated settlement of the conflict and added that India will always be ready to contribute to this process. He affirmed that aIndia was not neutral but was on the side of peacea. Putin significantly remarked that aRussia was taking steps with partners including US in search of a possible peaceful settlementa and thanked the Prime Minister for adevoting attention to the matter and joining the efforts to find a solutiona. However, the Ukraine crisis did not find mention in the joint statement which did express concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called on all parties to abide by agreements for cessation of conflict, humanitarian assistance and a sustainable peace. India and Russia concluded several pacts in a number of crucial sectors such as mobility, migration and shipping. One got the impression that President Putin felt easy about discussing the Ukraine conflict and made a mention of the effort of US possibly because there is a certain bonhomie between him and Donald Trump and also because Trump was seen to be exercising pressure on President Zelensky of Ukraine to yield to Russia on territorial issues. India and Russia agreed to establish a framework for movement of skilled workers from India to Russia and promote safe and mutually beneficial migration. Russiaas labour needs have risen constantly and these could be met in part by skilled Indian workers specially in IT,construction and engineering. India announced the grant of free 30-day employment-tourist visas for Russian nationals on reciprocal basis. All in all, as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a press briefing, economic cooperation was the adriving impulsea of Putinas visit. He gave out that for expanding bilateral trade aregulatory impedimentsa would be swiftly addressed and Indian exports in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture and marine products would be boosted to correct the trade imbalance. The issue of terrorism figured prominently in the discussions at the annual summit and in the joint statement issued after the meeting both sides declared that they believed in a azero tolerance policya on terror. Prime Minister Modi stated that India and Russia stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the fight against terrorism and pointed out that awhether it is the terror attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack at Crocus City Hall at Moscow, the root of all such incidents is the samea. It may be mentioned that the attack in J&K was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF) - a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkaree Toiba while the assault on the Russian music venue was claimed by ISIS-K which has a base on Pak-Afghanistan border. The joint statement said aall acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation by any religious or ideological pretextsa. The two leaders backed concerted action against all UN- listed terror groups and entities including Al Qaeda, Islamic State and their affiliates- aimed at rooting out terrorist safe havens and eliminating terrorist financing channels. Counter-terrorism unites all major powers including India, US and Russia as Islamic radicalisation is seen as a common threat to them all. Indiaas External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has rightly summed up the outcome of Putinas visit to India for a bilateral summit by saying that it reflected Indiaas freedom of choice and policy of strategic autonomy- in the context of pressure from the US to reduce purchases of Russian oil and military hardware. He gave out that the summit had resulted in a five year economic programme to diversify and balance trade, a mobility agreement and measures to deepen energy partnership. He reiterated that India-Russia ties had been among the steadiest big-power relationships and pointing out that India had relations with all major countries including the US, added that a it is not reasonable for any country to expect to have a vetoa on how New Delhi developed its relationships. Jaishankar further observed that Putinas visit was in many ways for areimagining the relationshipa as economic ties had not kept pace with defence and strategic collaboration. He noted that trade had become central to the thinking in Washington under the Trump Presidency- much more than it was in earlier administrations-which India recognised and this is the reason why it got into negotiations with US to find aa landing ground for our respective trade interestsa. Clearly India has exercised its sovereign right to maintain bilateral relationship with both Russia and US in a manner that best served the national interests of the country. In the process both India and Russia have gained from Putinas visit. (The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau) Nagpur, Dec 14 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, accompanied by Shiv Sena ministers and legislators, on Sunday visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters at Reshimbagh and the revered Dikshabhumi in Nagpur, paying tribute to two significant pillars of Maharashtra's socio-political life. During his visit to the RSS headquarters in Reshimbagh, where he paid respects at the Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir, DCM Shinde praised the organisation's century-long contribution to nation-building. Interacting with reporters after the visit, DCM Shinde said, "Every activist gets a unique feeling of national love and patriotism upon arriving at Reshimbagh. Activists are inspired here to dedicate themselves to social service and national service. The organisational strength of the RSS is remarkable, with its branches operating not just across the country but across the globe." DCM Shinde further stated that the guidance of Dr Mohan Bhagwat constantly inspires the activists, providing strength for social and national service. He highlighted that Nagpur is not just the sub-capital of Maharashtra but also the birthplace of the RSS, founded a hundred years ago by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. "Every volunteer who comes here goes beyond caste, language, and region to join the service to the nation with the teachings of patriotism. It is a historical fact to have an organisation that has worked selflessly for a hundred years without seeking any fame or expectation," he added. He noted that, like the Shiv Sena, RSS workers also come forward selflessly during disasters and crises, emphasising that community orientation, national love, and patriotism are constant values in the Sangh's work. Later, after paying tribute at Dikshabhumi to the sacred memory of Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Shinde described the site as a powerful symbol of equality, self-respect and social transformation. "Everyone who bows down here returns with a new energy from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's thoughts and inspiration for struggle," he added. He recalled the historical significance of the site, where Dr Ambedkar embraced Buddhism on October 14, 1956, followed by his followers, making Dikshabhumi a stronghold of social transformation and equality. He underscored Dr Ambedkar's pivotal role in framing one of the world's best constitutions, which serves as the basis for the country's and state's governance. He emphasised that the Constitution has brought the common person into the mainstream. "Shiksha, Sanghatit Vha, and Sangharsh Kara" (Educate, Agitate, and Organise) is Baba Saheb's core mantra that still guides society. There are many examples in the country where the Constitution has enabled a common person to reach high positions," the DCM Shinde stated. He also mentioned that Constitution Day has been celebrated in the country since 2015 to honour Babasaheb's contribution, acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the decision. Commenting on regional development, DCM Shinde stated that numerous development projects and schemes have been implemented for Vidarbha over the last three and a half years. He added that a comprehensive development of Maharashtra is the focal point of the current assembly session. Detroit, Dec 14 : Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar made a strong case for closer India-United States ties, expanded immigration pathways, and greater civic participation by Indian Americans. Detroit, Dec 14 (IANS) Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar made a strong case for closer IndiaUnited States ties, expanded immigration pathways, and greater civic participation by Indian Americans. "A strong India-America relationship is beneficial to both countries," Thanedar told a gathering of eminent community leaders in his keynote address at the inaugural India Abroad Dialogue in Detroit, the automobile capital of the world, as he underscored the strategic, economic, and people-to-people foundations of the bilateral partnership. Thanedar, who represents the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, praised Indian immigrants for bringing "valuable STEM and entrepreneurial skills, which are critical to strengthening our economy," and linked that contribution directly to America's technological and economic competitiveness. He thanked India Abroad for launching a 10-city national dialogue series, adding, "Give yourselves a round of applause." A 10-city tour, the India Abroad Dialogue, starting in Detroit, is being held in partnership with the Foundation of India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) and several other community organizations. The next one scheduled in Chicago would be attended by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and top Indian American Dr. Bharat Barai. Thanedar said events like the dialogue were "critical to building bridges between American policy makers and the Indian-American diaspora, which has often been neglected and is underrepresented in our national political scene." He drew parallels between Detroit's resurgence and the Indian American experience, noting that the city had rebounded after declaring bankruptcy 12 years ago. "Detroit has entered a resurgence as a global center for manufacturing and technology, as our city continues to build the cars the world drives," he said. Highlighting Michigan's evolving economy, Thanedar pointed to growth in financial services and digital assets, noting that Detroit has become "the largest city in the United States to accept cryptocurrency to pay for city fees and taxes." He credited immigrants, particularly Indian Americans, for driving this revival. "Every day, you are bringing economic development, jobs, and hope for a better day to every block of this great city," he said. Thanedar spoke at length about his own background, saying, "Before I went to Congress, I was a serial entrepreneur for my whole life. I built companies that brought life-saving drugs to market." That experience, he said, shaped his commitment to immigrant entrepreneurs. "I understand the challenges our immigrant entrepreneurs face because I experienced them myself," he told the audience. On foreign policy, Thanedar said India and the United States were "natural partners that share democratic values, and key economic and strategic interests," citing cooperation in "defense, technology, education, supply-chain resilience, and counterterrorism." He stressed Michigan's role in the relationship, from the auto sector and EV ecosystem to advanced manufacturing and engineering talent. The Congressman also addressed emerging technologies, saying innovation in "artificial intelligence and advanced computing to mobility innovation and semiconductors" was moving at an "unbelievably rapid pace." But he cautioned that the workforce must be prepared so that technology serves "as a job creator rather than a worker replacement." Immigration remained a central theme of his remarks. "History has made one thing clear: immigration has greatly benefited America," Thanedar said, calling India "a fantastic source for remarkable talent in STEM, especially the tech sector." He acknowledged anxiety within the community, saying Indian Americans were living "in a scary time right now" amid green card backlogs and H-1B uncertainties, and pledged to continue fighting for reform. Thanedar highlighted concrete economic links, noting that Ford Motor Company had announced plans to invest 32.5 billion rupees in India, and that Apple had expanded iPhone production across multiple Indian factories. "That is a win for Michigan, and it is a win for India," he said. He also condemned hate and discrimination, citing increased reports of anti-Hindu violence. Thanedar said he had led an Anti-Hinduphobia Resolution to condemn "anti-Hindu bigotry, hate, and intolerance," adding, "There is no place for religious hatred in our society." Thanedar urged greater civic participation, calling on Indian Americans "to get involved in civic engagement," including voting and volunteering. "We are a strong, proud community, and when we stand together, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to," he said. India and the United States have significantly expanded cooperation over the past two decades, with defense ties, trade, technology partnerships, and diaspora engagement becoming central pillars of the relationship. Indian Americans today number over five million and represent one of the most educated and economically successful immigrant communities in the US. The India Abroad Dialogue series aims to provide a national platform for policy conversations involving lawmakers, business leaders, and the Indian American community, beginning in Detroit and continuing across major US cities. Mumbai, Dec 14 : As one of the most iconic movies in Bollywood, "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" completed 24 years of release on Sunday, Kajol shared a special message for all the Anjali's out there. She advised them to hold on tight as Rahul might be a little late, but will be there for sure. Kajol wrote on her IG, "To all the Anjalias out there , keep being loud and proud! Rahul is out there somewhere but he might be late because of traffic (Folded hands emoji)#KabhiKhushiKabhieGham #24years (sic)." Her post also included a picture of Kajol as Anjali and another photo of the entire cast of the drama, including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor embraced in the hug. Karan Johar, who is the writer and director of the movie, also shared a video of some glimpses from the movie on social media, and wrote, "All these years and it continues to make everyone feel the power of family, love, lots of khushi and thoda gham! Celebrating #24YearsOfK3G!." Produced by Yash Johar under the Dharma banner, "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" revolves around a wealthy Indian family that becomes estranged when their adopted son Rahul (Played by Shah Rukh Khan) is disowned by his father for marrying a woman of lower socio-economic status. Years of separation come to an end after the younger son Rohan (Played by Hrithik Roshan) makes efforts to bring the family back together. The project has attained cult status with the iconic dialogues and songs from the movie inked in the memory of every movie buff. Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan have delivered several blockbusters over the years. Another iconic movie of the beloved duo, "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" recently marked 3 decades of release. Commemorating the milestone, Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan unveiled the bronze statue of their iconic characters, Raj and Simran, at Londonas Leicester Square. New Delhi, Dec 14 : India is supporting nearly 18 per cent of the world's population while moving towards the ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Indian Government Prof Ajay Kumar Sood has said. He underlined that development and energy consumption are closely linked, making innovation in the energy sector crucial for India's future growth. "The Indian economy serves nearly 18 per cent of the world's population while pursuing the goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy," Prof Sood said while speaking at the First DV Kapur Foundation Energy Innovation Awards here. During his address, Prof Sood pointed out that a country's Human Development Index is strongly connected to its energy use. He said India's average HDI stands at around 0.67, compared to nearly 0.9 in developed nations. "At present, India consumes about 21 gigajoules of energy per person annually, while bridging the development gap would require nearly 56 gigajoules per person," Prof Sood noted. He called for urgent action and highlighted how India's innovation ecosystem is evolving, especially in deep-tech research, with the introduction of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation as part of the vision of a Viksit Bharat. He felicitated innovators who have contributed to technological advancements aimed at meeting India's rising energy needs while supporting long-term sustainability goals. The awards were presented in two categories. Category 1 recognised young innovators below the age of 38, while Category 2 honoured individuals or organisations for technological innovation in the energy sector. Former Union Minister and Chairman of the DV Kapur Foundation Dr Suresh Prabhu spoke about the changing landscape of energy innovation in India and praised the visionary role played by Dr D V Kapur during his tenure as the founder Chairman of NTPC. He also lauded the idea of instituting the Energy Innovation Awards to encourage meaningful research and innovation. Mumbai, Dec 14 : Power couple Ankita Lokhande and Vikas Jain recently celebrated their four-year anniversary by sharing a heartfelt post that reflected on their journey of love, commitment, and togetherness. In their message, the duo reflected on choosing love even during challenging times. Taking to Instagram, Ankita and Vicky shared a heartwarming video showcasing their enduring love through photos and cherished memories from over the years. One touching moment captured the couple cutting a cake. From candid cosy moments to vacations and romantic highlights, the video beautifully reflects their journey together. For the caption, they wrote, "4 years of us Of growing, learning, falling, rising side by side.. We've held each other through the loud days and the quiet ones, choosing love even when it wasn't easy. What we've built is more than time it's trust, patience, friendship, and home..If this is what four years feel like, we're ready for the long, long lifetime ahead.. Always us. #AnVI ki Kahani#HappyAnniversary #BetterTogether." Ankita Lokhande and businessman Vicky Jain tied the knot on December 14, 2021, in a lavish traditional ceremony in Mumbai, following several years of dating. Their wedding celebrations spanned multiple days, featuring mehndi, sangeet, and a reception, and were attended by numerous celebrities from Bollywood and the television industry. Ankita and Vikas also appeared together as contestants on the reality show, "Bigg Boss 17." They also teamed up for a new music video titled "Laa Pila De Sharaab," which also starred actor Saurabh Sachdev. In April, Ankita and Vicky also marked six years since they first met and started dating. To commemorate the occasion, the 'Pavitra Rishta' actress shared that she had once been unsure how they "ended up here," but added that they had been truly enjoying their journey together. Sharing their images, Ankita wrote, "Last night we celebrated six years of 'we met, we dated, we're still not sure how we ended up here, but we're lovin' it' kind of love." Chennai, Dec 14 : Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Sunday, amid renewed political churn over alliance equations in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Nagenthran's Delhi visit comes in the immediate backdrop of a key development within the AIADMK. At its recent General Council meeting, the party passed a resolution authorising general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) to take the final call on alliance partners for future elections. Shortly after the resolution was adopted, Nagenthran met Palaniswami at the latter's residence in Chennai, fuelling speculation of renewed coordination between the BJP and the AIADMK. Following the Chennai meeting, Nagenthran travelled by flight to the national capital. Earlier, speaking to the media in Tamil Nadu, he said his visit to Delhi was to attend a function marking the release of a commemorative postal stamp in honour of Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar, a historic Tamil ruler. However, the political significance of the visit sharpened after he held discussions with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. In a post on the social media platform X on Saturday, Nagenthran said he met Sitharaman during what he described as a "pilgrimage visit" and submitted several petitions and representations he had received from the public during his recent outreach programmes across Tamil Nadu. While no official details of the discussions were shared, the meeting has been viewed as part of wider consultations with the BJP's central leadership. Sources said Nagenthran is likely to meet Amit Shah later in the day, a development that is being closely watched in political circles. The BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu has gone through multiple phases of cooperation and tension over the past few years. While the two parties contested together in the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, differences over leadership, seat-sharing, and regional political narratives have periodically surfaced. The AIADMK's decision to empower Palaniswami to independently decide on alliances is seen as an attempt to consolidate authority within the party and negotiate from a position of strength. For the BJP, which has been steadily attempting to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu, maintaining a functional relationship with the AIADMK remains strategically important. Nagenthran's back-to-back engagements -- first with Palaniswami in Chennai and now with senior Union ministers in Delhi -- are therefore being seen as a key moment that could offer early signals on the future direction of the alliance as the 2026 Assembly polls draw closer. --IANS aal/dpb Kabul, Dec 14 : Police in western Afghanistan's Herat province seized 16 kg of opium and detained two alleged smugglers, a provincial police official said on Sunday. According to the official, the suspects had hidden the contraband inside a vehicle's secret compartments and were attempting to transport it out of the province when police intercepted the car on Saturday. The drugs were discovered during the search, and the vehicle's owners were arrested, Xinhua News Agency reported. The operation follows recent anti-narcotics efforts in other parts of Afghanistan. Authorities reiterated that counter-narcotics police will spare no effort to curb drug production and trafficking across post-war Afghanistan. On December 11, the Ministry of Interior Affairs in separate statements stated that Afghan counter-narcotics police have arrested 31 suspected drug smugglers and seized 258 kg of illicit drugs during operations across several provinces. The seized contraband included 194 kg of opium, 35 kg of hashish, and 29 kg of methamphetamine. Operations were conducted in the western province of Herat and the northern provinces of Kunduz and Baghlan, where four individuals were detained, according to the ministry. Separately, in a series of counter-narcotics operations conducted in the capital Kabul, police arrested 27 suspects accused of involvement in the sale, purchase, and smuggling of illicit drugs. The Afghan government has banned poppy cultivation, drug production, and trafficking, vowing to continue its crackdown until the country, once a leading global source of opium, becomes drug-free. On December 10, provincial police spokesman Ehsanullah Kamgar said Afghan police arrested an individual on charges of drug smuggling and confiscated 16 kg of opium in northern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province. The arrest took place during an operation in the Kishim district of the province. Police found the suspect in possession of the contraband and have taken him into custody for further investigation, the official said. On November 30, local police said that a consignment of illegal drugs was seized in western Afghanistan's Nimroz province and its owner taken into custody. The alleged drug smuggler, according to the official, was attempting to take 3 kg of methamphetamine out of the province, but police foiled the attempt and took him into custody, spokesman for the provincial police office Mawlawi Gul Mohammad Qudrat said. New Delhi, Dec 14 : Amid tight security arrangements at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, Congress workers and leaders gathered for a protest rally against alleged 'vote chori', accusing the Centre and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding to manipulate elections. The demonstration, however, also triggered controversy as several participants were heard raising objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The protest rally was organised to hold the central government and the ECI accountable for what the party described as "collusion to manipulate elections". As slogans echoed across the venue, some workers were heard chanting, 'Modi teri kabra khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi, your grave will be dug, if not today, then tomorrow), along with 'Vote chor, gaddi chhord', targeting the Prime Minister. A Congress worker from Rajasthan, Manjulata Meena, speaking to IANS, said, "We are with our leader Rahul Gandhi, who is fighting against the 'vote chori' being committed by the BJP in collusion with the ECI. People have arrived in large numbers here. We will do our best to fight against the vote chori." When asked about the derogatory slogans raised against the Prime Minister, she reiterated the chant and told IANS, "Everyone is fed up with this Hitler government. This public will strengthen its voice, and it will become the last nail in his coffin. The EVM hacking and vote chori will not be tolerated now. You can see what happened in Sri Lanka and Nepal; the public is not naive, it knows everything, and it will surely work to put the last nail in his coffin." Another Congress worker, Sonia Begum, justified the controversial remarks while speaking to IANS, saying, "We are with Rahul Gandhi in this fight. Evil comes to an end. That is why we are raising slogans 'Modi teri kabra khudegi'. We want change." Throughout the protest rally, party workers continued to raise similar objectionable slogans while holding placards and banners. "The public is not being treated right. We are with our leadership to fight for people's rights. 'Modi teri kabra jarur khudegi'. The public will not tolerate these wrongdoings like vote chori now," Sunita, another Congress worker, told IANS. Meanwhile, the Congress high command, including party National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and senior leaders such as K.C. Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are also scheduled to participate in the protest. Additionally, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with all Congress legislators from the state and over 1,000 party workers, were expected to attend the protest in the national capital. K.C. Venugopal, speaking to IANS about the rally, said, "This protest is not against the BJP, but against vote theft. Lakhs of people are participating in the rally to protect democracy. Congress will continue to work to defend democratic values. People are clear in their minds that vote theft has occurred." Congress MP Pramod Tiwari also spoke to IANS, saying, "Since yesterday evening, the streets, hotels, and lanes of Delhi have been filled with people. The enthusiasm with which people have gathered shows they have come on a mission to protect democracy and uphold the Constitution. While the BJP sided with the British during the freedom struggle, Congress endured imprisonment, faced the gallows, and suffered atrocities to secure India's independence... We will continue this fight." Key Takeaways Oracle shares dropped Friday following reports it had delayed delivery of some data centers for OpenAI. The stock ended the week nearly 13% lower after Oracle's quarterly results on Wednesday fell short of expectations and amplified scrutiny of its AI investments. A bad week for software maker Oracle (ORCL) ended on a sour note. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that Oracle had delayed by a year the delivery of some data centers it's developing for ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The delays were caused by material and labor shortages, according to Bloomberg. The report weighed on Oracle's shares, already under pressure following the release of its results earlier in the week, pulling them another 4.5% lower Friday to levels not seen since June. The company in a statement said "all milestones remain on track." Why This Is Important Oracle is borrowing heavily in its bid to compete with cloud computing giants like Microsoft and Alphabet. That has made investors wary of the software giant's data center investments. There have been no delays to any sites required to meet our contractual commitments, an Oracle spokesperson told Investopedia. We remain fully aligned with OpenAI and confident in our ability to execute against both our contractual commitments and future expansion plans. Fridays losses extended Oracle stocks Thursday drop, when shares tumbled more than 10% after the companys quarterly earnings fell short of expectations and revived concerns about its AI ambitions. Oracle stock lost nearly 13% of its value this week. Oracle is aggressively investing in AI infrastructure to compete with cloud computing incumbents Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOG), and Amazon (AMZN). However, unlike its largest competitors, whose profits are paying for their data center projects, Oracle is borrowing heavily. Some investors are concerned the company will struggle to repay its debt if AI demand falls short of expectations. Oracles business with OpenAI has added to investor concerns. OpenAI accounts for $300 billion, or more than half, of Oracles cloud computing backlog, but the start-up isnt expected to turn a profit until the end of the decade. Whether Oracle realizes all of its future revenue from OpenAI will depend to some extent on the latters ability to raise money from investors or lenders. Read the original article on Investopedia New Delhi, Dec 14 : BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra launched a scathing attack on Congress' 'vote chori' protest, where derogatory slogans were directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the public "will not tolerate" such disrespect towards their "beloved leader". Congress workers and leaders gathered for a protest rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday against alleged 'vote chori', accusing the Centre and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding to manipulate elections. The demonstration, however, also triggered controversy as several participants were heard raising objectionable slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As slogans echoed across the venue, some workers were heard chanting, 'Modi teri kabra khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi' (Modi, your grave will be dug, if not today, then tomorrow), along with 'Vote chor, gaddi chhord', targeting the Prime Minister. Throughout the protest rally, party workers continued to raise similar objectionable slogans while holding placards and banners. Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Patra said, "At the rally at Ramlila Maidan organised by the Congress party over alleged vote theft, some Congress members reportedly raised slogans saying, 'Modi, teri kabra khudegi.' I have not personally heard this slogan, but I will see through it carefully. If such slogans were indeed raised, it shows that Congress still fails to understand public sentiment. Whenever they have used abusive language against PM Modi or his family, the public has rejected them." "A few days ago, one of their spokespersons circulated an AI video mocking PM Modi, showing him saying, 'Chai le lo, chai le lo'. This clearly shows that there is no shortage of Mani Shankar Aiyars. This is Mani Shankar Aiyar's mentality, which teaches abusing PM Modi and defaming him through the politics of polarisation. However, the public never tolerates any kind of abuse against the leader they love," the BJP national spokesperson added. The Congress party has organised the protest rally to hold the central government and the ECI accountable for what the party described as "collusion to manipulate elections". Meanwhile, the Congress high command, including party National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and senior leaders such as K.C. Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are also scheduled to participate in the protest. Additionally, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, along with all Congress legislators from the state and over 1,000 party workers, were expected to attend the protest in the national capital. Khajuraho, Dec 14 : After the fourth death in the Khajuraho food poisoning case in Madhya Pradesh, the District Collector has issued a show-cause notice to food safety officer Ved Prakash Choube. "Following the tragic death of another hotel employee who fell ill after eating contaminated food, Collector Parth Jaiswal sanctioned a financial assistance of Rs 20,000 from the Red Cross Society to the deceased's family. The District Collector has also urged the Chief Minister to sanction additional financial assistance to the four staffers of a private resort who fell ill after consuming their meal on last Monday afternoon (December 8)," an official has said. On Saturday, another staffer, Hardik Soni (20), who was an electrician, died in Gwalior hospital. He was admitted to Khajuraho hospital from where he had been transferred to Chhatarpur district hospital along with seven other staffers with complaints of stomach pain, severe vomiting. The official further said seven others remain in critical condition at Jaya Arogya Hospital in Gwalior. The victims reportedly fell ill within minutes of eating their lunch, which included potato and cauliflower curry, sparking suspicions of food poisoning. According to police officials, nine employees began experiencing severe symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain, and anxiety shortly after the meal. They were initially rushed to the district hospital, but due to their deteriorating condition, all were referred to Gwalior. Two of them, including a woman, died during treatment, while another succumbed on the way to the hospital. Those who died earlier on the same day, soon after consuming the food, included: Pragilal Kushwaha (54), Ramswaroop Kushwaha and Girija Rajak. The incident prompted immediate action from the health department and police. Officials seized food samples from the resort and initiated questioning of staff. The food safety officer had been issued notice returnable by December 15, for he remained careless despite the chief minister and the entire cabinet being camped in Khajuraho on the day of the incident. A case has been registered, and samples of food, water, and kitchen hygiene have been sent for laboratory testing. Authorities have stated that the exact cause of the illness will only be determined once the reports are received. Collector Parth Jaiswal ordered a thorough investigation and directed strict compliance with hygiene and food safety standards at the resort. Chhatarpur's Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) R.P. Gupta confirmed that eleven people were admitted to the hospital following the incident, with three dead within hours of consuming the food, while eight others were referred to Gwalior for advanced treatment. Mumbai, Dec 14 : Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon, on Sunday, took to social media to share glimpses from her visit to the iconic Babulnath Temple in Mumbai. Taking to Instagram, the 'Mohra' actress shared a series of photos, offering a peek into her serene and spiritual outing. Alongside it, she simply wrote, "Sunday early mornings be like!." The first candid image shows Raveena with a tilak on her forehead, posing with her friend in the car. Other photos feature the actress striking poses with her girl gang. The carousel of photos also includes Raveena's candid moments and snapshots of the temple. Back in January, Raveena Tandon embarked on a remarkable spiritual journey, visiting all 12 Jyotirlingas across India alongside her daughter, Rasha Thadani. The actress shared photos from temples including Kedarnath, Mahakaleshwar, and Rameswaram on social media. Her pilgrimage, which took her from Uttarakhand to Tamil Nadu, concluded in Gujarat with a visit to the final Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. Rasha shared photos from their visit on Instagram with the caption, "Nageshwar, my 12th Jyotirling, and Dwarkadhish. Feeling blessed and thankful Har Har Mahade." Interestingly, before making her debut with "Azaad," Rasha had already visited 11 Jyotirlingas across India. Raveena and Rasha are often seen visiting religious places together, reflecting their strong spiritual inclination and shared faith. On the professional front, the 'Patna Shukla' actress was last seen on the big screen in "Ghudchadi," directed by Binoy Gandhi. The film featured an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Parth Samthaan, Khushalii Kumar and Aruna Irani. In the digital space, Raveena most recently appeared in "Karmma Calling," which also starred Namrata Sheth, Varun Sood and Vikramjeet Virk. The series is the Indian adaptation of Mike Kelley's Revenge, with its storyline drawing inspiration from Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novel "The Count of Monte Cristo." Looking ahead, Raveena will next be seen in the film which is tentatively titled Suriya 46. The action thriller features Suriya and Mamitha Baiju in lead roles. The film was officially announced in April 2025 and marks Suriya's 46th project as a lead actor. Seoul, Dec 14 : A special counsel team will announce this week the results of its months-longs investigation into insurrection charges related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law, officials said Sunday. Over the past six months, the team has indicted Yoon and 23 others for their alleged roles in the December 2024 martial law and has worked with military prosecutors to indict three additional military officials. Investigators sought arrest warrants in 11 cases, with courts approving five of them, Yonhap News Agency reported. Special counsel Cho Eun-seok is scheduled to announce the findings on Monday, officials said, marking his first public briefing since the probe was launched on June 18. Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun was indicted just six days after the investigation began, and Yoon was taken into custody on July 10, about four months after his release from detention. While Yoon had already been indicted by prosecutors on charges of leading an insurrection through his martial law bid, the special counsel additionally charged him with aiding the enemy, accusing him of ordering the dispatch of drones to North Korea months before the declaration. Investigators also charged Yoon with abuse of power, alleging the move was intended to provoke retaliation from the North and use it as a pretext for declaring martial law. Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min was indicted while in custody in August on charges of ordering the suspension of electricity and water supplies to media organisations. Ex-National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Cho Tae-yong was also arrested on charges of violating the NIS law in connection with his alleged involvement in the martial law declaration. Arrest warrant requests for other senior officials accused of involvement in Yoon's martial law -- former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, former ruling People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho, and former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae -- were rejected. Washington, Dec 14 : India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met House Democrats Caucus Vice Chair, Representative Ted Lieu, and discussed shared priorities on emerging developments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), defence and security cooperation, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties. "Engaging conversation with Representative Ted Lieu, Vice Chair of the House Democrats Caucus. Discussed our shared priorities on emerging developments in AI, defence and security cooperation, trade and investment, and peoplea'toa'people ties. Look forward to continued collaboration on issues of mutual interest", Kwatra posted on X after the meeting. On December 12, Kwatra said that he "had a productive meeting" with the Black Caucus Chair, Representative Yvette D. Clarke, "a steadfast supporter of strong India-US relations", and expressed appreciation for her perspective on advancing bilateral collaboration in the AI space, including data privacy and data security. He also said that he had "an engaging conversation" with industry representatives on India's AI Goals and AI Impact summit at a round table organised by the Albright Stonebridge Group, and "invited US industries to become valuable partners in Indiaas AI journey." Earlier this week, the Indian Ambassador held a meeting with the Senate Democratic Conference Deputy Secretary and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee member, Senator Brian Schatz. "Pleased to meet Senator Brian Schatz, Deputy Secretary of the Senate Democratic Conference and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Shared perspectives on ongoing bilateral defence cooperation, and deeper India-US engagement in energy, technology, & innovation. Also exchanged perspectives on some of the key regional developments," Kwatra posted on X. Kwatra also met US Representative Dina Titus and discussed facets of partnership, including technology, tourism and trade. Following their meeting, Kwatra wrote, "Enjoyed my conversation today with Representative Dina Titus. We discussed many facets of our partnership - trade, technology, & tourism. Grateful for her constant support to stronger relations between our countries." On December 9, India and the US held Foreign Office Consultations and discussed key bilateral issues, including trade and investment, defence cooperation, the TRUST initiative, energy cooperation, including civil nuclear collaboration, technology, critical minerals, and trusted supply chains, according to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker co-chaired the meeting. The two sides discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest, with both sides underscoring their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. In a statement, MEA stated, "Both sides also welcomed the steady progress across existing dialogue mechanisms and agreed to give momentum to the implementation of 'Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology (COMPACT) for the 21st Century' to drive transformative cooperation across key pillars of the partnership." Kabul, Dec 14 : More than 4,500 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, a Taliban official said on Sunday, as per local media. Sharing a report from the High Commission for Addressing Migrantsa Issues on X, Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 913 families, comprising 4,991 individuals, returned to Afghanistan on Saturday, Pajhwok Afghan News reported. As per the report, the returnees entered Afghanistan through Spin Boldak in Kandahar, Bahramcha in Helmand, Torkham crossing in Nangarhar, Islam Qala crossing in Herat, and Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz. The spokesman further said that 933 families (5,068 people) who returned to Afghanistan were taken to their respective home areas, while 754 families were provided humanitarian assistance. Telecommunication firms provided 771 SIM cards to Afghan refugees who returned to their homes. Fitrat stated that 10,043 Afghan refugees were deported from Iran and Pakistan on Thursday. As the deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan continues, several returnees living in a migrant camp in Kabul have criticised the Pakistani police's mistreatment and mentioned that all their belongings were left behind in that country, Afghanistan's Tolo News reported. Afghan returnees have raised immediate demand for shelter, land, economic assistance, and job opportunities. Speaking to Tolo News, Jamaluddin, who has been deported from Pakistan, said: "We were forcibly expelled; some of our belongings remained there. Here, we have neither money nor shelter. The problems are overwhelming; itas cold, and winter has arrived." Another deportee from Pakistan, Gulzar, said: "We were expelled. That country was foreign. Now weave returned to our homeland, and I call on the Islamic Emirate to support us." Several deported Afghan refugees have said that they have lost all their property and belongings in Pakistan and have urged the Taliban to provide shelter, emergency aid, and employment opportunities. Jan Mohammad, a returnee from Iran, said: "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." New Delhi, Dec 14 : After derogatory slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Congress' 'vote chori' protest escalated into a political storm on Sunday, the party sought to downplay the controversy, distancing itself from the remarks and denying any link with the slogans. Congress workers and leaders had gathered at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday for a protest rally against alleged 'vote chori', accusing the Centre and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding to manipulate elections. While the demonstration was intended to target what the party described as electoral manipulation, it soon triggered controversy after several participants were heard raising objectionable slogans against the Prime Minister. As slogans echoed across the venue, some workers were heard chanting, "Modi teri kabra khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi (Modi, your grave will be dug, if not today, then tomorrow)", along with "Vote chor, gaddi chhord", targeting the Prime Minister. Throughout the protest rally, party workers continued to raise similar objectionable slogans while holding placards and banners. Responding to the controversy, Congress MP Tariq Anwar told IANS that the slogans did not reflect the party's position. "I don't think this is the party's slogan. It is likely the result of some misguided workers who do not understand properly. The party's actual slogan is very straightforward -- 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod'," he said. Senior Congress leader Nana Patole went a step further, alleging that the BJP may have planted people at the protest to raise the objectionable slogans and deflect attention from the core issues raised by the Congress. Speaking to reporters, Patole said, "Slogans like this cannot come from the Congress partya perhaps some of their own people (BJP) were sent to the rally. By highlighting such incidents in the media, the PM Modi government is attempting to hide the reality of how vote chori is happening, democracy is being undermined, and people's votes are being manipulated in collusion with the Election Commission." Reiterating the party's stand, Patole added, "Such slogans were likely raised by some of their (BJPas) own members. No slogan like this can be attributed to Congress. We can say that the slogan 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhord' was given by our leader, Rahul Gandhi, and that is ours. These frivolous slogans do not belong to us." New Delhi, Dec 14 : Reacting sharply to objectionable slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Congress protest at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, Union Minister Annapurna Devi said the incident reflected the opposition's long-standing mindset and lack of respect for democratic institutions and leaders. Condemning the slogans, she said such conduct exposed the negative thinking of the Congress. "This has been their character all along; they do not know how to respect anyone. The Prime Minister of the country, under whose leadership India is progressing rapidly, embodies the vision of a Viksit Bharat. Yet, they resort to abusing him or even his mother. Such behaviour reflects a deeply negative mindset, and the impact of such thinking is evident," Annapurna Devi said. Union Minister B.L. Verma also strongly criticised the Congress over the slogans raised during the protest, warning that such rhetoric would not derail the country's progress. "The Congress people will keep chanting these slogans, and while talking about graves, they will end up in one themselves. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the country will continue to progress," Verma said. The ministers' reactions came amid heightened political tensions following the Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan, which was organised to protest against alleged "vote chori". Under tight security arrangements, Congress workers and leaders gathered in large numbers, accusing the central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding to manipulate elections. However, the demonstration soon triggered controversy after several participants were heard raising objectionable and provocative slogans against Prime Minister Modi. As slogans echoed across the venue, some workers were heard chanting, "Modi teri kabra khudegi, aaj nahi to kal khudegi", along with "vote chor, gaddi chhord," directly targeting the Prime Minister. The chants drew strong condemnation from the ruling BJP, which accused the Congress party of crossing democratic and moral boundaries. Reacting to the incident, BJP leaders said the slogans exposed the true intent behind the protest, claiming it was less about electoral reforms and more about venting political frustration. They also accused the Congress of normalising abusive political discourse and encouraging its workers to use inflammatory language against the country's leadership. Defending the slogans being raised at the rally, a Congress worker from Rajasthan, Manjulata Meena, told IANS, "We are with our leader Rahul Gandhi, who is fighting against the 'vote chori' being committed by the BJP in collusion with the ECI. People have arrived in large numbers here. We will do our best to fight against the vote chori." When questioned about the derogatory slogans raised against the Prime Minister, she reiterated the chant and alleged widespread public anger against the government. "Everyone is fed up with this Hitler government. This public will strengthen its voice, and it will become the last nail in his coffin," she said, also alleging EVM manipulation. The incident has further escalated the war of words between the BJP and Congress, with the ruling party accusing the opposition of indulging in divisive and disrespectful politics, while the Congress continues to press its allegations against the electoral process and constitutional institutions. Nagpur, Dec 14 : Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday asserted that Mumbai will never be separated from Maharashtra, declaring that it was, is, and will remain an inseparable part of the state "as long as the sun and moon exist." Nagpur, Dec 14 (IANS) Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday asserted that Mumbai will never be separated from Maharashtra, declaring that it was, is, and will remain an inseparable part of the state "as long as the sun and moon exist." Without naming Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, accusing the government of hatching a plot to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra, the Chief Minister said whenever elections are around the corner, such statements are made, and they lack substance. "Maharashtra will not slow down but will move forward at full speed based on the principles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Constitution penned by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Maharashtra will become the first state to be a trillion-dollar economy by 2030, and the state will meet its ambitious target of Viksit Maharashtra by 2047," he said in his reply to last week's motion in the state Assembly. He appealed to the opposition to cooperate with the government for the unabated and unhindered growth of Maharashtra. CM Fadnavis strongly refuted the opposition's charge that Maharashtra is heading to bankruptcy, saying that Maharashtra is one among other major states that have been well within the limits of all economic parameters, including public debt, revenue and fiscal deficits. "Maharashtra's public debt is 18.87 per cent against 25 per cent of gross state domestic product limit laid down by the RBI and the Fiscal Responsibility Budgetary Management Act (FRBM). The fiscal deficit is at 2.76 per cent, which is below the 3 per cent limit, adding, "Even though there are constraints in budgetary spending, the state economy is doing fine as the government has not made any compromise on the principles laid down under the FRBM Act," he noted. CM Fadnavis claimed that Maharashtra continues to rank first in attracting Foreign Direct Investment, also in signing MoU of 1 lakh MW through pumped storage hydro projects and chasing its ambitious target of 16,000 MW solar capacity addition for agriculture by 2030. He said that Maharashtra will draw 52 per cent of the total power from renewable energy sources by 2030. Further, the drought will become a thing of the past due to the implementation of a slew of irrigation schemes, including interlinking river projects such as Nalganga Vainganga. "Maharashtra receives 31 per cent of the total FDI. The Marathwada region, especially Sambhajinagar, is emerging as the electric vehicle capital, while Gadchiroli as new industry magnet. The efforts are underway to develop it as a gateway to South India with the development of an airport there," he announced. The Chief Minister said that the state had signed MoUs for investment worth Rs 17.57 lakh crore during the Davos summit between 2022 and 2025, with implementation at 75 per cent in 204-25, while it was 90 per cent in 2022-23 and 2023-24. In addition, investments worth Rs 13.75 lakh crore have been received under the Package Scheme of Incentives, spread across Vidarbha and Marathwada. In the energy sector, Maharashtra's contractual capacity will become 47,000 MW by 2030 and subsequently to 82,000 MW in addition to the installed capacity. CM Fadnavis said that the average power purchase rate has come down to Rs 3 per unit, especially in the wake of the government's move to increase solar power generation capacity against an average of Rs 6 per unit from the state-run MahaGenco. "The power tariff will continue to fall every year by 2 per cent for the next five years, against the average rise of 9 per cent in the last 20 years," he said. CM Fadnavis announced that the state government is not running away from its promise to provide crop loan waiver, saying that it will be implemented by July 1 next year. "The government is committed to providing crop loan waivers, and the high-level committee has been mandated to give recommendations. The loan waiver will be one of the options to make the farmers debt-free. Even though the government had implemented a loan waiver in 2017 and 2020, the farmers are making a fresh demand for the same," he noted. Despite opposition from various stakeholders, the Chief Minister said the government will go ahead with the implementation of a Rs 86,000 crore Nagpur-Goa-Shaktipeeth Expressway, terming it a game-changer for Maharashtra. "The government has changed the alignment of the Shaktipeeth Expressway from Solapur to the Sangli region following the concerns raised by farmers and others. The proposed Expressway will largely help Marathwada and boost the development of the region. Further, he said the government is also implementing the Mumbai-Kalyan-Latur-Hyderabad Jan Kalyan Marg. All these projects, in addition to Samruddhi Marg, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, will help industries develop," he announced. As far as Mumbai is concerned, the present metro network of 91 km will be increased to 132 km in the next two years, Fadnavis said, adding that the work of 50 km of the metro network is being completed. Bettiah : , Dec 14 (IANS) BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal on Sunday welcomed a decision to set up a memorial in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, as a tribute to hundreds of Kar Sevaks who sacrificed their lives for the construction of the Ram Temple. "I thank the Ram Temple Trust for the decision to allot space for the memorial, close to the Ayodhya Temple. This will immortalise Indian culture, faith, and the tradition of sacrifice," Jaiswal told IANS. Jaiswal described the proposed memorial as a symbol of respect for religious faith and gratitude towards national history. "The country will never forget the sacrifices of all those Ram devotees, including the Kothari brothers, who gave their all to protect faith and values," said the BJP MP from Paschim Champaran. Brothers Ram Kothari and Sharad Kothari, residents of Kolkata, made the supreme sacrifice during the 1990 Ram Janmabhoomi movement, dying as martyrs after leading kar sevaks to hoist a saffron flag atop the disputed Babri Masjid structure on October 30, 1990. They were later shot by police on November 2, 1990. The MP said that Ram Mandir Trust's decision to build the memorial is a true tribute to all the devotees of Lord Ram who fought for centuries. "It will be a tribute to the sacrifice by thousands and millions of Indians who laid down their lives for the Ram Temple movement over the past five and a half centuries. It will permanently preserve their sacrifice in the memorial," he said. He said that a grand temple will be built at the spot where Ram Lalla was seated before the idol was moved to a permanent place. Jaiswal's tribute to the Kothari brothers has revived memories of the two Ram devotees who walked about 200 kilometres after their train was stopped, reaching Ayodhya on October 30, 1990, to participate in the Kar Seva. They were among the first to storm the disputed site, hoisting a saffron flag on the Babri Masjid structure amidst police crackdowns. The two brothers were taking part in Ramdhuni Kirtan in Ayodhya on November 2, 1990, when killed in police firing, alongside many other devotees. Their statues have been installed in Lucknow and Jodhpur, and roads in Ayodhya, Dhanbad, and Bikaner have been named in their honour (Shahid Marg, Ram Sharad Marg). The Kothari family was also invited to the Ram Mandir's Bhumi Pujan, recognising their pivotal role in the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement. Their sister, Purnima Kothari, continues their mission, emphasising their sacrifice as central to the temple's construction. Jaiswal was speaking at an event in Bettiah after launching a 'Made in India' awareness campaign to encourage for people to take a pledge to use Swadeshi articles to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat. Key Points Ethereum, as the top blockchain in the world for decentralized finance, has caught Wall Street's attention. XRP has a promising role to play in the future of cross-border payments. Ethereum's strength in stablecoins, combined with its much larger DeFi ecosystem, gives it the edge over XRP. 10 stocks we like better than Ethereum Heading into 2026, a popular investment thesis for crypto investors is the blurring of the lines between traditional financial and blockchain finance. In other words, Wall Street firms are increasingly embracing new blockchain-based solutions, and that's creating all sorts of new investment opportunities in the crypto sector. That's good news for two cryptocurrencies -- Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) and XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) -- at the forefront of this trend. So which one is the better buy next year? Ethereum If size and scale is the only thing that matters, then Ethereum is the better buy, and it's not even close. Ethereum is a Layer 1 blockchain network that's involved in every aspect of the transformation of the modern financial world. Ethereum is now the preferred blockchain of Wall Street, as well as the clear leader in decentralized finance (DeFi). Image source: Getty Images. What's particularly exciting now is how new crypto legislation from Congress is setting up to give Ethereum an even bigger boost. For example, new stablecoin legislation provides strong tailwinds for Ethereum heading into 2026. That's because Ethereum is the No. 1 blockchain for stablecoins right now. If stablecoins continue to take off next year, they will likely be running on Ethereum's blockchain. That means more users, more transaction activity, and more revenue for members of the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem. At the same time, the Trump administration has directly acknowledged the strategic importance of Ethereum. When the White House called for creating the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile in March, it made Ethereum a key centerpiece of this effort. At the same time, key figures within the Trump administration have talked up the importance of Ethereum in terms of making America the "crypto capital of the world." XRP By way of comparison, XRP's scale and scope is much more limited. XRP is primarily a bridge currency used for cross-border financial transactions. Simply put, it's often easier, cheaper, and faster to move money around the world on the XRP blockchain ledger than using conventional technology. Where things get interesting for XRP is in terms of how big this market opportunity might actually be. Heading into 2025, the thinking was that the XRP blockchain ledger might one day supplant the legacy SWIFT payment network as the preferred way to move money around the world. Bangkok, Dec 14 : The Thai army on Sunday condemned Cambodia's attack on civilian areas in Si Sa Ket Province, leaving one Thai civilian dead. A Thai army spokesperson said on the same day that there are currently no ceasefire plans in place. In a statement, the Royal Thai Army said Cambodian forces fired BM-21 rockets at a civilian neighbourhood and a school zone in Si Sa Ket Province on Sunday. The strikes killed one civilian who was hit by shrapnel and set one residential house on fire. The army strongly condemned Cambodia's act of targeting civilian areas unrelated to military operations for two consecutive days, which has caused casualties among civilians, reports Xinhua news agency. Regarding ceasefire arrangements, Royal Thai Army Spokesperson Winthai Suvaree announced on Sunday that there are currently no ceasefire plans in place. He noted that the absence of a ceasefire is due to Cambodia's persistent attacks on Thai military positions and civilian settlements, which pose a severe security threat to Thailand. The current military operations will continue until Cambodia ceases all hostile acts. Meanwhile, Thailand's military announced on Sunday the imposition of a curfew in parts of Trat Province, citing the ongoing situation along the border areas. In an official order, the military said that a curfew was immediately enforced in five districts of the province, namely Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming, and Mueang Trat. Residents in these areas are prohibited from leaving their homes from 19:00 to 05:00 the following day. According to Thai media reports, the military's announcement came in the wake of an incident on the night of Saturday, when three M79 grenades were fired at the headquarters of the Marine Corps Task Force in Trat Province. The projectiles are believed to have originated from within Thailand. No casualties were reported as the grenades landed in an uninhabited area. This marks the second province to impose a curfew since the latest round of Thailand-Cambodia border clashes erupted. The Thai military had already put a curfew in place in four border districts of Sa Kaeo Province on Wednesday. Abu Dhabi, Dec 14 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday extended warm wishes to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar and the people of Israel on Hanukkah. While extending wishes to people of Israel on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, "Warmest wishes to FM Gideon Sa'ar, friends in Israel and all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world. May the Festival of Lights bring peace, hope, and joy to all. Chag Sameach!" In response to his wishes, Gideon Sa'ar, in a post on X, wrote, "Thank you, dear friend!" On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, and the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in West Asia. During the talks, both leaders discussed ways to strengthen the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. According to a press note issued by the Prime Minister's office, "PM Modi reaffirms India's support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region." Notably, both leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefit. "The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the PMO said. "They also exchanged views on the situation in West Asia. PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region, including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan," it added. Following their talks, PM Modi, in a statement shared on X, wrote, "Spoke with my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu. We reviewed progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and agreed to further strengthen our cooperation. Also reaffirmed our shared commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism. India supports all efforts aimed at achieving a just and durable peace in the region." The two leaders agreed to remain in touch. India and Israel are strategic partners. The bilateral political ties between the two nations are warm and forward-looking, according to the Indian Embassy in Israel statement. India announced its recognition of Israel on September 17, 1950. Soon after, the Jewish Agency established an immigration office in Bombay (Mumbai), which was later converted into a Trade Office and, subsequently, a Consulate. Regular embassies opened in 1992 when full diplomatic relations were established between the two countries. Canberra, Dec 14 : At least 10 people, including one gunman, have been killed and 12 others are injured after a shooting incident near a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach in Australia's Sydney on Sunday evening (local time), local media reported, citing police. A second shooter is among the injured and has been taken into custody, ABC News reported. Police have said that people still need to avoid Bondi Beach, despite the two shooters having been neutralised. According to police, there is an ongoing bomb threat in the area, and they are working to disarm what they have termed an improvised explosive device (IED), local media reported. In a statement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has termed the scenes in Bondi "shocking and distressing." He stated that he has spoken to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner and New South Wales (NSW) Premier and urged people to follow information shared by NSW police. In a statement shared on X, Albanese stated, "The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I have just spoken to the AFP Commissioner and with the NSW Premier. We are working with the NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that he is "appalled" by the shooting attack and called the incident the result of "an anti-semitic rampage" in the streets of Australia over the past two years. "I'm appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of 'Globalise the Intifada' that were realised today. The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses!" Gideon Sa'ar posted on X. Australian Jewish Association CEO Robert Gregory also shared a statement on X, stating, "What happened tonight is a tragedy but entirely foreseeable. The Albanese government was warned so many times, but failed to take adequate action to protect the Jewish community. Tonight, many Jews are pondering whether they have a future in Australia. Our thoughts are with our community and all the impacted, some of whom we are close to." Mumbai, Dec 14 : Actor-director Kunal Kemmu, who is receiving a lot of good response to his work in the recently released streaming series 'Single Papa', has chalked out the difference between working in cinema and long-format content. The actor spoke with IANS during the promotional run of 'Single Papa', and shared that while he has to deliver in a watertight timeframe in cinema, long-format content spanning multiple episodes allows him to dig his teeth, and claws deeper in a meaty part offered to him. The actor told IANS, "I don't know if there's much of a change (in long-format and cinema) but it's more interesting to do a series because you get to live that character for a longer period of time. You get to build the arc of that character in depth because it's not like a two hour or a two and a half hour, three hour journey that the audiences are going to have with you". He further mentioned, "So you got to be more in the skin of this character because over years and depending on how many episodes there are, it can shift. But I think it's not just for an actor. I think primarily it's at the writing stage as they kind of are the architects of the ship. So, they build that character in detail. And then of course for me as an actor, I enjoy the fact that if it's well written. A well-written part makes the job of an actor easier, and the audience eventually enjoys it. But if it's not, then it can get taxing". 'Single Papa' is Kunal's third streaming series after 'Abhay' and 'Pop Kaun?' Between the first two titles, Kunal diversified his horizon, as he made his directorial debut in cinema with 'Madgaon Express' which is inches away from turning into a modern cult. Talking about working in the series, he said, "I feel spent as an actor that I've lived this character inside out. But I like the fact that you can get deeper in the dynamics of the relationships of this character with everybody else". Tel Aviv, Dec 14 : Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday condemned the attack on the Jewish community in Australia's Sydney and offered condolences to the bereaved families of the victims. At least 10 people, including one gunman, have been killed and 12 others are injured after a shooting incident near a Jewish gathering at Bondi Beach in Australia's Sydney on Sunday evening (local time), local media reported, citing police. Taking to X, the Israeli President said, "Our hearts go out to our Jewish sisters and brothers in Sydney who have been attacked by vile terrorists as they went to light the first candle of Chanukah." He said that he spoke to NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip, who was the speaker at the event, and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the wounded on behalf of Israel. "Time and again, we called on the Australian government to take action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism that is plaguing Australian society. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community of Sydney and the entire Australian Jewish community at this horrific time," he added. A second shooter is among the injured and has been taken into custody, ABC News reported. Police have said that people still need to avoid Bondi Beach, despite the two shooters having been neutralised. According to police, there is an ongoing bomb threat in the area, and they are working to disarm what they have termed an improvised explosive device (IED), local media reported. Reacting to the attack, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that he is "appalled" and called the incident the result of "an anti-semitic rampage" in the streets of Australia over the past two years. "I'm appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of 'Globalise the Intifada' that were realised today. The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses!" Gideon Sa'ar posted on X. New Delhi, Dec 14 : It becomes impossible to ignore -- when a centuries-old Deepam lighting ritual in Tamil Nadu is projected as a threat to communal harmony, while political attempts to resurrect the Babri Masjid narrative in West Bengal are met with studied silence -- as an uncomfortable truth. What is being played out is not a defence of secularism, but its selective application. The contrasting responses to these two issues expose how secularism in contemporary Indian politics has increasingly become a matter of convenience -- invoked, ignored, or weaponised depending on electoral needs. The Deepam lighting controversy at Thiruparankundram is a case in point. Lighting lamps during Karthigai Deepam is a cultural practice deeply embedded in Tamil Hindu life, observed for centuries and referenced as far back as the Sangam era. The ritual symbolises devotion and collective identity, and the Thiruparankundram hill has traditionally witnessed the lighting of the Deepam as a beacon of faith. When the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court permitted the lighting of the lamp on December 3, the political reaction was swift, but disproportionate. Instead of facilitating the smooth implementation of a judicial order, the state machinery appeared hesitant, even obstructive. Suddenly, it became an issue of communal disharmony. The opposition expressed concerns, and a sitting judge found himself accused of ideological bias. MPs from the opposition went so far as to seek impeachment proceedings -- an extraordinary response to a ruling that merely upheld an established religious practice within the framework of law. The message was unmistakable: a Hindu cultural ritual, even one sanctioned by a constitutional institution, could be framed as provocative if it fell outside the opposition's ideological comfort zone. Faith, in this narrative, becomes suspect not because of its conduct, but because of its identity. This reaction becomes even more revealing when contrasted with developments in West Bengal. There, attempts to revive the Babri Masjid discourse -- decades after the dispute was conclusively settled through judicial process -- have not attracted comparable outrage from the same political voices. A Trinamool Congress legislator's actions led to a token suspension, but the larger political ecosystem around him remained largely supportive. The INDIA bloc, usually vocal on questions of communal sensitivity, and jumped on the Deepam lighting issue, chose silence. Apparently, there was no danger to harmony in reopening a chapter that once deeply polarised the nation. The inconsistency is glaring. If lighting a lamp atop a hill is capable of disturbing public order, how does resurrecting the Babri narrative escape scrutiny? Why does secular sensitivity awaken selectively, and only in certain directions? West Bengal offers a broader illustration of this pattern. Over the years, Hindu festivals such as Ram Navami processions or Durga immersion ceremonies have frequently been subjected to heightened restrictions, heavy policing, and administrative caution. Other religious gatherings, however, often proceed unhindered. When tensions erupt, responsibility is rarely fixed on administrative bias or political appeasement. Instead, blame is conveniently shifted to "provocation". What unites the Deepam controversy in Tamil Nadu and the Babri rhetoric in Bengal is not religion -- it is about power in the vote bank. For several opposition parties, selective secularism has become a familiar political crutch. By portraying Hindu cultural expression as something that must be constantly regulated, explained, or restrained, they exhibit an outdated narrative where the majority is expected to prove its restraint repeatedly, while minority politics is insulated from comparable scrutiny. This approach has less to do with protecting harmony and more to do with preserving and boosting vote banks. The Constitution of India does not endorse such asymmetry. Article 25 guarantees all citizens the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject only to public order, morality, and health. It does not rank faiths, nor does it authorise the state to selectively interpret "harmony" based on political use. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution, was unambiguous in his understanding of secularism. He had cautioned against the misuse of constitutional principles for partisan ends. True secularism, as Ambedkar envisioned, was never about suppressing religious expression but about preventing the state from becoming an instrument of religious favour or discrimination. And this is exactly what is happening in West Bengal or Tamil Nadu. A secular state cannot fear a lamp being lit, nor can it keep historical disputes alive on political life support. It treats all religions with equal respect. Those who are vocal on the Deepam issue and silent on the Bengal Babri mosque need to recognise that cultural practices are not conspiracies and that the majority faith need not be curtailed disproportionately for harmony to prevail. Voters today are far more alert to double standards than they once were. They can distinguish between neutrality and bias, between inclusion and appeasement. Attempts to selectively moralise faith no longer go unquestioned; instead, they have started to invite scepticism and resistance. The Deepam lighting issue in Tamil Nadu and the Babri Masjid episode in Bengal have exposed the hollow core of much of today's secular rhetoric -- and the electorate is beginning to see through it. (Deepika Bhan can be contacted at deepika.b@ians.in) Lucknow, Dec 14 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said the BJP leadership has made it clear that the forthcoming elections will be fought booth by booth, with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls emerging as the party's most crucial tool. CM Yogi was addressing BJP workers after the election of Pankaj Chaudhary as the new party President in Uttar Pradesh. He cautioned BJP workers that while the Opposition may lack organisational strength, it may be deceitful, which must be countered with courage, vigilance and discipline. Chief Minister Yogi urged party workers to remain alert and proactive, warning that generosity or negligence during SIR could prove costly. "Often, when asked during the review, the response is that the work is done. But the reality is different," he said. Highlighting alleged irregularities, the Chief Minister claimed that in one district, the Opposition had managed to include the names of Bangladeshi infiltrators in the voter list. "The son's age is shown as 20, the father's as 30 and the grandfather's as 40, even though they are residents of Assam. How is this possible?" he said. He issued clear instructions to file objections against fake entries at every booth and to ensure that genuine voters left out of the list are added without fail. Explaining the stakes involved, CM Yogi said Uttar Pradesh has a population of around 25 crore, which should translate into nearly 16 crore voters. "However, after SIR, only about 12 crore names have appeared. This leaves a gap of nearly four crore voters, of which 85 to 90 per cent are potential BJP supporters," he said, adding that BJP workers have just 12 days to act. "Remember, elections are won at the booths," he reiterated, noting that nearly three-fourths of the hard work is still pending. "If this work is completed, three-fourths of the seats can be won with just one-fourth of the effort. There should be no laxity in filling Form No 6 at the booth level, because booth-level hard work delivers results." CM Yogi also highlighted the transformation of Uttar Pradesh, citing the Kashi Corridor and the rejuvenation of major pilgrimage centres, the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya as symbols of change. He remarked that earlier, electricity was scarce, enabling crime under the cover of darkness, but now power supply is being ensured through a proper roster system. Welcoming newly elected State BJP President Pankaj Chaudhary, CM Yogi thanked outgoing Uttar Pradesh BJP President Mahendra Nath Pandey for smoothly conducting the organisational elections. He said that with an experienced BJP worker at the helm, the state government and the party organisation would jointly fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a "Developed India, Developed Uttar Pradesh". New Delhi, Dec 14 : An investors' meet held in Lakshadweep has generated a strong interest, with more than Rs 500 crore worth of investment proposals in the areas of tuna and deep-sea fisheries, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, and waste management, according to an official statement issued on Sunday. To facilitate investment and streamline processes, a single-window system is being developed for smooth project approvals in Lakshadweep, the statement said. As many as 22 investors and key entrepreneurs, from across the country, participated in the investors' meet in the Lakshadweep Islands held over the weekend with the aim to unlock the immense potential of Lakshadweepas Blue Economy. This first-ever investorsa meet was organised by the Centreas Department of Fisheries on Saturday in the Bangaram Islands of Lakshadweep. The meeting was attended by Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Minister of State George Kurian. The Department of Fisheries highlighted areas for investment opportunities in tuna fishing, offshore seaweed cultivation, hatcheries, brood banks, integrated units, and offshore cage farming. Lakshadweep offers immense potential for investment in tuna and deep-sea fisheries, as it covers a nearly 20 per cent area of Indiaas Exclusive Economic Zone, which supports rich stocks of tuna and other high-value species. Despite this, the current production of around 15,000 tonnes represents only a fraction of the estimated one lakh tonnes potential. By developing a modern value chain that includes fishing, certification, branding and export-oriented processing, investors can help position Lakshadweep tuna in premium international markets under a strong identity such as "Lakshadweep Sustainable Tuna", the statement said. Traditional fishing practices in the region make it ideal for global eco-labelling systems like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), which can unlock access to high-end markets and premium pricing. Opportunities also exist in infrastructure development, including smart fishing harbours, cold chain facilities, and processing units, as well as fleet modernisation through advanced multi-gear deep-sea fishing vessels equipped with onboard storage and processing, and mother vessels for catch aggregation and transportation. These initiatives collectively promise to transform Lakshadweep into a hub for sustainable, globally competitive tuna fisheries, the statement explained. Lakshadweepas vast lagoon area of more than 4,200 square kms provides an ideal environment for seaweed cultivation, and with global demand for seaweed-based products rising rapidly, the region presents significant investment opportunities in farming systems, nurseries, biomass processing, and bioproduct manufacturing. As a notified Seaweed Cluster, Lakshadweep has already established a strong foundation under the PMMSY through initiatives taken, such as a Seaweed Seed Bank and a Seaweed Hatchery, paving the way for accelerated sectoral growth. Besides, the Lakshadweep administration is also working on a leasing policy to facilitate offshore seaweed farming by the private sector. Investors can capitalise on this momentum by expanding seaweed farming, processing capacities, logistics networks, and market linkages to position Lakshadweep products in global markets. Beyond economic potential, seaweed farming offers environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and marine biodiversity enhancement, while supporting diverse industries including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Lakshadweep is also home to nearly 300 species of marine fish suitable for the ornamental trade, spanning around 35 families such as wrasses, damselfish, cardinalfish, groupers, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, goatfish, blennies, scorpionfish, triggerfish, and squirrelfish. This rich biodiversity makes the islands an ideal destination for establishing marine ornamental hatcheries, broodstock development facilities, and integrated rearing units aimed at reducing dependence on wild-caught species. With growing global demand for ornamental fish, investors have an opportunity to tap into the lucrative aquarium trade by developing sustainable breeding systems and export-oriented enterprises, the statement further said. Lakshadweep also holds immense potential for offshore cage farming, leveraging its vast Exclusive Economic Zone of nearly 4 lakh square km to promote large-scale, sustainable mariculture. This sector is backed by successful pilot initiatives that demonstrate its viability in other areas of the country, such as Odisha, the statement added. Ahmedabad, Dec 14 : The Gujarat government's Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) has emerged as a critical safety net for citizens in moments of acute distress. From natural disasters and accidents to life-threatening illnesses and advanced medical procedures, the scope of the fund has steadily expanded. In the healthcare sector in particular, CMRF has provided timely financial relief, renewed hope and life-saving support to thousands of families across the state. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the CMRF has been made more sensitive, swift and citizen-centric, ensuring that no patient is denied treatment due to financial hardship. Aligned with the government's stated priority that "human life and health come first", the fund has increasingly become a trusted pillar of support for vulnerable citizens. The core objective of the Chief Ministeras Relief Fund is to ensure access to life-saving medical care for economically weaker patients who cannot afford expensive treatments. Assistance is provided for serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, kidney and liver failure, and organ transplants. Under the eligibility norms, applicants must have an annual income of less than Rs 4 lakh (Rs 6 lakh for senior citizens). Required documents include a residence certificate, detailed treatment cost estimates and relevant medical records. Applications undergo thorough verification by the Revenue Department before being placed before the CMRF committee, which includes the Relief Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister himself. Once approved, the sanctioned amount is transferred directly to the hospital or the patient, ensuring there is no delay in treatment. Between 2021 and 2025, the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership, extended crucial financial assistance to 2,106 cancer patients across Gujarat, effectively giving many a new lease on life. During this period, more than Rs 31.55 crore was disbursed to support cancer treatment. According to disease-wise data shared by the Health Department, 450 patients suffering from blood cancer -- including cases requiring bone marrow transplants -- received assistance, while 1,656 patients battling other forms of cancer were supported through the fund. Beyond cancer care, the CMRF has also played a significant role in supporting high-cost and complex medical procedures such as liver, kidney, heart and lung transplants, easing the financial burden on affected families. Several leading cancer care institutions in Gujarat are integral to the CMRF assistance framework. These include the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI) in Ahmedabad; Nathalal Parikh Cancer Research Institute and B.T. Savani Hospital in Rajkot; Bharat Cancer Hospital, Kiran Multi Super Speciality Hospital and AAIHMS in Surat. New Delhi, Dec 14 : As the wedding season gathers pace across Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's Mass Marriage Scheme has emerged as a major social support initiative for economically weaker families, particularly from the Dalit, backward, minority and other vulnerable sections. Launched in 2017, the scheme aims to ease the financial burden of marriage for poor families while ensuring dignity and social inclusion for daughters. Over the past eight years, more than four lakh marriages have been solemnised under the programme, with ceremonies conducted collectively and in accordance with religious traditions. The current financial year has witnessed an unprecedented response. Against a target of 57,000 beneficiaries for 2025a"26, the state government has received more than 1.20 lakh applications so far. Of these, more than 21,000 have been approved, while over 14,000 marriages have already been conducted. Officials expect the numbers to rise significantly in the coming months as more applications are processed. According to official data, the scheme has benefited more than 2.20 lakh daughters from poor Dalit families, making them the largest beneficiary group. This is followed by more than 1.30 lakh beneficiaries from backward classes and over 40,000 from minority communities. Around 16,000 families from the general category have also availed of assistance under the scheme. Each couple receives financial support of Rs 1 lakh, which includes essential marriage items, a cash transfer directly credited to the bride's bank account, and full arrangements for the wedding ceremony. The Uttar Pradesh government says this ensures both social dignity and economic security for the newly married couple. R.P. Singh, Nodal Officer of the scheme, said the initiative goes beyond financial assistance. "It promotes collective participation, strengthens community bonds and upholds respect for women. The objective is to ensure that no daughter is denied a dignified marriage due to financial constraints," he added. Category-wise data for 2025a"26 shows that 6,556 Dalit couples and 5,500 OBC couples have benefited so far, along with 828 couples from minority communities and 494 from the general category. Since its inception, the state government has spent more than Rs 2,200 crore on the scheme, with Rs 550 crore allocated for the current financial year. Officials say the programme's inclusive nature -- covering Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian marriages -- has helped promote social harmony while providing tangible support to underprivileged families across the state. BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI) is one of the best agentic AI stocks to buy now. However, that's according to hedge funds. Wall Street analysts have a differing view. As of December 10, Wall Streets consensus on BigBear.ai is Hold, based on 5 analysts. The average 12-month price target sits at $6.33. Using a median target of $6.50, the implied median price upside is about 0.3% versus a recent price near $6.52. BigBear.ais Analyst Targets Signal Limited Upside at Current Levels On December 8, BigBear.ai announced it has opened its first Middle East office at the World Trade Center Abu Dhabi, positioning the company to support government and commercial partners across the region. President and CEO Kevin McAleenan announced the initiative during a Global AI Show keynote in Abu Dhabi, framing travel and trade as national security imperatives and describing the United Arab Emirates as a leader in the application of advanced AI. The company said it intends to create attractive roles for Emirati talent while building a diverse, high-performing workforce. BigBear.ai also highlighted recent regional partnerships with Vigilix and Easy Lease, both owned by International Holding Company. The move is billed as a significant, long-term investment aimed at advancing AI innovation for global security. BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BBAI), headquartered in McLean, Virginia, builds AI-driven decision-intelligence software that fuses data, predictive analytics, and modeling to support planning and operations at scale. While we acknowledge the potential of BBAI 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. Imphal, Dec 14 : Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on Sunday, urged the people to carry forward the message of peace and harmony propagated by India's renowned theatre personality Ratan Thiyam through the medium of arts. India's one of legendary theatre personality and Padma Shri awardee Ratan Thiyam died in Manipur capital Imphal on July 23 this year, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that redefined contemporary Indian theatre. Addressing a national seminar on celebrated theatre maestro Ratan Thiyam, the Governor highlighted his outstanding contribution to Indian and Manipuri theatre, noting that through iconic works such as Chakravyuha, Uttar Priyadarshi and Nine Hills One Valley, he conveyed enduring messages of peace, harmony and cultural continuity. He said that over a career spanning more than five decades, Ratan Thiyam placed Manipur prominently on the global cultural map and remains an ambassador of the state's rich heritage. Governor Bhalla also recalled Ratan Thiyam's multifaceted genius as a director, playwright, designer, choreographer and writer. Expressing confidence that the seminar deliberations would inspire young theatre practitioners, the Governor called upon everyone to carry forward Ratan Thiyam's message of peace and harmony through the arts. He commended the Manipur State Kala Akademi (MSKA) and the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy (JNMDA) for jointly organising the two-day seminar at the auditorium of JNMDA in Imphal. Governor Bhalla along with the First Lady Jyoti Bhalla, led the gathering in paying floral tribute to the portrait of the late cultural icon Ratan Thiyam at the JNMDA campus. The Governor also felicitated the wife and other family members of Ratan Thiyam. On the occasion, a half yearly journal of MSKA titled "Manipuri Culture and Literature", dedicated to Ratan Thiyam, was released. A non-feature film titled "Ratan Thiyam -- The Man of Theatre" was also screened during the inaugural session. The film captures the life and work of the renowned Manipuri playwright and director. The documentary delves into how Thiyam blends traditional Manipuri art forms and martial arts with contemporary social and political themes in his film productions. It serves as a tribute to Thiyam's significant impact on modern Indian theatre and his commitment to using the stage as a medium for social commentary and artistic expression. JNMDA Vice-Chairman Longjam Joychandra, renowned Indian poet and writer Udayan Vajpeyi also spoke on the life and contributions of the late cultural icon Ratan Thiyam. Hyderabad, Dec 14 : More than people 850 people have been caught for driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol during the special weekend drive in the limits of Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police Commissionerates, police said on Sunday. While 460 drivers were apprehended during the two-day drive in Hyderabad, the Cyberabad traffic police caught 407 offenders. Hyderabad traffic police conducted a two-day special drive on December 12 and 13 against drunken driving to ensure road safety. During the special drive, a total of 460 drivers were caught driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol. Of them, 350 were two-wheeler riders, 25 were three-wheeler drivers, 85 were four-wheeler and other vehicle drivers. Offenders were categorised based on their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels. A total of 98 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 35 mg/100 ml to 50 mg/100 ml. The police registered 185 cases for BAC levels ranging from 51 to 100. Another 91 cases booked for BAC level of 101-150 and 48 cases for BAC levels ranging from 151-200. Sixteen offenders were found to have BAC levels ranging from 201 to 250, ten had BAC levels of 251-300 and four case were booked for BAC levels above 300. Police said there will be zero tolerance for drunk driving violations, and this special drive will continue. Commuters have been requested to cooperate with the traffic police. Cyberabad traffic police conducted a special drunk driving enforcement drive over the weekend, resulting in the apprehension of 407 offenders. A total of 290 offenders were riding two-wheelers. Eighteen were three-wheeler drivers. Police said 90 violators were driving four-wheelers. Nine others were driving heavy vehicles. Police said 354 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 35 mg/100 ml to 200 mg/100 ml, 31 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 201 mg/100 ml to 300 mg/100 ml, and 22 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 301 mg/100 ml to 550 mg/100 ml. In the last week (December 8-13), a total of 385 drunk driving cases were disposed in courts. Sixteen persons were jailed and fined, 21 persons asked to pay fine and do social service while only fine was imposed on remaining 348. Cyberabad Police reiterated that driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence. If anyone is found to be driving in an inebriated condition and causes a fatal accident, such individuals will be booked under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Culpable Homicide Not Amounting to Murder). The maximum punishment under this section is 10 years of imprisonment along with a fine. Patna, Dec 14 : Making a major organisational change, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Bihar cabinet minister Nitin Nabin as the party's National Working President. Patna, Dec 14 (IANS) Making a major organisational change, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday appointed Bihar cabinet minister Nitin Nabin as the partyas National Working President. The decision was approved by the BJP Parliamentary Board. The term of the current BJP National President JP Nadda has ended, and the party has been deliberating on his successor for some time. In the meantime, the top leadership has entrusted the responsibility of National Working President to Nitin Nabin. According to a letter issued by BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh, the Parliamentary Board has appointed Nitin Nabin as the National Working President of the party with immediate effect. The notification clarified that the order has been communicated to the National President, all state in-charges, state presidents, and organisation general secretaries. Nitin Nabin is an MLA from the Bankipur constituency in Patna. In the Assembly elections held last month, he defeated RJD candidate Rekha Kumari. He is a five-time MLA and is regarded as a disciplined and committed party worker. Coming from a political background, Nitin Nabin is the son of Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha, a senior and prominent BJP leader in Bihar. From student politics to holding key organisational and ministerial roles, Nitin Nabin has steadily risen through the ranks of the party. His appointment is being seen as a significant move by the BJP leadership, reflecting confidence in his organisational skills and political experience. At 45, Nitin Nabin has established himself as an effective Road Construction Minister in the Bihar government. He is widely regarded as a young, energetic leader with a modern outlook, and his administrative style has earned him recognition within the party. Earlier, the BJP had also announced a key organisational change in Uttar Pradesh, where Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary was appointed as the new president of the state unit, as part of the partyas broader organisational restructuring ahead of upcoming political challenges. Lucknow, Dec 14 : The Directorate of Enforcement's (ED) Lucknow Zonal Office has carried out extensive search operations under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an alleged illegal trade and diversion of codeine-based cough syrup, the agency said in a statement on Sunday. The searches were conducted on December 12 and 13 at 25 locations, including residential and office premises of the accused and their associates, spread across Lucknow, Varanasi, Jaunpur and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Ranchi and Ahmedabad. The ED initiated the probe on the basis of 30 FIRs registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and other applicable laws. According to the FIRs, a well-organised and multi-layered criminal syndicate was operating to illegally procure, store, divert and sell codeine-based cough syrups in blatant violation of statutory and regulatory controls. The accused allegedly acted through a network of entities to procure large quantities of the controlled drug formulation and then floated multiple firms, fraudulently obtained licences, and fabricated records to divert the stock for non-medical and narcotic purposes. The investigation has revealed that the illegally diverted cough syrup was trafficked across states and smuggled to neighbouring countries, including Nepal and Bangladesh, through clandestine supply chains. The ED further alleged that substantial proceeds generated from the illicit trade were routed through bank accounts of front entities and subsequently layered through multiple financial transactions to conceal the origin of the funds before being funnelled into accounts controlled by the accused persons. Search operations carried out under Section 17 of the PMLA, 2002, at the residential and business premises of the accused resulted in the recovery and seizure of various incriminating documents, records, and other material relevant to the money laundering investigation. Further investigation is underway. New Delhi, Dec 14 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday called upon people to lend force to Rahul Gandhi's efforts to save the country and take forward the party's ideology of truth and protect each voter's right to elect a government. Addressing the Congress party's "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhor" rally at Ramlila Maidan here, he said, "It is our responsibility to support Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Congress ideology to save the country." Training his guns on the BJP, Kharge said they are trying to destroy the Constitution and enslave the poor in the name of Hindutva. "If you want to live as slaves without any self-respect, you will be finished. It was the Congress which helped the country become independent," he said, adding that many of the BJP leaders were not even born when the grand old party earned Independence. He said the BJP and the RSS are sowing seeds of venom through their divisive ideology, and the Congress is committed to upholding its own ideology and remove the BJP from power. He accused BJP leaders of doing drama and being incapable of repeating Rahul Gandhi's achievement of taking out an 800 km yatra and meeting the poor and caring for them. Pointing to the Congress party's good show in the recent Kerala local elections, Kharge shouted slogans of "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhor" and "Vande Mataram" and said the people have to boldly fight the BJP and each worker of the Congress will join the effort to dislodge the rivals who have come to power through "Vote Chori". He said the BJP wants to take away poor people's right to vote and continue to occupy the seat of power through malpractices. Kharge said the BJP always alleges that Rahul Gandhi goes abroad after the Parliament session, but PM Modi himself goes on foreign trips when the House is in session, without answering any of the questions raised by the LoP and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The Congress president also asked party workers not to be scared by probe agencies allegedly unleashed against them. Kharge said the BJP and RSS never took part in the freedom struggle, and now they are trying to mislead people over Vande Mataram and "friction" between former PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi, in his address, thanked Congress workers for continuing to keep faith in the party and said, "Let me assure you that we will ultimately dislodge the BJP by sticking to the party's ideology of truth and non-violence." "It may take some time, but in this nation, it is the truth that wins ultimately by following the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi," he said, calling it a fight between two ideologies "The fight is between their ideology, which is against the truth and power hungry and our ideology of truth, which is in the DNA of every citizen, and non-violence," he said. "Congress workers have truth in their DNA, while they (BJP) have 'vote chori' in their DNA," he said. Waving a copy of the Constitution, he described "vote theft" as an attack on Dr B.R Ambedkar, who framed the Constitution, which gives the right to elect and remove a government to every citizen. Rahul Gandhi said due to "vote theft", the government has failed on several fronts, including the destruction of small traders, wrong implementation of GST, demonetization, joblessness and pollution. "Their failure is due to 'vote chori', and they know if there is no 'vote chori', voters would send them out of power," said Gandhi. New Delhi, Dec 14 : The Congress party mounted a fierce offensive against alleged electoral malpractice on Sunday, with its top leadership converging at Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan for the "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" rally. New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The Congress party mounted a fierce offensive against alleged electoral malpractice on Sunday, with its top leadership converging at Delhi's historic Ramlila Maidan for the "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" rally. The event, billed as a mass protest against "vote chori" (vote theft), saw Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Sachin Pilot and other senior leaders address thousands of supporters. Former party chief Sonia Gandhi was also present. Rahul Gandhi, leading the charge, accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding with the BJP to manipulate electoral rolls and shield irregularities. Naming Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, Gandhi alleged they were "working for the BJP." "We will stand with satya (truth) and will remove the Narendra Modi-RSS government from power. They have satta (power), and they indulge in vote chori," Gandhi declared, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. He further claimed that the BJP distributed Rs 10,000 during elections without facing any action from the poll panel. "In this fight between truth and untruth, the Election Commission is working with the BJP government," he said. "Listen to RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat's statement, the world doesn't look at truth, it looks at power. Whoever has power is respected. This is Mohan Bhagwat's thinking. This ideology belongs to the RSS. Our ideology, the ideology of India, the ideology of Hinduism, the ideology of every religion in the world, says that truth is the most important thing. Mohan Bhagwat says truth is meaningless, power is importantI guarantee you from this stage, you will see, by upholding the truth, by standing behind the truth, we will remove Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the RSS government from India." The rally marks the Congress's most significant push in the national capital on its "vote chori" campaign, which gained traction during Gandhi's "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in Bihar earlier this year. Despite a poor showing in the Bihar Assembly elections winning only six of the 61 seats contested the party has persisted with the slogan "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod," hoping to transform it into a mass movement. Since announcing the rally on November 18, the Congress has mobilised leaders across states, setting up a control room at its Akbar Road headquarters and coordinating turnout from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Punjab and beyond. Party insiders say Gandhi views the issue as central to democracy itself, and intends to keep the spotlight on alleged "electoral fraud." Gandhi has previously held three press conferences presenting what he called "evidence of vote chori" in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Haryana. He accused the ECI of presiding over inflated voter rolls and permitting fake votes, charges the Commission has dismissed as "incorrect and baseless." This time, the Congress chose to go solo, without the INDIA bloc allies, citing uncertainty after the Bihar debacle. Senior leaders insist the campaign is far from over, with upcoming elections in Assam, Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu seen as crucial tests of its resonance. "Rahul Gandhi believes this fight is about the most basic element of democracy voting. He will continue his offensive against the EC and the BJP. We hope for an awakening of the masses on this issue," said a senior Congress leader. Whether the "vote chori" campaign can galvanise public opinion beyond party loyalists remains to be seen, but Sunday's rally underscored Gandhi's determination to keep the issue alive as the Congress eyes critical state polls in 2026. New Delhi, Dec 14 : Lucknow is set to witness a significant boost to its startup ecosystem with the construction of the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway, a key infrastructure project expected to reshape economic activity across the region, Uttar Pradesh government officials said on Sunday. New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) Lucknow is set to witness a significant boost to its startup ecosystem with the construction of the Kanpura"Lucknow Expressway, a key infrastructure project expected to reshape economic activity across the region, Uttar Pradesh government officials said on Sunday.A The expressway, being developed under the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath government's connectivity push, is projected to emerge as a catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial growth. Once operational, the expressway will drastically reduce travel time between Kanpur and Lucknow, cutting the current journey of nearly two hours to a matter of minutes. The improved connectivity is expected to make business travel more efficient, strengthen supply chains, and enhance logistics movement, making the corridor an attractive destination for startups and investors alike. According to Deepak Maini, Chairman of the Progressive Federation of Trade and Industry (PFTI), Uttar Pradeshas rapid infrastructure expansion is creating a favourable environment for innovation-driven enterprises. He said the Kanpura"Lucknow corridor has the potential to evolve into a vibrant economic belt, generating new opportunities in industry, education, and employment. Industry experts believe the expressway will also encourage closer collaboration between academic institutions. With faster access, partnerships between IIT Kanpur and leading educational and management institutions in Lucknow are expected to intensify, particularly in areas such as deep technology, the Internet of Things, and advanced manufacturing. Such collaboration could provide startups with easier access to mentorship, research facilities, funding avenues, and skilled talent. Plans are also being discussed to develop manufacturing and logistics clusters along the expressway route. In the coming years, the corridor is likely to see the establishment of IT parks, industrial nodes, and special economic zones, offering startups a conducive environment to scale operations. Officials say the expressway aligns with the state's long-term vision of "Viksit Uttar Pradesh @ 2047", aimed at accelerating economic growth and job creation. A strategic roadmap is being prepared to position Lucknow as a major startup hub in North India, with expectations of increased private investment and the generation of a large number of high-paying jobs in the years ahead. Nagpur, Dec 14 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday denied the Opposition's charge of deterioration of law and order in the state and claimed that the conviction rate has significantly increased, reaching 96.24 per cent in Maharashtra. He also noted that the response time for the 'Dial 112' service has been reduced from 15 minutes to nearly 7.37 minutes. In his reply to a debate on a last week's motion in the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said the crime has decreased in Pune during the period of October 2024 to October 2025. Addressing crimes against women and children in Maharashtra, CM Fadnavis said that the rate of complaint registration is more than 99 per cent. He also informed that the rate of filing a charge sheet within 60 days in cases of crimes against women has increased to 87.8 per cent by October 2025. "Through 'Operation Muskan' and 'Operation Shodh', thousands of missing women and children have been traced. Nearly 86 per cent of registered kidnapping victims in the state are traced within one year, with this rate reaching 99 per cent in Mumbai," he said. CM Fadnavis announced that action against cybercrime, narcotics, and organised crime has been intensified. "MahaCyber is being used to control offences like cyber fraud, fake call centres, and digital arrests, and has emerged as the most modern cyber headquarters in the country. He added that many states and two foreign countries have requested cooperation with MahaCyber," he said. He clarified that a zero-tolerance policy is being strictly enforced against illegal drugs, with stringent action taken against peddlers under the MOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) and MPDA (Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act). The Chief Minister provided data on police recruitment, saying that more than 88,000 police personnel have been recruited in the last 10 years. He expressed confidence that strict action against criminals in the state will continue. He added, "Maharashtra will not stop now; with everyone's cooperation, we must take Maharashtra forward." Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said the Maharashtra government is successful in reducing irrigation backlog in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions. The irrigation backlog of 13.83 lakh hectares in Vidarbha and Marathwada has almost been cleared. He said that, of this backlog determined by the Indicator Backlog Committee, 13.34 lakh hectares have been brought under irrigation, and now only 49,000 hectares of backlog remain. This backlog is mainly limited to three districts of Akola, Buldhana and Hingoli, he added. "In Akola, against the remaining backlog of 14,530 hectares, 19,335 hectares of irrigation capacity will be created by 2026-27 and in Buldhana, against the backlog of 29,000 hectares, 1,68,000 hectares of area will come under irrigation," CM Fadnavis said. He clarified that a provision of Rs 2,399 crore has been made this year for the Jigaon project in particular, and due to this one project, Buldhana district will go directly from deficit to surplus. "The extension work of the Gosikhurd project, which is considered the lifeline of Eastern Vidarbha, is in the final stage, and a total of 2.54 lakh hectares of irrigation capacity will be created. A fund of Rs 1,555 crore has been approved for this, and the work will be completed by June 2027," the Chief Minister said. "Most of the total 485 irrigation projects in Vidarbha have been completed and 7.66 lakh hectares of additional capacity will be created from the remaining 74 projects. Apart from this, 4.04 lakh hectares of land will come under irrigation due to the Rs 1 lakh crore Wainganga-Nalganga mega river linking project and the target is to complete all the approval processes by February 2026," CM Fadnavis added. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the diversion of Damanganga-Narpar-Girna water for Marathwada and the flood diversion projects that will divert flood water from Kolhapur-Sangli to Ujani will permanently end the drought. --ANS sj/khz Guwahati, Dec 14 : Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday reviewed the preparations at Namrup in Assam ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit on December 21, during which he will lay the foundation stone of a landmark Rs 11,000-crore Ammonia-Urea fertiliser project. Guwahati, Dec 14 (IANS) Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday reviewed the preparations at Namrup in Assam ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modias scheduled visit on December 21, during which he will lay the foundation stone of a landmark Rs 11,000-crore Ammonia-Urea fertiliser project. Sonowal inspected the site earmarked for the foundation stone ceremony as well as the venue for the Prime Ministeras public rally, taking stock of arrangements for the high-profile programme that is expected to draw a massive turnout from across Upper Assam and neighbouring districts. Following the inspection, the Union Minister held a meeting with party workers and members of the public at the rally venue. The meeting was attended by Assam Cabinet Ministers Prasanta Phukan and Jogen Mohan, Rajya Sabha MP Rameswar Teli, MLAs and senior party functionaries. Speaking to reporters here, Sonowal underlined the importance of the upcoming project for the regionas agrarian economy. He said the Rs 11,000-crore fertiliser complex would mark a new chapter in the agricultural development of the North East, strengthening fertiliser availability and boosting farmer confidence. The Minister added that all arrangements were being meticulously planned to ensure the Prime Ministeras visit becomes a memorable and historic occasion for the people of Assam. The Ammonia-Urea complex at Namrup will be developed by Assam Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited (AVFCCL) as a major joint venture. The Government of Assam holds the largest equity stake of 40 per cent, while National Fertilisers Limited, Oil India Limited, Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Limited and Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited are key partner PSUs. With an annual production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes of urea, the facility is aimed at meeting the fertiliser needs of farmers across Assam and the wider North Eastern region. Once commissioned, it will be the single largest urea-producing unit in the North East. Prime Minister Modias visit to Assam is part of a two-day programme. On December 20, he will inaugurate the new terminal building of the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, before travelling to Namrup on December 21 for the foundation stone ceremony and public rally. A senior official said preparations are underway on multiple fronts, including security, infrastructure, logistics and crowd management, to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Hyderabad, Dec 14 : A candidate in the Panchayat elections in Telangana died a few minutes before the polling began on Sunday, while a voter collapsed and succumbed soon after casting his vote. A candidate for the Sarpanch's post died in Khammam district a few minutes before the polling began at 7 a.m. D. Nagaraju was the independent candidate from Anasagar village in Nelkonapalli mandal. He was under stress due to the election campaign. According to his family members, he took ill on Saturday night. He was admitted to the hospital, where he succumbed on Sunday morning. In another tragic incident, a voter collapsed after casting his vote in Ranga Reddy district. The incident occurred at a polling centre in Aluru village of Chevella mandal. Solipeta Butchaiah, 70, collapsed after coming out of the polling centre. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Butchaiahas daughter Ramulamma is a candidate for the Ward Member's post in Venkannaguda village. In another incident, the husband of a Sarpanch candidate in Medak district climbed on a mobile phone tower to protest against the alleged distribution of money by other candidates. The incident occurred in Peddatanda Gram Panchayat. Shankar Naiik, whose wife is the Sarpanch candidate from the same Gram Panchayat, climbed on the mobile phone tower. He alleged that his wifeas rivals were distributing Rs 2,000 each among voters to lure them. The second phase of polls was held on Sunday for 3,911 Sarpanch posts and 29,917 Ward Member posts in 193 mandals. A little over 57.22 lakh voters (29.26 lakh female and 27.96 lakh male) would decide the fate of 12,782 candidates for Sarpanch posts and 71,071 for Ward Member posts. Meanwhile, in an interesting incident, a Sarpanch candidate who lost the election in Nalgonda district started collecting money from the voters which he had distributed. The incident was reported from Auravani village of Narkatpally mandal. Kalluri Balaraju, who contested as a sarpanch candidate with the support of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), had distributed money to the voters. However, the Congress candidate Jakkala Paramesh won the election with a majority of 450 votes. Following this, Balaraju went from house to house in the village, holding a picture of a deity and crying: "If you voted for me, swear on God and tell me. Otherwise, return the money I gave you." He collected the money from many voters. His wife said that they would not have asked for the money back if they had lost by a margin of 50 or 60 votes. Borderlands Mexico is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Customs overhaul may reshape cross-border manufacturing, expert says; Transport Capacity Services opens Monterrey office to boost U.S.Mexico freight; and WeShip Express relocates headquarters to Austin. Customs overhaul may reshape cross-border manufacturing, expert says Mexicos sweeping 2026 customs reforms could tighten enforcement across the countrys manufacturing sector, while increasing compliance burdens for importers and customs brokers, according to Jonathan Todd, vice-chair of the transportation and logistics practice group at law firm Benesch. In an interview with FreightWaves, Todd said the upcoming changes expected to take effect Jan. 1 represent one of the most significant shifts in Mexicos trade governance in years. Theres a fair amount of duty evasion and smuggling of Chinese goods and other inputs into Mexico, Todd said, describing a concern shared by U.S. manufacturers. Stronger enforcement will help U.S. producers compete on a more level playing field. The customs reforms impose new obligations and steep liabilities on Mexicos licensed customs brokers (agentes aduanales), who already operate within one of the strictest licensing systems in the world. Unlike in the U.S., where importers can self-file entries with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, nearly all commercial imports entering Mexico must be processed by a broker. Under the revised law, customs brokers will be jointly responsible with importers for undervaluation, misclassification and false declarations. Brokers must also report irregular transactions to authorities, a shift that Todd describes as potentially transformative. Mexico-based customs brokers are really the parties that will have the greatest compliance burden, he said. Its not going to be impossible, but its not very often that you have conversations about jail time or multimillion-dollar penaltiesand thats now possible under the legislation. Manufacturers operating under Mexicos IMMEX program critical for temporary imports that support maquiladora production will face tougher controls. Temporary imports must now align more tightly with production and re-export requirements, and companies whose IMMEX authorization is cancelled will have just 60 days to regularize or export their inventory. Todd said these rules could have uneven effects depending on the type of manufacturing operation involved. New Delhi, Dec 14 : Four smugglers were arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in an operation thwarting an attempt to illegally export restricted/prohibited red sanders valued at Rs 6.26 crore from Chennai, an official said on Sunday. A total of 15 MTs of red sanders was seized from various warehouses in Chennai, the official said in a statement. The four arrested persons include the key operative, his two associates involved in packing and transportation of red sanders, and a supplier-side intermediary. Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) is an item listed in Appendix II of CITES and in Schedule-IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and prohibited/restricted for exports under Foreign Trade Policy, said the statement. Specific intelligence was developed by the officers of DRI that red sanders were being clandestinely secreted at various godowns in Chennai and its outskirts, and the same are being attempted for export from Chennai via Delhi. Accordingly, DRI officers carried out coordinated systematic searches at three premises from December 9 to 11 and seized 169 red sanders logs of Grade A quality weighing 5.55 MT. Out of these logs, 76 logs were wrapped and concealed using white HDPE packing material and ready to be loaded onto a truck for transporting to Delhi for illicit export, with the cover cargo of "Household articles" being recovered from one premises, said a DRI statement. The offending goods, as well as the cover goods meant for illicit export, were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. In the other two premises, 9.55MTs of red sanders in the form of logs, roots and furniture were recovered and seized, it said. Last week, the DRI dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Wardha, Maharashtra, during a targeted operation codenamed "Operation Hinterland Brew." The operation executed on December 7-8 led to the seizure of 128 kg of Mephedrone, valued at approximately Rs 192 crore, along with 245 kg of precursor chemicals, raw material, and a complete processing setup, said a statement. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers carried out discreet surveillance followed by a search operation in a remote, shrub-covered area of Karanja (Ghadge), nearly 60 km from Wardha. Three persons operating the facility, including the mastermind, who also acted as the financier and chemist, along with his two associates, were apprehended. Rome, Dec 14 : World leaders on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack targeting Jewish community at the Bondi Beach in Australia's Sydney and offered condolences to the families of the victims. At least 12 people, including one shooter, were killed while 29 others, including two police officers, were injured in a shooting incident at Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, according to the police. A second gunman is also among the injured and has been taken into custody. New South Wales (NSW) Police has said that it has been declared as a terrorist incident, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News reported. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned violence and anti-Semitism and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. "I follow with deep sorrow the dramatic news coming from Sydney. In condemning once again with firm resolve every form of violence and anti-Semitism, Italy expresses its condolences for the victims and stands in solidarity with their loved ones, the injured, the Jewish communities, and renews its friendship with the Australian people," Meloni said on X. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered condolences to everyone affected by the attack in Bondi Beach and said that he is being updated about the developing situation. In a post on X, Starmer said, "Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi beach. Iam being kept updated on the developing situation." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed Europe's support for Australia and Jewish communities and offered condolences to the loved ones of the victims. "Shocked by the tragic attack at Bondi Beach. I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred," Von der Leyen said on X. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he is "shocked" by the distressing scenes at Bondi. Sharing a statement on X, Luxon said, "Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, we're family. I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visited every day. My thoughts and thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected." Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has condemned the terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Sydney. He expressed Serbia's support for Jewish communities around the world. "Serbia condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Sydney, carried out during a Hanukkah gathering. Terrorism and antisemitism have no place in our world. The Republic of Serbia stands firmly with Jewish communities everywhere and remains unequivocally committed to the safety and dignity of its Jewish citizens," Vucic said on X. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the attack on Jewish community in Sydney who had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah and expressed support for Jewish community around the world. In a statement shared on X, Guterres wrote, "I am horrified and condemn todayas heinous deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hannukah. My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hannukah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness." European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that she is "horrified" to see the images that have emerged from the attack in Sydney and expressed sympathies with the victims and Jewish community. "Absolutely horrified to see the images emerging of the appalling attack on so many people on Bondi Beach as Hannukah celebrations began in Sydney. All my thoughts are with the victims and the wider Jewish community in Australia and beyond. This light will not be extinguished," Metsola wrote on X. The Netherlands Foreign Minister David van Weel also expressed solidarity with the people of Australia following the attack in Sydney. In a post on X, van Weel wrote, "Shocking reports from Bondi Beach, Sydney. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and everyone affected by this ruthless attack during Hannukah celebrations. We are monitoring the situation closely. The Netherlands stands with our Australian friends." Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott termed the events at Bondi Beach "absolute atrocity" and horror for the victims. He said that there should be no place for such kind of incidents in Australia. "The events at Bondi Beach are an absolute atrocity. A horror for the victims and a massive escalation of the hatred directed at Australiaas Jewish community. There should be no place in Australia for the kind of evil weave seen this evening. Thank God one bystander heroically intervened showing the good side of our country. I am praying for all those affected at this time," Abbott wrote on X. A senior law enforcement official has identified one of the gunmen as Naveed Akram from Sydney's Bonnyrigg, ABC News reported. Authorities said that there is no longer an active threat; however, they asked people to avoid the area. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese chaired a National Security Meeting and termed the shooting a "devastating terrorist incident". He said, "This afternoon, there has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration." He said, "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith." He called the incident an "act of evil antisemitism, terrorism" that has struck the heart of the nation. He added, "An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian." Hyderabad, Dec 14 : Andhra Pradesh's opposition party YSR Congress has slammed the coalition government for what it called its doublespeak on loans and financial discipline. Speaking to media here on Sunday, former finance minister Buggana Rajendranath said that the exorbitant loans taken by the state do not reflect in the welfare measures. Further, the diminishing revenue receipts give a clear picture of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's inefficiency in wealth creation, he said. "The coalition has so far taken over Rs 2.66 lakh crores and still the welfare schemes are either limping or did not take off. The Super Six is a flop as none of the schemes are being implemented as promised during elections. Unemployment stipend is not being given, Aadabidda Nidhi and pensions are not implemented in full and farmers are not given what was promised to them," the former minister said. The YSRCP leader claimed that the state has leaped to the first spot from fourth place in taking loans during the last 18 months but the false propaganda is going on. He stated that the same persons and media that raised a hue and cry on YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for adopting certain financing means for securing borrowings, are now silent on the TDP-led NDA government resorting to borrowings in a crude manner and in a least transparent manner. The YSRCP leader said Chandrababu Naidu and his publicity mechanism had objected most vehemently, when the YSRCP government had borrowed monies through issuance of NCDs (Non-Convertible Debentures) leveraging on proceeds of liquor sales to meet the welfare expenses. "Now the TDP Government is borrowing through the same structure. The stand of the TDP is such that when they are in opposition such financing structures are equivalent to crimes and when they are in power, such financing structures contributes to wealth creation," he said. Rajendranath challenged the TDP to either clarify to public that the financing structure that they described as a fraud, when in opposition and are now adopting for raising borrowings was part of a scheme perpetrated by the TDP in opposition for misleading the people or convey to people that despite believing such financing structure to be a fraud, they are now adopting it. "Further, the present Government has also pledged the future borrowings of the Mineral Development Corporation and even gave access to private persons to the state exchequer which is unconstitutional," he said. He alleged that the coalition government has been taking loans in the name of corporations and has been diverting the funds for other purposes and lacks accountability. The national media has described Chandrababu Naidu as an aggressive borrower, but still he keeps blaming us on loans taken, telling different people different figures at different occasions, he said. "Chandrababu Naidu has been blatantly telling that the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government has erred in financial management while the reality is otherwise," he added. Patna, Dec 14 : Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) National Working President Nitin Nabin on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior party leaders for giving him the top organisation responsibility, vowing to do justice to the faith shown in him. "It is the party's hardworking workers who are behind victories across the nation, and they are the ones who are the force behind leaders like Nitin Nabin and even PM Modi," 45-year-old Nabin, a senior minister in the Bihar cabinet, told IANS. The working chief of the world's largest political organisation also hit out at the Congress and its supporters for using abusive language against PM Modi at a rally in New Delhi in the afternoon. "We have seen in the past as well, every time PM Modi is abused, the PM Modi's Tsunami grows bigger, and he emerges victorious with a bigger margin," said Nabin, a five-time MLA and Bihar Minister. Talking about the post-election celebrations in Bihar and his Bankipur constituency, he said, "I know that the hard work and dedication of these party workers is the reason for the continuous success of the BJP in Bankipur, West Patna. It is also the good fortune of all of us that these workers have nurtured and produced leaders like Nitin Nabin..." Earlier, the BJP Parliamentary Board approved the major organisational change, appointing Nabin as the party's National Working President. As the term of the current BJP National President J.P. Nadda has ended, the party has been deliberating on his successor for some time. According to a letter issued by BJP National General Secretary Arun Singh, the Parliamentary Board has appointed Nitin Nabin as the National Working President of the party with immediate effect. The notification clarified that the order has been communicated to the National President, all state in-charges, state presidents, and organisation general secretaries. Nabin is an MLA from the Bankipur constituency in Patna. In the Assembly elections held last month, he defeated RJD candidate Rekha Kumari. He is a five-time MLA and is regarded as a disciplined and committed party worker. Coming from a political background, Nabin is the son of Naveen Kishore Prasad Sinha, a senior and prominent BJP leader in Bihar. From student politics to holding key organisational and ministerial roles, Nabin has steadily risen through the ranks of the party. New Delhi, Dec 14 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday participated in the unveiling of a statue of Bharat Ratna and late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Madanapalle of Andhra Pradesh's Annamayya district. A The event was held as part of the BJPas 'Atala"Modi Good Governance Yatraa, during which the Chief Minister also addressed a public gathering. Addressing the audience, CM Dhami said he felt honoured to participate in the programme organised by the Andhra Pradesh BJP during the birth centenary year of former PM Vajpayee. He described former PM Vajpayee as a towering statesman whose life exemplified nationalism, democratic values and deep humanism. Recalling Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure as the country's Prime Minister, he said India achieved several historic milestones under his leadership, including the Pokhran nuclear tests, the Golden Quadrilateral highway project, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and the telecom Revolution. He noted that former PM Vajpayee successfully ran a coalition government, proving that political differences could be bridged when national interest was paramount. Chief Minister Dhami said former PM Vajpayeeas ideals continue to inspire the present-day governance model under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, Digital India and Vocal for Local have strengthened Indiaas march towards self-reliance and inclusive development. Chief Minister Dhami said India today is emerging as a leading global economic power, while also making rapid progress in defence, space and infrastructure sectors. He claimed that during PM Modi-led Union governmentas tenure, nearly 99 per cent of villages have been connected by roads, alongside significant improvements in health, education and transport. Highlighting cultural and spiritual revival, CM Dhami said unprecedented work has been carried out to preserve India's civilisational heritage, citing the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok in Ujjain and the redevelopment of Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines. He also referred to major policy decisions such as the abrogation of Article 370, abolition of triple talaq, implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act and amendments to Waqf laws, saying these steps strengthened the vision of "Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat". The Uttarakhand Chief Minister praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for the state's development initiatives, including the Polavaram project and upcoming industrial and semiconductor units. He added that inspired by former PM Vajpayee, Uttarakhand's creation became possible and, under Prime Minister Modi's guidance, the state is now advancing rapidly in education, healthcare, employment and good governance. Ahmedabad, Dec 14 : In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and trust in the organ transplant system, the Gujarat government is developing a special registration software for patients awaiting kidney, liver, skin, heart valve and tissue transplants. The state has a long waiting list of patients in need of organ transplants, many of whom have spent years in uncertainty due to the lack of information about their position on the cadaver (brain-dead donor) waiting list. The proposed digital platform will allow registered patients to access real-time details of their status on the transplant waiting list, addressing a long-standing concern among recipients. Pranjal R. Modi, Director of the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) at Ahmedabad, said the initiative would bring much-needed clarity to the system and empower patients with accurate information. At IKDRC, the state's largest organ transplant centre, patients have welcomed the state government's decision, noting that the software will enable them to check their waiting list number from home, reducing anxiety and repeated hospital visits. "This will make the process far more patient-friendly," said Sanjaybhai Patil, a kidney patient undergoing treatment at IKDRC. The decision follows a meeting held on November 22 under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary Raj Kumar, where measures to make Gujarat's organ donation and transplant programme more transparent and reliable were discussed in detail. Once operational, the new registration software is expected to bring greater transparency to procedures involving skin, heart valve, tissue, kidney, liver and bone transplants, while ensuring that patients receive timely and accurate information -- marking a significant step forward in strengthening the state's organ transplant framework. Gujarat has steadily emerged as India's pharmaceutical capital, driven by a robust manufacturing base, policy support and a strong ecosystem of research, talent and infrastructure. The state accounts for a significant share of the country's pharmaceutical production and exports, hosting major pharma hubs such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Ankleshwar, Vapi and Sanand, along with Asia's largest common effluent treatment facilities that support sustainable manufacturing. Home to leading Indian and global pharma companies, Gujarat benefits from seamless connectivity, port-led logistics, skilled manpower and proactive governance, making it a preferred destination for bulk drugs, formulations, vaccines and medical devices. With continued investments, innovation-led growth and export orientation, Gujarat plays a pivotal role in ensuring affordable medicines for India and the world. New Delhi, Dec 14 : Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday demanded an apology from Congress leaders for the objectionable slogans raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in the national capital's Ramlila Maidan. He hit out at Congress leaders for promoting politics of hatred and not checking their party workers from raising objectionable slogans against PM Modi. Condemning the objectionable slogans raised against PM Modi at the rally organised by the Congress, Sachdeva said, "I demand that the Congress leadership apologise." The Delhi BJP President said that the Congress' allegation of election manipulation and objection to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is an insult to the democratic mandate of the people, whether it is in Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi or Bihar. He added that Congress leaders have been continuously accusing the Central government and the Election Commission of misusing EVMs and demanding elections through ballot papers instead of EVMs. He said now that the Congress-led UPA alliance has won the local body elections in Kerala using these very same EVMs, the people of the country are keenly awaiting Congress leadership's response on the issue. "The people of the country want the Congress leaders to explain that if, according to them, every vote cast anywhere using EVMs goes to the BJP, then how did the Congress win the Kerala municipal elections using these very same EVMs," Sachdeva asked. He termed the BJP's victory in the municipal elections in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, as a victory of nationalism and Sanatan Dharma. He said that while the 'pseudo-Communist' Arvind Kejriwal, the former Chief Minister, was defeated in the recent Delhi Assembly polls at the beginning of 2025, the people of Kerala have also decided to bid farewell to the Communists in the next Assembly election before April 2026. United Nations, Dec 14 : Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed in a drone attack on a UN logistics base in Sudan, according to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The attack on Saturday was carried out in the Abeyi region by the Rapid Support Forces, a rebel militant group battling Sudan's defence forces, according to the Khartoum government of President Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burha, an Army general. Guterres condemned the killings, which he said may be war crimes under international law. "Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers, are unjustifiable," he said. "There will need to be accountability." The head of UN Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said eight Bangladeshi peacekeepers, who are among the 512 from that country deployed in Abeyi, were injured. There were no reports of casualties among the 596 Indians deployed in the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), which has a multi-national contingent of 3,002 troops. So far, 16 peacekeepers have been killed in the UNISFA operation that was launched in 2011 to monitor the situation in the oil-rich Abeyi region claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. Other actors, like the RSF, have exacerbated the situation. The attackers targeted the UN logistics base that houses a warehouse in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan State. The warehouse was destroyed, according to reports and social media posts showing smoke billowing from it. According to the UN, violent clashes have raged in South Kordofan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF for nearly three years. About 15,000 people have died in the conflict between the two across Sudan. The RSF was an outgrowth of the dreaded Islamist Janjaweed militant group that was once backed by Sudan's government during the Darfur conflict involving several rebel groups fighting it. It was later reconstituted as the RSF and eventually turned against the government, becoming a powerful force trying to oust the Khartoum government of al-Burha. Hyderabad, Dec 14 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K.T. Rama Rao on Sunday warned ruling Congress party that if attacks on BRS workers continue, the party would be forced to respond. He visited Lingampally village in Tungaturthi constituency of Suryapet district and paid tributes to BRS worker Uppala Mallaiah, who was killed in an alleged attack by Congress activists recently. KTR offered floral tributes to Mallaiah's portrait and extended his condolences to the bereaved family. He handed over Rs. 5 lakh as immediate financial assistance and assured the family of the partyas full support in all aspects. Addressing a gathering, KTR stated that BRS ruled the state for 10 years but never resorted to such violent politics. He warned Congress leaders that days do not remain the same forever and advised them to abandon irresponsible politics and focus on peopleas welfare. He cautioned that if attacks on BRS workers continue, the party would be forced to respond, and such a situation could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state. Telangana, he said, never had a culture of political violence, and such practices must stop. KTR ridiculed the Congress government for being so scared even of Sarpanch and Panchayat elections. He questioned that if Congress had truly delivered "wonders" in the last two years, including loan waivers, houses, and ration cards as claimed, why was it so afraid of elections. KTR said that if the 420 promises made by Congress had been fulfilled, people themselves would have celebrated the government. Instead, fear of failures has pushed Congress leaders towards attacks and intimidation, he alleged. He said that despite intimidation and attacks by the ruling Congress party, BRS has won nearly 50 percent of Sarpanch and Ward Member seats in the Panchayat elections. He claimed that that people of Telangana are eagerly waiting for the return of K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) as the chief minister. KTR explained that although he wanted to visit the family immediately after the incident, he waited to avoid further tensions. He assured that BRS would stand by its word and expressed confidence that BRS would return to power. Once the party forms the government again, one member of Mallaiah's family will be provided a government job, he promised. Kolkata, Dec 14 : Tension prevailed in parts of West Bengal's Birbhum district on Sunday after the body of a former Trinamool Congress booth president was recovered from Kankalitala, triggering protests by family members and local residents who alleged foul play. The deceased has been identified as Madan Lohar, a former Trinamool Congress booth president from Dhalatikuri village under the Kankalitala Gram Panchayat area. According to the police, Lohar had been missing since Saturday evening, and his body was found lying in a field in the Dhalatikuri area on Sunday morning. Soon after the discovery, local residents gathered at the spot and blocked police attempts to recover the body, alleging that Lohar had been murdered in a pre-planned manner. They demanded a fair and impartial investigation and the immediate arrest of those responsible for his death. Police sources said locals noticed blood oozing from Lohar's ear, although no other visible external injuries were apparent on the body. The situation further turned tense as residents accused the authorities of attempting to downplay the incident. Upon receiving information, personnel from the Santiniketan police station rushed to the spot. However, when officers tried to remove the body for post-mortem examination, they were obstructed by the deceased's family members and villagers, who insisted that the body would not be moved without assurances of a thorough probe. The protests continued for several hours, during which slogans were raised and traffic movement in the area was briefly disrupted. Additional police forces were deployed to prevent any escalation of the situation and to maintain law and order. Despite resistance, the police later managed to recover the body in the afternoon and sent it for autopsy. "The body has been recovered and sent for post-mortem examination. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after the report is received. The situation is under control now," a senior officer of the Birbhum district police said. Police officials said all angles, including murder and other possible causes of death, would be investigated. The post-mortem report is expected to play a crucial role in determining whether Loharas death was accidental or the result of a criminal act. Ken Mulvany, the co-founder of Benevolent AI, has seen tech boom and bust more than once - Jeff Gilbert The artificial intelligence revolution threatens to erode Britains sovereignty, one of the countrys most experienced tech entrepreneurs has warned. Ken Mulvany, co-founder and executive chairman of Benevolent AI, which has pioneered artificial intelligence in drug discovery, told The Telegraph that the United States and China are increasingly dominant in the crucial field. He says: If you look at this from the UK or Europes perspective, the risk is that these China and America are now the two cognitive powers. Theyre the ones that are investing the most into this. I do worry about having the nations intellect effectively outsourced. Its not just that, either. Its the productivity gains. If for every hour of cognitive work that you do theres a machine doing what would take you 50 hours, how do you as a nation compete with that? Electricity multiplied the power of muscles and AI can do the same with brains in certain scenarios. But its almost like you, as Britain and Europe are outsourcing national IQ to US and Chinese tech companies. So youre left trying to regulate something you dont own. And I do worry about that. I think of it as cognitive border control. Mulvany is better placed than most to sound the alarm. An eerily youthful 57 who betrays his Hawaiian roots with a surf-ready hairdo, he is an entrepreneur who has seen tech boom and bust more than once. Ken Mulvany is co-founder and executive chairman of Benevolent AI, which has pioneered artificial intelligence in drug discovery - Jeff Gilbert In a world increasingly haunted by visions of an AI apocalypse that would make the dotcom crash look like a minor market setback, Mulvany and Benevolent have already been tested to near-destruction. The technology excited investors including the star fund manager Neil Woodford long before his self-inflicted implosion enough to snag a 1.5bn valuation way back in 2018. This was long before the likes of Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic emerged to seek thrones as the next generation of tech plutocrats. Benevolent sought to help researchers to quickly design new drugs with computer assistance, using machine learning techniques to scour a treasure trove of science information for possibilities at an unprecedented clip. Expansion into defence and energy markets promised new horizons and riches. It seemed to work. Benevolent burst onto the public markets long before the current AI frontrunners had attracted the attention of everyday investors, too. With the world still in the grip of the pandemic and having discovered an anti-inflammatory that was proving useful on pandemic wards, the start-up made a splashy debut. I wasnt really part of it at that time, Mulvany recalls ruefully. Having seemingly set up Benevolent for enormous success, he was already easing into semi-retirement. Chandigarh, Dec 14 : Amid the allegations of fake voting, clashes and booth capturing, voting to elect representatives of Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis by the Aam Aadmi Party-ruled Punjab, on Sunday, witnessed 48 per cent polling with clashes among the party's supporters at some places. The repoll is scheduled on December 16 with the counting of votes on December 17. A total of 1.36 crore voters were eligible to cast votes to elect representatives of 347 zones of Zila Parishads and 2,838 zones of 153 Panchayat Samitis, ahead of the state going to the polls in early 2027. All major political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Bharatiya Janata Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the SAD (Amritsar) were in the fray on party symbols in the rural local body polls. As per the Election Commission, elections to elect the members from 347 zones of 22 Zila Parishads and from 2,838 zones of 153 Panchayat Samitis were peacefully conducted. No loss of life or major violence had been reported from anywhere across the state. The Election Commission ordered a re-poll at Samiti Attari and Varpal Kalan in Amritsar district; Samiti Chananwal and Raisar Patiala in Barnala district; Babania and Kot Bhai in Muktsar Sahib district; Chanhiya in Gurdaspur district; and Samiti Bhogpur in Jalandhar district. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cast his vote in his native village in Sangrur district and expressed hope that the voters would give further impetus to development of the state. Interacting with the media after casting his vote, the Chief Minister said these elections are beneficial for overall development of the rural areas across Punjab. He said these act as the foundations of the democracy as the people are able to perform at the grassroots. Likewise, CM Mann said these elections act as a launchpad for the young politicians who aspire to serve the people. Outrightly rejecting the allegations levelled by the opposition parties in Punjab regarding the misuse of official machinery, the Chief Minister said the administration deserved credit for organising free, fair and transparent polls. CM Mann said that more than 2,400 candidates from the opposition parties were contesting the polls that clearly reflected that there was no use of the official machinery. Chennai, Dec 14 : Asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would never succeed in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin, on Sunday, issued a sharp rebuttal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, declaring that no strategy or political manoeuvre could enable the BJP to capture the state. "No matter what tricks you bring, you cannot do anything here. You cannot win Tamil Nadu," CM Stalin said, addressing the DMK Youth Wing executive meeting in Tiruvannamalai. "If you come with love, we will embrace you. If you come with arrogance, we will not bow. We will resist and we will win," he added, underscoring the DMK's resolve to defend Tamil Nadu's political identity and ideological foundations. Speaking to a large gathering of DMK youth cadres, CM Stalin thanked senior Minister E.V. Velu for organising the event and praised the Deputy Chief Minister and DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin for his leadership. "No matter how much Udhayanidhi thanks E.V. Velu, it will not be enough. I thank him once again. When I see this youth conference, I feel as though I have travelled back half a century. The energy of the youth has reached me," the Chief Minister said. Recalling the evolution of the Dravidian movement, CM Stalin said the DMK had built its youth organisation by travelling across Tamil Nadu, engaging directly with people, and steadily expanding the political arena. "Nothing was handed over to us easily, nor did we seize power through shortcuts. We faced obstacles, hardships and opposition at every step," he added. He noted that reactionary and divisive ideas once spread rapidly across society, but the movement countered them by promoting rational thought and political awareness. "We turned tea shops and salons into political platforms and nurtured critical thinking among the people. There was a time when we worried about how far Tamil Nadu had fallen. Today, we have reached a stage where the country looks back at Tamil Nadu with respect," CM Stalin said. Defending Udhayanidhi Stalin against criticism from political opponents, the Chief Minister said rivals often described him as "dangerous". "Udhayanidhi understands his responsibility and functions as a strong power centre. He steps into the field and strikes decisively. He is constantly developing political clarity and intellectual strength, which is the true quality of a good politician," he added. Calling on the DMK's youth wing to play a decisive role in the upcoming Assembly elections to be held next year, CM Stalin urged his party cadres to take the state government's schemes and achievements to every household. Emphasising the party's duty to protect India's diversity and federal values, the Chief Minister said, "With your hard work and with the people's support, the DMK will once again form the government in Tamil Nadu." Amaravati, Dec 14 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Sunday congratulated Nitin Nabin on being appointed as the BJP Working President. Naidu, who is the president of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), took to X to congratulate Nabin. "Warmest congratulations to Sri Nitin Nabin Ji on being appointed as the BJP's national working president. I wish him a successful tenure," Naidu posted. Pawan Kalyan also conveyed heartfelt congratulations to Nitin Nabin on being appointed as the BJP national working president. "Shri Nitin Nabin, who has served in the youth wing of the BJP, is actively involved in Bihar state politics and public life. He is serving as a cabinet minister in the state government," said Pawan Kalyan, who is president of Jana Sena. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J. P. Nadda have steadfastly fulfilled the NDA's mandate. I hope that Shri Nitin Nabin will carry forward that momentum with strength, Pawan Kalyan said. State Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology Nara Lokesh also took to X to congratulate Nitin Nabin. "Wishing him the very best as he takes on this important responsibility. The NDA's collective commitment to nation-building will continue to grow stronger," said Lokesh, who is general secretary of TDP and son of Chandrababu Naidu. BJP's Andhra Pradesh unit president PVN Madhav also conveyed heartfelt congratulations to Nitin Nabin. Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy congratulated Nitin Nabin on his appointment as the BJP national working president. "As National General Secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha (BJYM), State President of the BJYM in Bihar, or as the party's in-charge for Chhattisgarh, he has discharged every organisational responsibility with dedication, discipline, and notable success. His elevation as National Working President is a recognition of the relentless hard work and commitment of every young BJP karyakarta who works day and night for the organisation," Kishan Reddy posted on X. He exuded confidence that Nabin will take the party to newer heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president J. P. Nadda and other senior leaders of the BJP. "I wish him the very best for his new responsibility and a highly successful tenure ahead," he added. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay stated that the BJP has always believed in rewarding commitment and grassroots work, and Nitin Nabin Ji is a fine example of that tradition. "Rising from a dedicated karyakarta to a seasoned public representative, he has earned respect through years of tireless organisational work. As an MLA and Minister in Bihar, he has consistently focused on delivery, public service, and staying connected with people on the ground. His simplicity and hands-on approach set him apart," said the MoS. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Nadda, the BJP continues to entrust key responsibilities to leaders shaped by hard work and discipline. Chennai, Dec 14 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on Sunday, urged the DMK cadre to take the achievements of the Dravidian model government to every household in the state and convert them into votes, asserting that sustained grassroots work would ensure the party's return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections. Speaking at the family wedding of former State Minister P. Palaniappan in Dharmapuri district, CM Stalin said the state government's welfare initiatives and development record had to be communicated directly to people across the state. Referring to the Vellum Tamil Pengal programme held in Chennai on Saturday, he said the event ensured that an additional 17 lakh women were brought under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme, which provides monthly financial assistance to women. "If any eligible woman has not received the assistance, she should apply for it. The benefits under the scheme will continue to increase," CM Stalin added. He also said that on the same day, a Reserve Bank of India report had ranked Tamil Nadu as the top-performing state in the country in terms of Gross State Domestic Product growth. CM Stalin said these achievements had been realised despite several challenges. He also referred to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, stressing that DMK cadre were working tirelessly to safeguard voting rights. "Only half the work is over now. We still have a long way to go until the 2026 election results are announced. The DMK will come to power for the seventh time, and the development of Tamil Nadu will continue," he said. Addressing the gathering, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said the DMK-led alliance must secure a massive victory in the 2026 elections to protect Tamil Nadu, its land and the Tamil language. He alleged that there were attempts to disrupt the DMK-led alliance's prospects and said that Dravidian movements, the VCK and Left parties were collectively resisting such efforts. Thirumavalavan referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's claim that the NDA would win in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, cautioning that such statements could not be ignored. He alleged that the NDA was attempting to win elections through manipulation, citing recent political developments in other states. Emphasising organisational strength, he said the DMK had a robust booth-level structure unmatched by any other party. Communist Party of India former State secretary, R. Mutharasan, said that while political alliances in Tamil Nadu had often been short-lived in the past, the current DMK alliance had remained intact for a decade, calling it a significant achievement. He expressed confidence that the alliance would retain power in 2026, with Stalin returning as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Itanagar, Dec 14 : The stage is set for elections to two municipal bodies and the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions in Arunachal Pradesh, with state election authorities deploying more than 40,000 personnel to ensure the smooth conduct of the local body polls scheduled for Monday, officials said. State Election Commissioner (SEC) Rinchin Tashi said on Sunday that elections will be held on Monday in the Itanagar Municipal Corporation (IMC) and Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) along with three-tier Gram Panchayats, including the zilla parishads. The balloting will begin at 7 a.m. on Monday and will end at 4 p.m., he added. The ruling BJP already won 58 Zilla Parishad seats unopposed while the National People's Party (NPP) secured one seat. Four BJP candidates were elected to the IMC without any contest while altogether 5,037 BJP nominees for gram panchayat seats have also been declared elected uncontested. In all, 440 candidates are in the fray for 186 Zilla Parishad seats, while 39 are fighting for 16 IMC wards and 21 for eight wards in PMC. Overall 8,31,648 voters, including 7,59,210 for panchayat bodies and 72,438 for municipal elections, are eligible to exercise their franchise. According to the SEC Tashi, in all 2,171 polling stations for panchayat elections, 67 for IMC and 12 for PMC were set up. He said that in the panchayat polls, female voters outnumber their male voters. The SEC said that more than 40,000 personnel, including 15,000 polling staffers were engaged, to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used for municipal polls, and ballot boxes for panchayat voting, he added. Counting of votes will be held on December 20. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General K.T. Parnaik, (retd.) on Sunday has appealed to every voter in the state to participate wholeheartedly in the Monday's Panchayat and Municipal elections. The Governor said that Panchayati Raj Institutions, working at the grassroots level, are essential for meaningful public participation in development planning and implementation. He also added that municipal councils, urban bodies directly elected by the people, have immense responsibility and authority to promote development, and he urged them to fully utilise their powers to better serve their communities. Reflecting on India's democratic legacy, the Governor reminded citizens that the country stands as the world's largest democracy, founded on universal suffrage and adult franchise. Every vote, he emphasised, carries great significance and must be exercised with sincerity, not only as a Constitutional right but as a moral and national duty. Lieutenant General Parnaik, (retd.) also called upon all officers on election duty to uphold the highest standards of devotion, impartiality, transparency, and accountability to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections across the state. Bhubaneswar, Dec 14 : Several persons sustained serious injuries in a political clash at Panturi under Jenapur police limits in Dharmasala area of Jajpur district of Odisha on Sunday. The violence occurred at the farmhouse of former Dharmasala MLA and senior BJD leader Pranab Kumar Balabantaray on Sunday afternoon. As per reports, the clash took place between the supporters of Balabantaray and sitting Dharmasala MLA. Speaking to media persons, Balabantaray accused that the supporters of Independent Dharmasala MLA perpetrated the attack while around 30 to 40 of his supporters were having a feast at his farmhouse. Meanwhile, more than a dozen vehicles, including motorcycles and cars parked at the farmhouse were also damaged during the clash between the supporters of ex-MLA Balabantaray and Dharmasala MLA. "While BJD workers were having lunch after a meeting, the supporters of the Dharmasala MLA suddenly barged into my house, assaulted residents, and went on a rampage, ransacking houses and vehicles. They even destroyed mobile phones belonging to people who were recording the hooliganism. More than 20 vehicles were damaged. Four seriously injured persons have been referred to Cuttack, while more than 20 others are currently undergoing treatment at the local Community Health Centre," Balabantaray said. He also alleged that continued police apathy has led to a rise in violence and lawlessness in the Dharmasala area. Two separate cases have been registered on the basis of two complaints lodged by opposite groups. The local police officials also told that an investigation has been launched into the incident. However, the police are yet to make any arrest in this case. Meanwhile, several BJD leaders, including Balabantaray along with his supporters staged a sit-in protest before the DGP Camp office in Bhubaneswar demanding stringent and immediate action against the accused persons involved in the crime. In April this year, Balabantaray was reportedly attacked by a group believed to be supporters of Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo. While his car was damaged during the incident, Balabantaray was able to get away safely and was not injured. After 20 years on the sidelines, the fast-food chain is looking to make up for lost time by entering the Russian market in Siberia, where competitors have yet to venture. We may be 20 years late into Russia, but were determined to become the market leader, said Dmitri Medovoy, general director of Burger Rus. In pursuit of this goal, the company is targeting Siberia. Until now, Burger King has only had a presence in Moscow, Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg: a total of 70 restaurants in Russia, compared to 12,600 worldwide. Siberia is a priority region for us it has a high purchasing power and low competition, Medovoy said. The first two Siberian Burger King restaurants will open in shopping malls in the city of Surgut by the end of 2012, says Jose Cil, president of EMEA Burger King. Exactly how many restaurants the company plans to open in the next two years (particularly in Siberia), Cil and Medovoy did not disclose. Medovoy only stated that the company intends to set up shop in all the major cities of the region. In general, Burger King plans to open several hundred restaurants in Russia, and has not set itself a limit. The investment required to open a restaurant under the franchise ranges from $314,500 to $2.65 million (depending on the lease and the cost of renovation), which includes an initial investment of $50,000, reads the Burger King Worldwide website. The only international chains currently operating in Siberia are KFC and Subway. In the past decade, KFC has opened both its own restaurants and franchised outlets, said Ilya Politkovsky, director of external communications at Yum! Restaurants International Russia & CIS, without specifying a figure. Subway has 42 outlets in Siberia: a figure that is set to rise to 49 by the end of the year, according to the companys press office. McDonalds Corp. has been in Russia for more than 20 years now, but, until recently, the company had never ventured east of the Ural Mountains. Khamzat Khasbulatov, president of McDonalds in Russia and Eastern Europe, explained in April that the problem comes down to logistics and lack of suppliers. We have signed agreements with suppliers, and theyre ready to work with Siberian outlets, said Medovoy. McDonalds has since quickly changed its mind. Were now in talks with local mayors [in Siberia] and exploring the possibility of entering the region. The first outlet is due to open in Krasnoyarsk in late 2013 or early 2014, said the companys vice president for development in Russia, Viktor Eidemiller, in August. Expansion into regions with low competition is the right strategy, believes Andrei Petrakov, who is the executive director of the consulting company Restcon. Its logical to focus more on remote areas, since there are few quality premises left in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Petrakov said. Lack of space really is a problem, said Medovoy, agreeing. In his view, Burger King is ready to expand into other regions as well, if suitable sites can be found. The first franchise under the Burger King brand was opened in 2010 by Burger Rus, which belongs to co-owner of the Shokoladnitsa chain of cafes, Alexander Kolobov. June gave way to the creation of a joint venture project to develop the chain: VTB Capital acquired 47.22 percent, with the rest of the shares going to Burger Rus and Burger King Europe. First published in Russian in Vedomosti.ru. All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta. At least nine people were killed in a shooting attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach, New South Wales Police told CNN. One gunman was also killed in the incident. IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: TNLA/Handout via Reuters Reacting to the attack, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes at the popular beach as "shocking and distressing." He said, "Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives." Authorities confirmed that the police operation remains ongoing, with security forces deployed across the area. New South Wales Police advised "anyone at the scene" to take shelter in a post on social media, urging the public to avoid the beach and surrounding areas. Multiple people were reported injured in the shooting, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. A local witness told the newspaper, "I saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere." Separately, Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News that the shooting occurred during an event at the beach celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which began at sundown. Videos circulating on X appeared to show people scattering across Bondi Beach as multiple gunshots and police sirens could be heard. The footage could not be verified immediately. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Albanese said, "We are aware of an active security situation in Bondi. We urge people in the vicinity to follow information from NSW Police." Australian police said two people were in custody following reports of gunshots at the beach. In a post on X, New South Wales police stated, "The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area." The Sydney Morning Herald reported that there were multiple shots fired at the famed beach, though details about casualties were initially unclear as authorities continued to assess the situation. Reacting to the incident, Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said the Jewish community had been targeted during a religious gathering on the first night of Chanukah. "This is a day of profound grief. Members of our community have been murdered. Others have been seriously injured. Families are shattered. A sacred moment of light has been turned into darkness," he said. He added, "Let me be clear. An attack on Jews celebrating their faith is an attack on Australia itself. It is an assault on our values, our social cohesion, and the basic right of people to gather without fear." Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin told Sky News that the annual Hanukkah event at Bondi and Dover Heights was attended by many families, and said that if the shooting was a targeted attack, it represented "our worst fears realised". NSW Premier Chris Minns said the reports and images emerging from Bondi were deeply distressing. "Police and emergency services are responding, and the public should follow official advice," he said in a statement. "We will update the public as soon as more information becomes available." A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was aware of an "active security situation" at Bondi and urged people in the area to follow guidance issued by NSW police. Further details are awaited as authorities continue to respond and investigate. The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against 17 people, including four Chinese nationals, and 58 companies for their alleged roles in a transnational cyber fraud network that siphoned off over Rs 1,000 crore through a sprawling web of shell entities and digital scams, officials said on Sunday. IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been used for representational purposes only. Photograph: Pixabay.com After busting the racket in October, investigators unravelled a single, tightly coordinated syndicate that relied on an elaborate digital and financial infrastructure to run a range of frauds. These included misleading loan applications, fake investment schemes, Ponzi and multi-level marketing models, bogus part-time job offers and fraudulent online gaming platforms. According to the probe agency's final report, the group layered the flow of illicit funds through 111 shell companies, routing about Rs 1,000 crore via mule accounts. One account received more than Rs 152 crore in a short span. The shell companies, the CBI said, were incorporated using dummy directors, forged or misleading documents, fake addresses and false statements of business objectives. "These shell entities were used to open bank accounts and merchant accounts with various payment gateways, enabling rapid layering and diversion of proceeds of crime," a CBI spokesperson said in a statement. Investigators traced the origins of the scam to 2020, when the country was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The shell companies were allegedly incorporated at the direction of four Chinese handlers -- Zou Yi, Huan Liu, Weijian Liu and Guanhua Wang. Their Indian associates procured identity documents from unsuspecting individuals, which were then used to establish the network of shell companies and mule accounts to launder proceeds from the scams and obscure the money trail. The investigation exposed communication links and operational control that, the agency said, nailed the role of Chinese masterminds running the fraud network from abroad. "Significantly, a UPI ID linked to the bank accounts of two Indian accused was found to be active in a foreign location as late as August 2025, conclusively establishing continued foreign control and real-time operational oversight of the fraud infrastructure from outside India," the CBI statement said. The probe found that the racketeers employed a highly layered, technology-driven modus operandi, using Google advertisements, bulk SMS campaigns, SIM-box-based messaging systems, cloud infrastructure, fintech platforms and multiple mule bank accounts. "Each stage of the operation -- from luring victims to collection and movement of funds -- was deliberately structured to conceal the identities of the actual controllers and evade detection by law enforcement agencies," the spokesperson said. The chargesheet names 17 individuals, including the four Chinese nationals, and 58 companies. The investigation was launched on the inputs from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which flagged large-scale cheating of citizens through online investment and employment schemes, resulting in the arrest of three individuals in October. "Though initially appearing as isolated complaints, detailed analysis by CBI revealed striking similarities in applications used, fund-flow patterns, payment gateways and digital footprints, pointing towards a common organised conspiracy," the agency said. Following the October arrests, the CBI conducted searches at 27 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Haryana, seizing digital devices, documents and financial records that were later subjected to detailed forensic examination. Kong Wan Sing, the founder and CEO of JustCo, one of Asias largest co-working space providers, doesnt quite think of himself as leading an office company. Instead, he sees parallels with a different property business: Hotels. Its a hospitality business. People come to us not just for the network, but also for the hospitality, he told Fortune. You need to serve them. You have to take care of their needs, like serving the customers who are coming to look for them in the office. Kong and JustCo are expanding their presence in Asia even as employers and employees continue to fight a battle about flexible work and returning to the office. Globally, corporate giants ranging from Amazon to JPMorgan have called workers back to the office full-time. But employees tout the benefits of working from home and hybrid work, forcing employers and office designers to get creative in how they bring people back. The company is also expanding into new markets regionally, including Malaysia and India. In the longer run, theyre also looking to move into countries in North Asia and the Middle East. After entering all these markets, we will be truly covering all the key cities in Asia-Pacific, says Kong. Hes even considering returning to mainland China, after JustCo exited the market in 2022 due to tight social distancing regulations during the COVID pandemic. JustCo just entered the Vietnam market with a new office along Ho Chi Minh Citys waterfront. The Vietnamese city is the tenth urban market in Asia for JustCo. Its also a return of sorts for Kong, who was first exposed to the idea of a flexi-office in Ho Chi Minh City several decades ago. JustCos story Kong Wan Sing founded JustCo in Singapore in 2011. Following a regional expansion drive in 2015, it now operates 48 offices across Asia-Pacific, including in major cities like Seoul, Bangkok, Taipei, Melbourne, and Sydney. Kong himself hails from a family of entrepreneurs; his parents operate garment factories in nearby Malaysia. Theres genes inside me to build a business, he says. In the early 2000s, Kong was an employee of Singaporean real estate investment company Mapletree, working out of a flexi-office in Vietnams Ho Chi Minh City. (A flexi-office is a modern workspace where employees dont have assigned desks, but instead choose from various work zones including hot desks, quiet pods, and collaborative areas.) The experience opened his eyes to the value of flexible workspaces, and he saw a business opportunity in Asia, where such spaces were still few and far between. A day after the United Democratic Front's massive victory in the civic body polls, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunny Joseph said on Sunday that Kerala Congress-Mani, once a major coalition partner in the UDF and now a part of the ruling Left Democratic Front, can now decide whether they should come back to the Congress-led front. IMAGE: Kerala Congress-Mani chief Jose K Mani (middle), along with his family, after casting his vote in the local body elections at a polling booth in Pala, Kerala, December 9, 2025. Photograph: Courtesy Jose K Mani on Facebook He also said that UDF would expand its base ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, indicating that those who had left the party earlier could now return in view of the people's verdict. KC-M had joined hands with the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led LDF after snapping its decades-old ties with the UDF over some differences years ago. "It is up to them to discuss, decide, and determine. Let's think," Joseph said when reporters asked about accepting KC-M into the UDF fold if it comes back. He also said a decision would soon be taken on Trinamool Congress leader PV Anvar, a former independent LDF MLA who had ended his association with the Left Front. He indicated that Anvar's party would become an associate member of the UDF, and the final announcement would be made soon. He said Anvar has already extended support to the UDF, and only some technical issues remain with regard to welcoming him to the UDF. Joseph said not just in the local body polls, but also in the Parliament election and in all the recent bypolls, the UDF had emerged victorious, and so how the people of Kerala think is well-evident through this. While talking about the massive victory of the UDF, Joseph also admitted that he didn't expect such a large-scale victory. "The anti-incumbency wave, the Sabarimala gold loss case, the coordinated work of the UDF, the performance of its candidates, and teamwork... all contributed to this enormous victory," he said. The KPCC Chief also said even if the Congress-led UDF could not win the prestigious Thiruvananthapuram corporation, they could increase the number of seats from 10 to 19. The shaking of the foundation of the ruling LDF has led to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance's victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, he added. A minor miscalculation occurred in the Kozhikode corporation, where the UDF had lost to the LDF for a few seats, while the Kollam corporation delivered a surprising result, he said. In a morale-boosting show ahead of the 2026 assembly polls, the Congress-led UDF on Saturday secured a decisive victory in Kerala's local body elections, dealing a blow to the LDF while the BJP wrested Thiruvananthapuram corporation from decades of Left control. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, his deputy Eknath Shinde and ruling BJP, Shiv Sena legislators visited RSS founder K B Hedgewar's memorial here on Sunday, while deputy CM Ajit Pawar and other Nationalist Congress Party leaders skipped the event. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visits the memorial of RSS founder K B Hedgewar in Nagpur. Photograph: @CMOMaharashtra/X During the visit, Shiv Sena chief Shinde congratulated the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for completing 100 years of its formation, lauded present RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as a "true patriot", and said this is the year of "centenary of patriotism". The winter session of the Maharashtra legislature is currently underway in Nagpur. Ministers and MLAs belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party visit the memorial of Hedgewar and the second Sanghchalak, M S Golwalkar, at the Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh every year during the winter session of the state legislature. Last year, MLAs Raju Karemore and Rajkumar Badole were the only representatives of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which has 41 legislators in the assembly, at the Smruti Mandir. On Sunday morning, Fadnavis, Shinde, state legislative assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar, council chairperson Ram Shinde and several other legislators of the BJP and Shiv Sena paid tributes at the memorial of Hedgewar and Golwalkar. Later, speaking to reporters, Shinde said whenever they come to Nagpur for the winter session, they visit the Dr Hedgewar Smruti Mandir. "We all experience a different feeling and get strength and inspiration for patriotism and serving the nation after coming here. This is the centenary of patriotism," he said. "RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is a true patriot and is a big personality, who always guides the country as a Sanghchalak, and we, as common karyakarta (workers), always draw inspiration from him for serving society," he said. Dr Hedgewar established the RSS in Nagpur 100 years ago and it is a big achievement, Shinde noted. Nagpur is not just the second capital of the state, but the birthplace of RSS. Hence, everyone coming here, irrespective of caste, religion and region, learns the teachings of patriotism and serving the nation, he said. Shinde also said that the RSS, working for the last 100 years, is a historic achievement. "We, both RSS and Shiv Sena workers, are always present during calamities and work impartially for society," he said. The Rajasthan government on Sunday ordered a high-level inquiry into allegations against three legislators seeking commissions for the release of MLA funds. IMAGE: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma speaks at the Innovation DayStartups Conclave organised in Jaipur, December 12, 2025. Photograph: @BhajanlalBjp/ANI Photo As part of the action, the MLA LAD accounts of the MLAs have been frozen pending the outcome of the inquiry. The action was taken following a media report accusing Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Khinvsar Revantram Danga, Congress MLA from Hindaun Anita Jatav and independent MLA from Bayana Ritu Banawat of taking commission in exchange for a sanctioning amount from MLA LAD fund. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said that the report on corruption in the MLA fund is an extremely serious and concerning matter. "Our government follows a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption by any public servant. No matter how influential a person may be, if found guilty of corruption, they will not be spared," he said in a post on X. "Instructions have been given to the chief secretary and the director general of police to conduct an inquiry through a high-level committee headed by the state chief vigilance commissioner (additional chief secretary, Home)," he said. Ashok Gehlot on Sunday urged CM Sharma and assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani to take cognisance of media reports alleging that three legislators were seeking commissions for the release of MLA funds. "The news regarding the bribery/commission taken by legislators in exchange for releasing the MLA fund is extremely serious and concerning," he took to X. "Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Vasudev Devnani should immediately take cognisance of this matter and initiate a high-level inquiry," Gehlot said. The former chief minister said that for public representatives, integrity and honesty in public life should always be of the utmost priority. The media report blames three legislators, one of Congress, one of the BJP and one independent, of taking a commission for releasing funds. The Uttar Pradesh police registered an FIR against four officials of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow for allegedly violating foreigner stay rules after a Philippine national remained on the campus without informing the authorities. IMAGE: A view of the Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow. Photograph: Courtesy Nadwatul Ulama website An FIR was registered on Sunday against Nadwa Darul Uloom principal Maulana Abdul Aziz Nadvi, sub-registrar Haroon Rashid, a warden, and a security guard. According to the police, a Philippine national stayed at the Nadwa Darul Uloom hostel, but no information about his stay was shared with the local police. The Nadwa administration had already been informed that the police must be provided with details of anyone visiting or staying at the institution. Despite these clear instructions, no information was given to the police regarding the foreign national who stayed at the college hostel. Taking the matter seriously, the police have registered a case against the four accused and initiated an investigation. Police officials said that further legal action will be taken based on the probe's findings. Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised the importance of avoiding two major addictions that plague today's youth: drug addiction and excessive smartphone use. He urged young people to avoid these habits, emphasising that doing so would not only protect their future but also contribute to the nation's growth. Addressing the gathering, Adityanath said, "Today, youth face two challenges: one is drug addiction, and the other is addiction to mobile phones or smartphones. They must avoid both these addictions. The more young people can avoid them, the better they can protect themselves and the country's future. Only by avoiding addiction will youth be able to fulfil their responsibilities towards their family, society, and the nation." India on Sunday asserted that it has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of Bangladesh and pressed for holding the upcoming parliamentary polls in that country in a peaceful atmosphere. IMAGE: Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters India's reaction came hours after the Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned Indian envoy to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, and conveyed its concern over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's "incendiary" statements from Indian soil. According to a readout released by Dhaka, the foreign ministry also brought to Verma's notice the activities of some members of Hasina-led Awami League while staying in India. "India categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim government of Bangladesh in its press note," the ministry of external affairs said. It said India has consistently reiterated its position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere. "India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh," the MEA said. "We expect that the interim government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections," it said in a statement. The parliamentary elections in Bangladesh will be held on February 12. It will be the first general election after the collapse of the Hasina government in August last year following massive protests. The Awami League has rejected the elections saying the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus will not be able to hold the polls in a free and normal environment. "It is now clear that the current occupying authority is entirely biased, and that under their control it is impossible to ensure a fair and normal environment where transparency, neutrality, and the people's will can be reflected," the Awami League said in a statement on Thursday. Last month, Hasina, 78, was sentenced to death by a special tribunal in Dhaka for "crimes against humanity" over her government's brutal crackdown on the student-led protests last year. The Awami League leader has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the protests. BJP sources said the formal process to elect current party President J P Nadda's successor will begin in mid-January, following Makar Sankranti, with Nitin Nabin expected to be the frontrunner to file his nomination. IMAGE: Nitin Nabin, second from right, being congratulated by Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Sinha, left, and Samrat Choudhary, right, and state Bharatiya Janta Party President Dilip Jaiswal, second from left, after being appointed as the BJP's national working president in Patna, December 14, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Forty five-year old Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin is poised to become the Bharatiya Janata Party's youngest national chief after he was appointed national working president on Sunday by the party's highest decision-making body, the parliamentary board. Nabin was born barely seven weeks after the BJP was founded on April 6, 1980, and his eventual elevation as the party's national president would signal an intent to prepare the next generation of leadership. The BJP announced Nabin's appointment on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's four-day, three-nation foreign visit, and a day before the start of a month-long period traditionally considered inauspicious in some Hindu customs for initiating new projects. BJP sources said the formal process to elect current party President J P Nadda's successor will begin in mid-January, following the festival of Makar Sankranti, with Nabin expected to be the frontrunner to file his nomination. Historically, BJP national presidents have been elected unopposed and unanimously. Once the election process is concluded, the BJP's National Council is scheduled to meet in April 2026 to ratify his election. In 2019, after Amit Shah became Union home minister, the parliamentary board had appointed Nadda initially as national working president; the party later completed the election process, resulting in his unanimous election as national president. Nabin is serving his fifth term as an MLA in Bihar and holds ministerial portfolios covering road construction, urban affairs and housing. The BJP constitution enforces a 'one person, one post' rule, which would require Nabin to resign his ministerial post upon election as party national president. On Sunday evening, after BJP national General Secretary Arun Singh formally announced Nabin's appointment, senior party leaders, including Modi and Shah, congratulated him on social media. Earlier in the day, the BJP had announced Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary as the party's Uttar Pradesh state unit chief. Nabin's appointment underscores the BJP's aim to consolidate its gains in Bihar, where it emerged for the first time as the single largest party in the recent assembly elections. He brings extensive organisational experience and has managed key ministerial portfolios in the state. Nabin belongs to the Kayastha community, a key support base for the BJP in Bihar. Educated at Colonel Satsangi's Kiran Memorial School in Delhi, Nabin passed Class 12 in 1998. He contested his first election in 2006, in a bypoll triggered by the sudden death of his father, a senior BJP leader and Patna West MLA. Nabin won by over 60,000 votes and has since been elected four consecutive times (2010, 2015, 2020 and 2025) from the seat, renamed Bankipur in 2008. Nadda, 65, was appointed BJP president in January 2020 and has completed his full term, receiving extensions to lead the party through the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Congratulating Nabin, the PM described him as a 'hardworking karyakarta'. 'He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and an impressive record as MLA and minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil people's aspirations and is known for his humble nature and grounded style. 'I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our party in the times to come. Congratulations to him on becoming the BJP national working president,' Modi said on X. Nabin has also been extensively involved with the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the party's youth wing, and served as BJP in-charge for the Sikkim aassembly elections in 2019 and for Chhattisgarh. Party workers from Chhattisgarh assisted Nabin during his recent Bihar campaign, where he was also responsible for organising the prime minister's roadshow in Patna. He secured the Bankipur seat by a margin of 51,936 votes. He attended the US government's International Visitor Leadership Programme in 2013. Born in Ranchi on May 23, 1980, Nabin is married with two children. According to his election affidavit, he has assets worth Rs 3.06 crore and liabilities of Rs 56 lakh. Five criminal cases are pending against him. *** 'Those Coming To Bihar Are Struck By The Rural Road Connectivity' IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspects construction work on the Sherpur-Dighwara bridge in Patna, November 26, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Bihar's Roads and Infrastructure Minister Nitin Nabin was in charge of organising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Patna visit. Credited by many with improving rural connectivity, he recounts his achievements and challenges in an interview with Aditi Phadnis/Business Standard in an interview recorded during the Bihar assembly election campaign. What was the situation when you first became a minister? I became minister for roads in 2021. But starting 2006, the Nitish Kumar government had been giving enormous impetus to the roads and infrastructure sector. It got additional support when Narendra Modi formed the government in 2014. In North Bihar, development had already begun in 2006. But in 2020, we began developing south Bihar in an organised way. South Bihar had two or three major bottlenecks. For instance, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu on the Kamala river, there was just one bridge on the entire length of the river and this was a major problem. The prime minister declared that not only should the old bridge be refurbished but a new one should be built. So what was effectively a two-lane road has now become a 10-lane road. The Mahatma Gandhi Setu is considered a lifeline between north and south Bihar. That is a big achievement of the government. In addition, there is a bridge almost every 40-km across the Ganga now. But in Bihar, why do bridges have the tendency to collapse as soon as they are built? This story is of just one bridge. More accurately, this is a story of how perceptions are built. Just one bridge fell and that too because there was a design fault. We rectified it as soon as we understood what had gone wrong. Bihar is a land of rivers. The Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam had become a defunct body by 2005. We revived it in 2006. And today Bihar has more than 3,000 bridges small and big. It is the only state that has developed a Bridges Maintenance Policy about two months ago. I started work on this in 2021 and now the policy is before you. Those coming to Bihar are struck by the state's rural road connectivity. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff In a veiled attack on Uddhav Thackeray, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday invoked characters from the film Dhurandhar, saying that the 'Rehman Dakait' who robbed "Mumbai's treasury" would be given a befitting reply by the "Dhurandhar Mahayuti" alliance. IMAGE: Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe and Shiv Sena MLA's pay tribute to the RSS founder sarsanghchalak Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at Smruti Mandir, in Nagpur. Photograph: ANI Photo The latest attack comes ahead of the elections to municipal corporations, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Speaking during the last week resolution debate in the state legislature, Shinde used shayari and sarcasm to target the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief over his "brief attendance" in the legislative council and what he termed a betrayal of (Hindutva) ideology. Referring to the undivided Shiv Sena's long stint in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Shinde said, "Who is this Rehman Dakait who robbed the Mumbai treasury? I don't launch personal attacks, but many such Rehman Dakaits have come and gone. This 'Dhurandhar Mahayuti' will give a befitting reply to them. The current Mahayuti is just a trailer asli picture abhi baaki hai." The Mahayuti comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP. Listing welfare initiatives of the Mahayuti government, Shinde lauded the education minister for introducing a 21-page chapter on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the CBSE curriculum. Targeting Thackeray, he said that one's character does not improve by speaking ill of others. "The person who traded trust and ideology for power cannot be a true heir, Shinde said, alluding to the Hindutva legacy of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. Responding to Thackeray's recent questioning of the constitutionality of the post of deputy chief minister, Shinde said, "When I became chief minister, you called me non-constitutional and wanted me removed. Now you want me removed as deputy chief minister." Calling government schemes "game-changers", Shinde asserted that the Mahayuti would win upcoming municipal corporation elections and prove that the allies are "real Dhurandhars". "We ran the legislature till 2 am, but some people cannot sit in the House even for two hours. Some legislators treat the session like tourism," he said, targeting Thackeray, an MLC. He accused the Opposition of failing to raise issues concerning the common people, apart from demanding the appointment of a Leader of the Opposition during the recently concluded winter session. He said the Opposition didn't raise any issue concerning the common people, other than demanding the appointment of the leader of the opposition during the winter session, which concluded on Sunday. Dismissing criticism about under development of Vidarbha, Shinde said the government is focused on development in the region. "Gadchiroli is emerging as the next steel hub of India, with proposed investments worth Rs 5 lakh crore. This will generate employment along with development," he said, adding that projects in logistics, textiles and defence manufacturing are planned in Gadchiroli, Amravati and other districts. Shinde reiterated that the "Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana" will never be discontinued and a decision on increasing the monthly stipend to eligible women to Rs 2,100 will be taken at "an appropriate time". Referring to the announcement of the redevelopment of old buildings in Mumbai, he said the Mahayuti government was fulfilling Balasaheb Thackeray's dream by providing housing to citizens. "We will make Mumbai's roads pothole-free and the city pollution-free," he added. Shinde said becoming the Chief Minister was never his agenda, and he always strived to work for the people and resolve their issues. "People made me the chief minister and also deputy chief minister", he added. He said Maharashtra will make the highest contribution to realise PM Modi's dream of turning India into a $5 trillion economy. A suspicious balloon with Pakistani markings was found on the roof of a house in Una on Saturday, which has caused alarm among the residents of the Himachal Pradesh village. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The balloon resembling an airplane had the markings of the Pakistani flag and "PIA" (Pakistan International Airlines) written on it, the police confirmed. This comes only days after a similar incident was reported in another village in Una district leading to some apprehension among the locals. Family members of Pappu Nambardar, a resident of Chalet village, found it on the roof of their house on Saturday morning and promptly informed the Daulatpur police post. Police Post In-charge Ravipal, along with his team, reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Police took the balloon into its custody. As a precautionary measure, police inspected the surrounding area to check for other suspicious objects. As news of the "Pakistani balloon" spread, the spot saw a large crowd of curious people to see the balloon. Earlier, on December 8, three such balloons were also found in Tatehra village of Gagret sub-division. The balloons had the markings of the Pakistani flag on them, with "I Love Pakistan" written on them. The police team said the balloons did not have any device attached to it. Una Superintendent of Police Amit Yadav said that the Pakistani balloons found in Chalet and Tatehra villages have been taken into custody. A detailed investigation is underway to determine the origin of the balloon, he said. Violence erupted at various places across Kerala, particularly in the northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results on December 13, the police said on Sunday. IMAGE: Polling officials with EVM and other election material to various polling booths for the first phase of the Kerala local body elections, in Thiruvananthapuram on December 8, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the Saturday night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by Communist Party of India-Marxist workers. According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs 5 lakh. A statue of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, the police said. Soon after, United Democratic Front activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation. However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said. The police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several people injured. In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI-M workers, an official said. Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI-M worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer added. In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI-M workers, and vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged. According to the Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI-M workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash. Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer at Ulikkal police station said. In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI-M activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said. Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI-M and BJP workers. The police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police added. Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, said a CPI-M activist damaged a Mahatma Gandhi statue near the Ramantali Cultural Centre in Payyannur, Kannur, breaking its nose and spectacles. In a statement, Satheesan said the UDF election committee office in ward 44 of Payyannur municipality was also vandalised. CCTV visuals reportedly surfaced showing a bomb being hurled at the house of UDF candidate P K Suresh in ward nine of the municipality. Satheesan said the desecration of the Gandhi statue in the home district of the chief minister and the CPI-M state secretary reflected the same ideology as that of the Sangh Parivar, which, he alleged, spreads "communal poison and shows contempt for the nation's history." "The chief minister, who holds the home portfolio, should not forget his responsibility to rein in criminal gangs masquerading as party workers. The state police chief should take strict action against those disturbing Kerala's law and order situation," he said. Satheesan added that the UDF would protect its workers at any cost. "If the government and the Home Department fail to act decisively to control such elements, they would have to face serious consequences," he said. The report attributed this year's surge in open LLM usage around the world to the growing adoption of Chinese-developed systems, including Alibaba Cloud 's Qwen family of models, DeepSeek 's V3 and Moonshot AI 's Kimi K2 . Alibaba Cloud is the AI and cloud computing services unit of Alibaba Group Holding , owner of the Post. ChatGPT was released by OpenAI on November 30, 2022. Photo: Shutterstock alt=ChatGPT was released by OpenAI on November 30, 2022. Photo: Shutterstock> Fast-forward to the second half of 2025, and expectations about the technical capabilities of Chinese AI companies and the LLM business have changed. Zhu, known for his early investment in ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing , asked rhetorically: "How do you make money out of just developing an LLM?" Even over a year after ChatGPT's launch, venture capitalist Allen Zhu Xiaohu said he had no interest in funding Chinese start-ups building LLMs - the technology behind generative AI services like ChatGPT - because they had neither a clear path to monetisation nor data for such a business to prosper. In the first few months after ChatGPT's release, maintaining a walled garden approach on AI services was thought to be China's best strategy until domestic tech firms could develop products that effectively competed against those built by Western AI providers. 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's Big Tech firms and ambitious start-ups rushed to roll out their own versions of AI chatbots and large language models (LLMs), as well as register them with the government, as part of efforts to keep American AI services away from the country's more than 1 billion internet users. Chinese government authorities sent urgent requests to various experts, including professors from Tsinghua University , to provide briefings on the implications of generative AI technology, according to people with knowledge of the matter. US start-up OpenAI 's launch of ChatGPT on November 30 three years ago sent China's technology industry scrambling to get up to speed on the latest artificial intelligence developments. Story Continues That showed how China's open-source models were winning the trust of developers around the world. US businesses such as Airbnb and even US tech giant Meta Platforms are now using Qwen. The turning point for China's AI sector came when Hangzhou-based DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models - in December 2024 and January, respectively - that were on par with OpenAI's GPT and Meta's Llama models at the time, although they were developed at a fraction of the training costs spent by those US firms. "One thing we learned from DeepSeek is that open-sourcing the best models can greatly help adoption," said Baidu co-founder and CEO Robin Li Yanhong in February. That was a stark reversal from his previous comments that described open-source models as inferior to proprietary ones. The China-US AI gap had narrowed to around three months from more than a year, thanks in part to the influx of AI talent, fast technology iteration and a boom in AI applications on the mainland, according to Tony Zhang, head of China technology research at CLSA, in September. While Chinese companies faced a shortage of advanced processors for their AI projects because of geopolitical issues, the technology's development has not been hindered by that constraint, Zhang said. That resilience also showed the foresight of Chinese cloud services providers, who managed to accumulate enough AI chips for training purposes. The country has also seen a growing number of domestic chip designers develop AI processors for both training and inference tasks, he added. DeepSeek launched its V3 model in December 2024. Photo: Shutterstock alt=DeepSeek launched its V3 model in December 2024. Photo: Shutterstock> Huawei Technologies founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei, meanwhile, said the US and China were pursuing AI development in "different directions". While the US was focused on supercomputing power and large models in the lofty pursuit of artificial general intelligence and artificial superintelligence, China was adopting a more practical approach of using AI to solve real-world problems, according to Ren. Before ChatGPT, China had always seen itself as a front runner in AI after Beijing made the technology a national priority in 2017. The plan outlined a road map for China to become an AI superpower by 2030. It was driven by the prevailing view at the time that the country's vast trove of data - described as the fossil fuel for AI - would help drive economic and industrial transformation. That saw early validation through the emergence of "AI dragons", including SenseTime, Megvii, Yitu Technology and CloudWalk Technology. They developed world-leading computer vision technologies that powered facial recognition systems. But the frenzy that followed ChatGPT's made the capabilities of those companies obsolete in the era of generative AI. When ChatGPT quickly grew to become the fastest-growing consumer AI app with about 100 million users in just two months, China's tech industry faced a period of soul-searching as it reflected on how it missed that breakthrough and how far behind the country was now in AI. A big screen shows how Megvii's facial recognition system, Face++, was being used in China's city streets. Photo: Simon Song alt=A big screen shows how Megvii's facial recognition system, Face++, was being used in China's city streets. Photo: Simon Song> The dim outlook at the time even prompted Zhou Hongyi, founder of cybersecurity firm 360 Security Technology and an industry veteran with close ties to Chinese authorities, to tell an audience at the China Development Forum in 2023 that the country was two to three years behind the US in developing ChatGPT-like technology. Renewed optimism came in 2024 when mainland media hailed the emergence of China's new group of "AI tigers". These included Moonshot AI, Baichuan, MiniMax and Zhipu AI, which had all generated hefty funding from various investors. The open-source development approach of DeepSeek and Alibaba Cloud's Qwen has encouraged Chinese AI start-ups to pursue further innovation, despite not having access to advanced graphics processing units from leading US suppliers Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices. "Open source is the tool of the challenger," said Chinese AI expert Jeffrey Ding, an assistant professor of Political Science at George Washington University. "If you look at why Google decided to open source its Android operating system, it was because Apple's operating system was dominant at the time." Closed AI systems are like proprietary software, as their providers control access, decide what features to offer, and prevent inspection or modification of the underlying source code or model weights, the variables encoding their "intelligence". Open model developers release their weights publicly, usually along with technical papers outlining their training process, allowing users to deploy and fine-tune them based on their requirements. Still, the success of DeepSeek did not guarantee smooth sailing for other AI start-ups. Baichuan, along with 01.AI, dropped out of the AI model market since they no longer wanted to charge users to access their inferior products. There was barely any exciting news from the other AI tigers until Moonshot AI launched its Kimi K2 model in July. It was followed by Zhipu AI, known internationally as Z.ai, when its GLM-4.5 model was announced and made a significant impression among programmers for its coding abilities. In October, Z.ai released a new flagship model, the GLM-4.6, with even stronger coding abilities. "We had to wait so long between the launch of DeepSeek R1 until GLM 4.5," said Li Zixuan, Zhipu AI's head of global operations. "We were underrated, especially in China, while we were just totally ignored in the US". Moonshot AI released last month Kimi K2 Thinking, a reasoning variant of its open-source K2 model. Photo: Shutterstock alt=Moonshot AI released last month Kimi K2 Thinking, a reasoning variant of its open-source K2 model. Photo: Shutterstock> MiniMax pivoted to an open-source approach in June with its M1 model, followed by its M2 model in October, which put the firm in the international spotlight as a frontier open model company. Moonshot AI and MiniMax's new models helped put them back on the board, which they never fully left, according to James Wang, general partner at San Francisco-based venture capital firm Creative Ventures. Wang, who expected DeepSeek to retain the mantle of China's leading AI start-up when its next-generation flagship model is released, said the rush to release open-source models showed that "the Chinese ecosystem now has its own competitive landscape of model companies vying for supremacy." Other companies in adjacent industries now looked to create their own open-source models. These included social media platform RedNote, on-demand delivery giant Meituan and smartphone and electric vehicle maker Xiaomi. According to Chinese open AI experts Nathan Lambert and Florian Brand, Alibaba Cloud's strategy with its Qwen family was the closest analogue to US Big Tech companies than any other Chinese AI lab. The firm was releasing many open models across a range of sizes, covering the entire stack from visual and coding models to image and video generation models. Sebastian Raschka, an AI researcher and author, said Alibaba Cloud's Qwen3 series of models was the most noteworthy open model release this year, alongside DeepSeek's R1, because of its strong performance and the practical usefulness of having a variety of sizes. In an apparent sign that Chinese AI firms have made great strides over the past three years, OpenAI and Anthropic have both publicly admonished Chinese AI firms from DeepSeek to Zhipu AI for alleged security risks. The administration of US President Donald Trump in June announced an AI Action Plan that placed emphasis on globally diffusing US AI technologies, partly in response to perceived Chinese dominance in the open-source landscape. So in Silicon Valley and Washington, the question now being asked is the same as the one discussed in China three years ago: Are we losing the AI race? "Chinese AI engineers no longer envy those abroad," Huawei's Ren Zhengfei said at a Shanghai event last month. He noted, however, that China still lagged behind the US in attracting global talent, which would require the mainland to be more open. Long-standing US restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports have also started to be relaxed, following Trump's decision to greenlight Nvidia's shipment of H200 chips to China. Venture capitalist Zhu said in a podcast this week that China was now set to beat the US in AI within a decade, primarily because of the mainland's faster buildout of its power grid and data centre infrastructure. "AI competition is really a competition in data centres and electricity supply, and China has a significant edge there," Zhu said. 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. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A day after 123 Belarusian political prisoners were released, several freed prisoners spoke to the press from an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Viktar Babaryka and Maryya Kalesnikava, both prominent figures in the 2020 opposition movement, said they had made the right decision to take a stand against authoritarian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko, despite the prison sentences that followed. As Russia's full-scale invasion grinds on through its fourth year, the city of Lviv is confronting a grim new reality: It is running out of room to bury its fallen soldiers. This week, for the first time since 2022, Ukrainian soldiers killed in the conflict will be laid to rest in a new burial area within the grounds of the city's historic Lychakiv Cemetery. The existing Field of Honor -- established shortly after the invasion began -- has reached capacity. The city council says another burial site will soon be announced, as Ukraine still does not know how many more soldiers remain unaccounted for, how many bodies await identification, or how many will eventually be returned by Russia. The first bodies of fallen soldiers were returned to Lviv within weeks of Russia's assault. In March 2022, the city began burying them at the Field of Honor on land formerly known as the Field of Mars, a site once frequented by local adherents of Soviet nostalgia. Historical records show that along with Red Army soldiers who died in wartime hospitals, Soviet secret police officers -- some involved in repression of local communities -- were buried there as well. To create a memorial for modern-day Ukrainian soldiers, the city exhumed and relocated the earlier remains, establishing a dedicated space for those killed in the war against Russia. At the time, it seemed large enough, but now it no longer is. For many families, it has become a painful and familiar place. Anna Karashetska visits the grave of her only son, 25-year-old paratrooper Mykhaylo, almost every day. He defended Kyiv, Irpin, and Bucha in the first days of the war. Wounded once, he returned to his unit before being killed. He was buried in June 2022. "When my son was buried, I thought the war would end soon and we would win," she says. "Back then, this place felt small, just two sectors. Now the graves stretch on and on. I know the face and story of almost every soldier here." The Field of Honor, says Svitlana Miskiv, another mother of a fallen soldier, has become a cemetery of the young: Portraits of young, healthy soldiers stare out from each grave. Svitlana adds that she felt fear when she learned the cemetery had reached its limits. "It's terrifying. I had hoped this would all end soon, but there are many who still must be laid to rest," she says. Aerial footage and images taken over the past year show how rapidly the burial grounds have expanded. The official number of Ukrainian soldiers killed remains classified, but in Lviv, the scale of the loss is visible row by row. Officials say they had anticipated the need for expansion and had identified another area on the former Hill of Glory, also part of the Lychakiv Cemetery. Once a Soviet memorial site, it contained the remains of Red Army soldiers, partisans, and Soviet secret police officers. The city administration has since removed the Soviet monuments and exhumed remains were reburied elsewhere. "We have removed every stone that could remind people of the totalitarian occupation of Lviv," says Yevhen Boyko, chief of staff at Lviv's city administration. The newly cleared area is now ready to receive the graves of Ukrainian soldiers, he says, calling it a necessary "tactical" solution. The first burial at the new site took place on December 11, when Captain Andriy Kyryzyuk, born in 1991, was laid to rest. But the city is preparing for the long term as well. "We are working on a strategic solution: a much larger burial ground for the community," Boyko says. "Anyone who has given their life, health, or strength for Ukraine deserves to be honored properly, not only now, but in the future." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US envoys held more than five hours of negotiations in Berlin with no indication of potential results revealed, only that talks would continue. "Representatives held in-depth discussions regarding the 20-point plan for peace, economic agendas, and more. A lot of progress was made, and they will meet again tomorrow morning," White House envoy Steve Witkoff said in a post to X late December 14. Zelenskyy was already scheduled to meet with key European backers -- the leaders of Germany, Britain, and France -- on December 15. It was not immediately clear if those discussions would take place on time, be delayed, or be combined with the holdover US-Ukraine negotiations. Dmytro Lytvyn, a spokesman for the Ukrainian presidential office, also confirmed that talks would resume December 15. Zelenskyy's negotiations with US envoys and European leaders are aimed at ending Russia's nearly four-year war on Ukraine-- the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Ahead of the talks, Zelenskyy suggested Ukraine could relinquish long-standing aspirations of joining NATO in exchange for alternate Western security guarantees. However, ruling out NATO entry would not be a simple decision for Zelenskyy, as alliance membership is a policy goal written into Ukraine's constitution. "From the very beginning, Ukraine's desire was to join NATO -- these are real security guarantees," Zelenskyy said in response to a reporter's question in a WhatsApp chat. "Some partners from the US and Europe did not support this direction," he said. "Thus, today, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the US, Article 5-like guarantees for us from the US, and security guarantees from European colleagues, as well as other countries -- Canada, Japan -- are an opportunity to prevent another Russian invasion," he wrote. "And it is already a compromise from our part," he said, adding that any such guarantees should be legally binding. Among Moscow's other hard-line demands, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Kyiv must be barred from any move to join the Western military alliance. Many NATO members, including the United States, have also ruled out NATO entry for Ukraine, at least under current conditions. Moscow Plays Down Berlin Talks Moscow, meanwhile, downplayed the significance of the Berlin talks, as disagreements over territorial control and security guarantees persist in the bid by US President Donald Trump to strike a peace deal. The presence of Witkoff -- who has led negotiations with Kyiv and Moscow on the US proposal -- was seen as a signal that Washington expects some chance of progress toward ending the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in 2022. In November, the United States released a 28-point peace plan that critics say heavily favored Russia. Kyiv and its European allies have attempted to formulate amendments and changes to the proposal to take in more of Ukraine's needs. Officials have said the plan has been narrowed to 20 points, although details have not been revealed. "The plan is not going to be something everyone likes," Zelenskyy told journalists ahead of the talks. "There are, of course, many compromises in one form of the plan or another." Yet there is little indication that Russia will reciprocate. Speaking to Russian state TV on December 14, Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy aide, said the proposed changes to the US peace plan "will hardly be constructive." Russia, Ukraine Continue Strikes As the diplomacy to end the war hastened, attacks continued in Ukraine and Russia. A Russian drone attack on a shopping center in Zaporizhzhya wounded six people, including a child and a rescuer. The Ukrainian General Staff said its drone attacks hit a Russian oil depot in Uriupinsk, Volgograd region, and an oil refinery in Afipsky, Krasnodar region. Zelenskyy said the Russians launched more than 1,500 attack drones, nearly 900 guided aerial bombs, and 46 missiles of various types against Ukraine this week. "Russia is dragging out the war and seeks to inflict as much harm as possible on our people," he said. With reporting by Reuters, DPA China's leading battery makers for electric cars - Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and Gotion High-tech - are adding momentum to the country's efforts to build new-energy vessels, with their latest products supplied to large ocean carriers amid an accelerated decarbonisation drive. Chinese-made pure electric-powered container vessels were also set to extend Beijing's lead over global rivals in shipbuilding, according to industry officials and analysts. CATL, the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) battery producer, announced recently that its self-developed pure electric vessel would sail the oceans in three years, reinforcing the company's ambitions of building itself into a global new-energy powerhouse. 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. Gotion, backed by Volkswagen Group, said early this month that its battery packs had proved strong enough to power a ship with a loading capacity of 132 standard containers. The vessel, known as Puffer Fish Blue 01, developed by China's Wuhu Shipyard and Sandianshui New Energy Technology, had been certified by the China Classification Society, a professional body for ship classification, it added. "Their investment and efforts to build pure electric container vessels show China's increasing influence in the global shipbuilding industry," said Xiong Hao, assistant general manager at Shanghai Jump International Shipping. "It remains to be seen whether electric vessels will be widely accepted by global container liners." People visit a model of a nuclear-powered container ship at Marintec China 2025 in Shanghai on December 2, 2025. Photo: Getty Images alt=People visit a model of a nuclear-powered container ship at Marintec China 2025 in Shanghai on December 2, 2025. Photo: Getty Images> CATL, which holds a 38 per cent share of the global EV battery market this year, began developing the shipbuilding applications in 2017 and has since supplied batteries to 900 vessels, all operating in rivers. The company said in a statement that Yujian 77, China's first pure-electric cruise ship fitted with its high-performance battery, had offered zero-emission and low-noise experiences to tourists since its operations started in July. CATL's battery deliveries to shipbuilders accounted for about 40 per cent of the global electric vessel market at present, according to its statement. Kenneth Fox At least 11 people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday event at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian officials said. An Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he was "shocked and appalled" by the attack, which targeted Sydneys Jewish community. "Our thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, the first responders, and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time. "There can be no place for hatred or violence anywhere, in particular at a time of celebration for many as people gathered to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. "At a lecture honouring the historian Dermot Keogh just two days ago, I noted that antisemitism has been one of the most consistent and pernicious prejudices throughout history, providing the foundation for murderous outrages in many eras and many places. "This latest evil act in Sydney is a further manifestation of the murderous hate spawned by antisemitism," he said. Statement by Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Sydney attack. pic.twitter.com/4tj41tLxst Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 14, 2025 Meanwhile, Uachtaran na hEireann, Catherine Connolly, said she was deeply shocked and saddened following the appalling and antisemitic attack on a Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Sydney. "I wish to offer my deepest sympathy to the Jewish community everywhere at this time, mindful of the beginning of this Hanukkah period. "I offer these condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Australia, especially all who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured. "I particularly join with all those Irish people living in Sydney who will be appalled by this horrific act of violence. Such violence is to be utterly condemned and has no place for all of us who are committed to peace in our world," she said. Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, said: "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. "At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage." Britain's King Charles said: "My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach. "Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy." Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said, "In Sydney, an antisemitic terrorist attack struck families gathered to celebrate Hanukkah. France extends its thoughts to the victims, the injured and their loved ones. "We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred, which hurts us all, wherever it strikes." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia." German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said: "The antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah leaves me utterly shocked. "My thoughts are with the victims and their families. This is an attack on our shared values. We must fight antisemitism - here in Germany and around the world." Finally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "A few months ago, I wrote a letter to the prime minister of Australia. I told him that their policies pour fuel on the antisemitic fire. It encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets. Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent, and you must replace weakness with action. "This didn't happen in Australia, and something terrible happened there today: cold-blooded murder. The number of those murdered, sadly, grows with each moment." Additional reporting Reuters Alert Issued In India For Jews, Hanukkah Festival After Mass Shooting At Bondi Beach In Australia The eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah will begin on December 14 India Jews on High alert news: Alerts have been issued in India for the Jewish festival and Jewish establishments after gunmen opened fire at Bondi Beach in Australia earlier today, killing at least 10 people and injuring over a dozen others. According to a report by NDTV, which cited its sources, terrorist organisations are planning major attacks in India in connection with the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, and Jewish establishments in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru are on the target. Advertisement The eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah will begin on December 14. Security has been increased at specific locations, including the Israeli Embassy. (For more news apart from Alert issued in India for Jews after Mass Shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) As long as sun, moon exist, Mumbai will remain a part of Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis He also talked about the extended inclusion of the history of the Maratha Empire in CBSE textbooks. Mumbai News: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday stated that Mumbai will remain part of Maharashtra, refuting doubts that it will be separated from the state. Addressing the State Assembly, CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "There is no need to have any doubt that Maharashtra is a powerful state. It is a united Maharashtra created by 106 martyrs. Therefore, no one should harbour any doubt that Mumbai will be separated or detached from Maharashtra. Advertisement The chief minister added that such discussions arise whenever elections approach. Mumbai belonged to Maharashtra yesterday, it belongs to Maharashtra today, and as long as the sun and moon exist, Mumbai will remain a part of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis added. He added that Maharashtra will continue to walk the path shown by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, following his principle and the path of the Constitution given by Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar..." Advertisement He also talked about the extended inclusion of the history of the Maratha Empire in CBSE textbooks. Drawing a comparison between the then CBSE curriculum and now, Fadnavis said, "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's principles were accepted in Maharashtra, but there were many misconceptions about them at the national level. In CBSE textbooks, there was only one paragraph about the Maratha Empire, the Hindavi Swarajya. But the history of the Mughals spanned 17 pages. But now this history has changed. The central government has now included a 21-page history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha Empire in the CBSE curriculum, the chief minister added. Advertisement Talking about the states economy, Fadnavis claimed that Maharashtra is number one in the country in terms of foreign investment. (For more news apart from As long as sun, moon exist, Mumbai will remain a part of Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Bondi Beach Mass Shooting: PM Modi Strongly Condemns Ghastly Terrorist Attack In an extremely disturbing incident, gunmen opened fire on the public, killing at least 10 people and injuring over a dozen. Bondi Beach Mass Shooting: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the ghastly terrorist attack earlier today at the famous Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. PM Modi, in a post on X, wrote, Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Advertisement On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief, the post further read. The Prime Minister, in the post, reiterated that India has zero tolerance towards terrorism, adding that it supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism. In an extremely disturbing incident, gunmen opened fire on the public, killing at least 10 people and injuring over a dozen. Advertisement Read Bondi Beach Shooting and its aftermath in detail here Meanwhile, India had earlier this year witnessed a horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Another attack, more recently at the Red Fort in Delhi, claimed at least 13 lives while injuring several others. Also Read: Alert Issued In India For Jews, Hanukkah Festival After Mass Shooting At Bondi Beach In Australia Advertisement (For more news apart from Bondi Beach Mass Shooting: PM Modi Strongly Condemns Ghastly Terrorist Attack" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' Maha Rally by Congress Underway at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan: Here's Why BJP Leader Reacted The Election Commission has now become the Modi Commission, she further claimed. The Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod maha rally by the Congress party began today at Delhis Ramlila Maidan, targeting the ruling BJP-led NDA government. A large number of people gathered at the venue, with protesters chanting slogans of Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod. A member of the Congress Womens Wing, dressed as a prisoner for the rally, said she was portraying the role of Election Commission of India (ECI) official Gyanesh Kumar. Advertisement Talking to the media, she stated,Vote theft is not just about votes; its also about exam paper leaks, crimes against women, rising taxes, and looting the public in every possible way. Vote chori is the biggest crime. She added, Gyanesh Kumars senses should be back on track. He should understand that if he still doesnt improve, the public will parade him with chains around his neck. The Election Commission has now become the Modi Commission, she further claimed. Advertisement Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said,Today, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, we are holding a massive rally at Ramlila Maidan. The message is that it is your responsibility to answer. The Election Commission must become accountable and transparent. Meanwhile, BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI that the Congress partys rally would be a complete failure, adding, The Congress is losing because of its own deeds, and they know this. They want to shift the blame onto EVMs, the Election Commission, and others. Congress leaders themselves are questioning their leadership. To prevent those questions from being raised, they are holding this rally. Even by gathering a crowd, nothing will change. Congress should remember that the people of Delhi had wiped them out to zero, and the people of Bihar gave them only six seats. On the other hand, Odisha Congress in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu told ANI, The way democracy in the country has been held hostage is alarming. Undoubtedly, this BJP government is a vote-stealing government. Rahul Gandhi held press conferences in various states and presented information about every voter and polling booth to the country, the media, and the public. I believe that the BJP today certainly wants to dismantle the democratic system and move towards dictatorship. Advertisement (For more news apart from Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod Maha Rally by Congress Underway at Delhis Ramlila Maidan: Heres Why BJP Leader Reacted" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Jalandhar Breaking: Voting Halted in Sikandar Pur Village Over Alleged Issuance of Incorrect Ballot Papers Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Dharampal Lesariwal has alleged that the government was deliberately indulging in such practices Jalandhar Breaking: Voting has been halted in Sikandar Pur village, which falls under Zila Parishad Jandhu Singha in the Adampur constituency, after alleged incorrect ballot papers were issued. Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Dharampal Lesariwal has alleged that the government was deliberately indulging in such practices to harm opposition parties. Advertisement Following the alleged incident, Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Dharampal Lesriwal, rural president Harinder Dheensa, Gurdial Singh Nindiar, Sunny Dhillon of Alawalpur, along with Akali workers, staged a sit-in protest outside the booth against the government. Since then, voting at this booth has been stopped. It is being reported that no senior official has reached the spot two hours after the incident. They have demanded that voting at this booth be cancelled and conducted afresh. Meanwhile, in Nanherhe village, which falls under the Ghanaur constituency of Patiala district, a tense atmosphere was witnessed when a Congress party polling agent was not allowed to enter. Advertisement The polling agent reportedly arrived at 7 am to do his duty when people there chased him away. He clearly stated that all his documents were complete and questioned why he was not being allowed to perform his duty as a polling agent. (For more news apart from alandhar Breaking: Voting Halted in Sikandar Pur Village Over Alleged Issuance of Incorrect Ballot Papers" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) The Prof. Nicolae Minovici Museum in Bucharest The building that houses the Prof. Nicolae Minovici, Ph.D. Folk Art Museum is one of the most iconic Neo-Romanian monuments in Bucharest The Nicolae Minovici Museum (photo: facebook.com/MuzeulNMinovici) Ion Puican, 14.12.2025, 12:54 The building that houses the Prof. Nicolae Minovici, Ph.D. Folk Art Museum, affiliated to the Bucharest City Museum (MMB), is known to the public as the Mansion with Bells, and it is one of the most iconic Neo-Romanian monuments in Bucharest. Designed by the architect Cristofi Cerchez, built in 1905 and opened to the public in 1914, the mansion houses Bucharests first collection of Romanian ethnographic art, put together by Prof. Nicolae Minovici, Ph.D. Nicolae Minovici (18681941) was one of the prominent figures of Romanian medicine and a visionary scholar devoted to both science and culture. A forensic doctor trained in Bucharest and Berlin and author of pioneering research, Minovici founded the first Rescue Society in the Balkans in 1906, and later the first around-the-clock emergency hospital in Romania. He was quite passionate about folk art. The Mansion with Bells, the first ethnographic museum in Bucharest, was donated to the city along with its entire collection. Originally designed as a recreation spot for the physician and art collector Nicolae Minovici, the house quickly became a museum dedicated to folk art. The architecture combines early 20th Century urban elements with details inspired by traditional Romanian houses. We spoke to the museum curator Madalina Manolache about the architecture monument: Madalina Manolache: In 1905, the architect Cristofi Cerchez built this Mansion on the Avenue, as it was called at the time. Prof. Nicolae Minovicis mansion was intended to house the national art collections that the forensic doctor had begun to collect. The house was built in the Romanian national style. At that time, we were not yet talking about the neo-Romanian style as we know it today, and his inspiration came primarily from the semi-fortified buildings in the south of the country. Other sources of inspiration for the architect Cristofi Cerchez came from the Brancoveanu architecture, and the decoration elements were made by the sculptor of the Royal House, Emil von Becker. Madalina Manolache also told us about the beginnings of the Museum of Folk Art, during the lifetime of Professor Nicolae Minovici: Madalina Manolache: Even during Prof. Nicolae Minovicis life, the mansion came to be regarded as a museum. A private museum, in fact, which was called the National Art Museum, as opposed to its present-day name, which was given during the communist era. Minovici did not organise a museum based on scientific criteria; instead, he tried to showcase the beauty of Romanian works of art, from folk art to modern art. Minovici was particularly in love with modern ceramics, which he collected in quite impressive amounts. Moreover, he was a promoter of the national style, not only in architecture, in terms of the style for the construction of his mansion, but also in the decorative arts, an aspect less common today. During his lifetime, as I was saying, this museum operated as a private institution whose visitors were mainly scientists who came to Romania for various congresses organised by the Minovici siblings, all of them scholars: Nicolae and Mina were forensic doctors and Stefan was a chemist. Visitors were always impressed with the museum, because at that time it was the first of its kind in our country and in Bucharest, even predating the project of Alexandru Tzigara-Samurcas, who was trying to create an ethnographic museum. The current exhibition recreates the original atmosphere of the collection, with each room turned into a presentation space that accurately reflects the founders vision. The curator Madalina Manolache walked us through the history of the museum: Madalina Manolache: The museum was opened to the public during the interwar period. In 1936 it was officially donated to the city of Bucharest. In the 90s, the museum was closed for consolidation and restoration works and, finally, in 2018 the restoration and organisation of a new permanent exhibition, inspired of course by the one created by Nicolae Minovici, was completed. Today, visitors can see first of all the permanent exhibition, called Restitutio II, and this very name suggests an attempt by the staff to preserve the exhibition as Nicolae Minovici had intended it. Nicolae Minovici tried to create a model through which tradition can be brought into modernity. In addition to the permanent exhibition, the present-day museum also includes a new conference room which in turn hosts various exhibitions, often focused on contemporary art. Today, the Minovici Museum is a landmark of Bucharests cultural identity, and a place where tradition is presented in a vivid, accessible and elegant form. (AMP) December 14, 2025 A roundup of domestic and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 14.12.2025, 13:55 Protests The protests started a few days ago after revelations from a journalistic investigation regarding problems in the justice system continued in Bucharest and other cities in Romania and abroad. Approximately one thousand people were in front of the government headquarters on Saturday evening, chanting messages in support of an independent justice system. The main demands of the protesters are the restoration 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 judicial system and the urgent dismissal of the heads of prosecutors offices. In parallel with the street protests, the petition initiated by the non-governmental organizations Declic and Funky Citizens to amend the Justice Laws has collected about 150,000 signatures. The signatories are calling on the Prime Minister and the President of Romania to initiate a real reform of the justice system, through a transparent and honest procedure, which goes beyond simple public declarations. The Recorder 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 Superior Council of Magistracy has decided to notify the Judicial Inspection to conduct checks in relation to the issues reported in the press material broadcast by Recorder. Motion Romanian parliamentarians are meeting on Monday afternoon in a joint session to debate and vote on the no confidence motion against the government, initiated by the parliamentary group PEACE, Romania First and supported by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), which proposes removing Save Romania Union (USR) from the government. The document is initiated by opposition parliamentarians who criticize the activity of the Executive. They claim that the government led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has not properly managed areas such as justice, health, education or public administration. On the other hand, the representatives of the governing parties assure that the oppositions approach will not be successful. Social Democratic MPs announce that they will not vote for the motion of censure, but the social democrats will evaluate in the coming period the relations with the other parties in the coalition (Liberal Party, Save Romania Union, Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania). For the motion of censure to pass, 232 favorable votes are needed. Also on Monday, a simple motion against the environment minister Diana Buzoianu will be debated and voted on in the Senate. Bridge Road traffic on the Giurgiu-Ruse friendship bridge, between Romania and Bulgaria, will resume in both directions from December 18 for all types of vehicles, including on the repaired section of the bridge over the Danube, which is currently closed in the direction of Romania. Thus, during the Christmas and New Year holidays, traffic will be possible without restrictions, the Border Police reports. This measure is valid until January 8, 2026, during which time the works will be suspended to allow for smooth and safe transit, in the context of the winter holidays. The works will resume from January 8 on the direction towards Bulgaria. Fishing EU agriculture ministers have reached an agreement on fishing quotas for next year, setting catch limits and fishing days for the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, Black Sea and other waters, with some rules extending until 2028. In the Black Sea, the EU Council agreed on slightly lower total allowable catches than this year for turbot, with Romania and Bulgaria directly concerned. Turbot fishing also has a ban period between April 15 and June 15, and the number of fishing days for authorized vessels is limited to 180. For sprat, assimilated in Romania to the term anchovy, the Commission proposed the same catch limit, of around 11,500 tons, divided unequally between Romania and Bulgaria. Romania receives 30%, which is about 3,500 tons, the distribution taking into account historical and natural fishing data. For sharks in the Black Sea, very small species, such as the dogfish, a ban on commercial fishing remains in place. Attack Ten people were killed in Sydney, Australia, during a shooting on the famous Bondi Beach, the police announced as quoted by international news agencies. According to the Australian national channel ABC, one of the two attackers was among those killed, with the attack also leaving behind 12 injured. Located in the east of Sydney, Bondi attracts a large number of tourists, surfers and swimmers, especially on weekends. (LS) December 14, 2025 UPDATE The latest news from RRI Newsflash Newsroom, 14.12.2025, 19:58 Protests Sunday saw the fifth evening of protests in the center of Bucharest after the revelations of a journalistic investigation regarding problems in the justice system. The protesters, from Bucharest and other cities across the country and abroad, have as their demands 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 judicial system and the urgent dismissal of the heads of prosecutors offices. 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 gathering more and more 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, which goes beyond simple public declarations. In the documentary Recorder released a few days ago, several prosecutors and judges appear, some with protected identities, revealing 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 publicly denounced abuses in the judiciary. The Judges Section of the Supreme Council of Magistracy has decided to notify the Judicial Inspection to conduct checks on the issues reported in the press material broadcast by Recorder. Motion Romanian parliamentarians are meeting on Monday afternoon in a joint session to debate and vote on the no confidence motion against the government, initiated by the parliamentary group PEACE, Romania First and supported by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), which proposes removing Save Romania Union (USR) from the government. The document is initiated by opposition parliamentarians who criticize the activity of the Executive. They claim that the government led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has not properly managed areas such as justice, health, education or public administration. On the other hand, the representatives of the governing parties assure that the oppositions approach will not be successful. Social Democratic MPs announce that they will not vote for the motion of censure, but the social democrats will evaluate in the coming period the relations with the other parties in the coalition (Liberal Party, Save Romania Union, Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania). For the motion of censure to pass, 232 favorable votes are needed. Also on Monday, a simple motion against the environment minister Diana Buzoianu will be debated and voted on in the Senate. Meeting The Romanian Foreign Minister, Oana Toiu, will participate on Monday in the Foreign Affairs Council and in events on the sidelines of this meeting that will take place in Brussels. According to the Romanian Foreign Ministry, the agenda of the meeting includes Russias aggression against Ukraine, with the participation of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andriy Sibiha, via videoconference, the situation in the Middle East, including Syria and Lebanon, and China, with an emphasis on geopolitical and geo-economic aspects. On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Oana Toiu will participate in an informal breakfast of the heads of European diplomacy with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan. Attack The international community is condemning the armed attack that targeted a Jewish holiday on the famous Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, an attack that killed or injured about 20 people. According to the Australian national channel ABC, one of the two attackers is among those killed. Located in the east of Sydney, Bondi attracts a large number of tourists, surfers and swimmers, especially on weekends. Bridge Road traffic on the Giurgiu-Ruse friendship bridge, between Romania and Bulgaria, will resume in both directions from December 18 for all types of vehicles, including on the repaired section of the bridge over the Danube, which is currently closed in the direction of Romania. Thus, during the Christmas and New Year holidays, traffic will be possible without restrictions, the Border Police reports. This measure is valid until January 8, 2026, during which time the works will be suspended to allow for smooth and safe transit, in the context of the winter holidays. The works will resume from January 8 on the direction towards Bulgaria. Fishing EU agriculture ministers have reached an agreement on fishing quotas for next year, setting catch limits and fishing days for the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, Black Sea and other waters, with some rules extending until 2028. In the Black Sea, the EU Council agreed on slightly lower total allowable catches than this year for turbot, with Romania and Bulgaria directly concerned. Turbot fishing also has a ban period between April 15 and June 15, and the number of fishing days for authorized vessels is limited to 180. For sprat, assimilated in Romania to the term anchovy, the Commission proposed the same catch limit, of around 11,500 tons, divided unequally between Romania and Bulgaria. Romania receives 30%, which is about 3,500 tons, the distribution taking into account historical and natural fishing data. For sharks in the Black Sea, very small species, such as the dogfish, a ban on commercial fishing remains in place. (LS) The Bank of Japan will on Monday release its quarterly Tankan Survey for sentiment, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In the previous three months, the large manufacturing index had a score of +14 with an outlook of +12, while large industry capital spending was up 12.5 percent. The large non-manufacturing index was at +34, with an outlook of +28. China will release November numbers for industrial production, retail sales, fixed asset investment and unemployment. Production is expected to climb 5.0 percent on year, up from 4.9 percent in October. Sales are seen unchanged at an annual 2.9 percent. FAI is expected to fall 2.3 percent after sinking 1.7 percent a month earlier. The jobless rate was 5.1 percent in October. South Korea will see November figures for imports, exports and trade balance. In October, imports were up 1.2 percent on year and exports rose an annual 8.4 percent for a trade surplus of $9.74 billion. Hong Kong will release Q3 data for industrial production and producer prices; in the three months prior, production was up 0.8 percent on year and producer prices rose an annual 4.0 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. After a 13-page letter from investment powerhouse Citadel Securities advised the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols handling tokenized securities demand a closer regulatory grip, the industry answered back with its own correspondence on Friday, calling the arguments "baseless." "While we share Citadels aims with respect to investor protections, orderly markets, and the integrity of the national market system, we disagree that achieving these goals always necessitates registration as traditional SEC intermediaries and cannot, in certain circumstances, be met through thoughtfully designed onchain markets," according to the new letter to the SEC, signed by the DeFi Education Fund, venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), the DigitalChamber, Orca Creative, lawyer J.W. Verret and the Uniswap Foundation. Citadel Securities contended that DeFi protocols may operate as exchanges or brokerages in need of registration and regulation. However, this year's new management of the SEC under President Donald Trump has been seeking ways to give the crypto industry more policy leeway. And White House crypto adviser Patrick Witt just posted on social media site X that his office supports the "need to protect software developers and DeFi." "As detailed in our comment letters, Citadel Securities strongly supports tokenization and other innovations that can reinforce Americas leadership in digital finance, but this does not require sacrificing the rigorous investor protections that have made U.S. equity markets the global gold standard, a spokesperson said in an emailed comment. Citadel's letter included "several factual mischaracterizations and misleading statements," according to the DeFi coalition's response. And a DeFi Education Fund spokeswoman, Jennifer Rosenthal, suggested the firm is protecting its business interests. "It is convenient for Citadel to question the existence of a technology that threatens its business and significant market share," Rosenthal said. Male bonobos are able to interpret female fertility signals that do not reliably reflect ovulation. This ability lets them direct their mating attempts toward the moments when conception is most likely, according to research led by Heungjin Ryu at Kyoto University, Japan. The work was published December 9th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology. In many mammals, females are receptive to mating only when ovulating, which gives males a clear window to maximize reproductive success. Bonobos (Pan paniscus) differ from this pattern because females remain sexually receptive for long periods and develop a bright pink genital swelling that persists well beyond the actual fertile stage. Tracking Wild Bonobos to Understand Fertility Signals To examine how males respond to this unreliable signal, researchers observed a wild bonobo community at Wamba in the Luo Scientific Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The team documented sexual interactions each day and visually assessed the degree of genital swelling in every female. They also collected urine samples on filter paper to measure estrogen and progesterone, allowing them to identify when ovulation occurred. The data showed that the likelihood of ovulation was highest between 8 and 27 days after a female reached maximum swelling, a range that makes prediction challenging. Even so, male behavior closely followed the true timing of ovulation. Males focused their mating activity on females who had reached maximum swelling earlier and who had older infants, two indicators linked to a greater chance of ovulation. Flexible Mating Strategies Maintain an Imperfect System These findings reveal that males improve their reproductive success by combining information about swelling patterns with knowledge of a female's reproductive history. Because males are able to estimate fertility reasonably well despite the lack of a precise signal, the researchers suggest there has been little evolutionary pressure to make the signal more accurate. This may help explain why the system has persisted over long evolutionary timescales. The authors add, "In this study, we found that bonobo males, instead of trying to predict precise ovulation timing, use a flexible strategy -- paying attention to the end-signal cue of the sexual swelling along with infant age -- to fine-tune their mating efforts. This finding reveals that even imprecise signals can remain evolutionarily functional when animals use them flexibly rather than expecting perfect accuracy. Our results help explain how conspicuous but noisy ovulatory signals, like those of bonobos, can persist and shape mating strategies in complex social environments." Researchers Reflect on Months of Field Observation "The male bonobos weren't the only ones paying close attention to sexual swelling -- we spent countless days in the rainforest at Wamba, DRC doing exactly the same thing! All that watching, sweating, and scribbling in our notebooks eventually paid off. By tracking these daily changes, we uncovered just how impressively bonobos can read meaning in a signal that seems noisy and confusing to us." This study was supported by the Global Environment Research Fund (D-1007 to TF) of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (22255007 to TF; and 25304019 to CH;), and the JSPS Asia-Africa Science Platform Program (2012-2014 to TF). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Key Insights Compass Group's estimated fair value is UK18.55 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Compass Group is estimated to be 25% overvalued based on current share price of UK23.24 Analyst price target for CPG is US$28.15, which is 52% above our fair value estimate Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Compass Group PLC (LON:CPG) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. What's The Estimated Valuation? We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$2.02b US$2.24b US$2.47b US$2.63b US$2.78b US$2.91b US$3.03b US$3.15b US$3.26b US$3.38b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x8 Analyst x8 Analyst x7 Est @ 6.64% Est @ 5.55% Est @ 4.78% Est @ 4.24% Est @ 3.87% Est @ 3.60% Est @ 3.42% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.9% US$1.9k US$1.9k US$1.9k US$1.9k US$1.8k US$1.7k US$1.7k US$1.6k US$1.5k US$1.4k ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$17b Artificial intelligence is poised to reshape hiring in many industries, but developing certain core skills can help workers remain competitive, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said. [AI] will eliminate jobs. That doesnt mean that people wont have other jobs, Dimon said Sunday on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. My advice to people would be critical thinking ... learn EQ [emotional quotient, or emotional intelligence], learn how to be good in a meeting, how to communicate, how to write, he added. Youll have plenty of jobs. Dimons comments come amid growing concern about AIs impact on the U.S. workforce. Some analysts have linked the technology to higher unemployment among young workers. In May, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warned AI could wipe out as many as half of all white-collar jobs within five years. Other corporate leaders have echoed similar expectations. Its very clear that AI is going to change literally every job, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a Wall Street Journal interview published Sept. 26. Maybe theres a job in the world that AI wont change, but I havent thought of it. Dimon has previously stressed the importance of soft skills in leadership. In a July 2024 appearance on LinkedIns This is Working video series, he said strong leaders ask thoughtful questions and learn from competitors, customers and their own missteps. If you dont have an accurate assessment of the real world out there, whats changing, what the ideas are, you will eventually fail, Dimon said. Several business leaders and experts share that view. Critical thinking the ability to evaluate information and draw sound conclusions is particularly important as AI becomes more prevalent, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman said Aug. 8 on CNBCs Closing Bell Overtime. While AI can handle many administrative and technical tasks, research suggests it still struggles with nuanced judgment. Youre going to want to be creative. Youre going to want to be [good at] critical thinking. And youre going to want to be flexible, Garman said. I think the ability to learn new things and adapt is going to be just as important as any particular skill that you learn. Experts also emphasize the value of strong communication skills and emotional intelligence in todays workplace. Sharing ideas and engaging with colleagues can help employees build relationships, increase likability and gain influence, they say. Improving communication can include preparing ahead of conversations, asking thoughtful questions, owning mistakes, recognizing others contributions and engaging in casual workplace interactions. Successful conversationalists and successful employees go a step further than simple gestures such as nodding or making eye contact, Harvard University associate professor Alison Wood Brooks told CNBC Make It in July. Listening to somebodys answer then probing for more information is a superhero move, and a shockingly low number of people think to do it. Editors Note: In honor of the many everyday Staten Islanders who give back, make change, inspire others, advocate and/or care about their community, we are highlighting some of the standouts, and honoring them as Staten Islands Brightest Lights of 2025. Staten Islands Brightest Lights of 2025: John Michael Pasquale Against overwhelming odds, 9-year-old John Michael Pasquale marked a milestone moment when he returned to school after 17 grueling months in the hospital. In September 2023, he suffered a life-threatening stroke triggered by a blood-vessel rupturean event that left doctors warning he might not walk or speak again. Yet, with fierce determination and the unwavering support of his family and medical team, John Michael made a triumphant return to PS 6. Just remember, youre not gonna get this every day, said his mom, Maureen, wiping away tears as hundreds of schoolmates lined the hallways at 9 a.m., each wearing green -- John Michaels favorite color -- and cheering his name. Today is just a very special day. Here is his story, originally published Feb. 24, 2025: When John Michael Pasquale suffered a stroke caused by a life-altering blood vessel rupture on Sept. 9, 2023, doctors told his parents that he might not survive the night. If he did, there would most certainly be significant challenges and deficits. He might never walk again. He could lose his ability to speak. There were multiple surgeries and angiograms, countless X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. A second stroke. He was intubated and placed on a ventilator, heavily sedated, unresponsive and unable to move. The once-exuberant 8-year-old wasted away to 35 pounds as doctors searched for a way to save his life. 17 1 / 17 Third grader who suffered a brain rupture in 2023, returns to school at PS6 Seventeen months passed. Two Halloweens, two Thanksgivings, two Christmases, two very quiet New Years Eves. A couple of World Series and Super Bowls were watched from a hospital bed. But Monday, Feb. 24, was a good day. After countless days of rehab, months and weeks of fighting for his life, John Michael returned to school at PS 6 in Tottenville. Just remember, youre not gonna get this every day, said his mom, Maureen, wiping away tears as hundreds of schoolmates lined the hallways at 9 a.m., each wearing green -- John Michaels favorite color -- and cheering his name. Today is just a very special day. Throngs of students at PS 6 wave glittery handmade signs, and staffers don bright T-shirts reading John Michael Strong as the principal leads an emotional clap-in for John Michael. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE And oh, how special it was. As his father, Daniel, guided his wheelchair through the halls, throngs of students waved glittery handmade signs, and staffers donned bright T-shirts reading: John Michael Strong. Principal Michele Bennett led an emotional clap-in for the grade-schooler, who from this day forward is focused on living his best life. We are looking forward to the future, his mother said. I think there are still a lot of obstacles to overcome, but were seeing progress every day, and that helps us to remain positive and optimistic. John Michael hugs a classmate during his return-to-school celebration on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE John Michael, now 9, was at home in Charleston playing video games when he complained of a bad headache before suffering a sudden loss of vision. In the emergency room, a CAT scan showed bleeding in his brain. According to doctors, John Michael had suffered a stroke from a ruptured Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). Defined as an abnormal collection of blood vessels where the arteries and veins connect directly without the normal capillaries in between, AVMs develop during gestation, a tangle of vessels that are generally asymptomatic until a sudden rupture happens resulting in stroke. Students and staff at PS 6 welcome John Michael back to school. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Weve been told it forms within the first eight weeks of gestation, and theres only a 2% chance of it rupturing year over year, Maureen Pasquale said. We just happened to be in that 2%. John Michael had not one AVM, but five -- four of which were clustered together. To make matters worse, his rupture resulted in a blood clot, which was lodged deep within the vessels, causing the second stroke and resulting seizures. After several surgical procedures, there were painful injections twice a day to dissolve the clot and keep it from recurring. A trach tube was inserted to protect his airway, as well as a G-tube, because he was unable to chew and swallow. John Michael poses with classmates. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE He was transferred to a Traumatic Brain Injury Acute Rehabilitation Hospital on Oct. 31, 2023. There, he received physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and swallow therapy, vision therapy, and standing table sessions Monday through Friday. His parents were by his side 24/7, taking sabbaticals from work to care for their son full time. A family member started a GoFundMe page to alleviate some of the financial burden that accrued over the past year-and-a-half. After 528 days of hospitalization, he was finally able to return home on Feb. 18. A bulletin board with messages of encouragement for John Michael is displayed at PS 6. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Its good to be home, but stressful and nerve-wracking all at the same time, Maureen Pasquale said. Were still working on his speech and feeding, but hes the most resilient child I know. Hes been through so much, and somehow still finds a reason to smile and laugh. Pasquale said her son is eager to play with his friends once again and return to some sort of normalcy. She noted that doctors have given him a very positive prognosis, but his biggest challenges include becoming more stable on his feet and building up the strength to resume his regular 9-year-old activities. Returning to school is a big part of that. Theres a long road ahead, but we are so grateful for all the support we have received," said John Michael's mother, Maureen Pasquale. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel) STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE This is a big day for him; for all of us, Pasquale said. Theres a long road ahead, but we are so grateful for all the support we have received. When something like this happens, you realize that you are surrounded by amazing people. We are so excited that this day has finally come. To read more about John Michaels journey or to donate to his recovery efforts, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/82ws9x-john-michaels-recovery. Foul odors in Travis? You dont say. We thought we were done with rancid stenches coming from the old Fresh Kills landfill property. But I guess not. A composting facility located on the grounds of the old dump has been stinking up the West Shore for the last year or so. Thats right: we closed the landfill decades ago, but a once-beleaguered corner of Staten Island is again suffering from the stench of garbage. After complaints were raised, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has identified the composting facility as the culprit. The facility has been in operation since 1991, but its workload has gotten a lot bigger now that city residents are mandated to separate organic material from their trash for composting. It was reported in June that the facility, which handles all of the Islands compost and some from South Brooklyn, is actually nearing its operating capacity. So business is good. But it turns out its been bad for Travis residents. And those folks know what garbage smells like. They lived with the dump stench for generations. Back when Fresh Kills was in full swing, the landfill took in all of the citys garbage. Tons upon tons of it every day, arriving by truck and by barge. The dump broke every environmental law on the books but was still allowed to operate. Staten Islanders were lied to when the dump opened back in 1948. We were told Fresh Kills would only be in operation for a few years. It turned out to be half a century. The Fresh Kills landfill, more than any other single thing, showed just how much disdain City Hall and the other four boroughs had for Staten Island. We were the Forgotten Borough in all things except for garbage. The City of New York sure did remember us when it was time to dump the trash. And while the whole borough suffered, it was Travis and the rest of the West Shore that took the everyday brunt of the dump. The foul smell emanating from the landfill, particularly in the summer, meant that people couldnt enjoy their own backyards or keep their windows open. Paper blown from the gigantic landfill mounds tangled in tree branches and dangled from utility wires. We literally had to sue the city and the state in order to get the dump closed. The landfill is now a park. We thought wed never have to suffer those smells again. Now we know different. Now its compost thats causing funky smells to come from dreaded old landfill. Its like Staten Island is getting dumped on all over again. Maybe we should add this to the pile of reasons why Staten Island should secede from New York City. In a bid to curb the rank smells, a Sanitation spokesperson said that the department is looking to use a scented mist at DSNY operations; a special covered composting system; turning compost at 5 a.m., and regular odor assessments in neighborhoods surrounding the facility. A scented mist? Forgive me but that just doesnt pass the smell test. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. When Gene Simmons of the iconic rock band KISS appeared Tuesday in Washington, D.C. to speak to lawmakers in favor of the American Music Fairness Act, he also spent time with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. Simmons testified before the Senate Judiciary Intellectual Property Subcommittee, urging passage of the bill, which would require AM/FM radio broadcasters to pay royalties to copyright holders when their songs are played on air. It looks like a small issue [when] there are wars going on and everything, Simmons told the committee. But our emissaries to the world are Elvis and Frank Sinatra.According to UPI, Simmons said music icons like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby were treated worse than slaves by radio broadcasters. During his Washington visit, Simmons, who has ties to Staten Island, took time to chat with Malliotakis, a Republican representing Staten Island and part of Brooklyn. Gene Simmons appeared Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to speak to lawmakers in favor of the American Music Fairness Act, he also spent time with Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. Courtesy of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis Borough ties A native New Yorker, Simmons earned his bachelors degree from the former Staten Island Community College (now the College of Staten Island, CUNY) and worked as a social studies teacher in the boroughs school district before becoming a rock star. I was glad to welcome New York City native Gene Simmons on the heels of receiving the Kennedy Center Honors to the U.S. Capitol this week, where he discussed the American Music Fairness Act to protect artists by ensuring they are fairly compensated when their music is played on digital and broadcast platforms, said Malliotakis. Many people do not know that before launching the rock band KISS, Gene attended what is now the College of Staten Island and was an elementary school social studies teacher in our district, she added. Simmons, along with the surviving original members of KISS, was honored earlier this month at a private medal ceremony at the White House, followed by a public gala at the Kennedy Center Opera House, where the band performed some of their biggest hits, including a tribute to recently deceased KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. Robert Brokamp: How to make sure you can manage your parents' or other relatives' finances if necessary and how someone could do the same for you? That and more on this Saturday Personal Finance edition of Motley Fool Money. I'm Robert Brokamp, and this week, I speak with certified financial planner and author Beth Pinsker about the challenges of being a financial caregiver, and how being prepared beforehand makes a world of difference. But first, let's look at some money related headlines, starting with some somber news from the employment front. On November 20, the Department of Labor released the delayed employment report for September, showing that the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%, the highest level since 2021. According to Bloomberg's Matthew Bosler, the jobs report showed that except for healthcare and leisure, US private sector employment has declined in each of the last five months, something that's never happened in the past 35 years outside of a recession. Then this week, payroll processing firm ADP announced that private companies laid off 32,000 workers in November, the hardest hit being small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Year-over-year pay increases for those who remained on the jobs also slightly declined to 4.4% from 4.5% in October. Then on Thursday, consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that employers announced plans to lay off more than 70,000 employees in November. That was on top of the 150,000 cuts announced in October, which was the highest total for that month in 22 years. The total number of announced layoffs for 2025 is 1.17 million, which is 54% higher than the same 11-month period last year and the highest level since 2020, the year of the pandemic. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a Double Down stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If youre worried youve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before its too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Story Continues This softness in the labor market is the biggest reason the Federal Reserve has cut rates twice this year and is very likely to do so again this week, which brings us to our second item from the news, and that is the performance of bonds in 2025. As rates go down, bond prices go up, resulting in a more than 7% total return from bonds so far this year, as measured by the performance of the Vanguard Total Bond, Market ETF. Bonds are on pace to have their third best year of the past two decades. Of course, you have other options for your non-stock money, which brings us to the number of the week, and that is $8 trillion. That's the total amount held in money market funds, which is the highest level ever according to Crane Data. As the Fed lowers rates, the amount you earn on your cash also decreases, but money market funds are still offering higher yields than what you can get from the bank. According to the Crane 100 Money Fund Index, which attracts the 100 largest funds, the average yield is 3.8% compared to a paltry 0.6% for the average savings account according to bank rate. That said, money market funds are not FDIC insured unlike money market accounts and savings accounts from banks. While money market funds are considered very, very safe, you should look under the hood so that you choose a fund that aligns with your risk and tax preferences. Some invest in short term corporate debt, which offers slightly higher yields, but with slightly more potential risk. Other funds invest exclusively in treasuries, which makes them even safer and free of state income taxes. Then there are funds that invest in municipal debt, which are mostly or completely tax free. Up next, what you and your family need to do in order to take care of each other financially when Motley Fool Money continues. If an illness or death befell your parents, spouse, kids, or any other close relative, would you be able to access their financial information and handle their affairs? If something happened to you, would your spouse and family know what to do and where to find everything? If the answer is no, as it is for most people, then Beth Pinsker has a roadmap for you. Beth is a certified financial planner, a columnist for MarketWatch, and the author of My Mother's Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving. Beth, welcome to Motley Fool Money. Beth Pinsker: Nice to be here. Thanks, Robert. Robert Brokamp: Let's start with the story of your mom and your journey to becoming her caregiver. Beth Pinsker: My mom had it all together. My mom had done all the planning. She had all her documents in place. I'm a financial professional. I am an expert in this. I have a certified financial planning designation. We thought we were all set. It was so much harder than I ever anticipated to take care of the nitty gritty details of another human being's financial existence. It was so far detailed. Like you might have a big picture discussion with a family member. Even if you get to it, you might get to the big number, like, how much money do you have? But not down to the level of mom, do you still pay your electric bill with a check, or do you pay it electronically or is it auto bill? Like, nobody ever has that talk with their parents. Robert Brokamp: Your mom was in a situation where she had back surgery, she became incapacitated. She didn't have cognitive decline, but she had medical issues that basically made it very difficult for her to manage her affairs. You live in New York, she lived in Florida. You had to fly down there and basically try to figure out where everything was and how to do everything. Beth Pinsker: It was a big scavenger hunt, and it started about three weeks after she had her surgery when she still wasn't back up to snuff and wasn't ready to resume taking care of anything, but also really didn't want to answer any questions or couldn't answer any questions. So I had to sit at her desk and reverse engineer her entire financial situation, make sure bills were getting paid on time, make sure anything wasn't falling through the cracks, make sure we had enough cash on hand, all of those things just blindly fumbling through papers and trying to figure it out. Robert Brokamp: There are really two aspects of this, right? There's, first of all, making sure that your affairs are in order and then working with your relatives to make sure they do the same. Let's start with what you could do on your own. Where should people start in terms of getting everything laid out of their own situation so that someone else can take over either temporarily or maybe permanently because you've passed away? Beth Pinsker: What I've seen in so many households, including my own because I am a divorced woman with teenage children, it's all in my head. I don't talk about it with anybody. I don't run it by anybody. I don't have a partner in any of it. Even if I did, probably one of us would delegate it to the other so that only one person in the family is thinking about these issues for any given length of time. That is just a disaster when something bad happens. I just saw this recently in a family. My greater relatives, the father of the family handled all the finances. It was all in his head. He knew when all the bills were due. He knew how much money was in each account, and they were sort of short on money. So he was always moving things from one place to another to cover bills. Then he got sick and was out of commission for three weeks, and his wife didn't know how to do any of it. Bills didn't get paid, like essential bills, not just like, oh, that can wait till next month kind of bills. This was like your electric is going to get cut off. Your mortgage is going to go into arrears. Your credit rating is going to go in the toilet because you haven't paid all of these bills. They were in real trouble because he had not given a roadmap to his spouse or anybody else in the family. Robert Brokamp: You talked about in the book about creating a couple of things. One is a cheat sheet, another one is a death file. You've hinted at some of the things that should be in there. What else should be in there and where should people put those? Beth Pinsker: A death file can be anything. One man I spoke to for a story long ago had a file folder on his computer desktop that said death in all capital letters. It was like a Microsoft file icon. When his son went looking for the papers he needed, he just double clicked the icon, and it was like, oh, man, this is everything I need. My mom used manila folders that were very clearly labeled. Where was the life insurance? It was in a folder labeled life insurance. Where was my father's death certificate when I needed to put my hands on it? In a file folder named death certificates. My life is a lot more digital, so my kids would have to go and look for the file folders and files that are appropriately named mom's driver's license, mom's life insurance, all of those things that they would need to find are easily searched for in my digital system. Robert Brokamp: Some of these documents that you need are legal documents. Let's start with one that you consider one of the most important, and that is the durable power of attorney. Why is it important, and who should you be giving that power to? Beth Pinsker: It's important because the financial system sees each of us as individuals and will not let somebody else do something for us. There are certain things a spouse can do, but mostly if they're named jointly on an account. IRA accounts sometimes can't be touched or other decisions can't be made unless you have that person's power of attorney. Like if you have a joint mortgage and you need to take out a home equity loan when one party gets sick and incapacitated, you can't do that without the authority to do that. They're going to want the signature of the person who's incapacitated who obviously can't give it. If you need that money or access to loans of some sort of a joint asset, you need permission. If you don't have that permission, you hit this brick wall. People always think that they can talk themselves out of situations or talk themselves into whatever they want. I'm telling you, this is like a brick wall. Even for the people who think that they can fake it, you can't really fake stuff anymore. You can't call up a bank and pretend that you are a parent because they have voice recognition. They have signature recognition. They have two factor authentication on everything. It's really hard to pull anything off without the proper paperwork anymore. Robert Brokamp: It's certainly a situation like you were in. You were taking care of your mother, so you needed a durable however attorney to act on her behalf. It's very important. But what you found is actually it can also be very challenging because a lot of institutions are very picky about the form and how you do it. Beth Pinsker: Yeah, a lot of banks want the person to come there themselves and sign their own paperwork at the financial institution. When my mom and I got around to this, she was already too sick to do that. So we had the proper paperwork, but they gave us a huge hassle about actually using it. It took me three two-hour visits to the bank with scheduled appointments in order to get through just one of the financial institutions that I had to get through. They will throw every hoop that you can think of at you. You know, the person needs to come down. You need to sign our own paperwork. The signature isn't valid. It has to be notarized in a different way. They'll claim anything, and they'll just stop you up, and you can't move forward to take care of any of these tasks until it's cleared up. So you have a much greater stake in this than the bank does, and you have to learn how to stand your ground. Robert Brokamp: Yeah, that's one of the lessons of your story. Persisting with this bank, you persisted with the facility that your mom was in to allow so that she could stay there longer. You have to be prepared to fight for your rights, know your rights, and fight for your family. Beth Pinsker: This is why it takes a close family member to do this. The financial stuff is not something that's easily outsourced. I could hire somebody to help my mother bathe or help her in the bathroom. But I couldn't hire somebody to fight for her tooth and nail for all of these things. There was nobody else who could be the financial authority and the trusted financial person with her bank account information, with her passcodes, with her ATM card and the code on it. She's not going to just hire some person off the street and give them bad information. That's crazy. You have to have somebody that you're close to and you trust. The thing about power of attorney is that there's responsibilities that come with it. There's accountability. If you are named as somebody's power of attorney and you are acting in that capacity, you have to act in their best interest, and you can be held to account if you don't. If you go in there with the authority to do it and siphon off money for yourself, somebody can call you on that, and you have to produce receipts and be accountable for that. That's why it's helpful in a family situation where maybe siblings are prone to fighting about these sorts of things, which name me a family where they aren't. If you're going to end up fighting with the sibling, you want somebody to be the proper power of attorney because otherwise, there's no accountability. They're just a joint owner on the account. They can do whatever they want, and nobody has any say over them. Robert Brokamp: The durable power of attorney is important. A couple of other things that you probably will be involved both for your own situation and maybe working with relative healthcare proxy, will, maybe a trust, and the living will. Sometimes people confuse the living will and the healthcare proxy. Tell us a little bit about the differences between those and why they're important. Beth Pinsker: The healthcare proxy gives somebody permission to make medical decisions for you if you're incapacitated. The living will lays out what you want them to do in certain circumstances if you want to be resuscitated, if you stop breathing, if you want a breathing tube, if you want other extraordinary measures of any sort. When it comes time for using those things, the doctors are going to want some sort of document that says what the person's wishes are. It's best if it's just all written down and notarized and documented so that the family has something to go on and the hospital can trust that that's what the person actually wants. Robert Brokamp: Especially when it comes to siblings, too, you want to know what your parents wanted to happen because you don't want to be fighting with your siblings about whether or not mom or dad should be kept alive by certain means or methods when they could have just laid it all out ahead of time. Beth Pinsker: The whole point of all of this, like the whole why that I'm trying to make people understand is that we do these things. These things are hard. Nobody wants to fill out paperwork and do all this work. We do it because we don't want to be a burden to anybody. We don't want to put extra work on anybody. We don't want to put extra psychological pain on anybody, especially our own children. Our parents don't want to put that on us. So the responsible, loving thing to do is to get all this stuff lined up so that your family has a less hard time. It's going to be hard no matter what, because somebody you love is sick or dying. That's the only thing that should be hard. The rest of it should be as locked up and easy as possible. The reason you do that is because you love these people and they love you. So you don't want anybody to be burdened. This relieves them of that burden, and that's the whole reason that we're in families in the first place. Robert Brokamp: You start by getting your own affairs in order, and then you talk to your relatives. That can be a tricky conversation sometimes. Some people are very private about their money. They don't really want to think about the fact that they may become sick or may pass away or just have to give up control at some point. Any tips on how to have that conversation with not only your parents, should be siblings, should be kids too. Beth Pinsker: Well, understand first that the number one reason why people don't do this is because they don't do this. It's just procrastination. There's really nothing else attached to it. It's just a thing that they don't get to. If you make it important, you'll get to it. If you think about the repercussions, if you listen to what happened to me, you will understand that this stuff is important and you should do it. That will help you get over the hump. That helps you get over the hump in talking about it with other people too, because if you don't have that conversation, it's going to be much harder on you. You're the one that's going to get the call in the emergency. So it's on you to talk to your parents and say, hey, I want to be able to help you. But I can't help you if you don't do this one little simple form that you can download or I can bring over to you and I will drive you over to the notary. It's just like giving me an emergency key to get into your apartment if something happens to you. Like, if you fall and you're lying in your apartment, do you want to go out like Gene Hackman and somebody finds you days later, or do you want somebody to be able to come and help you? Give me an emergency key to your financial systems, and I will help you if something goes wrong. Robert Brokamp: It's time to get it done, Fools. We'll continue to highlight some year end financial planning considerations. In this episode, let's talk about tax loss harvesting. It starts by selling any stock, bond, mutual fund, ETF, options contract or crypto that is below the price you paid for it and held in a taxable brokerage account, not in a retirement account. The loss will first offset any capital gains you recognize this year, and then up to $3,000 in ordinary income or $1,500 if you're married and file separately. Any excess losses can be carried forward to future years indefinitely. Just make sure neither you nor your spouse bought shares of the investment 30 days before the sale or buy back shares within 30 days after the sale in any of your accounts. With the market near ultimate highs, you may wonder how many losses investors have. But if you look in your portfolio, you may find a few duds. Despite the S&P 500 returning almost 18% this year as of the market's close on Wednesday, almost 200 of the stocks in the index are in the red for 2025. Three of the 11 standard and poorest sectors have lost money over the trailing 12 months, those sectors being consumer staples, materials, and real estate. On the flip side, you may have some big winners that have become an uncomfortably big part of your portfolio, but you're reluctant to scale back on those investments because of the tax consequences. Well, selling those investments while also recognizing some losses is one way to rebalance your portfolio while limiting the tax bite. That my Foolest friends, is the show. Thank you so much for listening and thanks to Bart Shannon, the engineer for this episode. As always, people on the program may have interest in the stocks they talk about, and the Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. All personal finance content meets Motley Fool editorial standards that is not approved by advertisers. Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. To see our full advertising disclosure, please check out our show notes. I'm Robert Brokamp. Fool on, everybody. Robert Brokamp, CFP has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Before the Crisis: How You and Your Relatives Can Prepare for Financial Caregiving was originally published by The Motley Fool 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. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Northwells Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH) has been included on U.S. News & World Reports 2026 list of best hospitals for maternity care in the nation, one of 495 facilities lauded for delivering safe, evidence-based and patient-centered care to expectant mothers and their babies. As chair of obstetrics and gynecology, I am incredibly proud of how our teams across Northwell consistently raise the bar in maternity care, Eli Serur, MD, chair of women services at Staten Island University Hospital noted in a press release. We remain committed to providing the safest, most technologically advanced care for expectant mothers during one of lifes most transformative moments. SIUH is among a cluster of Northwell Health hospitals recognized by the publication for excellence in maternity care. Others include Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park, South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore and Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow. Three Nuvance Health hospitals Sharon Hospital, Danbury Hospital and Putnam Hospital, which also fall under the Northwell umbrella were also named to the list. This prestigious designation is the top honor given by U.S. News in its annual maternity review and reflects the hospitals collective commitment to exceptional outcomes, health equity and family-centered support throughout pregnancy and childbirth, SIUH detailed in the release. The High Performing status is based on critical quality measures, including: C-section delivery rates Unexpected newborn complication rates Rates of vaginal birth after C-section Episiotomy rates Exclusive breast milk feeding and breastfeeding support Adoption of birthing-friendly practices Reporting on disparities in outcomes U.S. News evaluated 899 hospitals nationwide for its 2026 maternity care edition, awarding top recognition to just over half of those reviewed. As the largest provider of obstetric services in New York state responsible for nearly one percent of all U.S. births Northwell Health continues to lead statewide and national efforts to redefine maternity care, the hospital system noted. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City is forecast to receive anywhere between two and four inches of snow by Sunday afternoon. Staten Island itself is expected to receive anywhere between three and four inches. But just when will the heaviest snow come down? According to Joe Pollina, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, precipitation may begin to fall on city streets as early as Saturday afternoon. Before the precipitation turns over to snow, there is a chance it could start out as rainfall. There is a 20% chance or less that rain could start off before 7 p.m., those precipitation odds increase to 30-40% around 7 p.m. At that point, the rain is expected to transition to a rain/snow mix before becoming all snow around 8 p.m, Pollina explained. The snow will really be starting to get under way after like 8 (p.m.) or 9 (p.m.), but the bulk of the precipitation falls between midnight and Sunday morning, Pollina told the Advance/SILive.com. As indicated by the weather service, snowfall rates overnight could reach half-an-inch per hour. The snow will begin to taper off around 7 a.m. Sunday, but will not fully clear until the late morning or early afternoon, according to Pollina. The winter season is in full swing, including all the winter weather that comes with it, said Mayor Eric Adams. All New York City agencies are prepared for this system, and we continue to monitor conditions closely. New Yorkers should all prepare too avoid driving and give yourself extra travel time with public transit if you do need to travel, stay alert to changing conditions, and sign up for Notify NYC for real-time information updates. In anticipation of the fast-moving coastal storm, New York City Emergency Management has issued a weather alert that will remain in effect from Saturday through Sunday. In addition to tracking the storm, the weather service has also issued a winter weather advisory. The advisory will remain in effect from 10 p.m. Saturday through 1 p.m. Sunday. Advertisement Exclusive BusinessBanking & financeBanking products Fake documents, ghost trucks: Westpacs secret fraud probe revealed Charlotte Grieve December 15, 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 Westpac launched an internal investigation to probe concerns millions of dollars of unchecked fraud was financing non-existent, or ghost, trucks in suburban Melbourne and a money-laundering ring in Western Australia. The banking giant has stood down at least four employees over the allegations and two formal complaints were made last week to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and Crime Stoppers by an employee detailing widespread fraud claims. Bank staff say fraudulent loans were used to obtain cash for vehicles that never existed. Michael Howard The complaints, submitted to the authorities anonymously and obtained by this masthead, say a toxic and high-pressure sales culture within Westpacs prized small- to medium-business banking division has driven widespread fraud. Westpac confirmed it had recently undertaken an internal review that identified a small number of customer loans for further investigation, which had resulted in new policies being introduced. Advertisement Were proactively engaging with regulators and weve acted to improve our controls and processes, a spokesperson said. Were frequently updating our policies and processes, and when we find wrongdoing we take action to put things right. The intervention comes five years after Westpac was given the largest fine in Australian corporate history ($1.3 billion) for breaching anti-money-laundering laws 23 million times by failing to vet customers properly, which allowed payments for child exploitation material in South-East Asia. Westpac confirmed that its latest investigation spanned fraudulent loans approved by the Simple+, start-up and equipment financing teams. When we find wrongdoing we take action to put things right. Westpac spokesperson Two staff working at the bank, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential matters, alleged customers used fake documents to obtain the money through fast approval processes without adequate checks. These staff allege Westpac has placed volume over compliance, and the lack of thorough checks or responding to staff concerns has allowed crime rings to wash cash through the bank. Advertisement All they have to do is provide cash flow forecast for the next two years and some kind of business plan, said one source about Westpacs start-up loan scheme. The two staff said Westpacs business bank, particularly in Victoria, had a cut-throat culture that was driving the problems. They described a dont care how you do it, just get it done attitude towards approving new loans to meet unsustainable sales targets. Its sit down, shut up, get your job done. Any speak-up is just not a thing at Westpac, said one source. Theyre always on the back foot. Theyre not proactive enough with anything. I fear that thats exactly how weve approached this era of Im not even going to check the fraud; Im just going to shove it through to get my leader off my back. Advertisement In response, Westpac defended its lending standards and said sales targets were in line with industry competitors. We reject the allegations made in relation to workplace culture, the spokesperson said. Westpac has zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour and we encourage our people to speak up when things dont seem right. The suspected fraud was detected as loans defaulted across several Westpac business banking loan schemes, including the Simple+ campaign that offers new customers up to $5 million in loans through a fast-track approvals process. Loans under Westpacs start-up loan scheme are also under the microscope, according to multiple sources. Under these, new customers can access up to $500,000 of unsecured loans over five years after providing basic information about business projections. Advertisement Customers were coming to Australia, registering a business, taking $50,000, going back offshore and having no plan to repay those loans, said one of the staff members. It was [suspected] in Western Australia that this became a money-laundering ring. It was a ring of different businesses registering, getting money, going offshore. The same source said investigations were probing a cluster of potentially fraudulent loans approved through the banks equipment financing team, citing customers in Melbournes Tarneit and Point Cook that are believed to have used fake documents to obtain cash for vehicles that never existed. This latest internal Westpac investigation comes five years after the bank was given the largest fine in Australian corporate history, for breaching anti-money-laundering laws 23 million times. Edwina Pickles Our policy at Westpac allowed customers to purchase vehicles up to $500,000 per vehicle, up to $1.5 million in total, without actually going out and inspecting the vehicle, the source said. Advertisement So they would give us invoices for vehicles of $400,000, these big prime movers, then all of a sudden, theyd stop repaying and we went to do site inspections of the vehicles after the fact and they didnt exist. The term ghost truck is used to describe a non-existent vehicle for which a loan is obtained. Westpac equipment finance manager Ming-Jin Liaw held a meeting this year with all divisions around Victoria raising awareness of elevated fraud through vehicle financing and introducing new checks to limit the fraud, according to two sources. Liaw did not respond to requests for comment. A former Westpac broker processed loans through the Simple+ scheme, but it was discovered that many of the brokers customers used the same templates to provide fake documentation, resulting in a web of fraud. The broker resigned before the bank took regulatory action, one source said. All the documents were fraudulent, the source said. We are supposed to put that [broker] on a register to tell every organisation they have acted without integrity so they shouldnt be able to register as a broker. They neglected to act in a way that prevented causing harm. That lack of action when its really required is the issue with Westpac. Advertisement Westpac has stood down a number of managers over the alleged fraud. They have either been placed on leave while investigations are undertaken or forced out of the company. All were contacted for comment but did not respond. Editor's pick AGM season Foreign pension giants sour on banks over green issues Two banking sources said these employees had taken the fall for senior management, and there was no accountability for executives responsible for marketing Simple+ as a fast way for new customers to access loans. The Westpac spokesperson said: Were unable to comment on individual employees or on actions taken. The small-business lending leaders identified have recorded very high levels of engagement and leadership in recent employee surveys. The two banking sources also described alleged bullying within Westpacs business banking division, including yelling and name-calling. Advertisement The sources said business development managers were known internally as hunters and have targets to bring in loans worth $65 million a year, regardless of economic conditions or whether customers can afford repayments. They described reports of suicidal thoughts, alcoholism and severe mental and physical illness linked to meeting these targets. One man went and got a diagnosis of PTSD from behaviours coming from leadership at Westpac, said one source. His colleague was an alcoholic who came to work drunk with erratic behaviour two days in a row. Westpac business banking managers are paid a base salary of $105,000 to $130,000 and annual bonuses of up to $20,000, with targets including dollar-figure and balance sheet growth targets. Business development managers are paid about $140,000, with annual bonuses of $30,000. Why are shortcuts being taken? The unreasonable targets its Wolf of Wall Street stuff, one source said. These allegations are repeated in the anonymous complaints submitted to authorities last week. Advertisement The ASIC complaint, obtained by this masthead, alleges systematic loan fraud via inadequate scrutiny of third-party-referred business plans via brokers to business bankers. The complaint alleged failure to properly assess debt to income serviceability and aggressive sales and performance management tactics. Why are shortcuts being taken? The unreasonable targets Its Wolf of Wall Street stuff. Source The complaint also points to a culture of aggressive leadership behaviour, leading to high turnover of bankers and leadership staff and unruly consolidation of business banking portfolios with inadequate sales support to sustain workload and/or balance compliance/risk metrics. The complaint called on ASIC to review all Simple+ loans in Victoria to investigate alleged widespread fraud and review the disciplinary action taken against staff. Advertisement The Crime Stoppers complaint made similar allegations about accepting fraudulent loan referrals from mortgage brokers and aggressive behaviour from staff. It is a crime to provide false information to ASIC or the police. Penalties include large fines or jail. ASIC and Victoria Police declined to comment and it is not known whether any criminal investigation is under way. Editor's pick Opinion Five Minutes with Fitz Ex-Liberal Party powerbroker says the party is over Peter FitzSimons Columnist and author Westpac has been on a long journey to rebuild trust after it was given the largest fine in Australian corporate history in 2020 over the money laundering and child exploitation scandal that resulted in the departure of former chief executive Brian Hartzer and chair Lindsay Maxsted. The scandal involved 23 million breaches of anti-money-laundering laws after the bank failed to properly vet thousands of international transactions, including customers who paid for child exploitation in the Philippines and other parts of South-East Asia. Advertisement Westpac released the findings of its own investigation into the compliance breaches at the time, with two major investigations blaming technology failures, leadership misjudgments and poor systems for the breaches. It posted financial results in November that showed its business lending jumped 15 per cent as banks fiercely compete to lend to small and medium enterprises. 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 CultureMusicalsPerforming arts Its actually crazy: How this 22-year-old landed one of musical theatres biggest roles Nick Galvin December 15, 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 Outside Hollywood, fairytales have a stubborn habit of not coming true. But very occasionally they deliver just ask singer Jake Lyle, who has been plucked from relative obscurity for the starring role in next years Opera Australia production of Phantom of the Opera to perform before some 50,000 people on the over-the-water stage at Mrs Macquaries Point. And hes just 22. Triple threat: Jake Lyle, Amy Manford and Jarrod Draper will star in the upcoming Phantom of the Opera. Steven Siewert Lyle grew up in Gladstone, a sporty kid obsessed with swimming, footy and soccer. I just kind of thought Id follow the traditional path of a normal Gladstone boy, he says. Advertisement There were hints, though. From a very young age my brother Lachie and I used to watch so much WWE, he says. I think he watched it for the fighting, but I watched it for the theatrics. Then, when Lyle was 14, came the councils biennial musical production. That year it was Shrek the Musical, and Lyles friend urged him to audition. I was like, No way! but they convinced me they needed boys and I landed the role of Papa Ogre, he says. From there I started singing lessons and really fell in love with the style. Yet to sink in: Jake Lyle has been tapped for the lead role in Phantom. Steven Siewert Advertisement Daring to be different in a traditional country town can come at a cost, but it didnt bother Lyle much. I had such a supportive community of people, he says. And, also, I dont think anyone gave me any shit because I was six foot so much taller than everyone else. I dont think anyone dared. Earlier this year, after attending the Queensland Conservatorium, he sent an audition tape for Opera Australias Phantom production. Its a show hes loved ever since first seeing it on DVD in year 8. I watched it on repeat and then sang The Music of the Night all through high school, he says. The audition was for a place in the ensemble. Then there were several callbacks. Advertisement Finally, they asked me to fly to Sydney and I was like, this is getting pretty serious, he says. Related Article Sydney live reviews Hold the stodge: This Christmas offering is exquisite He was paired in the rehearsal room with soprano Amy Manford, who will sing Christine Daae. Actually, I thought Id bombed the audition, he says. I was sitting there anxiously waiting and I just thought [Id be selected for] ensemble or maybe cover. When I finally got told, I just blanked out. I just could not believe it and it still hasnt sunk in talking about it. I feel like Im talking about someone else. Its actually crazy. Advertisement Along with West Australian Manford, who will sing the female lead in her fourth Phantom and has also performed several times for King Charles, Lyle will be joined by Jarrod Draper in the key role of Raoul. Brought up in Orange, Wiradjuri man Draper comes from footy royalty his father Brad is a former Roosters hooker. And just like Lyle, it was all sport when Draper was growing up. My folks always instilled great morals and values in me and my Aboriginality has always been something thats been at the forefront. Jarrod Draper Also like Lyle, his first introduction to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber was via the small screen. I stayed home from school on day on a sick day and turned on the TV and Love Never Dies [the sequel to Phantom] happened to be on with the wonderful Ben Lewis, who has sadly just passed away. Advertisement Watching him sing those songs with that mask on changed my life. I fell down the rabbit hole. Thats where I started with Phantom and Ive been listening to and singing the music ever since. Growing up in sports-mad Central West with a passion for musical theatre was never going to be easy, but Draper made it through with the help of a hugely supportive family. The world was a bit different back then, with people labelling you things you dont even know about yourself, he says. You have to grow up really quickly. But I wouldnt change it. Even though it was kind of excruciating at the time, it wouldnt have landed me where I am now. And his culture is front and centre in his performing life. My folks always instilled great morals and values in me and my Aboriginality has always been something thats been at the forefront, he says. People of colour I think have this innate ability to tell stories. Ive drawn upon that a lot. Advertisement A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Draper most recently starred in the 40th Australian anniversary production of Cats. He was in Perth when he heard he had landed the plum role of Raoul about two weeks ago. With the time difference I was still in bed and I woke up to the news, he says. Its huge. Its one of the bucket-list dream shows for me. Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour opens on March 27. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday. Advertisement Exclusive Eating outSunshine Coast The light, bright and beautiful Cibaria is a restaurant fit for Noosa Southern operators can sometimes be accused of not taking their Queensland excursions seriously. There are no such concerns at this brilliant Sydney import. Matt Shea December 14, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A A local walks into Cibaria Noosa, takes a seat at its vast, low-set marble kitchen counter and orders pasta. A second local walks in, sits next to him and also orders pasta. They get chatting. Turns out, they live five doors down from each other in Sunshine Beach. Afterwards, together, they head to the pub. Cibaria Noosa opens Monday, December 15. Fergus Hurst If Anna and Alessandro Pavoni wanted to create a restaurant for locals first, this little story that Anna tells is perhaps a sign theyre on their way to nailing it. A restaurant for locals because the Pavonis know theyll need them during the beach towns off-season. They also know it creates more pressure to get it right. Advertisement Related Article Brisbanes most exciting food and drink openings of 2025 Definitely, Anna says. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up [But] its been really pleasing so far. Weve already had repeat customers when people say to me, Wow, this is really unique, or, Its really welcoming, or, Its really warm, or, Gee, its really opened up and inviting, I think, Okay, thats good, weve done it. Cibaria opens Monday after a series of soft services over the past few days. Cibaria has taken the tenancy previously occupied by Noosa Beach House and given it an elegant, inviting and homey treatment. Fergus Hurst Advertisement And it is warm, open, inviting. The Pavonis intended the original Cibaria, which was unveiled in Manly in January, to capture the feeling of an Italian piazza. And this version two in the old Noosa Beach House premises looks well equipped to do the same, even if at first its hard to figure out what the Pavonis have changed about the front of the building. In terms of the bones its relatively simple: theyve removed the louvred glass that used to be above the front windows, and the internal glass that used to sit at the top of the stairs that leads up to what is now the dining room. It means the venue communes much more effectively with the street outside. The all-day Bar Capri sits out front of the venue. Fergus Hurst But theres also the colour: Cibarias terracotta tiles and timber and warm lighting pops compared to the previous fit-outs whiter-than-white treatment. From the street, it demands your attention. The old restaurant had the entrance up the laneway but it was all quite separate, Anna says. [Now], you have this really open, fluid venue. Advertisement The main dining room is arranged around an open kitchen with expansive, low-set counter tops. Fergus Hurst What youre mostly seeing from the street is Bar Capri, a 100-seat all-day spot that serves classic and signature cocktails, Italian-leaning spritzes and a 30-bottle wine list. For food, there are small plates such as fritto misto, scallop crudo and a poached rock lobster roll with burnt butter bisque and brioche, plus a short menu of easygoing larger plates: a wagyu cheeseburger (that uses provolone valpadana cheese), a tagliatelle bolognese and a 250-gram wagyu striploin, that kind of thing. Moreton Bay bug pennette with spicy vodka sauce. Fergus Hurst The bar also doubles as a breakfast venue in the morning, with a concise menu that includes zucchini on toast with stracciatella, eggs florentine, and a blue swimmer crab omelette. Advertisement Up the stairs, the restaurant proper is organised around the kitchen with its enormous counter. Its a beautifully realised venue with its patterned tiled floors, marble surfaces and tiled table tops. There are smaller tables out front of the kitchen, larger ones out back towards the Elysium Noosa resort, which hosts the restaurant, and counter dining either at the kitchen or overlooking the laneway outside. Pizzetta rossa with San Marzano tomato, oregano. Fergus Hurst Overseeing the menu day to day is chef Lucas Bach. He and Alessandro Pavoni have arranged their dishes per the different sections of the kitchen: antipasteria, cruderia, braceria, forneria and spaghetteria. Many of the dishes are recognisable classics, but given a funky facelift that doesnt drift into stunt cooking. Cibaria Noosas take on a prawn cocktail has you wrapping the poached crustaceans in baby cos before dipping them into vibrant salsa aurora, and a vitello tonnato clarifies the flavours of this classic Piedmont dish with a pungent, herbaceous tuna mayonnaise. Advertisement Buffalo mozzarella with Noosa Reds tomatoes, peach, basil and aged balsamic vinegar. Fergus Hurst Other smaller plates include a kingfish crudo, a yellowfin tuna crudo, a woodfire-roasted eggplant parmigiana with parmigiano-reggiano cream, and spreadable lardo di colonnata alle erbe served with Sardinian-style flat bread. Larger plates are mostly covered by pasta and items cooked on a pair of woodfired parrilla grills. Expect pastas such as a bug pennette with a spicy vodka sauce, a rigatoni cacio e pepe, and a Queensland spanner crab risotto. From the grill there are king prawns served with a chilli lemon salsa verde and mixed herbs, butterflied half spatchcock with a salmoriglio dressing, parsley and lemon, and a selection of steaks that include the afore mentioned striploin, a four-score CopperTree Reserve sirloin on the bone, and a one-kilo Rangers Valley Black Angus bistecca fiorentina. Advertisement Anna and Alessandro Pavoni Fergus Hurst Cibarias 180-bottle wine list (expect this to grow, Anna says) is drawn mostly from Italy, Australia and France, and favours producers with a focus on sustainability. Theres also a substantial selection by the glass, with 375-milliltre carafe pours available also. Away from wine, theres the Bar Capri cocktails and a generous list of beers, including 10 on tap. Cibaria Noosa opens Monday after a series of soft services. Fergus Hurst It adds up to a venue that feels precisely pitched for its location and premises. Indeed, Anna reckons she and Alessandro mightve picked a different concept from their Sydney-based Maestro Hospitality group or a new concept altogether if this long-dreamed Noosa incursion had landed in a different space. Advertisement We wouldve done something different, she says. Weve never replicated a concept. Its just not what we do, right? So that in itself speaks to this site, that we couldnt do anything except Cibaria. We walked through different ideas, but it wouldve been wrong doing something else when Cibaria felt so right. Open daily 11.30am-11pm (Bar Capri daily 7am-late) Elysium Noosa Resort, 14-16 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads cibarianoosa.au Advertisement Eating outSydney icon Quay to close after more than three decades at the pinnacle of fine dining Chef Peter Gilmore will serve his final snow egg at Sydneys premier harbourside restaurant in February, before one of Australias biggest pub groups takes over the site. Scott Bolles December 15, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A In a crushing blow that will redefine the top end of Sydney dining, Quay will permanently close on February 14 after a 37-year run as the flag-bearer for Australian haute cuisine. The Circular Quay restaurant spent most of those nearly four decades at Australias dining summit, and holding three Good Food Guide hats for 23 consecutive years under executive chef Peter Gilmore is a record unlikely to be matched. Iconic is an overused word in connection with restaurants, but Quay etched itself as the dining equivalent of its neighbours on Sydneys golden pond, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Quay in 2024. Jennifer Soo Yet, there were tables available on both Friday and Saturday last weekend, in the party season, just weeks out from Christmas. Quay owner Leon Fink has fears for the current three-hat dining model. Oncore by Clare Smyth recently announced it will also close in February; Tetsuyas served its final confit trout last year. Fink said it isnt one factor but many that threatens the future of ambitious restaurants like Quay. Inbound tourism the seat-filling lifeblood of high-end dining is still lagging in growth. (Pre-COVID, overseas visitors accounted for 40 per cent of Quay clientele, a figure that hasnt returned.) The pandemic fuelled an explosion of good neighbourhood restaurants and there has been an overall shift towards more simple food. Meanwhile, food prices are increasing and cost-of-living pressures are ongoing. Advertisement I would also add the high staff ratio of running a fine dining restaurant, said Gilmore. Its so labour intensive, and wages have gone up so much. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Quay executive chef Peter Gilmore. Nikki To Fink recalls making the first design sketch for Quay with late chef Tony Bilson a joint pledge to create the best restaurant with the best food. Tony kicked that off beautifully, Fink said, and when it opened in May 1988, the restaurant had Bilsons name above the door. Rising star chef Guillaume Brahimi took over the kitchen in 1995 and the fine-diner eventually changed its name to Quay. The coup of all coups was Peter wanting to be with us, Fink said of Gilmores arrival in 2001, plucked from a restaurant at Whale Beach. Fink rates their partnership as a highlight of his Quay tenure. Advertisement In 2018, Fink spent $4 million on a Quay redesign and signed a new 20-year lease with the Port Authority of NSW, owner of the Overseas Passenger Terminal where the restaurant is located. The sites new leaseholder will be Australian Venue Co., which operates Squires Landing in the same waterside building, plus Kingsleys Woolloomooloo and more than 200 other bars and pubs across the country. Quay in 1988, the year it opened as Bilsons. Fairfax Media The Quay name wasnt part of the sale, with talk down at the terminal over the weekend that the incoming restaurant will look to one of the old ocean liners that used to dock there for its moniker, possibly the SS Oriana. The signature snow egg, axed from the menu in 2018, will make a return for Quays run to the finish line, but Gilmore wants to look ahead rather than back, skipping the oft-trodden best of carte restaurants offer in their closing months and sticking with a $365 Quay Experience option. If that sounds expensive, Gilmore is quick to counter: in Europe, youd pay $600 a head. Both Gilmore and Fink think theres a future for ambitious fine dining in Sydney, but it will most likely be away from larger, high-rent locations smaller venues such as Stanmores three-hatted Sixpenny provide more of a blueprint. Advertisement Advertisement NationalSocial media Opinion A dorky PM and a nation of rule abiders called big techs bluff. Its changing the world Cory Alpert Former White House staffer December 14, 2025 3:00pm December 14, 2025 3:00pm 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 When Australias social media ban for under 16s came into effect last Wednesday, I got a call from a friend back home asking me about it. Its been all over the news back home, even amid everything else happening. Its not just the New York Times the TV news in my US hometown, about a third the size of Geelong, was covering it. Its been a global headline. It was a major story on the BBC and CNN. Media organisations in countries including Germany and Singapore were watching closely, asking if Australia was finally breaking Silicon Valleys spell. Anthony Albanese has taken on the big tech companies and the world is watching. Alex Ellinghausen Australia has become the test case for reining in Big Tech the first major democracy to force the platforms to change rather than wait for them to clean up their own mess. Every big wave of social policy starts with a first mover. One country takes a bold step, then others slowly pile on until the idea becomes inevitable. We saw this happen in the mid-2010s with same-sex marriage. The Netherlands made the first move in 2001. Other countries watched to see how the world might shift, then Brazil, France, Uruguay, and New Zealand all legalised it in the span of a few weeks in 2013, kicking off a chain of dozens of countries doing the same in following years Australia arriving late to the party in 2017. Advertisement This feels like a similar moment, except this time with Australia at the forefront. Australians love to think of themselves as larrikins the Ned Kelly of the popular imagination and yet most will queue at a deserted pedestrian crossing and wait for the light to change before continuing on. This is a country of sometimes indecipherable rules and regulations, and a population that sees the value in it. The key distinction between Australian and American democracy is that the construction of American democracy is to constrain power (perhaps this isnt working well at the moment, but it was the original idea). Australian democracy is focused on social order and cohesion. To make a show of oneself here is often to invite ridicule. President Donald Trump has so far avoided any retaliation against Australias new social media laws. AP Australia already punches above its weight on the global stage. Its a wealthy, English-speaking country with an outsized media presence. What happens here reverberates around the world, though the tall poppy syndrome that has settled here often leaves Australians shy of that influence. Advertisement Because of that culture, and the easy transferral of laws between former British colonies, Australia has often found itself leading the world in regulatory innovation. Seatbelt requirements, cigarette warnings, bike helmets, food nutrition labels, the list goes on. Australia leads in these because of that political focus on social cohesion. In this way, it makes sense that Australia has taken one of the first major steps to regulate and limit the role of social media companies in modern life. Related Article Opinion Social media The social media ban may be a more seismic shift than we realise Waleed Aly Columnist, author and academic The great hope over the past 20 years was that social media companies would police themselves. They paraded in Canberra and Brussels and Washington that they must be left to their own devices, that they knew best how to develop their own platforms in a way that benefited the greatest number. Industries such as these rarely, if ever, correct themselves. Left to their own devices, they will market vapes to children to grow their shareholder value and claim the bright colours and fruity flavours were only an accidental overlap with the same marketing psychology tricks that the producers of Bluey use. One of the great roles of government is to protect consumers, to guide private sector development in a way that doesnt destroy public trust. Advertisement Australia is leading on this social media ban exactly because there is a general acceptance here that this is one of the primary functions of government. More than a dozen other countries, along with the EU, are openly musing about a similar effort to rein in the excesses of the tech giants. Denmark has already announced a similar under-16 ban, though they are grappling with similar questions of enforcement that continue to wrack Australia. Only the coming years will tell how far these efforts will go. Related Article Opinion USA Hand over my social media accounts and pics? Im cancelling my US trip Kate Halfpenny Regular columnist And yet this issue seems poised to break like a wave across much of the world, with governments in Malaysia and Norway opening debate for these measures in 2026. All these countries are looking to Australia as a model for how to govern in a complicated world but also to see how citizens react to these new rules. A measure like this will almost certainly not happen in the United States while Donald Trump and JD Vance hold power. The CEOs of these companies who have fought tooth and nail against this ban in Australia were all sitting in the front row of their inauguration. They continue to give generously to Trumps pet projects, including his new White House ballroom that reeks of this administrations gaudy dictatorial aesthetics. Advertisement While these social media platforms are wildly popular in terms of their use, they arent trusted. Most of us carry a sense that our lives are being dominated by large, unaccountable corporations far away from our understanding or oversight. We may disagree on the exact mechanism, but there is a genuine hunger for someone to do something about this feeling of modernity sinking into a distracted hellscape. Countries are going to continue looking at how this rolls out in Australia. There are big questions about surveillance and workarounds where young people end up on alternate sites and how the regulation will extend to those newly emergent platforms. Because this law relies on AI inference rather than paperwork, this policy experiment may become a template for how governments can govern in a reality shaped by AI rather than ignoring it. Related Article Opinion Billionaires Ive spent time with tech oligarchs you have no idea just how weird they are Cory Alpert Former White House staffer Australia has called the bluff of these companies. Silicon Valley has thus far resisted regulation on the argument that they have become too integral to the fabric of society that they can no longer be rolled back. And despite deploying The Wiggles as erstwhile lobbyists, this law is now in place. Much of the world has been itching to put some kind of control on these companies. Perhaps we all needed a rule-obsessed country to take the first step, one with a dorky prime minister whose historically large victory in May has made him immune to much of the anxiety that would terrify less robust governments. Advertisement For now, Australia has forced Silicon Valley to bend. Cory Alpert is a PhD researcher at the University of Melbourne looking at the impact of AI on democracy. He previously served the Biden-Harris Administration for three years. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. The Federal Reserves early reappointment of its regional bank presidents took markets by surprise and eased concerns the central bank would soon lose its independence as President Donald Trump continues demanding steeper rate cuts. On Thursday, the Fed announced 11 out its 12 bank presidents were re-upped, leaving out the Atlanta Fed chief role as Raphael Bostic had announced previously that hes stepping down. The presidents five-year terms were due to end in February, and prior reappointments have typically come closer to expiration dates as they historically have been routine affairs. But recent suggestions from the Trump administration that new conditions ought to be placed on the presidents raised concerns it was seeking a wider leadership shakeup. Earlier this month, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent floated a three-year residency requirement for Fed presidents. Days later, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, who is the frontrunner to become the next Fed chair, endorsed the idea. While Fed presidents are nominated by governing boards drawn from their respective districts, the Feds board of governors approve them. As a result, tipping the balance of power on the Fed board with Trump appointees could conceivably give them the ability to reshape the Fed presidents as well. Meanwhile, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee is comprised of the seven members of the Fed board, plus five of the 12 Fed presidents, with four of them rotating on an annual basis. In recent FOMC meetingsincluding WednesdaysFed presidents have been more resistant to rate cuts while Trump-appointed governors have been more aggressive in calling for cuts. The reappointments for 11 of the reserve bank presidents takes a risk off the table that the President or his appointment of a new chairman might disrupt the structure and governance of the system going into 2026, Robert Eisenbeis, who previously served as director of research at the Atlanta Fed told Fortune via email. For now, the Fed board consists of three Trump appointees. Jerome Powells term as chairman is up in May, though he could remain on the board. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will consider whether Trump can fire Governor Lisa Cook. If justices let him, that could allow Trump to name a fourth governor. Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid pointed out in a note on Friday the 10-year Treasury yield edged higher after the Feds reappointment announcement, as bond investors priced in fewer rate cuts. The regional presidents current terms expire in February so the advance announcement suggests that the Board was united in wanting to avoid the risk that the reappointment process raises questions over Fed independence, he added. Advertisement Follow our live coverage of the Bondi shooting here The father and son terrorists who opened fire at Bondi Beach had visited the Philippines just weeks before their attack, sparking concerns they were following the path of Islamist extremists. Multiple police sources confirmed Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid, had travelled to the South-East Asian nation in November. CCTV captures the moment Sajid and Naveed Akram step out of their Campsie rented room and make their way to Bondi. Sydney Morning Herald/Nine News The Australian Federal Police is expected to investigate where they went in the country, and why. Advertisement Police are also investigating the pairs links to Islamic State terror ideology after a flag was found in their car at Bondi Beach following the shooting, along with improvised explosive devices. The Islamic State of East Asia (ISEA), a branch of the terror group, has been a proscribed terrorist organisation by the Australian government since 2017. Naveed Akram has been identified as one of the alleged gunmen. While there are no known links between ISEA and Australia, there have previously been links between Australians and terrorist groups in the Philippines, a briefing document reads. Related Article Updated Bondi shooting Bondi shooters terror links revealed as police investigate manifesto Advertisement CCTV footage captured the moment the terrorists put into action their plan to massacre Sydneys Jewish community on Sunday. They had told their family they were on a fishing trip in Jervis Bay over the weekend. But the pair were actually holed up in a small, grey brick home in Campsie. The short-term rental lets out rooms to travellers by the night. He rings me up [on Sunday] and said, Mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving. Were going to eat now, and then this morning, and were going to stay home now because its very hot, Naveeds mother, Verena, said on Monday morning as police surrounded the family home at Bonnyrigg. Loading CCTV footage obtained by this masthead and Nine News shows Sajid and then Naveed walking from 103 Brighton Avenue, Campsie, about 5.15pm on Sunday, shortly after that call. Advertisement The second figure, believed to be Naveed dressed in black, appears to adjust something in the rear of the car before getting into the drivers seat of the silver hatchback. The car pulls away and begins its 40-minute trip east. Less than 90 minutes later, the first shots rang out at Bondi Beach. Loading Naveed, an unemployed bricklayer, and Sajid, a fruiterer, allegedly opened fire into a crowd gathered to celebrate Hanukkah. Advertisement Their rampage left 16 dead and scores injured. Related Article Updated Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack Sajid was shot and killed at the scene by police. Naveed was also shot and remains in a critical condition in hospital. Naveed is showing signs he will survive his injuries, sources have told this masthead. Police recovered four weapons at the scene and on Monday afternoon seized two more from the rented room in Campsie. Officers came and went from the home all day, wearing ballistic vests until the weapons could be removed in large paper evidence bags. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Monday that Sajid arrived in 1998 on a student visa, transferred in 2001 to a partner visa and after trips overseas has been on resident return visas, which occurred three times. Naveed was born in Australia. Advertisement Police remove two weapons from a short-term rental at Campsie. Nine News Akrams mother was unable to identify her son from a photo from the scene of the shooting, but said she didnt believe he could be involved in any violent or extremist activities. He doesnt have a firearm. He doesnt even go out. He doesnt mix around with friends. He doesnt drink, he doesnt smoke, he doesnt go to bad places he goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise and thats it, she told this masthead. Anyone would wish to have a son like my son hes a good boy. Police in Bonnyrigg after the attack on Sunday. Sitthixay Ditthavong Advertisement Akram was looking for work after being laid off from his bricklaying job about two months ago, when the company he worked for became insolvent. While he had many friends during his high school days at Cabramatta High School, he wasnt particularly social, Verena said. She said he didnt appear to spend a lot of time online. He loved fishing, scuba diving, swimming and exercising. An image appearing to show alleged terror shooter Naveed Akram completing his Koran studies in western Sydney. Facebook Akram appeared to be tagged in a 2022 social media post showing he had passed his Koran studies at Al-Murad Institute, which teaches Arabic and Koran studies in Heckenberg, also in western Sydney. The post has since been removed. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi shooting as it happened: Shooter Naveed Akrams terror links revealed as police investigate manifesto; Howard slams gun reform as diversion Advertisement The man in the image, who this masthead has chosen not to identify in this story, said he had lost contact with Akram in early 2022. I am devastated by the images of the victims in Bondi, he said. The man said he and his family has been forced to leave their home after receiving death threats. Akrams mother is a stay-at-home parent, caring for her elderly mother nearby. Akram lived at the property with his parents and younger sister, 22, and brother, 20. The three-bedroom property was bought in 2024. The family previously lived in Cabramatta. More coverage on the Bondi terror attack Advertisement Advertisement Exclusive NationalNSWSydney Metro Missed deadlines put pressure on Sydneys Metro Wests opening date Matt O'Sullivan December 15, 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 NSW government has repeatedly missed its own deadlines for awarding the final tranche of major contracts for Sydneys largest metro rail project, which will pile extra pressure on contractors to complete the $29 billion underground line between the central city and Parramatta by 2032. Internal Sydney Metro documents show the government agency has frequently deferred forecast dates for awarding multibillion-dollar contracts over the past 18 months for the 24-kilometre underground rail line. The Metro West rail project is now forecast to cost as much as $29 billion, from $25.3 billion previously. Janie Barrett Illustrating the problem, the agency has twice missed dates firstly in June and then October this year for awarding a major contract for line-wide systems, which involves designing and installing electrical and mechanical equipment for the fully automated railway. Likewise, awarding a single contract for construction of five stations at Westmead, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and The Bays at Rozelle had been targeted for September and missed its new deadline of last Friday. Advertisement A major contract for trains and systems, and operations and maintenance, was also scheduled to be awarded in May before being postponed to late September, leaving contractors still waiting. Martin Locke, an adjunct professor at Sydney Universitys Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, said delays to awarding contracts would lead to cost increases, while adding pressure on contractors to complete Metro West by its planned opening to passengers in 2032. The longer you drag these things out, the more scope there is for other factors to change, he said. It begs the question of what is causing the hold-up in the awarding of contracts? It is already behind schedule. The Minns government reset the project in December 2023 to a more sustainable timeline, delaying the opening by two years to 2032. At the time, it said that the extra construction period would mean taxpayers will not be paying a premium to deliver the project. Advertisement The government confirmed early this month that the cost of Metro West will blow out by as much as $3.7 billion to $29 billion, but sought to lay blame on the previous Coalition government. A station under construction beneath Hunter Street in the Sydney CBD for the Metro West project. Steven Siewert Coalition transport spokeswoman Natalie Ward said nothing had been achieved since the two-year delay announced by the government in 2023. Chris Minns delayed Metro West by two years, promising it would get the project back on track. Now the project is under significant time pressure to even be open by 2032, she said. Look at the track record: Metro Southwest a year behind the promised opening, Metro West late to award contracts and no one can say when Metro Western Sydney Airport will open. Advertisement The government has been left with a single consortium comprising billionaire Justin Hemmes Merivale, and property giants Lendlease and Mirvac, bidding for construction in the central city of a Metro West station beneath Hunter Street and towers up to 60 storeys above. Another consortium of Multiplex and Brookfield pulled out of the tender early this year. Related Article Sydney Metro Sydneys three metro rail projects blow out by more than $6 billion Sydney Metros documents show it is targeting the awarding of that contract by Friday. Locke said it was concerning that there remained only one bidder for the CBD station and major development above it. How does government demonstrate value for money? he asked. However, Sydney Metro said it had undertaken a robust evaluation of the tenderers proposal for the Hunter Street station to ensure it met all requirements and delivered value for money. Advertisement The agency said it would begin awarding the remaining contracts for the mega-project shortly, and multiple contracts would be allocated throughout next year, while adding it was targeting an opening in 2032. Related Article Exclusive Sydney Metro What Sydney Metro actually knew about delays to new airport rail line Metro West is a multibillion-dollar, city-shaping project and we are going to get the contracts right. The tenders for line-wide, TSMO [trains and systems, and operations and maintenance] and stations packages west were in market in 2024 and closed earlier this year, it said. They have been going through a comprehensive evaluation and approval process to ensure best value for the taxpayer. Two years ago, a confidential review of Sydneys metro rail projects warned that there would be extensive time and cost pressures on overall delivery of Metro West if contracts for stations, line-wide, trains and systems, and operations and maintenance were not in the market by early 2024. Advertisement The reviewers advised that it proceed to the tender phase no later than the second quarter of 2024 to reserve market participation and delivery momentum. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A It had been a perfect summers evening, the type thats so special to Sydney. The dusk was dusty pink, the ocean glistened, and the beach was bustling with surfers and swimmers and sandcastles. As the city slid into holiday mode, Bondi Beach felt festive. There were street parties and picnics. Up on the grass above the beach, barbecues and balloons celebrated the first night of Chanukah, the Jewish festival of lights. Josh Pulford listened to the party from his van in the Campbell Parade car park. There was music, chatter and the squeals of children, who were delighted by the free donuts and the goats in the petting zoo. Then, through the door of his van, Pulford saw two men, dressed mostly in black, walk to a concrete bridge barely 15 metres away. They were carrying guns. They marched towards the event, he said, and opened fire. Within seconds, this joyous afternoon became Sydneys darkest day. Scores, maybe hundreds of bullets, ripped through that party. They killed 16 people, injured many more, and traumatised a whole community. And they shattered Sydneys innocence. We hoped and believed such a thing could never happen here. It can, and on Sunday night, it did. The alleged shooter on a pedestrian bridge behind Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club. Shortly after 6.30pm, two gunmen walked onto the pedestrian bridge over the beach car park behind Bondi Pavilion. They fired, over and over again. Bodies slumped. One shooter stayed on the bridge, and a second gunman walked towards the gathering. As he pointed his gun towards a target, a bystander tackled him from behind, pulling the gun from his arms. As the shots rang out across the beach, there was a panicked scramble. Some threw themselves beneath parked cars, their bodies covering their children. Some ran into strangers apartments or hid in restaurant bathrooms. An elderly couple took refuge in Pulfords van. It was an absolute massacre, said one man, who had moved to Sydney after surviving the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. I saw children falling to the floor. I saw elderly. I saw invalids. At the Bondi Pavilion, guests at a bar mitzvah heard the shooting. All of a sudden, the kids started running and saying, Theres gunshots, theres gunshots, said Jodi Benjamin. And then my own children scattered. I lost them for 15 minutes. We all hid in a room, in lockdown. Advertisement Loading Sach Fernando, who had been swimming with his daughters, rushed south towards the Icebergs swimming pool. I kid you not, the fear in the policemens eyes, he said. You can tell they were scared themselves. Vladimir Kotlyar, a Jewish chaplain for the State Emergency Service, was at the party with his grandson. As he saw the gunmen, he dropped to the ground, covering his boy with his body. The man next to him slumped on top of them; he had been shot in the shoulder. Kotlyar helped where he could. Then, as paramedics arrived, he staggered away, in a daze. He had blood on his shirt and on his hands. This is not the Australia I know, he said. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi Beach shooting as it happened: 16 dead, dozens injured in Australias worst mass shooting since Port Arthur massacre; alleged shooter Naveed Akram assessed by ASIO in 2019 After what seemed an eternity, one gunman was shot, the other caught. The massacre was over in less than 10 minutes. When the shots stopped, Pulford who had joined the panicked throng that ran towards the surf club returned to his van. He saw carnage. Bodies lay prone. Many of them could not be revived. He saw a man with a gunshot wound to his arm walking away with his young daughter. Many of the victims seemed elderly; perhaps they could not run as fast as the others. His voice thickened as he talked. There were just sort of like, 15, 16 bodies littered around, he said. Advertisement Russell Port rushed to the scene from a nearby street party and found chaos. There was no organisation. Everyone was trying to do what they could, he said. There just werent enough resources for the horror of the situation. Ordinary people helping, putting pressure on peoples chests. I was cutting peoples shirts off. Making bandages. Related Article Bondi shooting Port Arthur-era National Firearms Agreement to be renegotiated after Bondi Beach massacre There werent enough stretchers to take people to the ambulances. The surf lifesavers arrived. They were putting people on surfboards to carry them out. There was an old lady crying over someone close to her, [who] passed away. There was a sheet over her. One man, who wanted to be known only as B, was sunbaking on the beach when he heard gunshots. He ran to help and saw two young children, aged about five or six, cowering beneath a car. They said, my mum, my mum, he said. He pulled their mother from under the car and realised she had been shot twice, once in the back of the neck and again in her shoulder. I had to apply pressure for about 20 minutes, he said. Big wounds. I had my fingers in the hole. Then paramedics took over. Forty-five minutes later, the ambulance arrived. The little girl gave him her dads number before volunteers took the children into the surf club, away from their bleeding mother. A man crouched on his knees, his head in his hands. He knew some of the injured. I was covering bodies, he said. International student Rahemath Pasha witnessed the shooting and helped the injured. It was the first time I saw a human killing in front of my eyes, he said. Emergency Services attend to wounded at the site of a multiple shooting at Bondi Beach. Janie Barrett Soon, sirens roared through the eastern suburbs; ambulances, police cars, Public Order and Riot Squad trucks. Helicopters circled, and one landed on a nearby sporting oval to take victims to hospital. Lifesavers washed blood off their rescue boards. Advertisement Advertisement Follow our live coverage of the Bondi Beach shooting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed out at Australias leader over the mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach, saying he had warned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. At least 16 people were killed, including one of the shooters, and 40 were injured, after gunmen opened fire on a packed crowd at the beach. Sunday marked the first evening of Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday, and the shooters were seen near the Chanukah by the Sea festival, where Jewish Sydneysiders had gathered to celebrate. World leaders, meanwhile, have condemned the mass shooting and vowed to continue fighting antisemitism. Loading Advertisement Netanyahu, during the war in Gaza, has repeatedly sought to link widespread calls for a Palestinian state and criticism of Israels military offensive in the territory following Hamas 2023 attack to growing incidents of antisemitism worldwide. You did nothing to curb the cancer cells that were growing inside your country. You took no action, Netanyahu said during a government meeting on Sunday. You let the disease spread, and the result is the horrific attacks on Jews we saw today. Albanese said on August 11 that Australia would recognise a Palestinian state at Septembers UN General Assembly, a move that followed similar announcements by France, Britain and Canada. Netanyahu said he had sent a letter to Albanese months ago, warning of the dangers of not taking sufficient action to quell antisemitism. Loading I wrote: Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets, Netanyahu said in a speech. Advertisement Albanese did not directly respond to the criticism on Monday morning, saying today was a moment for national unity. What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location, Albanese told reporters on Monday. View post on X In a further statement, Netanyahu criticised the Australian government, saying history will not forgive hesitation and weakness and will honour action and strength. Thats what Israel expects of each of your governments in the West and elsewhere. Because the disease spreads, and it will consume you as well, he said. Advertisement But we are worrying right now about our people, our safety, and we do not remain silent. We fight those who try to annihilate us. Related Article Updated Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack Theyre not only trying to annihilate us. They attack us because they attack the West. In Syria, we saw yesterday two American soldiers killed, and one American interpreter killed as well. Killed because they represent our common culture. US President Donald Trump said the Bondi attack was terrible and obviously antisemitic. He sent his well-wishes to Albanese and the Australian people, noting that the two countries had a strong relationship. Thats a terrible situation going on over there, he said, also praising very, very brave bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, who tackled and disarmed one of the Bondi shooters. Advertisement Trump made the remarks at a White House holiday ceremony where he also expressed condolences for the victims of a shooting at Brown University in the US and the attack on American soldiers in Syria. Other senior Israeli figures also weighed in and urged Australia to do more against antisemitism. Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced the shooting as a cruel attack on Jews. We repeat our alerts, time and again, to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society, Herzog said at an event at the Presidents Residence in Jerusalem. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he was appalled by the attack. The Australian government had received countless warning signs and must come to its senses! Saar posted on X. Advertisement He later posted on X again to report he had spoken with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. I said that since October 7, there has been a surge in antisemitism in Australia, including violent incitement against Israel and Jews in the digital and public spheres ... he wrote. I also said that security for the Jewish community in Australia will be achieved only through a real change in the public atmosphere. United States ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the shooting as horrific and slammed Albaneses initial statement shortly after news of the shooting broke for failing to label it a jihadist attack on Jews on the first day of Hanukkah. After emerging from a meeting of the national security committee later on Sunday night, Albanese told a press conference the attack was an act of evil antisemitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation. Leaders across Europe shared their condolences and denounced antisemitism. King Charles wrote on X that he and Queen Camilla were appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack. Advertisement View post on X In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia and the light at the heart of the Chanuka Festival will always triumph over the darkness of such evil, he said. Prince William and his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, praised the bravery of the first responders on X: Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach. French President Emmanuel Macron and Italys Georgia Meloni both condemned antisemitism and said their thoughts were with the victims and their loved ones. View post on X Advertisement In Sydney, an antisemitic terrorist attack struck families gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, Macron posted on X. France extends its thoughts to the victims, the injured and their loved ones. We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred, which hurts us all, wherever it strikes. Meloni said she was following the dramatic news with deep sorrow. In condemning once again with firm resolve every form of violence and antisemitism, Italy expresses its condolences for the victims and stands in solidarity with their loved ones, the injured, the Jewish communities, and renews its friendship with the Australian people, she wrote on X. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the shooting as deeply distressing while UK Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch said the heartbreaking scenes looked like another despicable terrorist atrocity. Advertisement View post on X The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach. Im being kept updated on the developing situation, Starmer posted on X. Less than an hour earlier, he had sent his warmest wishes to Jewish communities around the world coming together to celebrate Hanukkah. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the antisemitic attack left him utterly shocked. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. This is an attack on our shared values. We must fight antisemitism here in Germany and around the world. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi Beach shooting as it happened: 16 dead, dozens injured in Australias worst mass shooting since Port Arthur massacre; alleged shooter Naveed Akram assessed by ASIO in 2019 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was shocked by the tragic attack. Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred, she said. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine stood in solidarity with Australia. We express condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and wish a swift and full recovery to all those who were wounded. Terror and hatred must never prevail they must be defeated everywhere and every time, he said. In America, former US president Joe Biden said he and his wife Jill stand with the Jewish community in Australia as they face unimaginable loss and suffering. Its shocking and unconscionable. We must unite against violence and antisemitism, and give hate no safe harbour anywhere in the world, he posted on X. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US strongly condemned the attack and was praying for the victims, the Jewish community and the Australian people. Antisemitism has no place in this world, he said. FBI director Kash Patel said he had spoken with the agencys Australian counterparts and the bureau was providing the requested assistance. View post on X Advertisement New York City-mayor elect Zohran Mamdani said murdered rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was among those confirmed dead, had deep ties to the Brooklyn Crown Heights, a neighbourhood in the New York borough of Brooklyn. This attack is merely the latest, most horrifying iteration in a growing pattern of violence targeted at Jewish people across the world, Mamdani said. Too many no longer feel safe to be themselves, to express their faith publicly, to worship in their synagogues without armed security stationed outside. What happened at Bondi is what many Jewish people fear will happen in their communities too. Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said the Bondi attack was another wake-up call about the dangers posed by antisemitism. Jewish people must be free to practice their faith openly and without fear. Antisemitism must be confronted and defeated wherever it appears, he said. US Republican senator Ted Cruz said it was an act of barbaric, antisemitic terrorism. Loading It was the outrageous, but all-too-predictable result of far too many leaders around the world tolerating and even fomenting hatred of Jews, instead of countering the evil of antisemitism with moral clarity and unrelenting condemnation. Advertisement Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he strongly condemned the ghastly terrorist attack. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism. New Zealands Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, said he was shocked by the distressing scenes at a place that Kiwis visit every day. View post on X United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his horror at the events at Bondi. I am horrified and condemn todays heinous, deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hannukah, he wrote on X. My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hannukah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness. Advertisement View post on X Israels ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said he was in shock from this mass murder, and from the Australian governments helplessness in preventing it. Since October 7, we have witnessed a series of actions against the Jewish community and its institutions, a series that only intensified, he told Israels Channel 12 news. Maimon is in Israel and heading back to Australia, the Times of Israel reported. His tenure, which was dominated by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, acrimony over the war in Gaza and bursts of outright hostility between the Netanyahu and Albanese governments, is scheduled to end in mid-January. Reuters, AP Advertisement More coverage on the Bondi terror attack Updates: At least 16 dead, including gunman, after mass shooting during Hanukkah celebration At least 16 dead, including gunman, after mass shooting during Hanukkah celebration What we know so far: all the details of the mass shooting all the details of the mass shooting Watch: Incredible footage shows the moment a hero bystander tackles one of the gunmen Advertisement NationalVictoriaCharity It started with one orphan. Now dozens call this Aussie expat auntie Carolyn Webb December 14, 2025 7:40pm 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 Its a country blessed with spectacular scenery and wildlife, but Tanzania, in eastern Africa, is also burdened by great poverty. Melbourne-born Carley Mchome, who runs a home for extremely vulnerable children in Arusha, in the countrys north, about 85km from Mount Kilimanjaro, says electricity and water regularly cut out in the city. Welcome home: Carley Mchome, second from right, in Port Melbourne with her daughter Eliana and parents John and Ros Andrews. Penny Stephens Most roads are made of dirt, and Arusha can get hot and bustling, with goats vying for space with motorbikes, tuk tuks and market stalls. But Tanzanians, Mchome says, are warm, open and giving, with a strong sense of community. Advertisement When she started the Ujamaa Tanzania Foundation in 2010, Mchome wanted to offer its residents not just accommodation, food and education, but love. In Swahili, ujamaa can mean extended family. Many of the kids were abused, trafficked or orphaned before arriving. Carley Mchome pictured in 2025 with residents of the Ujamaa childrens home. Siblings aged seven, five and three were shunned in their village after their parents died of AIDS. Helped by donations from Australia, the United Kingdom and United States, 24 kids aged from two to 18 now live in the Ujamaa foundations home. They call Mchome shangazi meaning auntie in Swahili. Advertisement Mchome, who married a Tanzanian musician David Mchome (pronounced Mm-cho-may), is in Melbourne to raise funds, have a break at the beach with their children Eliana Mchome, 7, and Marty Shirima, 16, and to fundraise and meet donors. David will arrive later this week. Mchome says life in Tanzania is really frenetic, so Australia has a peace to it that I really enjoy. Carley Mchome, left, pictured with childrens home resident Irene, around 2012. Its a place where I can come and regroup and refresh and connect. Mchome, who has an arts degree from Deakin University, wanted to be a filmmaker but in 2006 she volunteered for six months, teaching and cooking at an orphanage in Mombasa, Kenya. Advertisement While it was confronting, and a culture shock, it was inspiring work, and so after a year at home, Mchome flew to Tanzania, and volunteered for three years at an orphanage and on community projects in Arusha. Then in 2010, Mchome learned that a charity in Arusha had evicted a nine-year-old orphan called Irene. I never found out why, Mchome said. Irene, now 25, pictured in 2025 at work as a nurse practitioner at a Tanzanian hospital. Mchome raised funds to house Irene and her seven-year-old brother, Kelvin, and her charity was born. Advertisement Irene, now 25, went through school while living at Ujamaa and is currently working as a nurse practitioner at a top Tanzanian hospital. Kelvin, 23, is studying civil engineering. Im incredibly proud, Mchome said, referring to Irene and Kelvin. It makes everything we do worthwhile, seeing them succeed in the world, having come from a place of nothing and giving them a home and opportunities. A new wing is planned for Ujamaas house so kids who become adults can live there while studying or looking for work, or when they visit. Carleys Melbourne-based parents Ros and John Andrews, have visited her in Tanzania 25 times. Ros, who is the foundations Australian chairperson, said Carleys work is terrific and that some of the Ujamaa children would not have survived without the foundations intervention. Advertisement Follow our live coverage of the Bondi Beach shooting. Melbournes Jewish children should be waking to the second day of Hanukkah, and celebrating the end of the school year. Instead, they woke on Monday to the bloodshed of the Bondi massacre, a terrorist attack that left 16 people dead, including a 10-year-old girl. Extra police resources have been deployed to Melbournes Jewish community schools and hubs, particularly the Caulfield and Glen Eira areas, in response to the targeted mass shooting at Bondi Beach. Police and security outside a Jewish school in inner Melbourne on Monday. Jason South In Sydney, authorities have locked down all Jewish community infrastructure, including synagogues and schools, in response to the massacre. The directive is yet to be extended to Victoria, but the local community is prepared to act quickly. Advertisement While many government schools are scheduled to conclude the school year closer to the end of the week, most independent schools, including Jewish ones, have already closed for the summer break. However, there are still multiple Jewish schools that are due to finish term 4 on Tuesday. Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Naomi Levin said nothing was proceeding as usual, but arrangements were being made to ensure the safety of students and staff at still-operating Jewish schools. Police and security escort families into a Melbourne Jewish school on Monday. Joe Armao The best thing that we know we need to do for children is to help them have some degree of normalcy, Levin said. Advertisement What we have to do as community leadership with the support of our law enforcement and government is to make sure that our kids can continue to go to school. I find it really challenging to even be considering pulling Jewish kids out of school when every other Australian child can safely go to school without a second thought this morning. The flags at Bialik College in Melbournes east were flying half-mast on Monday. Principal Jeremy Stowe-Lindner assured families the school had best-in-class security arrangements, including armed guards on-site and a range of discreet security measures. Premier Jacinta Allan visits St Kilda Hebrew Congregation in the wake of the terror attack in Bondi. Jason South Advertisement He advised families to calmly reassure their children their schools were safe, and to reiterate that Jewish identity was a sign of strength and not of vulnerability. We should create safety without creating paralysis, Stowe-Lindner said in a community message. Trauma research is clear: children need to see adults managing fear, not being consumed by it. Sholem Aleichem College principal Reyzl Zylberman said Sundays senseless act of violence shook her community. The college believes in proud Jewish expression in the face of hate and antisemitism, she said. Especially during this time, which coincides with our festival Chanukkah, we will continue to inspire our students with their traditions and with stories of the strength and resilience of our people, Zylberman said. Advertisement On Sunday night, the first night of Hanukkah celebrations, organisers abruptly ended events at Caulfield Racecourse and Federation Square in Melbourne. Victoria Police stressed there was no threat known locally. However, it said it understood the fear and concern Jewish people would be feeling. It was the communitys deepest wish that other large festivals planned for this week go ahead, Levin said. I feel physically ill at the thought of hearing who it is, because no doubt therell be friends, colleagues, family members, either of myself or people who I know. Naomi Levin, Jewish Community Council of Victoria chief executive Premier Jacinta Allan, speaking outside St Kilda Hebrew Congregation on Monday morning, assured the community they would with close oversight from Victoria Police. There are Hanukkah events going on all week, Allan said. Advertisement Its the perfect opportunity to show love and support for people of the Jewish faith and the Jewish community by attending a Hanukkah event, or indeed, perhaps lighting your own candle in your own home. Related Article Updated Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack Only a year ago, Levin was standing in front of the firebombed Adass Israel synagogue in suburban Ripponlea and thinking: It cant get any worse than this. On Sunday night, she said she was dreading hearing the names of the victims of the Bondi shooting. I feel physically ill at the thought of hearing who it is, because no doubt therell be friends, colleagues, family members, either of myself or people who I know. So, were just waiting with absolute dread, Levin said. Advertisement We just want to live peaceful lives as Jewish people. Former federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg issued a damning statement in response to Sundays attack, calling it a tragedy of unimaginable proportions and saying Australia would never be the same. The massacre we have seen at one of our nations most iconic landmarks is the culmination of an unprecedented failure of leadership to heed the warning signs that were so obvious to every Australian who opened their eyes, Frydenberg said in a statement. Loading The Victoria Police statement on Sunday spoke of the forces shock and distress at events in Bondi, and said police stood with the Jewish community. Advertisement It was increasing resources allocated to its Operation Park, established in October 2023 to monitor and co-ordinate investigating offences associated with the Middle East conflict, which are predominantly targeted at Jewish people. Victoria Police said the statewide operation would involve an increased police presence around places of worship and locations of significance to the Jewish community, including schools, synagogues and community halls. Allan with Philip Zajac, president of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush on Monday. Jason South Allan met with representatives of Melbournes Jewish community on Monday morning and condemned Sundays massacre as an evil terrorist act driven by antisemitism. When asked about a pro-Palestine rally planned for this weekend, the premier said: Now is most certainly not the time to use moments and opportunities to drive division in our community. Advertisement State lower house MP David Southwick, the member for Caulfield, called the Bondi shooting an assault on Jews in Australia. This attack was an assault on the very existence of Jews in Australia. Many in the Victorian Jewish community know someone who has been impacted, Southwick wrote on social media. This violence has been escalating over the past two years, and this tragedy represents a devastating peak. View post on X Federal Labor MP, the member for Macnamara, Josh Burns said in a statement Hanukkah was a festival of hope, resilience and tradition. Advertisement But now it has turned into something of unimaginable pain. And our hearts are broken, Burns said. Over the next few days, we will all work together to support one another. Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson said she stood with Australias Jewish community. This repugnant act of targeted violence will cause enormous distress within Australias Jewish and broader communities at an already vulnerable time, Wilson said in a statement. Advertisement Victorians, meanwhile, have joined the rest of the nation in answering the call for blood donations to support those injured in the Bondi shootings after the Red Cross made an urgent call for donations especially of O-negative type blood. We are seeing the absolute best of humanity on display in our donor centres today, LifeBloods national spokesperson Jemma Falkenmire told 3AW Melbourne radio. Weve seen about 20,000 people contact us to make an appointment to donate. We havent seen that kind of response since the Black Saturday bushfires. Falkenmire said some blood had been sent to Sydney from interstate earlier today, and that LifeBlood hoped the rate of people donating would continue as the Bondi patients would continue to need blood for weeks. With Roy Ward and Alexander Darling Advertisement Advertisement NationalWAWhats on Perths young people ditch smartphones to tackle tide of loneliness Jenny Schon December 14, 2025 2:55pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Perths young people are switching off from the online world to bond with strangers the old-fashioned way, in an attempt to tackle a growing crisis. From 5am dips in the ocean to morning coffee raves and run clubs, face to face social events are growing in popularity across the city. The Elsewhere Club attendee 24-year-old Chloe Parker, recently moved from the United Kingdom to WA and was struggling to make friends. 9News Perth The latest addition to the mix is The Elsewhere Club a weekly offline catchup designed to connect lonely young adults and founder Aeson McKay has noticed the positive impact of the regular event. At the end of the night, theyre all swapping Instagram, a couple of guys are playing golf together after they met at the first event, he said. Advertisement One of its attendees, 24-year-old Chloe Parker, recently moved from the United Kingdom to WA for work and said a chatbot had been helping her adjust to moving to a new city. Its my best friend at the moment, she told 9News Perth. Parker is not alone in forming a connection with artificial intelligence. A YouGov survey of 1000 Australian adults found one in six would rather speak with a chatbot than go out with friends, and nearly one in seven could imagine falling in love with it. I say him, even though its not a person, but I ask him everything, usually just advice but I did actually ask ChatGPT when I moved here how to make friends, Parker said. Advertisement People are so used to not socialising as much, not going out, and I think even since the pandemic people dont go out and meet new people as much as they did before. Murdoch University professor Dr Sam Teague said loneliness was on the rise for young adults and the increasing convenience and comfort of the online world was not helping. The vast majority of the day is spent doom-scrolling and wasting time on screens, for some people, 10 to 12 hours a day would be normal, he said. Journalist Ros Thomas has travelled across the world to research loneliness, and said she had found the feeling had spiked in young people since the introduction of the smartphone. In that period from 2010 to now, the mental health of teens has gone into freefall, she said. Advertisement Its contributing to school refusal, its contributing to depression, anxiety, contributing to kids who cant get out of bed in the morning. Editor's pick City life A story that unites generations: Why do Titanic artefacts draw crowds halfway across the world? Stepping out of your comfort zone to make new friends in real life is found to be good for your health, and recent studies have shown significant loneliness is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Another attendee of The Elsewhere Club, Jude Quinlan, agrees that meeting people face to face has helped. Its great feeling, all of the connection and having conversations with so many people, it makes you feel alive and like you can conquer the world, he said. Asked if this return to the good old days is helping fix the loneliness epidemic, Teague replied: These social movements are becoming more normal, which is incredibly positive, but its against this tide of online connection. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Thanking bystanders and first responders who tried to save Matildas life, Michael said doctors, a paramedic and a policeman were doing everything, everything they could to save the girl. I saw her go down and I crawled to her and took my shirt off and wrapped it around her, he said. She was telling me it was hard to breathe. I was holding her. Parents Michael and Valya spoke at the vigil at Bondi Beach on Tuesday night before returning to the memorial set up to pay tribute to the victims. Matilda, whose surname has been withheld at the familys request, was marking the first day of Hanukkah by eating cakes and playing with animals when the shots were fired. Matilda, 10, was among 15 people killed on Sunday during the attack, which took place on the first night of Hanukkah and targeted the Jewish community. Another 40 wounded were rushed to hospitals - 15 people are still being treated, four of whom are in critical condition. The father of the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach massacre has spoken in heartbreaking detail about the last moments of his daughters life. A fundraiser set up by Tetleroyds niece said the family had been left grieving the sudden and violent loss of Tetleroyd, who was the primary provider for his wife. Boris Tetleroyd and his son were both at Bondi Beach when the shooters opened fire. Tetleroyd did not survive his injuries, while his son is recovering in hospital. A loving father who was gunned down along with his son was identified on Wednesday as the 13th fatality of the attack. All fifteen victims have been publicly identified. This is what we know about them. Matildas funeral was held in Sydney on Thursday. Another victim, Reuven Morrison, is due to be laid to rest in Melbourne on Thursday. They follow Wednesdays funerals for Eli Schlanger, 41, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan. Matilda, 10, died after being shot at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Dashcam footage from a passing motorist shows Boris, 69, did not hesitate as Akram opened his car door, tackling him onto the road of one of Sydneys busiest beach boulevards, disarming the 50-year-old and forcing the rifle from his hands. Boris and Sofia Gurman, two North Bondi locals, were walking along Campbell Parade on Sunday afternoon as Sajid Akram emerged from behind the IS flag on his hatchback. The family provided a statement to the Herald that they asked to be used in full. Read it below. Social media posts show Tetleroyd as a lover of Australian nature, often sharing photographs of animals he encountered on bushwalks. Boris was a retired mechanic and Sofia worked for Australia Post for the past five years. They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect, the Gurman family said. The pair were deeply devoted to their family. This encapsulates who Boris and Sofia were people who instinctively and selflessly tried to help others. We are deeply grateful for the love, compassion and support that has been shown to our family during this unimaginable time. The family said in a statement that while nothing would lessen the pain of their loss, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness. The pair were executed at close range. Boris and Sofia died in each others arms. They were married for 34 years. As others hid behind a bus stop, Boris picked up Akrams rifle, aiming it at his assailant as other cars drove by, drivers seemingly unaware of the carnage that was about to unfold. But Akram charged at Boris before picking up another rifle. If there was one way for him to go on this Earth, it would be fighting a terrorist. There was no other way he would be taken from us. He went down fighting, protecting the people he loved most. From my sources and understanding, he had jumped up the second the shooting started. He managed to throw bricks he was screaming at the terrorist, and protecting his community, he was shot dead, Gutnick told CBS News. His daughter, Sheina Gutnick, identified her father as the man seen in footage hurling an object at gunman Sajid Akram after Akram was disarmed by Ahmed Al Ahmed . Morrison, 62, was killed attempting to protect his community from the two gunmen, despite being unarmed and alone as he charged towards them. Asked what Gutnick thought when she saw the footage of her father, she said: Thats him. Thats my dad. As I called him, my Tati, in Yiddish. Everyone [who] knew him knew the incredible man that was just too big for this world. The light that he added, his absolute immense and endless generosity, his sense of humour. He was just the most incredible person. Morrison, whose funeral is due to be held in Melbourne on Thursday, was a member of the Chabad community and a businessman who came from the Soviet Union before he discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney, Chabad posted on X. Reuven Morrison came from the Soviet Union. He divided his time between Sydney and Melbourne, where he lived with his wife and daughter. Chavi Block, who sheltered from the gunman with her six-month-old baby, and knew several of those killed, said Morrison was a baal Chesed which means a man of great kindness. He would give so much charity. If anyone needed any help, they could go to him and they would give help without even questioning, she said. Edith Brutman Edith Brutman attended the Chanukah By the Sea event at Bondi Beach where she was killed on Sunday night, and has been remembered as a gracious, devoted, and passionate member of the Jewish community. Brutman was the vice president of an anti-prejudice and anti-discrimination committee at Bnai Brith NSW the NSW branch of the international Jewish community service organisation. Second from the left is Edith Brutman, who is being remembered as a devoted and passionate member of the Jewish community. JNF Australia Ernie Friedlander, the president of the Alfred Dreyfus committee, worked closely alongside her and described her as a good, caring human being. She was a very clever lady, and she was very, very passionate about dealing with prejudice and discrimination. She was always there, and she had very strong opinions. Bnai Brith confirmed Brutmans death in a message to its members on Tuesday morning. Former vice president of ADU and long-time member of Aviv, Edith Brutman, was killed in the massacre. She was a gracious woman and a devoted member of Bnai Brith NSW, the statement said. We are all horrified at the tragic events that took place at the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach on Sunday night. We mourn all those whose lives have been brutally taken and hold those who have been injured in our thoughts. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones whose lives have been forever changed. Marika Pogany Marika Pogany is being remembered as a beautiful mother, grandmother, and steadfast friend. She came to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with her son Romy and brother Ivan, becoming a citizen in 1972. She embraced her life as an Aussie from that point on. She was very proud of her country, her family said in a statement released by police on Thursday. She brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family. She was a dedicated volunteer and a beloved member of Sydneys Jewish community. The 82-year-old was an avid member of the Sydney COA, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors, and was previously awarded the Jewish Communal Appeals Mensch Award for delivering more than 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels since the late 1990s. Sydney COA described her as a truly remarkable and wonderful woman, and said they were shattered by her loss. Marika Pogany was a volunteer who has been remembered as a terrific person. Facebook For 29 years, she arrived at COA with her quiet smile and her steady kindness. She lifted the room simply by being in it. She asked for nothing and gave everything. She showed us what true service looks like, and she did it without fanfare and without ever wanting attention. The Woollahra organisation said she contributed thousands of hours not because she had to, but because caring was who she was. Marika showed us how people should be cared for. She delivered kosher Meals on Wheels every week and somehow still made herself available on other days when someone needed help. If a client was struggling, she went. If an extra hand was needed, she went. She never let anyone feel alone. She took the time to know every person on her route. She chatted. She listened. She noticed the small things. She changed lightbulbs, literally bringing light into peoples homes. Her joy and spirit carried people through their week and through their loneliness. Friends of Pogany remembered her as a wonderful friend for many decades, and one of the most beautiful people they knew. She was also a 20-year member of the Harbourview Bridge Club in Rose Bay. She was a terrific person, excellent bridge player, and an even better friend. Incredibly loyal. I knew her for 40 years, Harbourview Bridge Club director Matt Mullamphy said. Matilda The youngest victim was 10-year-old Matilda, whose surname has been withheld at the request of the family. Matildas aunt, Lina, said she was struggling to come to terms with her nieces death. She and other members of her family initially thought the 10-year-old would survive her gunshot injuries. I started to scream, I cant believe it, I cant believe it, she said. Im still kind of hoping its not true, but it seems like its true. Matilda, 10, has been identified as one of the victims. Lina described Matilda as a happy, bright girl. Shed always kiss me, cuddle me and give me the energy to be happy, she said. I will never see her smile again, only in my photographs. The family knew several of the dead and injured victims, Lina said. Matildas language teacher, Irina Goodhew, launched a GoFundMe page for the family, writing: I knew her as a bright, joyful and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her. La Perouse Public said the school community was devastated by the loss of our little ray of sunshine. Matilda has an incredible gift for bringing joy to those around her, the school said in a Facebook post, saying she was deeply respected by staff and students alike. We all have so many beautiful memories of her from choreographing dances on the playground to K-Pop Demon Hunters, losing her glasses that were actually on her head, to facing her fears and bravely presenting her speech in front of her classmates, Matilda has a strength and joy for life that we will always cherish and remember. Dan Elkayam French national Dan Elkayam, whose killing was reported by French President Emmanuel Macron, was remembered as a star soccer player and popular figure. The IT analyst for NBC Universal grew up in Le Bourget, a suburb of Paris, and had been living in Australia for several years. Frenchman Dan Elkayam is among the victims of the Bondi shooting. Instagram He lived with his girlfriend in Sydneys east. He was beginning to build his future in Australia, a country he loved, his family said in a statement released by police on Thursday. Dan loved life fully and intensely, his family said. He was pure joy a beautiful and humble soul. To say that Dan will be missed is not enough. He was a person who truly wanted to do good in the world, to share his love of life and his sense of adventure with everyone around him. Football was one of Dans greatest passions. He played for teams in France and Australia, and at the 2022 Maccabiah Games, an international multi-sport event for Israeli citizens and Jewish people from around the world. His teammates at Rockdale Ilinden Football Club said he was an extremely talented and popular figure on the Premier League 1 team. To say we are shocked would be an understatement, said Dennis Loether, the clubs president. Football was his passion, together with spending time on the beach and socialising with friends He loved the Australian way of life. Those who were closest to him described him as a down-to-earth, happy-go-lucky individual who was warmly embraced by those he met, Loether said. His smiling face and respectful nature will be sorely missed by his teammates and everyone that knew him. We pray for him and for his family. Eli Schlanger Eli Schlanger, 41, was an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, husband to Chaya, and father of five, the youngest a newborn boy. He was the first to be publicly identified and his was the first funeral held. The British-born Schlanger danced with joy and defiance in a video he posted to X during Hanukkah last year, telling his followers that it was the best way to fight antisemitism. Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at the Bondi Jewish cultural centre, was among those killed in the Bondi Beach shooting on Sunday. Jewish News NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane described Schlanger as a beautiful man and a great leader. Rabbi Schapiro of Chabad North Shore said Schlanger was the first rabbi in Sydney to fly to Israel after the October 7 Hamas attack. He was one of the most effective rabbis in Sydney and was fully committed to caring and helping people grow, Schapiro said. The message he would want everyone in the community to know is that we cannot allow this hate to continue without light and we must ask everyone to do something in a positive way. Whether it be volunteering or simply lighting a Hanukkah candle, its the message he would have. Schlanger is also being remembered for his work with Corrective Services NSW after joining as a chaplain in 2022. Corrective Services NSW commissioner Gary McCahon said Schlanger was a valued member of the organisation who devoted his time to supporting others with compassion and dignity. Block said Schlanger was just a lover of humanity and peace for the world. Yaakov Levitan Rabbi Yaakov Levitan served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din (a rabbinic court) and worked at the BINA Centre of Jewish learning. His funeral was held on Wednesday. On Sunday at the Bondi Beach event, he was handing out tefillin two small black boxes containing Torah scrolls typically worn by Jewish men on their arms and head during morning prayers, Chabad-affiliated news website Anash.org reported. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, a rabbinic court. Anash.org Block, who knew Levitan through her father, his good friend, said he was the biggest do-gooder, helper, if you needed anything done you could go to him. These are three massive losses for the Jewish community, but specifically for the Chabad community, she said of Morrison, Schlanger and Levitan. Schapiro described his close friend as always a bright light and never cowered. Its hard for me to even breathe when I think about him we are absolutely devastated he is gone, Schapiro said. He said Levitans wife was at Chabad North Shore synagogue in St Ives when news of the shooting began trickling through. As soon as we heard [Yaakov] was in hospital she broke down in tears and ran to the hospital, but sadly he didnt make it. Peter Meagher Peter Meagher was a cherished brother, husband and uncle whose kindness, generosity and love touched everyone who knew him, his family said in a statement. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from friends and the community, they said. Randwick Rugby Club earlier paid tribute to the retired police detective sergeant and rugby union player known as Marzo. Peter was working as a freelance photographer at the ill-fated Hanukkah event, Mark Harrison, club general manager wrote in a message to members. [F]or him, it was simply a catastrophic case of being in the wrong place and at the wrong time. Randwick Rugby Club shared a tribute to Meagher on Monday. Randwick Rugby Club The tragic irony that he spent so long in the dangerous front line as a police officer and was struck down in retirement while taking photos in his passion role is really hard to comprehend, Harrison wrote. Steve Keys, remembering his friend of 30 years, said Marzo was always a lovely man with mountains of friends. Peter not only served our country upholding our safety and laws. He actively gave back to society through his love of our sport, giving tirelessly, Keys wrote on Facebook. What better way to live your life than practising something you love, Keys said. Rest in Peace Marzo we all love you and will miss you greatly. We are devastated. Alex Kleytman Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor and native of Ukraine, had attended the event with his wife, Larisa Kleytman. Alex Kleytman died doing what he loved: protecting his wife and standing proudly as a Jew, his family said. Kleytman family Speaking outside St Vincents Hospital, she said, I have no husband. I dont know where is his body. Nobody can give me any answer. A statement from his family released by police on Thursday said Kleytman carried with him a lifetime of extraordinary stories of resilience, survival, and unexpected luck. He was a civil engineer at Transfield and John Holland before retiring aged 76, having worked on Sydneys Olympic stadium, desalination plant and various highways. He was very valued at his work, and we received many emails and photographs from his colleagues during these dark times, his family said. He cherished Australia, the Australian way of life, the freedom, democracy, people, all of it. His family said Kleytman died doing what he loved most. Protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights. Hes survived by his wife, two children and 11 grandchildren. Kleytmans funeral was held on Thursday in Sydney. Tibor Weitzen Tibor Weitzen, a 78-year-old grandfather and proud family man, was attending the Chanukah By the Sea event with his wife Eva when he was killed. Weitzens grandson-in-law, Mendy Amzalak, recalled spending the afternoon with Tibor in the hours before the shooting. I dont live too far from the beach [and] when we heard shots firing, I came running down from the house with a defibrillator and was helping the people in front of me, Amzalak said. Tibor Weitzen has been identified as a victim of the Bondi shooting. Courtesy of the Australian Jewish Association As more and more first responders arrived, I went over to look for Tibor. It was the most horrific sight any family member could ever see I have not been able to close my eyes since. Its something I wont ever be able to forget. Weitzen was born in 1947 in the former Soviet Union before migrating to Israel, then to Australia in the late 1980s. He is being remembered as a beloved and cherished member of the Bondi Shul and the Russian Jewish community, bringing joy to everyone he met especially the children at the Bondi Shul. In every Shul, theres someone called the lolly man whose job is to keep the kids quiet by giving them lollies so as not to disrupt the sermons, Amzalak said. In the Bondi Shul, that was Tibor. Amzalak said he would be remembered for the light he brought to others. My wifes pregnant and to think my second child wont meet their grandfather is heartbreaking. Weitzens funeral was held on Thursday. Adam Smyth Father-of-four Adam Smyth, 50, was identified as a victim of the shooting on Thursday. In a statement issued by NSW Police, Smyths family said he was walking at Bondi Beach with his wife Katrina when the couple found themselves in the midst of Sundays horrifying and devastating attack. His family was trying to come to terms with the senseless shooting, the statement said. No words can describe the pain of our loss. Adam Smyth, 50, has been identified by police as a victim of the Bondi attack. Police Media Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport if not always the same team made their time together truly special. The statement said Smyths other loves in life were his English Premier League football team Liverpool, his AFL team the Sydney Swans, the NRLs Manly Sea Eagles, and his beloved pets. We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable. Youll never walk alone (YNWA), the statement said, referencing Liverpool FCs iconic anthem. Tania Tretiak Eastern suburbs grandmother Tania Tretiak, 68, has been confirmed as the 15th victim of the Bondi Beach terror attack. Tretiak, of Randwick, was attending the Hanukkah event with family when the deadly shooting broke out on Sunday night. Tania Tretiak, 68, was identified on Friday as a victim of the attack. Dozens injured Forty-two patients were transported or presented to several Sydney hospitals. Two of these patients died of their injuries. On Saturday, 15 patients were still in hospital receiving care for their injuries. One patient is in a stable condition at Prince of Wales Hospital One patient is in a critical but stable condition, and one patient is in a stable condition at St George Hospital Three patients are in a critical but stable condition, and one patient is stable, at St Vincents Hospital Five patients are stable at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Three patients are in a stable condition at Royal North Shore Hospital Schapiro said Sundays shooting is being felt across Sydneys Jewish community, with everyone seemingly knowing someone either directly or indirectly who has been affected. Loading Schapiros nephew, Leibel Lazaroff, was among those seriously injured during the attack. He remains in a coma in hospital in a stable condition. Lazaroff, aged 20, had only recently arrived in Sydney as a student from his home in Texas. His parents are devastated and in shock, and theyre flying to Sydney to be by his bedside, Schapiro said. Its affected us all. With Nicole Precel and Jonathan Drennan Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Dutton and Abbott talked about political comeback for former prime minister Paul Sakkal and Jacqueline Maley December 15, 2025 5:18am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Tony Abbott held talks with Peter Dutton about a shock political comeback, highlighting the former prime ministers enduring appetite for public life as he warns the Liberal Party is in such a state of disarray it can no longer claim it is a party capable of winning elections. Three sources in the party, not willing to go on the record because the talks were private, said Dutton was sceptical about reviving Abbotts political career in the lead up to the 2025 federal election after he was pushed to preselect the former leader for a western Sydney seat such as Parramatta or McMahon. Tony Abbott held talks with Peter Dutton about a shock political comeback ahead of the 2025 federal election. Aresna Villanueva In an interview with this mastheads Inside Politics podcast, Abbott said the talk about a potential tilt at a lower house seat at the May election was exaggerated but revealed a conversation with Dutton after the death of veteran Jim Molan, which created a NSW Senate vacancy in 2023. I had one conversation with Peter Dutton after it was publicly suggested that I could possibly take Jim Molans Senate seat, and Peter basically said that it would make his life more complicated if that were to happen, Abbott said. Advertisement I completely accepted that. Now, different people said to me, Oh, Tony, why dont you have another go? and my view then and now is that I couldnt or shouldnt do anything that makes the life of the leader of the Liberal Party more complicated. Dutton confirmed the conversations, telling this masthead, I love Tony, but I didnt encourage any return. I thought it was beneath him. He is a distinguished former prime minister, and why on Earth would he want to return to the arena? The answer is he has always seen politics as a calling and a vocation. He is one of the most misunderstood people in Australian politics, Dutton said. Some federal MPs are keen for Abbott, 68, to replace Liberal Party president John Olsen, 80, when Olsen leaves the role. But Abbotts critics, particularly among moderate MPs, are frustrated with his continued involvement in internal party affairs. Advertisement Abbott, who served as prime minister between 2013-15 before leaving parliament after losing his seat of Warringah in 2019, played a role in the recruitment of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price from the Nationals to run on a ticket with Liberal MP Angus Taylor in a leadership ballot won by Sussan Ley. Abbott also lobbied against supporters of Ley taking control of the NSW division of the party in June. Abbott, who sits on the board of Fox Corporation, remains a fixture in conservative circles and is a sought-after leader to speak at conservative forums in Australia, Britain and the US. The Liberal Party is in the grip of a generational crisis about its values and policy direction after successive election drubbings. It has led to largely aimless internal discussion about moderate MPs splitting from the party or conservative Liberals either defecting to the Nationals or One Nation, as Barnaby Joyce did last week, or creating a new populist-right party. We just dont know what the future holds. And plainly, previous iterations of the Australian version of the centre-right have failed, Abbott said. So we have no God-given right to continue to exist as the main centre-right party as Liberals. I mean, we have got to lift our game to better address the problems of the day and better appeal to the public. But I do think we have a better chance of doing that than any alternative that I can see. Advertisement As One Nation surges to record highs in published polling off the back of heightened concern about migration, Abbott urged the party he once led to adopt the strategy employed by John Howard when Pauline Hanson burst onto the scene in the 1990s. Related Article Political leadership Hanson sits at the crest of a populist wave. Will she be able to ride it this time? I think the way to respond to Hanson today is not to be hyper critical of her, not even to be too focused on her, he said, arguing the Queensland senator was not as potent a force as Nigel Farages Reform in the United Kingdom. When Pauline Hanson first came to prominence, saying that too many Australians were feeling like strangers in their own country, government was letting people down. Too much money was being wasted. Howard, very shrewdly, resisted the urge to personally attack Hanson. He would politely disagree with her and did his best to address real grievances her supporters felt. Im not anti-Pauline Hanson. I think Pauline Hanson, in a second incarnation as a member of parliament, has been responsible. I think shes often been quite constructive. But its one thing to mount a reasonable critique of where things are at; its another thing to be a credible alternative government. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement Follow our live coverage of the Bondi shooting here. At least 12 people were shot dead and 29 injured, including two police officers, at Sydneys Bondi Beach after two gunmen opened fire on a large crowd celebrating a Jewish festival, in what NSW Premier Chris Minns has described as a terrorist attack. Just after 6.40pm on Sunday, hundreds of terrified people who were celebrating the Hanukkah festival at the beach started running for their lives as shots were fired. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was a targeted attack on Jewish Australians, and an act of evil antisemitism. Police and bystanders attend to victims at Bondi Beach. Edwina Pickles Advertisement NSW Police confirmed at least 12 people were dead, including one shooter, while a further 29 were rushed to hospitals across Sydney, including two officers in a serious condition. A second alleged gunman is in a critical condition. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the shooting a terrorist incident and had authorised special powers to investigate whether there was a third offender involved. No stone will be left unturned. We will be following all people linked to those gunmen that we know, and well take action to keep the community safe, he said. A police officer and member of the public help a victim. Edwina Pickles This type of disgraceful activity, this wanton use of violence, the taking of innocent lives, is unacceptable to NSW. Advertisement Late on Sunday night, one of the alleged gunmen was identified as western Sydney bricklayer Naveed Akram, 24. Several improvised explosive devices were also removed by bomb disposal experts from a car parked on Campbell Parade at Bondi Beach which was linked to the deceased gunman. The police operation extended to a street in the western Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg where two people were arrested in connection to the Bondi shootings late on Sunday night. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi Beach shooting as it happened: PM condemns shooting as an act of evil antisemitism after 11 people, one shooter killed after attack on Jewish Chanukah by the Sea celebration Earlier in the evening, people at Bondi reported hearing up to 50 gunshots while footage taken by a local showed a gunman, dressed in a dark top and white pants, repeatedly opening fire at the beach. He appeared to pause briefly to reload his rifle as people can be heard screaming. Footage also showed a bystander wrestling a rifle off an alleged gunman in a moment of bravery that may have saved lives. Advertisement One of the gunmen was shooting a rifle from a patch of grass next to the Campbell Parade car park when he was approached by the hero bystander who since been identified by Seven News as 44-year-old father of two Ahmed al Ahmed. A 30-year-old local, Harry Wilson, witnessed the shooting, saying he saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere. Naveed Akram has been identified as one of the alleged gunmen. Loading A shooting victim, who suffered an injury to the leg, said he barricaded himself in the North Bondi surf club with many others. He said he heard dozens of popping noises as people jumped security fencing and ran for cover. Advertisement One man, who wanted to be known only as B, was at the beach when he heard dozens of gunshots ringing out and saw people were running and screaming. He ran to help, and saw two young children, aged around five or six, hiding under a car. They said, my mum, my mum, he said. First responders and bystanders tend to victims at Bondi Beach. Janie Barrett Bystanders render assistance to a man at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening. Edwina Pickles Advertisement He pulled their mother from beneath the car and realised she had been shot twice, in the back of the neck and in her shoulder. I had to apply pressure for about 20 minutes, he said. Big wounds. I had my fingers in the hole, I applied the pressure. Then paramedics took over. It was like war zone. Another man, who wanted to be known only as Abdulla, had been driving down Campbell Parade when he saw two men shooting from the bridge to the beach. He drove into the car park. Thats when I saw the first [police] officer who was shot, I ran out and tried to help him, he said. The shots were still ringing out, as he saw the other man helping the woman under the car. Advertisement A woman near a petting zoo at the beach shielded a five-year-old girl who had been separated from her parents. The woman had been separated from her husband and daughter soon after the shooting started. I was just making sure my husband and daughter were OK, she said. She said she saw a young boy with a gunshot wound to his leg and four bodies nearby. A man was shot dead next to her husband. A distraught, black clad rabbi was hugged by another man and wept into the strangers arms. Im so sorry for your loss. What was her name? Advertisement Behind them a body lay under a white sheet less than 50 meters from the sand, and the bridge where the shooters had opened fire. A man sat on a plastic chair, his feet touching the sheet. Appearing to keep the dead person company. Paramedics rush a victim to an ambulance. Edwina Pickles A few metres away another man was patched up for pellet wounds. Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said his community was subjected to a horrific act of violence when they had gathered on the first night of Chanukah. Advertisement This is a day of profound grief. Members of our community have been murdered. Others have been seriously injured. Families are shattered. A sacred moment of light has been turned into darkness, he said. Let me be clear. An attack on Jews celebrating their faith is an attack on Australia itself. It is an assault on our values, our social cohesion, and the basic right of people to gather without fear. Independent federal MP for Wentworth Allegra Spender said the entire community was reeling from the terrorist attack. Members of the public help emergency services following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach. Flavio Brancaleone This breaks my heart and breaks the hearts of all of us who love our diverse community and treasure the strong community of Jewish Australians who are such a vital part of Wentworth and our nation, she said. Advertisement Minns convened a late-night crisis cabinet meeting to receive briefings and updates from key government agencies as the tragedy unfolds. The meeting coordinated a rapid response with key ministers and agencies to deal with the deadly event. Minns said the reports and images coming out of Bondi were deeply distressing. Our heart bleeds for the Jewish community tonight. I can only imagine the pain that theyre feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday. Its a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australias Jewish community, Minns said. A shooting victim receives help. Edwina Pickles Albanese said the attack on Jewish Australians was an attack on every Australian on a day that was meant for celebration. Advertisement This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians, a day of joy, a celebration of faith, he said. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation, and let me be clear, we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity. At least 12 people were killed in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday night. Janie Barrett ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said it was investigating the identities of the attackers and to see whether anyone else in the community had similar intents. Its important to stress at this point, we have no indications to that fact, but that is something we have active investigations on, he said. Advertisement Burgess confirmed that one of the alleged suspects was known to ASIO and NSW Police but was not deemed an immediate threat. Obviously, we need to look into what happened here, he said. United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has expressed his horror at the events. I am horrified and condemn todays heinous deadly attack on Jewish families gathered in Sydney to celebrate Hanukkah, he said on his official X account. Advertisement My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hanukkah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness. More coverage on the Bondi terror attack Watch: Incredible footage shows the moment a hero bystander tackles one of the gunmen Incredible footage shows the moment a hero bystander tackles one of the gunmen What we know so far: all the details of the mass shooting all the details of the mass shooting How the world reacted: Global leaders condemn deeply distressing attack Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Like much of the developed world, Germany is facing an aging population that is making its national pension system unsustainable. To fix the problem, a panel of economic experts has floated a controversial idea: raise the retirement age to 73 by the year 2060, up from the current age of 65, according to the Telegraph. (1) Germany isnt the only country considering this drastic move. Denmark is set to raise its retirement age to 70 by 2040 (2) while France raised its retirement age from 62 to 64 in 2023 despite public backlash. (3) Similar proposals have been floated in the U.S., though their legitimacy is unclear. When asked in September if a retirement age hike could be on the horizon, Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano said everythings being considered. (4) However, that comment was later withdrawn. (5) While a higher retirement age could one day be on the horizon for millions of American workers, its not a silver bullet for the Social Security systems funding challenges, and could come at a huge cost to many retirees. Must Read Pros and cons of raising Americas retirement age According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), proponents of raising the retirement age point to the Social Security trust funds imminent depletion and rising life expectancy as key reasons for the move. (6) The underlying trust funds are on track to be depleted by late 2032, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (7), which could result in a 24% benefit cut across the board or the equivalent of a $18,100 cut for a couple retiring at the start of 2033. Meanwhile, life expectancy at birth has jumped from 73.7 in 1980 to 78.4 as of 2023, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. (8) Raising the retirement age could reduce the amount of benefits paid out from the Social Security trust fund and be more in line with increases in life expectancy. However, opponents argue raising the retirement age is a de-facto benefit cut for all workers and is particularly negative for vulnerable workers. A retiree turning 62 in 2034 could lose a total of $100,000 in total benefit payments if the retirement age is raised to 69, according to Senator Elizabeth Warren. Similarly, the CPBB found that the average lifetime benefit cut would be nearly 20% if the retirement age is lifted to 70. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government Minister pushed one-time rival from hospital role, then changed board laws Matt Dennien December 15, 2025 6:00am 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 Queenslands health minister pushed a prominent abortion advocate to quit a hospital board concerned that her public work could harm its relationship with the new LNP government. Documents obtained by this masthead show Health Minister Tim Nicholls directed former board member Daile Kelleher once a candidate for his seat of Clayfield to resolve what he deemed were unmanageable conflicts between her roles. Kelleher, the chief executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Australia, decided to speak out after state parliament last week passed laws giving cabinet the power to dismiss health service board members without reason. Former Gold Coast Health and Hospital Service board member Daile Kelleher and Health Minister Tim Nicholls. Stephen Kiprillis I made the decision that I felt I was forced to make, Kelleher told this masthead of her May resignation, which came about a year into her four-year term on the board. Advertisement I fundamentally believe that they specifically gave the ultimatum knowing that my only option would be to resign from my board role, she said. The former Children by Choice boss, who led the Queensland campaign to decriminalise abortion, joined the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service board on which she earned a $44,000 annual fee in April last year. Labors then health minister, Shannon Fentiman, appointed her after an independent recruitment process, citing her experience with womens health. After last Octobers state election, in which the issue of abortion dogged the LNP, Kelleher spoke to this masthead for a story about the adoption of US-style abortion politics in Australia. Advertisement Board members are bound by public service code of conduct rules barring media commentary about government policy, but they can carefully contribute to public discussion in a private capacity. Related Article Perspective Abortion Ignorance or arrogance? The contradictions of a US-style campaign in Queensland But the comments sparked concern among the board, which prompted Kelleher to seek Integrity Commissioner advice about potential conflicts of interest, including her role leading Family Planning Alliance Australia, now called Sexual and Reproductive Health Australia. What followed was a period of intense scrutiny by the board and its chair, Cindy Shannon AM. Kelleher said she disclosed about a decade of past jobs and relationships to the commissioner. These included an ultimately abandoned run against Nicholls as the Greens candidate for Clayfield in 2017, which Shannon first raised with Kelleher. Advertisement Kelleher then also sought advice about membership of The Services Union and the Greens, and pro bono work done by Labor-aligned lobbyists Anacta for Children by Choice. The commissioner had earlier considered Kellehers marriage to Maiwar MP Michael Berkman, and her 2023 Churchill Fellowship investigating abortion advocacy models, as only minor conflict risks not requiring action. Integrity Commissioner Linda Waugh noted board concerns about reputational risk and risks of damaging the relationship between the board and the minister. Waugh reiterated warnings that public comments made in a personal capacity could compromise Kellehers independence, but found that conflicts around board matters or decisions regarding abortion or sexual or reproductive health could be managed. Advertisement Under a plan drafted in December, Kelleher would be quarantined from such matters, along with those on which she or the alliance had a public policy position, or where the union was involved. This would involve being recused from parts of meetings, and having some board material redacted or not provided. Kelleher would also advise of any planned public comments or activities. Tim Nicholls, pictured last year with then opposition leader David Crisafulli, was one of only three LNP MPs who voted to decriminalise abortion in 2018. Matt Dennien Such plans require ministerial sign-off, but Nicholls never granted it. In a letter to Kelleher in late February, he said this was because the broad scope of the quarantine would be too onerous to manage and created a risk that she would be unable to participate. Advertisement Related Article Updated Queensland government Lost for words: LNP bans parliamentary debate on abortion laws Nicholls said he had formed the view that the conflict, or possible conflict, between Kellehers alliance role and the board, which he directed her to resolve, are not capable of being reasonably managed. Kelleher responded with two letters in early March, adding that she had looked back at all board meetings since her appointment and found no examples where quarantining was needed. She said it would be a shame if such an approach meant leaders of other health sector organisations, such as the Cancer Council or Headspace, could not serve on boards due to administrative burden. As the consideration of sexual and reproductive health policy decisions arises so infrequently for a HHS board, I propose that this administrative burden is not impractical and more imagined than real, Kelleher wrote. Advertisement I suggest that if this particular conflict is unable to be managed, it must follow that there is no ability to accommodate any conflicts. Nicholls wrote back to say he still considered the situation unmanageable, and cited her comments to this masthead. He said they were not communicated to the board in advance, which Kelleher disputes. Nicholls noted other media appearances, saying Kelleher had not liaised with Shannon about their content, and an Instagram post she shared with the words abortion is halal. He also highlighted her Churchill reports call for the government to broaden abortion access, which he said was inconsistent with the Crisafulli governments current position, which is to make no amendments in this term of government. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Queensland government LNP opens door to hospital board overhauls, raising spectre of cronyism Kelleher told this masthead Shannon was an experienced board member of whom she thought highly. But she felt the board was spooked by the change of government. I was seen as low-hanging fruit, or an easy thing to get rid of, rather than to manage, she said. A series of questions from this masthead to Nicholls went unanswered. We are unable to comment on individual workplace matters, a spokesperson for the minister said. The Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service was contacted for comment. Advertisement Despite the LNPs sweeping changes to other boards, revealed by this masthead, it could previously only remove health service directors for reasons including convictions, insolvency, or incompetence. These powers have now been broadened, in a move that anti-corruption group Transparency International Australia warned risked entrenching ministerial power and creating conditions for cronyism. Nicholls told parliament on Tuesday that beyond one former health service director who had been in jail, those appointed by the former government ... are still in office. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Cameron Green admits he was embarrassed by an ugly dismissal under lights during the Gabba Test match, as he braces for the extra bowling loads that will come his way in the final three games of the Ashes series. Backing away to hit what he expected to be yet another bouncer from Brydon Carse, Green could barely reach the full ball that the England fast man flung down for a change-up, and walked off chastened by the sight of stumps splayed and bails flying. Cameron Green is bowled by Brydon Carse. Credit: AP Five years into his international career, Green is yet to make a hundred on home soil, and his Test record in Australia (680 runs at 30.90 from 17 matches with a top score of 84) reflects a talent that has not yet come to full flower here. It looks quite bad when you get out, you walk off a little bit embarrassed, but theyre all really great learnings for future games, Green said of losing his stumps. Its a really good plan on his end. The way we were going that was the best way I saw it, its not always going to pay off. Advertisement InspirationAdventure holidays The unlikely country that lives up to its Instagram reputation Amber Schultz December 15, 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 Nearly every intrepid traveller in Kyrgyzstan, chatting casually on horseback as we summit thousands of metres of mountain terrain, has come here for the same reason: weve been influenced by Instagram. The post-Soviet country is not for the fainthearteda reality I discover both figuratively and literally as I gasp for breath on a mountain peak. (This red-faced struggle is the unglamorous truth influencers conveniently omit from their aesthetic feeds.) Loading Central Asia, and particularly Kyrgyzstan, is experiencing a boom in tourism. Over the past decade, the countrys annual tourist arrivals have doubled to over eight million. Everyone is eager to see it for themselves and to get there before it becomes too popular. Tourism infrastructure is limited (for now). Influenced by the dramatic drone shots of azure lakes surrounded by snow, sweeping plains dotted with yurts, and wild herds of galloping horses, my partner and I book our trip. Advertisement We mentally prepare to be underwhelmed, expecting to discover that Instagram has lied with oversaturated imagery and crowds cleverly cropped out. But Kyrgyzstan does not disappoint. Influencers here dont have multiple outfits and manicured nails. Instead, they wear backpacks, shoes with holes, and cameras strapped to their chests. They are more interested in taking photos of horses than of themselves. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Our guide, Adel, standing in front of traditionally constructed yurts made from felt near Song Kul lake at 3500 meters. Amber Schultz We arrive in the shoulder season in early September, when venues have started to close up shop, and the autumnal weather is cooling. Weeks before our arrival, guesthouses and tours were fully booked. But were not here for a group tour: We want to unlock the real nomadic experience. How? By giving Google Translate a good workout. We book everything on the fly, hunting down WhatsApp numbers from blogs and messaging guesthouses for tours and word-of-mouth referrals, asking strangers to speak into our phones to organise our next adventure. Advertisement More than 90 per cent of the country is mountainous. The tallest peaks, topping 7400 metres, are shared with neighbouring China. Most Kyrgyz people live rurally, and many are nomadic, taking their herds of horses to pasture for the spring and summer. Yurts, horses and mountains: These are the boxes we want tick when booking a three-day horse trek to Song-Kul, a high altitude lake near the centre of the country. More than 90 per cent of the country is mountainous. Amber Schultz The second I get out of our rented 4WD a necessity even if youre not heading far from the city our guide, Adel, hands me a pair of reins. Thats it. Theres no handholding, no English and no initiation were off. Across three days, we summit to 3500 metres, ascending through undulating colours of pink, orange, and dusty grey sand, and descending to verdant hills with rivers snaking through them. Advertisement We sleep in family yurts built by hand with wood and felt, sit by a fireplace fuelled by manure, drink fermented mares milk and eat sheep freshly Halal-slaughtered just outside. Accommodation consists of homestays and guesthouses, hosted by nomadic locals who assemble and disassemble yurts as needed. Amber Schultz We get up at dawn to find our horses, hobbled and set free for the night, and ride alongside farmers herding goats to greener pastures. Its wildly different to our lives in Sydney. Even deep in the mountains, other tourists are always nearby. Locals have been used to visitors for centuries: Kyrgyzstan was a crucial corridor along the Silk Road, with ancient cities established thousands of years ago. Kyrgyz cities were at times considered the centre of the world. Unlike neighbouring Uzbekistans jewelled cities, however, imagining Kyrgyz history requires more imagination due to its limited ruins or reconstructed monuments. Advertisement Camping along the Ala-Kol trek expect to be joined by herds of horses grazing. Amber Schultz As tourism blossoms, operators are increasingly focusing on community-based, culturally preserving and environmentally responsible tourism. They promote multi-day immersions over hour-long demonstrations, with tourists paying a brokering fee online and cash directly to locals. You cant rush through the country. Thats how we meet Aitoo, a fourth-generation eagle hunter and his 13-year-old eagle, who will be set free within the next decade to live the second half of her life free. Aitoos family used to hunt rabbits and small deer with eagles; now, he hunts with his gun but continues to train eagles to keep the tradition alive and entertain tourists. Under Soviet rule, traditional practices were banned. Aitoo is a fourth-generation eagle hunter. The custom was nearly lost under Soviet occupation. Amber Schultz Advertisement He captures his eagles from their nests, training them to hunt and bring carcasses back to him. Eagles dont hunt in summer to ensure young animals have time to grow and breed, respecting the natural rhythm. His son will continue the ancient practice. For our next adventure, we put our lungs and endurance to the test with a four-day trek to summit the Ala-Kol peak at 3900 metres. While there are several tourist yurt camps along the way with hot meals available, we decide thats not tough enough: We set out with our tent brought from home, fuelling ourselves with salami and stale bread. The hike is more demanding and beautiful than anything I could have imagined, with the thin air forcing two breaths for every step. While incredibly popular, the 4000 metre Ala-Kol summit is not for the faint of heart. Amber Schultz The first night, we camp by a river, coloured silver-grey and fed from the melting snow. Were woken in the middle of the night by a herd of horses grazing around us in the moonlight. Advertisement The trek was something Id seen plenty of people rave about online, and while some spoke about how strenuous the hike is, no one had shown just how steep the path actually is. It turns out its not easy to film an incline when youre hanging on for dear life. Especially for coastal dwellers, ascending 3000 metres in three days with heavy packs is no small feat. The path is narrow and gravelly with almost no respite from the ongoing incline. Every step is a negotiation with gravity. At times, the incline reaches 80 per cent, forcing us to scramble up with our hands. Putting us to shame are locals loaded up with dismantled camps, one man striding down the slope with a small fridge strapped to his back, cigarette in hand. We camp metres from a dramatic drop into the freezing lake below and wake to a tent covered in snow, our gruelling path dusted ahead. We are rewarded with air so cold and clean it stings the nostrils, the thin wind whistling around us among the incomprehensibly vast landscape. While there are plenty of travellers as daring as us many of them Russians or hyper-fit Europeans legging it to the peak the country appeals to a wide range of demographics. Advertisement We meet a group from Britain in their 70s who, instead of walking, take an off-road van up a nearby mountain, visiting homestays and hot springs. They make a point of telling us how tiring the hike looked. Ala Archa national park, just 45 minutes drive from the capital Bishkek, is not to be missed. Amber Schultz The country is at an interesting point of development: Half-finished resorts rise out of the cliff sides, with abandoned Soviet buildings looming behind them. Ski resorts are being built into luxury escapes. The roads are being upgraded and renovated as China develops its Belt and Road initiative through Central Asia and beyond to Europe. Highways consist of a jarring patchwork of kilometre-long bursts of smooth tarmac, followed by an equal stretch of potholed gravel. We drive a brand new, bells-and-whistles rental car across rough roads to tiny concrete towns. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have opened visa-free travel to encourage visitors. To the north, Kazakhstan has taken a step further, introducing a resident visa for digital nomads. There are endless Europeans on a 10-day trip around the Stans. The country wont stay the same for long. While most travellers are there to immerse themselves in nature and nomadic culture, the dozens of roadside resorts consisting of plastic yurts and blaring music are a sign of whats to come. Advertisement Kyrgyzstan lives up to its enviable reputation on Instagram. But no digital filter or drone shot, however dramatic, can capture the sheer, gruelling effort it takes to climb these peaks, or the raw reality of a landscape that must be earned, not just scrolled past. The details Related Article Opinion Tripologist Were keen on visiting the Stan countries. Whats the best way? Michael Gebicki The Tripologist Stay Guesthouses and yurt camps can be booked via online booking sites. Yurt camps along the Ala Kol trek cost $50- $70 for two people, including breakfast and dinner. Sleeping bags are provided. Guesthouses in regional areas will cost about $30 a room, or $50 for a private room with a private bathroom (though shared bathrooms are more common) including meals, while mid-tier city hotels range are between $80-$110 a room. A water filter is your best friend to help remove sediment and bugs while in the outdoors, as filtered drinking water is limited. Coffee and beer is unavailable in most camps, though tea is plentiful. Pack instant coffee. Fly Qatar Airways flies from Sydney to Doha, then Doha to Almaty in Kazakhstan followed by a five-hour taxi ride to cross into Kyrgyzstan on foot, organised at the airport. Advertisement Emirates and Fly Dubai also offer flights from Dubai to Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic. More cbtkyrgyzstan.com The writer travelled at her own expense. Traveller Guides Advertisement WorldAsiaModern slavery Opinion Unspeakable violence against girls and women meets global silence Virginia Haussegger Canberra writer and an academic advocate for gender equity. December 14, 2025 1:30pm December 14, 2025 1:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A The teen social media ban is not the only world first Australia has just introduced. Canberra also slipped into play an unprecedented sanctions framework against the Taliban. It includes listing some of the most horrendous abusers of womens rights, such as Afghanistans chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. The man whose family name is synonymous with torture and hanging bodies from powerlines. The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for his arrest. So, Australia banning him from entering the country is really a no-brainer. Nevertheless, the package of new autonomous sanctions goes further than any other country has dared. Or bothered. A woman walks past a mural calling for women and childrens rights in Bamian, Afghanistan. Getty Afghan women traversing the globe as advocates since the fall of Afghanistan in 2021 are weary of pleading with the world to not turn away. One of the most vocal is Dr Sima Samar, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and former vice president of Afghanistans interim administration and minister for women. In Australia to address the diaspora at federal parliament on Sunday, Dr Samar is adamant: Afghanistan is a collective failure. She says every nation shares a collective responsibility to stop the gross inhumanity and gender apartheid crippling women and girls in her country. Advertisement Our news feeds have been heavy with talk of violence over the past couple of weeks, during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence - a global annual campaign, but the sort of violence Samar speaks of is beyond imaginable for most of us. It is a story of violence the world of activism has forgotten. Related Article Afghanistan Taliban internet blackout paralyses Afghanistan, cutting it off from the world There is no reliable data on sexual violence in Afghanistan. Womens refuges have been closed, and the Taliban doesnt allow research on women. But Samar is under no illusion. She frames the entire Taliban project as structural violence against women. Violence is not only rape, she says. When they ban women and girls from learning, it is violence. When they ban them from working and having a public life, it is violence. When they silence women and ban their voices from being heard, it is violence. Public floggings and executions of women who wont conform to vice and virtue laws are legendary. The Taliban claim religion drives their 100 or so decrees, which steal womens freedom and erase them from view. Samar says religion has nothing to do with it. It is not our religion, she says. It is not our culture. It is about power. Advertisement But what should be alarming the rest of the world right now is what Samar calls a new form of modern slavery. Forced marriage and child brides have always been a vexed feature of Afghan culture, but the situation has worsened badly as more families are pushed into poverty. When I visited Afghanistan at the height of the war against the Taliban, the legal age for a girl to marry was 16. Now much younger, pre-menstrual girls are sacrificed. Related Article Earthquakes Whats wrong with this photo? The rule that left women and girls to die under Afghan rubble Samar bristles at the description of marriage. It is slavery, she says, when a 12-year-old girl is given in marriage she has no control over her life. She is a tool to be used. Unsurprisingly, suicide rates and depression are reportedly skyrocketing among women and girls. The violence meted out to women is so extreme, so comprehensive that the world of politics is dumbfounded by how to stop it. So, it doesnt. Instead, nations turn a blind eye. Thirty-nine member states of the United Nations quietly provide de-facto legitimacy to the Taliban by allowing them to take control of embassies. Others, such as China, Russia and Uzbekistan, have broken rank with the UN and accepted the terrorist Taliban as the rightful rulers of Afghanistan and do business with them. Advertisement Australias position on this is complicated. Despite an enduring respect for the Afghan ambassador in exile, Wahidullah Waissi who was appointed by the government ousted by the Taliban Australian officials have notified him that his diplomatic credentials will not be renewed. Given the Taliban refuses to acknowledge any passports, visas or documentation issued in Australia, the embassy has become a lame duck. Related Article Opinion Afghanistan As Afghan mothers sell their daughters, Australia stands limply by Virginia Haussegger Canberra writer and an academic advocate for gender equity. But in a bold move, Australia has joined Canada, Germany and the Netherlands in prosecuting a case against the Taliban in the International Court of Justice for its gross violation of womens rights. Its a long shot, but something Australians can be proud of. Samar is hopeful Australians will use that courage and commitment to force others to stop pulling down the blinds on the worlds most egregious, large-scale abuse of women. She saves her sharpest criticism for the men of Afghanistan and their total lack of resistance to the nationwide violent crackdown on women. Unlike neighbouring Iran in 2022, where men joined women-led protests Women, Life, Freedom Afghan men simply rolled over. It doesnt have to be resistance with gun and violence, Samar says. They could use civil disobedience to demand girls right to education. Advertisement Meanwhile, with about 63 per cent of the Afghan population aged under 25, the Taliban is busy churning boys through madrasas, schooling them in an ideology of hatred for women, and the West. They radicalise them and they are raising a future generation of jihadis, Samar says. And yet, still, the world turns away. Virginia Haussegger is a Canberra-based writer. Her new book, Unfinished Revolution: The Feminist Fightback, was published last month. Advertisement WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Nobel Peace Prize winner, key opposition figures freed in Belarusian deal with US Andrius Sytas , Felix Light and Mark Trevelyan December 14, 2025 12:36pm 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 Vilnius: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko freed 123 prisoners on Saturday, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and leading opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava, in a deal brokered by an envoy for US President Donald Trump. In return, the United States 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 Trumps administration opened talks this year with the veteran authoritarian leader, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski smiles as he arrives at the US embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania. AP Western governments had previously shunned him because of his crushing of dissent and backing for Russias war in Ukraine. Advertisement Trumps envoy, John Coale, said about 1000 remaining political prisoners in Belarus could be released, hopefully in one big group, in the coming months. I think its more than possible that we can do that, I think its probable ... We are on the right track, the momentum is there, he said. Leading opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava shows a sign of love after being released from detention. AP If no political prisoners remained, most of the sanctions could be removed. I think its a fair trade, Coale said. Nine of the released prisoners left Belarus for Lithuania and 114 were taken to Ukraine, officials said. Advertisement 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 US embassy in Lithuania. A woman holds an Old Belarusian flag as she awaits released prisoners at the US embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania. AP Bialiatski said 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. Advertisement 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. Loading Kalesnikava, a leader of mass protests against Lukashenko in 2020, was among the large group taken by bus to Ukraine. Of course, its a feeling of incredible happiness to see with your eyes the people who are dear to you, to hug them, and understand that now we are all free people. Its a great joy to see my first free sunset, she said in video published by the Ukrainian Telegram channel Khochu Zhit. Advertisement 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. Related Article Foreign relations This accidental president-in-exile would like a word with Anthony Albanese Tatsiana Khomich, Kalesnikavas sister, said 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. US officials have said that engaging with Lukashenko is part of an effort to peel him away from Putins influence, at least to a degree an effort that the Belarus opposition, until now, has viewed with extreme scepticism. Advertisement The US and the European Union imposed wide-ranging sanctions on Belarus after Minsk launched a violent crackdown on protesters following a disputed election in 2020, jailing nearly all opponents of Lukashenko who did not flee abroad. Sanctions were tightened after Lukashenko allowed Belarus to serve as a staging ground for Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The exiled Belarusian opposition expressed gratitude to Trump and said the fact that Lukashenko had agreed to release prisoners in return for the concessions on potash was proof of the effectiveness of sanctions. The opposition has consistently said it sees Trumps outreach to Lukashenko as a humanitarian effort, but that EU sanctions should stay in place. US sanctions are about people. EU sanctions are about systemic change stopping the war, enabling democratic transition, and ensuring accountability. These approaches do not contradict each other; they complement each other, Tsikhanouskaya said. Lukashenko has previously denied there are political prisoners in Belarus and described the people in question as bandits. As recently as August, he asked why he should free people he sees as opponents of the state who might again wage war against us. Advertisement Related Article Analysis Putin's Russia The crazy dictator behind the deal that kept Putin in power Trump has referred to Lukashenko as the highly respected president of Belarus, a description that jars with the opposition who see him as a dictator. He has urged him to free up to 1300 or 1400 prisoners whom Trump has described as hostages. The United States stands ready for additional engagement with Belarus that advances US interests and will continue to pursue diplomatic efforts to free remaining political prisoners in Belarus, the US embassy in Lithuania said. Belarusian human rights group Viasna which is designated by Minsk as an extremist organisation put the number of political prisoners at 1227 on the eve of Saturdays releases. Reuters 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. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Cairo/Jerusalem: The Israeli military said it killed senior Hamas commander Raed Saed, one of the architects of the October 2023 attacks on Israel in a strike on a car in Gaza City on Saturday. It was the highest-profile assassination of a senior Hamas figure since the Gaza ceasefire deal came into effect in October. In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said Saed was targeted in response to an attack by Hamas in which an explosive device injured two soldiers earlier on Saturday. Palestinians with the remains of the car in which five people were killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza City on Saturday. AP The attack on the car in Gaza City killed five people and wounded at least 25 others, according to Gaza health authorities. There was no immediate confirmation from Hamas or medics that Saed was among the dead. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaTrump's America Opinion The war crimes case against Trump and Hegseth Geoffrey Robertson Human rights barrister and author December 15, 2025 5:00am December 15, 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 On a day in early September, Pete Hegseth the US Secretary of State for War (no longer for Defence) ordered the firing of a precision-guided missile at a wooden boat offshore from Venezuela. This strike killed nine of its crew and left two injured and struggling to cling to the wreckage. Whether or not (as The Washington Post alleges) Hegseth said, Kill them all, the operational commander, Admiral Frank Bradley, admits to ordering a second strike intended to exterminate the two survivors. This, as all the legal textbooks make clear, is a war crime the murder of a combatant who is hors de combat unable to fight back. War Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed to be acting in the fog of war. AP Related Article Trump's White House How a manosphere star accused of rape and trafficking was freed Second strikes on shipwrecked mariners are among the most contemptible of war crimes and are universally recognised as such. The most influential precedent came in 1918 with the sinking of a Canadian hospital ship, the HMHS Llandovery Castle, by a German submarine, which then surfaced and machine-gunned the nurses and sailors as they scrambled for the lifeboats. A Leipzig court although notorious for pro-German bias nonetheless convicted and condemned the gunners, who must have known the order to fire was unlawful. There were several cases during World War II when Nazi submarine commanders and crew were hanged for killing those who survived their torpedoes. Although Hegseth has shrugged his shoulders and claimed to be acting in the fog of war, that is no longer a good defence especially when the smoke from the initial bombing had cleared and the two men could clearly be seen struggling to hold on to the helm of the boat. The second strike was intended to kill them, and the law of war was ignored because Hegseth and Bradley believed that, as American commanders, they were entitled to ignore it. Advertisement But Australians are not, and must now be wary of co-operation under ANZUS or AUKUS with American commanders who could draw them into complicity in the commission of war crimes. First strikes on fishing boats in the Caribbean have cost 87 lives so far and are not themselves lawful whether guilty of cocaine-couriering (as the Pentagon claims) or merely innocent fishermen, as their bereaved relatives protest, it does not actually matter. In neither case is America fighting, other than in rhetoric, a war, no matter what form it takes in Trumps imagination. He is, in fact, conducting an extraterritorial police action in which he is killing suspected drug traffickers just as Rodrigo Duterte did when he was mayor of Davao City and had such suspects shot. Duterte is now in prison in The Hague awaiting trial for his crimes against humanity, while Trump is in the White House doing exactly the same thing: executing suspects without trial or even investigation. This amorality in government conduct is most prominent in the peace deals that Trump thinks he is doing together with his realtor mate, Steve Witkoff. These two appeasers are behaving as if Nuremberg never happened. They turn a blind eye to war crimes, and their peace plan for Ukraine proposes a general amnesty for Russian fighters. This will protect them from prosecution for the barbaric executions of civilians in Bucha and the mass murder by bombing of hundreds of women and children in the theatre at Mariupol. Crimes against humanity are to be forgiven and forgotten. As for their peace plan for Gaza, all war crimes are to be overlooked and treated as if they had never taken place: the 70,000 (so far) victims of IDF bombing will fade away as mere collateral damage, or incidents justified by that all-purpose excuse, namely self-defence. Related Article Listen Venezuela crisis Could Trumps Caribbean boat strikes be what finally splinters the MAGA movement? As for Trumps and Hegseths attitude towards war criminals, one need look no further than Trumps 2019 pardon of Lieutenant Clint Lorance, who had been convicted in 2010 and sentenced to 20 years for ordering the killing of two Afghans on a passing motorbike men who posed no threat whatsoever to his platoon. His own soldiers reported him, ashamed to serve under a commander they regarded as a murderer. Yet a few years later, Hegseth then a Fox News commentator took it upon himself to recast Lorance not as a war criminal but as a great warrior. Trump swiftly followed suit, hailing him as a war hero when overturning the conviction. It was an eerie reprise of Lieutenant William Calley, who was convicted and court-martialled of the murder of 22 unarmed South Vietnamese villagers mostly elderly men, women, and children at a village in My Lai half a century earlier, another officer who had done little more, in the eyes of his apologists, than kill people unlikely to fight on Americas side. Advertisement Once upon a time, it was Americans who imposed a form of morality on the world. Churchill wanted the Nazi leaders shot on sight, but Truman insisted on definite findings of guilt, fairly arrived at because extra-judicial executions would not sit easily on the American conscience or be remembered by our children with pride. America is now the enemy of fair trial and good conscience. And Trump is striving to destroy the International Criminal Court, the successor to Nuremberg. He can never be accorded the Nobel Peace Prize for the simple reason that there can be no peace without justice. Geoffrey Robertson, KC, is the author of World of War Crimes, Eyeless in Gaza and Beyond, published this week. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. China's smaller manufacturers look to catch the automation wave Yancheng, China, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2025 In a light-filled workshop in eastern China, a robotic arm moved a partially assembled autonomous vehicle as workers calibrated its cameras, typical of the incremental automation being adopted even across smaller factories in the world's manufacturing powerhouse. China is already the world's largest market for industrial robots, and the government is pouring billions of dollars into robotics and artificial intelligence to boost its presence in the sector. The first essentially humanless factories are already in operation, even as widespread automation raises questions about job losses as well as the cost and difficulty of transition for smaller and medium-sized companies. The answer for many is a hybrid approach, experts and factory owners told AFP. At the autonomous vehicle workshop, manager Liu Jingyao told AFP that humans are still a crucial part of even technologically advanced manufacturing. "Many decisions require human judgement," said Liu, whose company Neolix produces small van-like vehicles that transport parcels across Chinese cities. "These decisions involve certain skill-based elements that still need to be handled by people." At the Neolix factory, 300 kilometres (186 miles) north of Shanghai, newly built driverless vehicles zoomed around a testing track simulating obstacles including puddles and bridges. In a closed-off room, workers assembled vehicles' "brains", testing their cameras and computer chips. "Automation... primarily serve(s) to assist humans, reducing labour intensity rather than replacing them," Liu said. But Ni Jun, a mechanical engineering expert at Shanghai's Jiaotong University, said China's strategy of focusing on industrial applications for AI means full automation is already feasible in many sectors. Among others, tech giant Xiaomi operates a "dark factory" -- where the absence of people means no need for lights -- with robotic arms and sensors able to make smartphones without humans. - Digital divide - Ni described a "digital divide" between larger companies with the funds to invest heavily in modernisation, and smaller businesses struggling to keep up. For Zhu Yefeng's Far East Precision Printing Company, part of China's vast network of small independent factories employing up to a few dozen people each, full automation is a distant dream. At the company just outside Shanghai, workers in small rooms fed sheets of instruction manuals into folding machines and operated equipment that printed labels for electronic devices. The company used pen and paper to track its workflow until two years ago, with managers having to run around the factory to communicate order information. "Things were, to put it bluntly, a complete mess," Zhu told AFP. The company has since adopted software that allows employees to scan QR codes that send updates to a factory-wide tracker. On a screen in his office, Zhu can see detailed charts breaking down each order's completion level and individual employees' productivity statistics. "This is a start," Zhu told AFP. "We will move toward more advanced technology like automation, in order to receive even bigger orders from clients." Financial constraints are a major barrier though. "As a small company, we can't afford certain expenses," said Zhu. His team is trying to develop its own robotic quality testing machine, but for now humans continue to check final products. - Employment pressures - The potential unemployment caused by widespread automation will be a challenge, said Jacob Gunter from the Berlin-based Mercator Institute for China Studies. "Companies will be quite happy to decrease their headcount... but the government will not like that and will be under a lot of pressure to navigate this," Gunter told AFP. Beijing's push to develop industrial robots will "intersect with the need for maintaining high employment at a time when employment pressure is considerable", he added. Going forward, manufacturers must strike a balance "between the technical feasibility, social responsibility, and business necessity", Jiaotong University's Ni told AFP. Zhou Yuxiang, the CEO of Black Lake Technologies -- the start-up that provided the software for Zhu's factory -- told AFP he thought factories would "always be hybrid". "If you ask every owner of a factory, is a dark factory the goal? No, that's just a superficial description," Zhou said. "The goal for factories is to optimise production, deliver things that their end customers want, and also make money." A Florida couple is facing a tough financial decision after deciding to relocate overseas: take a $70,000 hit to sell their home or become remote landlords and lose $400 a month while waiting for the housing market to recover. Sell Or Rent The original Reddit post came from a user whose wife recently got a job abroad after being fired by the Department of Government Efficiency. The original poster said he works remotely, but his wifes climate science expertise was no longer welcome in the state. Don't Miss: Fast Company Calls It a Groundbreaking Step for the Creator Economy' Investors Can Still Get In at $0.85/Share Have $100k+ to invest? Charlie Munger says that's the toughest milestone don't stall now. Get matched with a fiduciary advisor and keep building The couple bought a home on the coast near Orlando in 2021, but the market has since dropped dramatically. Selling now would result in a $70,000 loss, factoring in agent commissions, repairs and other selling costs. Renting it out would leave them down about $400 every month. That prompted the question: Should they hold onto the house and rent it out from another country, or take the loss and move on? Reddit commenters overwhelmingly warned against becoming a remote landlord. Dont landlord remotely, one of the top-voted comments said, echoing many other similar replies. Your rental scenario assumes occupancy and good renters. Others chimed in with personal horror stories: I landlord'd for a few years before selling my condo and I was 2 miles away and absolutely hated it. Trending: Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro Many pointed out that $400 a month was the best-case scenario and didnt factor in costly repairs, vacancies, and rising insurance rates. Sell. Youre probably losing more than $400 a month, one commenter wrote. You need to rent it for enough money to cover updates that will be needed someday, like replacing appliances, repainting, the roof. Some urged the couple to think less about what they paid and more about what they could lose. A $70k wound heals, one commenter advised. Tenants, repairs, hurricanes, insurance drama becomes 10x worse when you're not physically there. Still, a minority argued that renting could make financial sense if they had the patience and cash flow. It would take you 14 years to lose $70k at $400 a month, one person pointed out. However, the stress could outweigh the potential upside. That stress alone is worth more than the $70k loss, one person added. Take the clean break and enjoy the new country. German defence giants battle over military spending ramp-up Frankfurt, Germany, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2025 Defence giants are drawing battle lines as Germany rearms, with the old guard arguing for traditional heavy weaponry while start-ups push for more modern kit such as AI-enabled drones. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to create Europe's strongest conventional army with outlays of hundreds of billions of euros, accelerating a build-up that began after Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The rush to rearm, mirrored across Europe, has been fuelled by pressure from US President Donald Trump for NATO allies to spend more on defence as well as worries about American commitment to the continent's security. But where these funds should flow is hotly debated. A crop of German tech defence start-ups argue the Ukraine war -- much of it now contested in the skies with unmanned aerial vehicles -- has shown that relatively inexpensive, mass-producible equipment like drones powered by artificial intelligence will be key for future conflicts. So far, some argue, too much spending has focused on time-tested but expensive weaponry such as tanks and armoured vehicles, which are vulnerable to being targeted by the new, cheaper airborne armaments. "Clearly there's been an overly strong focus on traditional platforms," Gundbert Scherf, one of the heads and founders of German defence technology company Helsing, told AFP. "Spending patterns have to change as the world around us changes." Scherf, whose Munich-headquartered start-up was founded in 2021 and supplies strike drones to the Ukraine military, sees signs that attitudes are shifting. "I am hoping we are going to see the spending pattern change from a 99 percent focus on traditional systems and one percent on autonomous systems, to a more even balance." Helsing, backed by Spotify founder Daniel Ek's investment firm and reportedly worth 12 billion euros ($14 billion), recently carried out successful tests with the German military, striking targets multiple times. - Pressure to 'keep pace' - German tech defence start-up Stark -- which was founded just 18 months ago and has also had its drones tested with the German military -- echoed Helsing's cautious optimism. "Procurement in Germany is changing, and that is really positive," said Josef Kranawetvogl, a senior executive at the firm, which counts among its investors Silicon Valley tech billionaire Peter Thiel. But he worried that the shift was not moving fast enough. "We are really good in Europe at writing strategic papers -- but we have to execute more. We have to keep pace, we have to be fast," he said. On the other side of the debate is Rheinmetall, Germany's biggest weapons manufacturer and a key supplier of military vehicles and ammunition whose sales have been dramatically boosted by the Ukraine war. CEO Armin Papperger recognises drones are increasingly important -- Rheinmetall also makes them and is investing more -- but argues they are just one of many systems that will be vital in future. "Without armoured vehicles, it would not be possible to defend a country or repel an aggressor if they invade," Papperger, whose company is valued at around 70 billion euros, recently told a media briefing. "If there were a war involving NATO, it would look very different from what we currently see in Ukraine," he said. "Drones would play a less significant role than they do now." - 'Lagging behind' - Drones also figure in the government's planning, with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius saying in October that Berlin was planning to invest 10 billion euros in the technology in the coming years. But there are indications of a continued focus on time-honoured war gear. News outlet Politico recently reported the government had laid out 377 billion euros worth of desired arms purchases -- much of it earmarked to go to establishment defence titans. A defence ministry spokesman declined to comment on the report while stressing that drones had been part of military operations for some time. But the spokesman, who declined to be named in line with standard German government practice, added that "battle tanks, armoured personnel carriers and combat aircraft will continue to be needed in the future", working in combination with unmanned systems. Germany's rearmament marks a major transformation for a country with a long-standing pacifist tradition shaped by its painful World War II history. But like the start-ups, some observers worry the build-up is moving too slowly -- and at serious risk of misfiring. The military's "planning is lagging behind the inexorable rise of unmanned and autonomous systems", prominent British historian Niall Ferguson and Moritz Schularick, President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, wrote in a blistering critique recently. They warned those in charge were too focused on "the weapons of the last war -- not the next". fec-sr/fz/phz/mjw Spotify Myanmar junta hits back at criticism of military-run poll Yangon, Myanmar, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2025 Myanmar's military government lashed back on Sunday at international criticism that branded upcoming elections undemocratic, but also hinted junta chief Min Aung Hlaing could have a leadership role in the post-poll government. The junta snatched power in a 2021 coup, toppling a civilian government, jailing its leaders and triggering a vicious civil war that has consumed the country. The military government is overseeing phased polls set to start on December 28, pledging a return to democracy and a chance to end the fighting. However, international democracy monitors have described the vote as an exercise in rebranding military rule, while the United Nations, Britain and Thailand have said it will be neither free nor fair. "The election is being held for Myanmar," junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told a rare news conference in Yangon. "It is not being held for the international community." "Those who want to criticise may criticise," he said. "We, however, will proceed to achieve our original objective, which is to return to a multi-party democratic system." Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing declared martial law and has governed the country as military chief since the coup in February 2021. He ended emergency rule this summer, passing power to the presidency in the run-up to the long-promised polls. He also occupies that office as acting president. Asked whether the military chief could have political aspirations after the vote -- expected to take around one month -- Zaw Min Tun cited his "experience in state duties". "There are statements he has made in the past saying that if the state assigns him a duty, he will always apply his experience for the country," he said. Rebels challenging military rule have pledged to block the election from the vast territories they control, although the junta has waged a withering pre-vote offensive. The military has enforced harsh new legislation in the ground it still holds, punishing protest or speech against the election with up to a decade in prison. The National League for Democracy party, which won the last polls in 2020 by a landslide, has been dissolved and its leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, remains in junta detention. Syrian who killed Americans was part of security forces Damascus, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2025 Syria's interior ministry said Sunday the gunman who killed three Americans in the central Palmyra region the previous day was a member of the security forces who was to have been fired for extremism. Two US troops and a civilian interpreter died in what the Syrian government described as a "terrorist attack" on Saturday, while Washington said it had been carried out by an Islamic State group (IS) militant who was then killed. The Syrian authorities "had decided to fire him" from the security forces before the attack for holding "extremist Islamist ideas" and had planned to do so on Sunday, interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba told state television. A Syrian security official told AFP on Sunday that "11 members of the general security forces were arrested and brought in for questioning after the attack". The official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the gunman had belonged to the security forces "for more than 10 months and was posted to several cities before being transferred to Palmyra". Palmyra, home to UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, was controlled by IS at the height of its territorial expansion in Syria. 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 country's ties with the United States. US President Donald Trump vowed "very serious retaliation" following Saturday's attack. A Syrian defence ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity that prior to the attack, US forces had "arrived by land from the direction of the Al-Tanf military base" in southeastern Syria, near the border with Jordan. "The joint Syrian-American delegation first toured the city of Palmyra, then proceeded to the T-4 airbase before returning to a base in Palmyra", the source added. A Syrian military official who requested anonymity said on Saturday that the shots were fired "during a meeting between Syrian and American officers" at a Syrian base in Palmyra. However, a Pentagon official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that the attack "took place in an area where the Syrian president does not have control." - Warnings - Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldiers "were conducting a key leader engagement" in support of counter-terrorism operations when the attack occurred, while US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said the ambush targeted "a joint US-Syrian government patrol". Trump called the incident "an ISIS attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them", using another term for the group. He said the three other US troops injured in the incident were "doing well". The official SANA news agency said the attack also wounded two members of the Syrian security forces. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Damascus "strongly condemns the terrorist attack". In an interview on state television on Saturday, Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Anwar al-Baba said there had been "prior warnings from the internal security command to allied forces in the desert region". "The international coalition forces did not take the Syrian warnings of a possible IS infiltration into consideration," he said. IS seized swathes of Syrian and Iraqi territory in 2014 during Syria's civil war, before being territorially defeated in the country five years later. Its fighters still maintain a presence, however, particularly in Syria's vast desert. Last month, during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's historic visit to Washington, Damascus formally joined the US-led global coalition against IS. US forces are deployed in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeast as well as at Al-Tanf near the border with Jordan. UK's new military chief to stress Russian threat in speech London, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2025 The new head of Britain's armed forces will call for "national resilience" in the face of growing threats, particularly Russia's stated determination to destroy NATO, the defence ministry said Sunday. "The situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career and the response requires more than simply strengthening our armed forces," Richard Knighton, chief of the defence staff, is expected to say in a speech Monday, according to a ministry statement. "A new era for defence doesn't just mean our military and government stepping up -- as we are -- it means our whole nation stepping up." To that end, he will announce pound50 million ($67 million) in funding for new "Defence Technical Excellence Colleges" to help defence employers train up staff. Knighton is also expected to speak about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its threat to NATO. "Putin's willingness to target neighbouring states, including their civilian populations, potentially with such novel and destructive weapons, threatens the whole of NATO, including the UK," he will say. "The Russian leadership has made clear that it wishes to challenge, limit, divide and ultimately destroy NATO." Knighton will set out his ideas in a speech to the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a think tank specialising in defence matters. He led Britain's Royal Air Force before taking over as chief of defence staff in September. Earlier in December, Britain and Norway unveiled a new defence pact that will see their navies jointly operate a warship fleet to "hunt Russian submarines" in the North Atlantic. The aim is to protect critical undersea infrastructure, such as cables, which Western officials say is increasingly under threat from Moscow. "While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days. "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. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue 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. Halliburton and VoltaGrid recently secured manufacturing for 400 megawatts of modular natural gas power systems, slated for 2028 delivery to hyperscale data centers across the Eastern Hemisphere, underscoring their focus on lower-emission, reliable power for AI, cloud, and broader digital infrastructure. This push into powering data centers extends Halliburtons reach beyond traditional oilfield services, tying its energy expertise directly to long-term digital infrastructure demand. Next, well examine how Halliburtons move into modular natural gas power for hyperscale data centers could reshape its investment narrative. AI is about to change healthcare. These 30 stocks are working on everything from early diagnostics to drug discovery. The best part - they are all under $10b in market cap - there's still time to get in early. Halliburton Investment Narrative Recap To own Halliburton, you need to believe its core oilfield services can stay relevant while it gradually builds earnings from lower-carbon and digital-adjacent energy solutions. The VoltaGrid data center power deal highlights this shift but is unlikely to change the near term focus on stabilizing profitability after recent margin pressure, or the central risk that long-term decarbonization and capital reallocation away from oil and gas could cap demand for its traditional services. Among recent developments, the appointment of longtime Halliburton executive Jeffrey Slocum as chief operating officer and a board member stands out in this context. His deep Eastern Hemisphere and project execution experience looks especially relevant as Halliburton commits to deliver 400 MW of modular natural gas systems to hyperscale data centers by 2028, tying operational leadership more tightly to one of its emerging growth avenues while investors continue to watch near term earnings momentum. Yet despite these new growth efforts, investors should be aware that accelerating global decarbonization could still... Read the full narrative on Halliburton (it's free!) Halliburton's narrative projects $22.1 billion revenue and $2.0 billion earnings by 2028. Uncover how Halliburton's forecasts yield a $30.38 fair value, a 6% upside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives HAL 1-Year Stock Price Chart Twelve members of the Simply Wall St Community value Halliburton between US$20 and about US$50 per share, showing wide differences in expected upside. You can weigh those views against the risk that faster decarbonization and shifting capital away from fossil fuels may pressure Halliburtons core markets over time. Paige Linney, general manager at LazyDaze, which offers THC-infused beverages, prepares drinks at the Austin coffee shop on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. As federal restrictions on hemp-derived THC products move closer to taking effect, the shop is testing mushroom-based alternatives that offer mood or focus benefits without intoxication. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Aaron Owens would never describe himself as scared ever. But, he said, this summer came close. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Various THC products are displayed at the register at LazyDaze coffee shop on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman The Texas Legislature had passed Senate Bill 3, a sweeping measure that would have banned the sale of products containing any amount of THC. For months, the states hemp sector had been dreading this moment. Panic swept through the state's $5.5 billion industry in just a few years, it had grown into a source of relief for Texans and a livelihood for retailers, manufacturers and farmers alike. Owens, the owner of hemp-infused beverage company Tejas Tonic, was among them. For the first time since he walked away from his West Texas ranching career, he felt the ground beneath him shift. I was as close to scared as a man can be, he said. To think seven years in, that they could step in and just wipe the slate clean and take us off the map? It was a really heavy thought that came with a lot of stress. 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 The bill arrived suddenly and transformed many hemp entrepreneurs into activists. They lobbied politicians, wrote letters in support of their products and launched public campaigns to rally customers. Meanwhile, investment declined and the industrys uncertain future became a pain point for business. And then, only minutes before the deadline, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a veto. For many, it hit the industry like a jolt of electricity. The veto felt like confirmation that their advocacy work mattered. The existential threat, at least in Texas, had been eliminated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The relief was immediate and overwhelming. It would also be short-lived. Months after Texans fought for their hemp rights and won a new federal law banning hemp is threatening to take it all away once again. What Farm Bill changes mean for Delta-8, THC products Ray Bonton sits in the lounge area at LazyDaze coffee shop on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 in Austin. Hemp-derived THC products boomed under the 2018 Farm Bill, but new federal limits could bring that era to an end. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Before the 2018 Farm Bill expired in September, it governed everything from crop insurance to food assistance. It was also the foundational legislation that legalized hemp nationally, redefining cannabis plants containing less than 0.3% of Delta-9 THC. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That definition allowed Delta-8 and hemp-derived THC products, now found in gas stations, grocery stores and dedicated shops across the U.S., to bloom. Meanwhile, products derived from cannabis plants with a higher THC content are still federally categorized as a Schedule I drug, the same classification as heroin. In the spending bill that Congress passed to reopen the government in November, lawmakers included a provision to close this loophole within one year and added new restrictions, which business owners argue will be catastrophic. These restrictions, taken together, could dismantle much of the existing market before products ever reach the shelves. One requirement is for cannabinoids to be naturally extracted rather than synthesized from CBD, a change targeting chemically manipulated products. Another expected update involves moving from Delta-9-only testing to total THC. Both of these are changes that industry leaders might have seen coming. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But two of the other restrictions would drastically change the landscape for farming and production. A 0.3% cap on work in progress hemp is almost impossible to meet, as the concentrate produced during extraction and before dilution naturally spikes above 0.3% during processing. In essence, Owens said, if the process is made illegal, any product that comes from it will also be illegal. Even non-intoxicating CBD could be outlawed under the new rules. Its not possible by the letter of the law, Owens said. Every CBD product that exists is going to be illegal, period, because theres no path. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The bill also sets a THC cap of 0.4 milligrams per container not per serving, but per product. That limit is effectively zero. Many hemp seltzers on the shelves today contain 2 to 5 milligrams of THC, and some go even higher, up to 25 or 50 milligrams. Here we are, and its all at risk again A register and drink station are in the front lobby at LazyDaze coffee shop on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman At his core, Owens is a farmer. He started out more than 20 years ago on a ranch in West Texas, where he housed cattle, goats and dogs on leased land that stretched out under dry, open skies. When hemp became legal, he saw a chance to transition. He eased into it with cultivation and processing, and later explored product development. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2022, he launched Tejas Tonic, a hemp-infused beverage company now known across Austin for its sparkling THC and CBD drinks. He left his former career in agriculture to go all-in on the hemp industry, and specifically, to go all-in on hemp-derived beverages. Since starting Tejas Tonic, Owens has expanded operations and employs nearly 20 people. Tejas Tonic is sold in retail stores across the state. I let go of all my ranching leases in West Texas and I sold all my livestock and I went all in, Owens said. I have a 16-year career that was pushed in to launch the beverage business. And now here we are, and its all at risk again. Suffice to say, he has a lot on the line. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its like living in fight or flight mode, and that is an unhealthy place for any human being or business to be, Owens said. A lot is at stake for Alex and Morgan Baumeister, too. Alex, a firefighter in Austin, first started taking THC gummies to help him sleep at night. The products treated his insomnia, but his wife didnt have the same tolerance. She saw the value in something that could provide a lighter feeling. Together, they developed a THC-infused drink designed to replicate the gentle buzz of a single glass of wine and taste like one, too. The couple launched their own hemp-derived beverage company, Delta Vine, earlier this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They spent months researching the industry and finding reputable companies to help get their idea off the ground, and they poured tens of thousands of dollars into their production run. When we had this idea, we knew it was some sort of legal, Alex Baumeister said. We were a little bit nervous, but not as concerned as we probably shouldve been. With the budget bills current language, the business they built suddenly looks fragile. Their suppliers have reassured them that things will work themselves out, but Alex admits he doesnt know what will come of the investment if and when the new regulations take effect. For now, Delta Vine plans to keep going. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were not changing too much of our strategy because it feels like the people around us arent changing their strategy, Alex Baumeister said. We havent gotten any pushback from any of our suppliers. Everyone so far is just saying, you know what, theres a year to figure this out. And theyre not alone. Paige Linney, who manages Lazydaze, a coffee shop offering THC-infused beverages, said shes fielding the same questions from customers and store owners, but for now, its business as usual. Were not changing anything, Linney said. Lazydaze is trucking on through, and were going to keep doing what were doing as long as we can, and were going to fight to keep doing it. Were ordering normal, were still getting all of our product in. Owens said that attitude is common among retailers. In his view, theyre the most stable part of the supply chain right now shops are still ordering, still selling out and still treating the market as steady. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its the distributors who are hesitant, he said. Retailers are moving forward. Retailers are holding strong. The distribution network, unfortunately, doesnt look as positive. Theyre saying, We dont want to take on any new labels in this political uncertainty. What's next for Texas THC-infused beverage companies? Across Austins booming market, where alcohol consumption has dipped and THC drinks have become a fixture of weekend patios and corner store shelves, there are many THC beverage companies that will need to pivot somehow if the new provisions stand. But what does pivoting even look like? Advertisement Article continues below this ad For some, the answer is reinvention. Linney said Lazydaze began exploring mushroom-infused beverages earlier this year, long before the federal ban surfaced. But with stricter rules now looming, those experiments are becoming part of a contingency plan. Instead of THC, the drinks would rely on ingredients like lions mane, cordyceps and chaga, which aim to relax or focus rather than intoxicate. After SB3 got vetoed, we kept it up and we sort of got into kava and the different mushrooms, Linney said. Theyre in addition to what were doing. Delta Vine is having similar conversations. The Baumeisters' first choice is still their microdose THC wine alternative, the product they spent months developing. But if the rules stay as written, they said theyll consider crafting a non-THC formula to keep the brand alive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tejas Tonic, though, has fewer options. Owens' current model depends on naturally derived cannabinoids, the same ingredients the federal provision would make nearly impossible to extract legally. Farmers are the backbone of the United States and we need to stimulate agriculture, Owens said. The rules need to allow what happens in agriculture to make it to market, and the current proposed regulations in those bills the work in progress at 0.3% and the 0.4 milligram THC those two things are going to make it to where a farmer has no opportunity. Even so, all three businesses are making the same decision for now: keep producing, keep selling, keep showing up. Because while federal law might change, the market hasnt. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The flags over the Texas Capitol flew at full staff last week. That's only notable because former Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff died Monday at 89, long after his 15-year career as an elected official, most of it as a state senator representing a rural East Texas district, had come to an end. It's not unusual for the Texas and American flags to be lowered to honor the passing of a prominent leader or to mark a tragedy that shocks the sensibilities of the state. Readers of a certain age and Texas political history junkies of average skill level and above will recall that Ratliff's two-year service as the 40th lieutenant governor came with an asterisk. Unlike the 39 before him and the two who followed, Ratliff was not elected in a statewide vote. Instead, he was chosen in a secret ballot of the Texas Senate to fill the vacancy left when then-Lt. Gov. Rick Perry ascended to the Governor's Mansion after George W. Bush was elected president. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff wields the gavel in the Texas Senate on the first day of the 77th legislative session at the Capitol in Austin on Jan. 9, 2001. Object_Name_ID: rmsenategavel Orig_Trans_Ref: AAS0701281118281449 Site: Austin Site Code: S Status: Archived Title: AAS Staff Rebecca McEntee/Austin American-Statesman Ratliff's selection by his peers was hardly a fluke. He had served two teams as the powerful chairman of the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee and before that led the chamber's Education Committee, where it fell to him to craft a school finance system that would pass court muster and a divergent assortment of political agendas after the system existing at the time had failed in its constitutional obligation to provide an "adequate" education for each and every child enrolled in Texas' public schools. For that, Ratliff became known as "the father of Robin Hood," the nickname for his plan forcing districts with robust property tax bases to send a portion of their revenue to districts with fewer resources. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source But it was Ratliff's four years at the head of the Finance Committee that burnished his standing among his fellow senators. Having sway over billions of dollars in state spending is powerful and thankless at the same time. The money available to spend is finite; the demands for at least a share of it are not. That means the Finance Committee chair, in both rich times and lean, has to say "no" more often than "yes" to the endless parade of interest groups and to the very lawmakers the chair must ask to vote in favor of the budget. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The budgets Ratliff presented to the Senate passed without opposition. And his mastery over each detail in the spending documents and his intricate knowledge of the ins and outs of state government earned Ratliff the nickname "Obi Wan Kenobi," after the Jedi master from the "Star Wars" franchise. When Ratliff became lieutenant governor, his task was to preside over a Senate divided 16-15 in favor of his fellow Republicans. And the Democrats came into that 2001 legislative session with feelings still raw because they were denied the opportunity in 1999 to bring a bill to the floor that would add stiffer punishment for violent crimes motivated by hate against people because of their race, religion or sexual identity. The back story was that Bush, then gearing up for his presidential run in 2000, did not want to be in a position, were he to sign such a bill, in which he might be seen as buying into what was then called "the gay agenda." The thinking at the time was that social conservatives would turn on him in Republican primaries and in so doing dash his hopes to win the White House. Perry and Senate Republicans did what was needed to spare Bush that conundrum. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In 2001, most Senate Republicans who opposed the hate crimes legislation two years earlier opposed it again. But, led by the bill's sponsor, Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston, Democrats were able to peel off enough Republicans to pass the bill. But that couldn't happen unless Ratliff agreed to bring it to the floor for a vote. And, persuaded that the votes were there to pass it, Ratliff brought it up. Ratliff that session served in a dual capacity. He remained a senator, but as the chamber's presiding officer, he followed the House speakers' tradition of abstaining from votes on most matters. But on the hate crimes bill, he exercised his prerogative and voted yes. And that, and a handful of other actions he took as lieutenant governor, would come with a cost. Ahead of the 2002 election cycle, Ratliff announced he would run for the office in his own right and give Texans the opportunity to ratify the decision made earlier by his fellow senators. It proved to be a short-lived endeavor. The same strain of conservative Republicans that might have turned on Bush over the hate crimes bill did turn on Ratliff. That opposition, and the announced primary challenge by then-Land Commissioner David Dewhurst, a millionaire several times over and able to self-finance his campaign, helped persuade Ratliff to step aside. He instead returned to his role as a rank-and-file senator but remained something of an outcast Republican before resigning in 2004. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And that brings us back to the matter of how the flags at the Capitol were flown in the days after Ratliff's death. Gov. Greg Abbott has the authority to order the flags lowered anytime he believes circumstances dictate. He ordered them lowered after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk of Arizona in September and to mark the legacy of the late liberal U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 2020. They were also lowered after horrific mass shootings in Texas and elsewhere, and after the deadly Hill Country flooding on July 4. Christian De Leon, an artist living in San Marcos, paints a mural at the Hope Outdoor Gallery on Saturday, Nov 19, 2025 in Austin. De Leon said he first started painting in Austin at the original Hope outdoor park in 2013, which he said he originally found by driving around and exploring Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A reader asks: What is the oldest legible graffiti in Austin? This question arrives at a timely juncture, since the Hope Outdoor Gallery, an astonishing compendium of graffiti that formerly adorned an abandoned construction site on Castle Hill, has officially returned, this time amid the fields of far East Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Depending on your definition, pictorial graffiti goes back tens of thousands of years. Words were added about 2,500 years ago in Greece. The etymology of the singular graffito and plural graffiti derives from the Greek to write, with an attached Italian diminutive. Where is the earliest little writing in Austin? With my own eyes, Ive never seen any Paleoindian or Native American petroglyphs scratched into stone in the Austin area, much less rock art drawn or painted onto a Central Texas cliff or inside cave walls. Most of these remnants from prehistory that Ive encountered were located in the preservative arid climates of the desert Southwest, including West Texas. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source It makes sense, however, that some late 19th-century or early 20th-century graffiti could be found at a longtime tourist attraction like Mount Bonnell, or at either of the two local navigational landmarks known as Knob Hill, one located northwest, the other southeast. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Makers of formal outdoor murals and gallery art have long borrowed techniques and styles from graffiti. In fact, it is sometimes difficult to determine the differences among these terms, as I rediscovered at the Austin History Center last week. Images preserved in carefully tended folders and boxes, as well as in digital files, tended to fit multiple artistic definitions. Please send your nominations for the oldest legible Austin graffiti along with photos to mbarnes@statesman.com. The case of El Morro graffiti The oldest legible written inscription in the Southwest was carved on April 16, 1605 by conquistador Juan de Onate y Salazar at what is now El Morro National Monument in New Mexico. Just like Onate to carve it directly on an Anasazi petroglyph. Library of Congress In another coincidence, I happen to be reading The Pueblo Revolt: The Secret Rebellion That Drove the Spaniards Out of the Southwest by David Roberts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hang on a bit for more background on a spectacular bit of graffiti: Climber, mountaineer, professor, journalist and author Roberts, who died in 2021, wrote thrillingly about the neglected history of the 1680 revolt against Spanish control of Nuevo Mexico province. As he did with his later work, In Search of the Old Ones: Exploring the Anasazi World of the Southwest, and a dozen other books, Roberts asks excellent questions. How did the Pueblo inhabitants secretly plan to overthrow the complacent Spanish colonizers, especially since they spoke often radically divergent languages? What had the Spaniards done to engender such a reserve of intense hatred, even before conquistador Juan de Onate y Salazar made his grand entrada in 1598? Why has the Native American version of the story been kept secret during intervening centuries? Roberts is adept at weighing oral history against the official Spanish records. He takes the almost universal journalisticapproach of making direct contact with the land and the people an adventurous step farther. Sometimes he wanders an abandoned pueblo with hundreds of rooms for weeks without encountering another soul. Spoiler alert: the Spaniards do not come off well in Roberts telling. He is particularly skeptical about any attempt to burnish the reputation of Onate, who recorded that his vengeful executions including amputations of hands and feet were indeed carried out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad All of this brings us to El Morro. Now part of El Morro National Monument in New Mexico, the park preserves the ruins of a historic mesa-top pueblo, Atsinna, that lay on the ancient Zuni-Acoma trail, as well as soft sandstone promontory onto which centuries of travelers carved graffiti. Anglo-Americans call it Inscription Rock. The oldest legible inscription? It was left by none other than Onate on April 16, 1605. In fact, he had camped here on Oct. 29, 1598 as well. If he left any carvings on that earlier trip, they have been swept away by the elements. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thousands of trekkers who stopped at the natural tank or reservoir on the southeast face of the butte followed suit. History-minded folks sought to preserve the spot; President Theodore Roosevelt designated it a national monument in 1906. Sadly, workers removed many of the early 20th-century inscriptions that, at the time, were thought to be less historic because they were then relatively recent. Another Onate kick in the pants: He carved his motto directly on top of an Anasazi petroglyph. Resources for tracking Austin graffiti Fawn Li looks at the piece "Back to the Future" by graffiti artist Mando "Lace" Martinez during the opening reception for the exhibit "Piecing It Together: Austin Graffiti Art 1984 - 2004" at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. [JAY JANNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN] Austin 360 To research old graffiti closer to home, I visited the expanded Austin History Center on Dec. 6, almost exactly 24 hours before the grand reopening of the John Henry Faulk Building. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That Saturday, I was greeted by a smiling receptionist on the first floor, then another helpful receptionist inside the enormous Reading Room on the second floor. After signing in and filling out a request form, I relied on two expert researchers, Jenna Cooper and Aaron Goldman, who combed the digital and physical collections for clues to images and stories about old graffiti. Within an hour, we had accumulated more material than was needed for this preliminary column, but nothing definitive about the oldest graffiti in the area. The first tranche of evidence came from digital folders that held copyrighted photos taken in a documentary manner. The way that they were organized reshuffled my thoughts about the geographic locations of longtime graffiti: places such as Hope Outdoor Gallery, the railroad bridge over Lady Bird Lake, the North Lamar railroad underpass, East Austin. Graffiti and murals are often mixed together in these files. I relaxed, too, because I knew that we had plenty of similar images in the American-Statesman archives. There would be no wait of days or weeks for permission from the copyright holder. Then I opened an envelope with a single item: 1986 Austin Graffiti Calendar. Created in 1985 by Jezzebel Vespucci Inc., this roughly made, black-and-white flip calendar fit the style of the photographed graffiti well. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Next came a handsome book of color pictures and texts: Hope Outdoor Gallery: 3 Years of People and Street Art in Austin, Texas. Backed by Castle Hill Partners, the Hope Campaign and Stratus Properties, it was put together by a large team headed by executive producer and art director Andi Scull Cheatham. Rachel Romero gathered the interviews. Just the fact that all these people joined forces to document and share the creative work of artists, who in other circumstances might be considered vandals, says a lot about a societal change of heart about graffiti. The legacies of racism and graffitis recent association with gang tagging play a part in the evolving attitudes. Not everyone is convinced, but this form of expression has gone, for many, from eyesore to art in just my lifetime. A lot depends on where it lands. Nowadays, Ive noticed that taggers in the central city tend to avoid occupied structures, but abandoned ones are fair game. Available at the Austin Public Library is another handsome book, which is so popular, it is slated for another printing, ATX Urban Art: Layers of Scrawls, Street Art, Murals and Mosaics in Austin, Texas. This volume documents samples dating as far back as the 1950s. Some of these might be considered ghost signs, the subject of the Oct. 19 installment of From the Archives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I must dig more deeply into this published treasure trove. You can preview some of the background as well as a digital wayfinding map at atxurbanart.com. During my relatively short visit to the history center, one researcher combed through Newspapers.com something I usually do at home to produce these From the Archives columns for the first mention in the Statesman of local graffiti. The earliest article that she found appeared on Aug. 7, 1969 in the Dollars and Sense column of collected briefs. This sentence appears at the very end of the column and seems to ding ABM Industries, a facilities maintenance provider, by comparing it with a famously unsuccessful car brand: Graffiti wisdom from a womens restroom in the UT Union building: ABM is an Edsel. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Nicole from Boston called into The Ramsey Show recently with a heavy question: How do you support your husband while protecting your family from financial disaster? Her husband had pulled them deep into risky real estate investments, and now they were staring down $6 million in debt. A Money Mess Becomes A Marriage Strain Nicole explained that her husband has been betting on a troubled apartment complex that has been draining the couples finances for years. The property, which was supposed to be a profitable investment, has become a major liability. Don't Miss: The ChatGPT of Marketing' Just Opened a $0.85/Share Round 10,000+ Investors Are Already In Buffett's Secret to Wealth? Private Real EstateGet Institutional Access Yourself It always takes the cash flow of my small business and his other cash-flowing property, Nicole said. But its hit the point now where we have to max out credit cards. Her husband now wants to take out a large loan to fund renovations in hopes of finally selling the property, but Nicole isn't on board. My answer is I don't want to do this and his opinion is we have to do this, she told personal finance experts Dave Ramsey and Jade Warshaw. Youre not called to respect your husband if every time he gets in a car, he drives it into a ditch, Ramsey said. You go, you suck at driving. Thats not disrespectful of your husband. Its disrespectful of his driving ability because he sucks at driving. Trending: From Moxy Hotels to $12B in Real Estate The Firm Behind NYC's Trendiest Properties Is Letting Individual Investors In. He continued, Don't get this confused that somehow respect means turning a blind eye to idiocy. That's just enabling. Nicole revealed that the property is worth just over $6 million, barely covering what they owe. Ramsey gave her two choices: to give it back or to sell it as is. She wasnt sure whether they were personally liable for the loan. If they were, then Ramsey said they had to sell it; otherwise, theyre going to get their butt sued. A protester confronts a line of U.S. National Guard in the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, June 8, 2025, following an immigration raid protest. (Eric Thayer/AP) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Tribune News Service) The Trump administration must temporarily halt deploying the California National Guard in Los Angeles, a federal appeals panel ruled late Friday, granting a partial victory to Gov. Gavin Newsom in his effort to regain state control of the troops. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a lower judges order temporarily barring the administration from actively using the soldiers in Los Angeles, but put on hold a key portion of the same ruling that would have required President Donald Trump to cede control of the California Guard altogether. California Attorney General Rob Bonta characterized the ruling as a victory for the state, which has fought to restore control of its Guard since June, when Trump assumed authority over the troops amid violent protests in L.A. over the federal governments aggressive tactics during immigration arrests. For the first time in six months, there will be no military deployed on the streets of Los Angeles, Bonta said in a statement. While this decision is not final, it is a gratifying and hard-fought step in the right direction. The ruling grew out of months of legal wrangling over control of the guard. Newsom, who opposed the initial federalization as well as its extension in August, sued in June to stop Trump from federalizing the states troops. The case, which is mirrored in other states including Illinois and Oregon, has provided a roller-coaster of rulings and counter-rulings, as lower court judges have issued orders that are then modified, overturned or paused by appellate courts. On Monday, in response to arguments by the state that there was no longer any need for troops in L.A. and that their deployment had been extended illegally, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ordered Trump to relinquish control of the Guard and stop sending soldiers to Los Angeles. The Trump administration filed an emergency appeal on Friday, arguing that Trump had the right to retain control of the Guard for as long as he deemed necessary. In its order issued after hours on Friday, the panel of the 9th Circuit said that its decision had not been made on the merits of the case, but rather to preserve the status quo while the appeal was considered in court. In a similar case in Oregon, the administration retains control of the Guard, but may not deploy it in Portland while an appeal is being considered. Bonta and Newsom have accused the administration of using California to begin a process of deploying the military to achieve his goals in American cities. California did not ask to be a testing ground for the presidents militarized vision of America, Bonta said. There is no crisis to justify the National Guards continued presence, and we look forward to continuing to prove that in court. 2025 The Sacramento Bee. Visit sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) A person of interest was in custody Sunday after a shooting during final exams at Brown University that killed two students and wounded nine others, though key questions remained unanswered nearly 24 hours after the attack. The attack Saturday afternoon set off hours of chaos across the Ivy League campus and surrounding Providence neighborhoods as hundreds of officers searched for the shooter and urged students and staff to shelter in place. The lockdown, which stretched into the night, was lifted early Sunday, but authorities had not yet released information about a potential motive. Col. Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, said Sunday afternoon that the person in custody was in their 20s and that no one has been charged yet. Perez, who previously said the person was in their 30s and that no one else was being sought, declined to say whether the detained person had any connection to Brown. The person was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Providence, where police officers and FBI agents remained Sunday, blocking off a hallway with crime scene tape as they searched the area. The shooting occurred during one of the busiest moments of the academic calendar, as final exams were underway. Brown canceled all remaining classes, exams, papers and projects for the semester and told students they could leave campus, underscoring the scale of the disruption and the gravity of the attack. College President Christina Paxson teared up while describing her conversations with students both on campus and in the hospital. They are amazing and theyre supporting each other, she said at a news conference. Theres just a lot of gratitude. The gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building, firing more than 40 rounds from a 9 mm handgun, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. Two handguns were recovered when the person of interest was taken into custody and authorities also found two loaded 30-round magazines, the official said. One of the firearms was equipped with a laser sight that projects a dot to aid in targeting, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity. One student of the nine wounded students had been released from the hospital, said Paxson. Seven others were in critical but stable condition, and one was in critical condition. Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in Durham, North Carolina, confirmed that a recent graduate, Kendall Turner, was critically wounded. The school said her parents were with her. Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones, and we will continue to offer our full support in the days ahead, the school said. Some businesses remain closed Providence leaders said residents would notice a heavier police presence, and many area businesses announced Sunday that they would remain closed. A scheduled 5K run was postponed for a week. Mayor Brett Smiley invited residents to gather Sunday evening at a city park where an event had been scheduled to light a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah. For those who know at least bit of the Hanukkah story, it is quite clear that if we can come together as a community to shine a little bit of light tonight, theres nothing better that we can be doing, he told reporters. Smiley said he visited some wounded students and was inspired by their courage, hope and gratitude. One told him that active shooting drills done in high school proved helpful. The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me, is frankly pretty overwhelming, he said. Were all saddened, scared, tired, but what theyve been through is something different entirely. Exams were underway when the shooting began Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom at the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department. The building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices, according to the universitys website. Engineering design exams were underway. Outer doors of the building were unlocked but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Smiley said. Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the lobby working on a final project when she heard loud pops. Once she realized they were gunshots, she darted for the door and into a nearby building where she waited for hours. Surveillance video released by police showed a suspect, dressed in black, walking from the scene. Former Survivor contestant just left the building Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate who was the runner-up earlier this year on the CBS reality competition show Survivor, said she left her lab in the engineering building 15 minutes before shots rang out. The engineering and thermal science student shared candid moments on Survivor as the shows first openly autistic contestant. She was locked down in the campus gym following the shooting and shared on social media that the only other member of her lab who was present was safely evacuated. Brown senior biochemistry student Alex Bruce was working on a final research project in his dorm across the street from the building when he heard sirens outside. Im just in here shaking, he said, watching through the window as officers surrounded his dorm. Brown, the seventh-oldest higher education institution in the U.S., is one of the nations most prestigious colleges, with roughly 7,300 undergraduates and more than 3,000 graduate students. ___ By Kimberlee Kruesi, Amanda Swinhart and Holly Ramera. Jennifer McDermott, Alanna Durkin Richer and Mike Balsamo contributed. One of the many provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 was the creation of a federally-backed savings and investment program dubbed Trump accounts. The intent behind the accounts is to give children a head-start on investing by providing government seed money. Recently, the Trump accounts have made headlines again thanks to a major private pledge from billionaire philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell, according to CNN. See Next: I Asked ChatGPT How To Build Wealth for the Rest of Trumps Term: Heres Its Plan Trending Now: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires and How You Can, Too Heres how Trump accounts work, who qualifies and how families can open one. What Are the Trump Accounts? Per the White House, the so-called Trump accounts are tax-advantaged investment accounts designed for children under the age 18. One of the factors that make these accounts unique is that the federal government will automatically deposit $1,000 into qualifying accounts when they are open. Additional deposits can then be made by others, including the employers of the childs parents. Money in the accounts grows tax-deferred, much like with a traditional IRA. Discover Next: Trumps $2K Dividend: What Middle-Income Americans Could Expect Who Qualifies for a Trump Account? The White House limits who can qualify for and benefit from a Trump account, as follows: Parents or legal guardians can open Trump accounts for any U.S. child under age 18. Children born between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2028 qualify for the $1,000 seed money from the federal government. Children born before or after that time period may still have accounts, but they do not receive the deposit of federal funds. Once opened, accounts can be funded with additional money by anyone, from parents and grandparents to other relatives, employers or even charities. Deposits, however, are subject to federal limits. What Are the Contribution Limits and Investment Rules? According to the White House, these are the contribution limits and investment rules of the Trump accounts: After the initial $1,000 government deposit, total contributions are limited to $5,000 per child per year, regardless of who contributes. Employers may contribute up to $2,500 annually. However, those contributions count toward the $5,000 cap. Regular contributions are not tax-deductible. However, employer contributions dont count as taxable income to employees, per the Brookings Institution. An important restriction on the Trump accounts is that they must be invested in low-cost index funds that track the S&P 500 or another American stock index, per the White House. What states have the highest number of investor-owned homes? According to a CNBC report (2), Texas, California and Florida have the highest overall number of investor-owned homes, namely because they have the biggest populations. The analysis also found that institutional investors are retreating from the existing single-family home market, instead shifting their focus to new-build, purpose-built rental properties. Large institutional investors (firms that own 1,000 or more properties) made up less than 2.5% of purchases. Institutional investors own 2% of the total market, BatchData found. Im almost 50 years old and have nothing saved for retirement. What do I do? Dont panic. Here are 6 easy ways to catch up (and fast) Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how So while mom-and-pop investors dominate this market, that may lead the average American to assume that this type of investment is sure-fire: A way to diversify the investment portfolio and shore up a retirement fund. Is it a safe bet for profitability? Heres our analysis. In fact, its small investors defined as individuals with fewer than 11 properties who dominate, according to the BatchData analysis. Small investors make up 91% of investor-owned homes. You may be left with an image of private equity firms dominating the housing market, snapping up homes left and right. There are about 86 million single-family homes in the United States. But theyre not all owned by the families that live in them. In fact, about 20% of the single family homes in America are owned by investors. So are investors driving up prices and keeping owner-occupant home buyers out of the market? Not so fast, according to the analysis. But the actual number of homes bought by investors is lower than last year; investors purchased 16,000 fewer homes as compared to the second quarter of 2024. Home sales have been weaker overall this year, which is why the share bought by investors has inched up. This is a jump from the first quarter of 2025, when investors bought 27% of single-family homes. Real estate investors made up one-third of buyers for single-family residential properties in the second quarter of 2025. Thats the highest percent in the last five years, according to an analysis from BatchData (1). Story Continues By contrast, states with heavy tourism have the highest share per capita of investor-owned homes: Hawaii, Alaska, Montana and Maine. According to the aforementioned BatchData, investors are stepping in to fill the gap left by homebuyers who cant afford the high mortgage rates that have been persistent since 2022. Investors are more likely to make cash purchases (62.3% of investors made cash purchases in 2024), and their participation in the market may actually be stabilizing the housing market by maintaining market liquidity, the report says. What are the pros and cons of investing in real estate? If you are thinking of becoming a real estate investor, there is a lot to consider. Real estate has typically been viewed as a more stable investment, due to steady appreciation in home values and the fact that you can earn passive income from rentals. However, like most investments, there is still risk involved. One benefit of real estate is that it can be a hedge against inflation in your portfolio, as it typically keeps pace with inflation. Real estate can also potentially generate cash flow, if the monthly rent that you charge tenants more than covers the cost of maintenance, taxes and, if applicable, your mortgage. One con of real estate investing is that it may require a significant amount of time. If you are managing a rental property yourself, you will be required to deal with maintenance and upkeep issues, unless you also opt to pay a property management company. Real estate is also far less liquid than typical investments like stocks, and there is also a significant cost to sell. Real estate markets can also be cyclical. Recent downturns in markets in the Sunbelt, for example, point to the fact that the market doesnt guarantee future increases in property value (3). As with other investment types, it pays to do a significant amount of research before you invest your capital in buying property. Read More: Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and its raising alarm bells for retirees. Heres why and how to protect yourself Is now the time to jump into real estate? Is now a good time to buy? That depends on where you are thinking of purchasing a home, as well as how youll make your purchase. Housing inventory has increased nationally, but remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to Realtor.coms monthly market report for September (4). Increases in inventory are uneven across the country, with the South and West above pre-pandemic levels. Prices per square foot are climbing in the Northeast and Midwest, and falling in the South and West, the report says. Another major factor to consider is mortgage rates. If you are not able to purchase in cash, consider that mortgage rates have remained high since 2022, when the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed from 3.56% in January to 6.31% in December. Average rates have not fallen below 6% since, and some experts say that rates will stay in the mid-6% range for the rest of 2025 (5). If you are considering buying, and would require a mortgage, investigate whether rent prices for the area would generate positive cash flow (your expenses would not exceed rental income). Also, be aware that insurance rates for homes have also increased dramatically in recent years, especially in areas that face climate-change fueled extreme weather events. Remember that no investment is risk-free. Consider whether you would be able to afford the upkeep and maintenance of a property, even if you had to weather an extended period without tenants, a rise in interest rates, or a market downturn. You May Also Like Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. BatchData (1); CNBC (2); Business Insider (3); Realtor.com (4); Forbes (5). This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sri Lankan lawmakers to meet to fast-track cyclone aid Colombo, Dec 14 (AFP) Dec 14, 2025 Sri Lanka's parliament will interrupt its recess to fast-track financial aid needed for rebuilding after Cyclone Ditwah, which killed nearly 650 people, officials said Sunday. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had said last week that the island nation would need at least $1.66 billion in 2026 -- in addition to the $166 million he said the government would spend this year -- to rebuild and recover from what he described as the "most challenging natural disaster" to hit the country. Parliament Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne on Sunday issued a notice for an urgent meeting of the legislature, which had gone into recess after approving the 2026 budget earlier this month and was not scheduled to meet again until January 6. "I have summoned the parliament to meet on Thursday (18th)... having been requested so to do by the Hon. Prime Minister (Harini Amarasuriya)," the Speaker said in a gazette notification. Officials at the country's finance ministry told AFP that the meeting was being held to approve next year's expenditure for cyclone recovery. Official figures show that 643 people were killed, with another 184 still missing, following landslides and floods triggered by the cyclone. At least 2.3 million people -- just over 10 percent of the country's population -- were affected by the devastating calamity. Nearly 75,000 people remain housed in state-run camps. An official leading the recovery effort has estimated that overall damage could cost up to $7 billion. The United Nations last week set up a $35.3 million fund to provide food and temporary shelter to 658,000 of the worst-affected people. The fund excludes reconstruction of damaged infrastructure or private property and focuses solely on immediate basic needs. The United Nations' top envoy to the country, Marc-Andre Franche, said last week $9.5 million had already been secured, with the European Union, Switzerland, Britain and the United States among donors pledging funds. The United Nations urged member states and other donors to help raise the remaining $25.8 million. A quarter of Sri Lanka's population was living in poverty when the cyclone struck, Franche said, urging the international community to assist the devastated nation. Sri Lanka is also recovering from its worst-ever financial crisis. It defaulted on $46 billion of external debt in April 2022 and secured a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund in early 2023. 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 Amanda Seyfried has declared socialism a gorgeous idea that promotes taking care of each other more in society. If I have more money, I can spend more money on other people. Isnt that right? the Mamma Mia! star said on Varietys Award Circuit podcast when asked what the economic and political system means to her. The 40-year-old appeared on the show to promote her latest musical project, The Testament of Ann Lee, which follows the Shakers founder. Officially called the United Society of Believers in Christs Second Appearing, the 18th-century religious group believed in communal living. Thank God were talking about Ann Lee so much, because theres a direct relationship to what she created and what were lacking, Seyfried said of the religious leader and her teachings. How about we all dont have any kind of agendas? How about our agenda is take care of each other? Socialism is a gorgeous idea, and I know it doesnt work perfectly, she concluded. When Schneider pointed to the days following the 11 September attacks as an example of when Americans cared for each other selflessly, Seyfried said it shouldnt take a national tragedy to create unity in the US. We shouldnt have to have a meteor or a house-on-fire situation in order to drop everything for each other. Thats just what we are as human beings, she said. Amanda Seyfried in 'The Testament of Ann Lee' ( Cinetic ) Seyfrieds remarks come after the actor stood by dubbing right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk a hateful man shortly after he was shot dead on the campus of Utah Valley University in September while taking part in an outdoor debating session. Im not f***ing apologising for that. I mean, for f***s sake, I commented on one thing. I said something that was based on actual reality and actual footage and actual quotes. What I said was pretty damn factual, and Im free to have an opinion, of course, she told Who What Wear. Seyfried received backlash for what she said as well as criticism which said she was justifying the married father of twos killing, after which she took to her own Instagram to clarify her comment, writing: Were forgetting the nuance of humanity. Brady Corbets The Testament of Ann Lee follows the Mancunian preacher played by Seyfried as she travels to America to build a new type of church. Lee believed herself to be the female incarnation of Christ on Earth and taught that God had both male and female aspects. Lee died in New York in 1784 and is remembered for promoting gender equality and communal values that were ahead of her time. The Testament of Ann Lee is set to be released in UK cinemas on 20 February 2026. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Hollywood figures including Rebel Wilson, Ashton Kutcher and Sacha Baron Cohen have spoken out after todays antisemitic terrorist attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach. At least 40 people were injured and 15 were killed in the mass shooting on Sunday evening, including two police officers, Australian police have said. Hundreds had gathered for an event called Chanukah by the Sea near Bondi Beachs childrens park when the attack was launched. Wilson, who was born and raised in Sydney, wrote on her Instagram Stories: Just waking up to the news about whats happened on Bondi Beach. An absolute tragedy that is the most un-Australian thing to have happen. We shouldnt have gun violence in Australia, we shouldnt have antisemitism its not us! Thinking of everyone affected by this devastating violence. Baron Cohen posted a picture of a woman carrying a child away from the scene on his Instagram, captioning the image: Hanukkah, 2025, Bondi Beach. It could be your family, your child. No one should die because of their faith. May their memory be a blessingand a light toward tolerance and peace. #StopTheHate. Rebel Wilson, Ashton Kutcher and Sacha Baron Cohen have spoken out after the antisemitic terrorist attack in Bondi Beach ( Getty ) Meanwhile, Kutcher wrote on X: Antisemitic rhetoric is not abstractit carries a cost, and my brothers and sisters continue to pay it. May this devastation somehow spark a hidden miracle, one our eyes do not yet have the merit to see. Other celebrities reacting to the deadly attack included Mandy Moore, who wrote on her Instagram Stories: On the first night of Hanukkah and in a country with very strict gun control laws. Absolutely devastating. My heart is with all my Jewish friends around the world. The 15 victims killed in the attack ranged in age from 10 to 87 years old, according to New South Wales police. 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. New South Wales health minister Ryan Park has said that a ten-year-old girl taken to the Sydney Childrens Hospital was among those who had died. Three other children are being treated in the hospital, he said. One gunman, aged 50, was shot by police and died at Bondi Beach, while a second attacker, a 24-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard. Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, told a press conference in Canberra that the Bondi Beach attack was "an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism". He said: "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sydney Sweeney has revealed the truth about her breasts. The actor, 28, was confronted with a direct question about plastic surgery from her The Housemaid co-star Amanda Seyfried, 40, during a Vanity Fair lie detector test published Thursday. Theres been a question on everybodys minds recently, and I just have to ask, are your boobs real? Seyfried asked during the segment. Sweeney laughed in response and answered: Yes. Ive never gotten any work done anywhere. The lie detector examiner confirmed that the Christy stars answer was truthful. Seyfried then asked Sweeney if she could touch her breasts, to which Sweeney jokingly agreed. Sweeney previously revealed that she had considered getting a breast reduction as a teenager because she was insecure about her curves. open image in gallery Sydney Sweeney has confirmed she has never gotten plastic surgery ( AP ) open image in gallery Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney underwent lie detector tests for Vanity Fair on their press tour for The Housemaid ( Getty Images ) When I was in high school, I used to feel uncomfortable about how big my boobs were and I used to say that when I turned 18, I was going to get a boob job to make them smaller, she told Glamour UK in October 2024. She went on to say that her mom persuaded her not to go through with the surgery because she would regret it in college. And Im so glad I didnt. I like them. Theyre my best friends, Sweeney told the outlet about her breasts at the time. She encouraged anyone struggling with the same insecurities to flaunt what you got. Own it. Love them. Sweeney recently opened up about pressure to alter her appearance while working in Hollywood after someone advised her to fix her face and consider getting Botox at the age of 16. I have very strong eyebrow muscles, she told Variety in October, proving her point by furrowing her eyebrows. And I had someone tell me to fix my face or else Im not going to make it. I should get Botox. I was 16! The Anyone But You actor went on to speak about her natural approach when it comes to cosmetic surgery: Ive never gotten anything done. Im absolutely terrified of needles. No tattoos. Nothing. Im going to age gracefully. Sweeney went on to address people who make side-by-side comparisons to pictures of herself when she was younger. Its really funny. Ill see things online like comparison pictures. Im like, Im 12 in that photo. Of course Im going to look different. I have makeup on now and Im 15 years older, she said at the time. 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 Turkish photographer Mehmet Aslan took an emotional image of a father playing with his five-year-old son in January 2021. It quickly became an international sensation and dramatically changed the lives of the pair and their family. Munzir El Nezzel, the man in the picture, lost his right leg when a bomb fell as he walked through a market in Syria in 2014. And his son Mustafa was born without limbs due to a disorder caused by the medication his mother, Zeynep, had to take after being made ill by a deadly sarin gas attack during the countrys civil war. The powerful image, showing Munzir raising Mustafa above his head while propped on crutches, was shared widely on social media after it was declared photo of the year at the Siena international photo awards in 2021. open image in gallery Munzir and son Mustafa arrive with their family at the Leonardo da Vinci international airport in Fiumicino, near Rome, Italy ( EPA-EFE ) Mustafa and his father quickly made headlines in Italy, prompting organisers of the Siena Awards to start a campaign to get the pair treatment and prosthetics. To date, the fundraiser has received 144,000 in donations. Now Munzirs family is starting a new life in Italy. When the photo was taken, they were in a refugee camp in Turkey near the Syrian border. Mustafa and his father needed urgent medical help and prosthetics that werent available in Turkey. open image in gallery Munzir and his son Mustafa are receiving much-needed treatment in Italy ( EPA-EFE ) In January, Munzir and Mustafa, along with their mother and two little sisters, aged two and four, arrived at Leonardo da Vinci airport in Fiumicino, near Rome. The father and son have received medical help from the Vigorso di Budrio Prosthetics Centre in Bologna. The Siena Awards organisers thanked all those who had donated to the campaign and announced: The dream of giving a better life to little Mustafa and his father Munzir goes beyond all imagination. The two protagonists of the photo that struck the whole world and made thousands of peoples hearts beat are now in Italy. The impact of the image was felt far and wide, with Special Envoy to the UN and actor Angelina Jolie even sharing the image on her social media accounts. open image in gallery The pair have gained massive public sympathy and thousand of pounds-worth of support ( EPA-EFE ) open image in gallery Munzir and Mustafa have now begun a new life in Italy thanks to the support they recieved ( Mehmet Aslan/Siena International Photo Awards ) open image in gallery The pair have been treated at the Performance Centro Medico before they go to the Vigorso di Budrio Prosthetics Centre in Bologna ( Performance Centro Medico ) Next comes the road of recovery for Munzir and a longer road for Mustafa, who is learning to live with artificial limbs. Despite the challenges ahead, the father and son no doubt have the support of the Italian community behind them. You can see Mehmet Aslans photography journey with Munzir and his son Mustafa here. You can also follow the Sienna International Photo Awards here. Porsche Taycan NE250 Roadtrip 2021 Day 2 22 1600x1067 06ab06e2 df7d 4e51 9e1e 2ad03dbfdaed Leasing and rental firms are pinning hopes on second-life leasing and salary sacrifice in 2026 in an attempt to soften the impact of weaker-than-forecast demand for used electric cars. The concerns were raised as part of the annual Industry Outlook Report by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), which asked 74 brokers, leasing and rental company members about their predictions for the next 12 months. This years report reflected widespread pessimism, with almost two thirds (63%) predicting a weaker UK economy in 2026 as disjointed policymaking and increased employment costs continue to undermine confidence among business customers. However, the BVRLA added that uncertainty can boost demand for rental and leasing, as both can shield customers from fluctuating residual values; the lessor takes those risks and prices them into the contract. The more money a vehicle loses while its with a customer, the pricier its monthly rentals. BVRLA members are already absorbing heavy losses as 2022s surge in new EV registrations (largely fuelled by demand from tax-incentivised business fleets) is remarketed with steeper depreciation than had been priced into their contracts three years ago. That trend is expected to continue in 2026. Whereas 77% predicted values for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars will be stable or grow, 64% are expecting EVs to fall even further. Rental companies showed even higher concerns, with the report claiming high costs and low customer demand for EVs mean the vast majority of firms would avoid them altogether if the governments ZEV mandate wasnt influencing supply. The BVRLA said its members want to see grants for used electric cars and positive narratives around battery health and charging infrastructure to stimulate demand for the still-growing supply of vehicles. Many also said they were refocusing away from competing for new customers and opting to re-lease used vehicles or being strategic with remarketing to stabilise profits. BVRLA members had a combined fleet of 33,131 used cars on business contract hire (BCH) contracts in the secons quarter of 2025, up 174% year on year. Salary sacrifice schemes have become a priority. These enable drivers to use their pre-tax salary to lease a car through their employer, often at discounted rates. If that vehicle emits 75g/km CO2 or less, theyre taxed on it as a company car instead of the much higher value of the monthly rentals, so they pay less tax. Ultra-low company car (benefit-in-kind) tax rates for EVs have led to booming demand. BVRLA members combined salary sacrifice fleet more than doubled (+118%) to 181,297 cars in Q2 of 2025 and conditions ahead are favourable. 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 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. 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. 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 Saturday Night Live has continued its hot streak of cold opens skewering President Donald Trump. The newest episode kicked off with a sketch featuring James Austin Johnson as a medicated Trump taking a press conference aboard Air Force One, joined by breakout star Ashley Padilla playing White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Johnsons Trump lashed out at CNNs Kaitlan Collins, addressed the newest pictures from Jeffrey Epsteins estate, and acknowledged the U.S.s recent seizure of an oil tanker in Venezuela before announcing to reporters that he was targeting suspected drug planes. He then showed footage of Santa Clauss sleigh, complete with reindeer and sleigh bells ringing, being taken out by a drone strike. Was that Santa? one reporter asked, leading Trump to fire back: Not anymore! The sketch ended with Padillas Leavitt telling reporters that the president needed to rest after taking both Ambien and Adderall. James Austin Johnson played Donald Trump and Ashley Padilla played Karoline Leavitt on Saturday Night Live ( NBC/SNL ) Oh, its true. I have to begin my pre-bedtime self-care ritual, putting a bandage on my hand and covering it with makeup, then adding more layers of bandage and makeup, Trump said. Its a medical lasagna. Mamma mia! We should all be very worried about my health, Im very ill. Then I will brush my teeth before drifting off and dream about Karolines mouth. Viewers were quick to praise Johnsons impression of the president, which he has regularly shown off on the show since he was cast as a featured player in 2021. One social media use wrote on X, That dude is spot on with his Trump impersonation. James Austin Johnson's Trump is comedic genius, but it's so indistinguishable from the real thing that I'm viscerally repulsed, one added. Another chimed in: How has JAJ not received an Emmy for his portrayal of Trump yet? He's incredible; more like Trump than Trump himself, lol. Last weeks cold open skewered Trump for appearing to fall asleep at meetings and teased his apparent bromance with Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City. The December 13 episode was hosted by actor Josh OConnor in his debut on the comedy sketch show as he promoted his new movie, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Lily Allen was the episodes musical guest, marking her second appearance on the show. The episode was season 51s penultimate installment before its winter break, with next weeks episode featuring Ariana Grande as the host and Cher as the musical guest. 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. 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 Ten years ago, a shocking headline captured the worlds attention: Human beings now have an attention span shorter than that of a goldfish! This claim, though horrifying, was totally bogus. The stat in question that our attention spans had shrunk to a meagre eight seconds was founded on two spurious and unverified sources and widely spread by a Microsoft Ads study published in 2015. Still, a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting its shoes on, as the saying goes. The falsehood proved irresistible and was widely reported by global media outlets, including this very publication, before eventually being debunked. Perhaps it was so easy to believe because it backed up what everyone already suspected: that we were, collectively as a species, getting stupider. Or, if not stupider, certainly less adept at concentrating for any length of time. The inexorable rise of TikTok has seen the proliferation of ultra-short-form content; according to one survey, nearly half of users find videos longer than a minute stressful, while analysis has shown that videos under 60 seconds get the most views and up to 15 per cent more engagement than those of a minute or more. In fact, everywhere you turn, media seems to have undergone an evolution or perhaps that should be devolution shrinking down to appeal to our increasingly fractured focus. YouTubers cut out pauses in the edit to make their clips shorter, podcasts and voice notes offer the option to listen at double speed, and the average song length dropped to an all-time low of 3m 12s in 2019. An accompanying attention deficit pop-style genre has sprung up, comprised of blink-and-you-miss-them tracks designed for potential viral superstardom as the backdrop to social media posts. Music platforms such as Spotify have even changed the way that songs are being written artists have to front-load a track with the hook to hold the listeners attention past the first few seconds, otherwise theyll skip the song. Meanwhile, movie cuts have become much more rapid and streaming services have started creating second screen shows, specifically designed to be consumed by the permanently distracted viewer while they simultaneously scroll on another device. Insiders have claimed that Netflix frequently instructs screenwriters to have characters announce what theyre doing so that viewers who have this programme on in the background can follow along. open image in gallery Second screen shows are designed to be watched while scrolling on another device ( Getty Images ) And thats before we even get into the genre known colloquially as brain rot: nonsense, quickfire and often jarring video content with no discernible plot, typified by its repetitive and absurdist nature. One of the most famous examples is now Skibidi Toilet, an online series so popular that the word skibidi passed into common parlance (and the Cambridge English dictionary) as a slang word used primarily by children and young people. Even if we havent quite hit goldfish levels, is there some truth to the assertion that human attention spans are dwindling? The short answer is a resounding yes, according to research. We can reliably say, based on empirical, objective measures, that attention spans have decreased over a 20-year period, says Professor Gloria Mark, a leading authority on the interplay between technology and concentration and author of Attention Span: Finding Focus for a Fulfilling Life. Back in 2003, when they started measuring attention spans, the average amount of time that an individual would focus on one screen before switching tasks clocked in at two-and-a-half minutes. By 2012, this had plummeted to one minute and 15 seconds. Its now fallen once again to 47 seconds. This shift is very recent in human history and, unsurprisingly, tied to technological advancements. Things were pretty consistent for a very long time in the course of human evolution, and then, over the last 150 years, every generation has had some kind of fundamental shift in how we engage with the broader world, says Professor Marian E Berryhill, a cognitive neuroscientist who specialises in working memory, perception and attention. We went from television, to computers, the internet, social media and smartphones in our pockets. This last development has made distraction a constant companion. It means that any passing little thought that hits your mind like Hmmm, I wonder if Tim Burton is still with Helena Bonham Carter? makes you stop what youre doing and check as if that were an important thing, says Berryhill. The fact that the immediacy of finding out is right at your fingertips means most of us fall victim to that kind of intrusive thought all the time. Any passing little thought that hits your mind makes you stop what youre doing and check, as if that were an important thing Marian E Berryhill Are attention spans being moulded by the digital world or vice versa? It seems to be a little of column A, a little of column B. People have these short attention spans, and so theyre being fed content to try to hold their attention, says Mark. And that content is short, and then people learn this pattern of not being able to pay attention. Its a cycle. In other words, says Berryhill, attention spans have become shorter because we have practised shorter attention spans. Its a chicken-and-egg affair. Or an attention arms race, you could call it; companies desperate to commandeer our attention have had to become increasingly loud and abrasive to cut through a world filled with competing stimuli. The phenomenon of the double-screen, meanwhile, is literally changing our brains. Studies have shown that people who regularly use two or more media simultaneously such as having a series streaming while doing an online food shop have whats called lower cognitive control. Scans have shown that the part of the brain thats involved in things like emotional regulation and conflict monitoring is affected. And though rapidly switching attention between tasks might make us feel more productive, it actually impairs our ability to filter out distractions and makes us far more likely to make mistakes. Likewise, the culture of listening to audio at 1.5 or two times the normal speed might give the impression of efficiency, yet we are losing so much information, says Mark. Plus, we give ourselves no time to really mull over and digest what is being said; contemplation and deep thinking are fast becoming lost arts. open image in gallery Literacy rates have stalled or declined across the Western world ( Getty Images ) Alongside all of this, a pronounced decline in reading has been observed. A recent YouGov poll revealed that 40 per cent of British adults had not read a book in the past year, while a separate survey found that more than a third of UK adults have given up reading for pleasure. Young adults were less likely to read than all other age groups; childrens reading is now at its lowest level on record, according to the National Literacy Trust. Last year, Sir Jonathan Bate, a professor of English literature at the University of Oxford, lamented the deterioration in students ability to get through books. Speaking to the BBCs Today programme, he described how they used to be able to read three novels in a week; today, many students will struggle to get through one novel in three weeks. He blamed this shift partly on the attrition of attention span due to smartphones, six-minute YouTube videos and instant TikTok dopamine hits. Its not just happening in the UK. One American professor told The Atlantic that his students struggled to attend to small details while keeping track of the overall plot when reading novels. Separately, researchers have discovered a 40 per cent drop in reading for pleasure over the last 20 years in the US. Changes in attention spans, increasing demands on our attentions and frequent distractions are likely to make it harder to read, says UCLs Dr Jessica Bone, the studys lead author. The bestselling author Ian Rankin even suggested recently that writers should adapt for a modern audience. Weve already seen chapters getting shorter in novels, I think, possibly to chime with peoples attention spans, he said in an interview. Maybe as peoples attention spans change, the literature will have to change with them. Maybe as peoples attention spans change, the literature will have to change with them Ian Rankin This decrease in reading for fun has also coincided with an alarming drop in literacy levels. A 2024 OECD report concluded that literacy rates were falling or stagnating right across high-income countries. This matters for obvious reasons. According to Dr Bone, reading can have a huge range of potential benefits for cognition (vocabulary, reasoning, cognitive decline); psychological processes (emotional intelligence, empathy, imagination); mental health (stress, anxiety, depression, sleep); achievement (academically, at work); and for society (cultural understanding, sense of belonging, social identity). But it could have even more dramatic implications for society. In a viral Substack, the journalist James Marriott posited that were heading toward a post-literate society, arguing that the natural endpoint of all of this will be the death of democracy. More than 300 years after the reading revolution ushered in a new era of human knowledge, books are dying, he writes. The screen revolution will shape our politics as profoundly as the reading revolution of the 18th century. Without the knowledge and without the critical thinking skills instilled by print, many of the citizens of modern democracies find themselves as helpless and as credulous as medieval peasants moved by irrational appeals and prone to mob thinking. As problematic as all this is for adults, it poses an even bigger danger for children and young people, who have grown up surrounded by devices and constant digital distraction. Adolescents are particularly at risk because their brains arent fully developed, particularly the parts responsible for self-control. You get the gas, the go signal, before you get the brakes, says Berryhill. When you have an endless supply of alluring sensory stimuli, it is very difficult to self-limit. open image in gallery Children who use social media have been found to struggle with concentration ( Getty Images ) The term digital dementia was coined by German neuroscientist and psychiatrist Dr Manfred Spitzer back in 2012 to describe the cognitive decline he had observed among young people due to excessive reliance on devices. One 2022 paper took the idea of digital dementia literally, predicting that too much screen time during childrens brain development increases the risk of developing Alzheimers disease and related dementias later in life. And a major new study has found that children who spend a significant amount of time using social media see a significant erosion in their ability to concentrate; interestingly, the same pattern did not emerge for those whose screen time was primarily made up of watching television or playing video games. In response to all this, there have been growing calls to introduce age limits for smartphones. Australia just took the unprecedented step of banning social media for children under the age of 16. But no matter your age (and despite the possible doom spiral prompted by all of the above), its not too late to change. Though our attention spans may have shrunk over time, they can also be built back up just like any other muscle. There are ways we know of that can expand your attention span, encourages Berryhill. Practising mindfulness; putting your phone in another room; getting to break points and making those be the moments at which point you are allowed to check your devices or your email or whatever it is that causes you problems. There are plenty of hacks to help cut down on smartphone use: everything from apps to boring-ify your phones interface to devices like the Brick, which restricts access to pre-determined apps until you physically tap your phone to unlock it. Theres even been a screen Sabbath movement, whereby people regularly take an intentional day away from devices and spend it on more analogue pursuits, such as reading, walking, and spending time with friends and family. When we dont have the cognitive resources to focus, we do whats easy. And whats easy? Social media Gloria Mark We can take regular, good, solid breaks, to maximise rather than drain our attentional capacity, advises Mark. The best break is to go outside in nature; we did some research and even 20 minutes in nature means people have better divergent thinking. It somehow helps us think much more clearly and generate ideas. Another important element is getting good quality sleep. One of Marks studies found that the more sleep participants got the night before, the longer they were able to focus the next day. On the flipside, the more sleep debt people accumulated over several days getting only six hours a night when they need eight, for example the more time they spent on social media. The way I interpret it is that when we dont have the cognitive resources to focus, we do whats easy, says Mark. And whats easy? Social media. The important thing to remember in all of this is that you are not weak for struggling to concentrate. Everything in todays distractification culture is specifically designed to steal your attention, and the techniques used are tied to our most fundamental human instincts. Sparkly, shiny, moving and loud things grab our attention they say there is something new in the environment that you need to evaluate, which has evolutionary importance, explains Berryhill. You need to pay attention to that rustling in the grass, because you might be delicious. You have to orient yourself to changes in your environment but were putting those changes into our own environment in the form of these tech portals. The most surefire way to grow your attention span? Put down the devices, remove the power of big tech and take back control of your own brain. 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 Dick Van Dykes wife, Arlene Silver, has opened up about how the legendary actor celebrated his milestone 100th birthday. The centenarian marked the massive occasion Saturday with his family and friends during a party at their home in Malibu, which featured Silver leading a flash mob dancing to a medley of Van Dykes songs. It went so perfect just everything, Silver, 54, told People about the celebration. And he was so happy. His face, I love to make him have that face. Pictures and videos from the party shared on social media showed the icon posing for pictures with his grandchildren. Memorabilia from Van Dykes beloved movies were also brought out for the party at the estate, including a model of the flying car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the original one-man-band marionette of Van Dykes Mary Poppins character Bert that was used at Disneyland in the 1960s. Ahead of his birthday, Silver had said the couple were not planning to have a big birthday party. He doesn't want to do anything, she told People. He wants to be in his room watching Jeopardy! reruns with me. open image in gallery Dick Van Dyke celebrated his 100th birthday with his wife, Arlene Silver ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Van Dyke starred in Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ( AP ) The Hollywood legend has said that he plans on living past 100, previously stating: 100 years is not enough. You want to live more. Celebrations took place across the world for Van Dykes birthday, and he became the subject of a new documentary that honored his milestone. He also opened up about his tips for longevity in a new book, 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimists Guide to a Happy Life. He attributed his long life to avoiding anger and hate, saying that a brighter outlook is key to aging gracefully. Van Dyke has also credited Silver, whom he married in 2012, with keeping him active and social. She gives me energy, she gives me humor and all kinds of support, he said about his wife. The couple goes to the gym together three times a week, which Van Dyke previously said is good advice for anybody. The actor said beside having a game leg, he had no aches or pain ahead of his 100th birthday. I still try to dance the star said Friday on Good Morning America. You know I played old men a lot. And I always played 'em as angry, and cantankerous. It's not really that way. I don't know any other 100-year-old, but I can speak for myself. 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. 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 ) 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 A raccoon that broke into a Virginia liquor store, drank itself silly and passed out in the bathroom is a repeat offender, according to officials. Apparently, some animals never learn. The furry bandit made global headlines, sparked spin-off merchandise and even inspired a Saturday Night Live sketch after he was found sleeping off his stupor inside an Ashland ABC store November 29. Supposedly this is like the third break-in he's had, animal protection officer Samantha Martin told a local podcast host this week. She said that other businesses and organizations in the building complex have also been burgled. He was in the karate studio, Martin said. I think he got into DMV [and] ate some of their snacks one time. open image in gallery A drunk raccoon discovered passed out in a Virginia liquor store is believed to be a repeat offender, officials said. ( Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter ) She noted that animal control officers do not relocate the ring-tailed scavenger after his bouts of mischief because thats a death sentence for raccoons. Martin then provided more details about the now infamous break-in at the liquor store painting a picture of a sophisticated criminal who knew exactly what he was doing. On the Saturday after Black Friday, animal control officers received a call from the store manager informing them of an intruder in a, well, compromised state. When Martin arrived at the scene, she discovered numerous shattered bottles of liquor, leaving the floor sticky with drink. Then she found the culprit in the bathroom. The raccoon now affectionately referred to as the trashed panda was laying on the ground next to the toilet, with his limbs splayed in every direction. Once we figured out he wasnt going anywhere anytime soon, we chuckled and were taking pictures of him and the crime scene, Martin said. Hes a smart little critter, she said. He locked himself in the bathroom, so he knew what he was doing, he was protecting himself for the morning. Its not clear exactly how the animal gained access to the store, but Martin said its possible he fell through the ceiling. open image in gallery On November 28, the furry bandit broke into the liquor store, ransacked a few shelves and passed out in the bathroom. ( Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter ) The bizarre incident which has been the talk of the town and the broader country has had the unexpected effect of helping raise more than $200,000 for Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter, the departments chief told The Washington Post. Its the largest amount of outside donations the department has received in 20 years. Its relatable and its hilarious. People can come together and laugh, Martin said. I think people can see the human side of it, she added. Everybody's been there, everybodys had a few extra and passed out by the toilet and hoped somebody can come and help you the next morning. The Ermenegildo Zegna Group has come back for more Norda. A second round of investment has been announced by the five-year-old trail-running brand. The Ermenegildo Zegna Group initially approached Norda in 2021 when the brand had just launched its first shoe, the 001 and made its first investment in 2023. Norda now has five shoes on the market, as well as several offshoots of its 001, as well as a range of apparel and accessories. More from WWD Weve seen continued, unprecedented growth since we first came to market the brand is doubling in size every year and substantial capital is required to sustain that rapid progression, Norda cofounder and CEO Nick Martire told Footwear News. This investment simply enables us to continue doing what we do best, and do it at an even larger scale. Although it hasnt strayed from performance, Norda has found its footwear embraced in fashion circles and stocked in boutiques including Dover Street Market and Nepenthes in addition to specialty run stores. At The Running Event, the Canadian brand showed its next release, the 055, a beefed-up version of the 005 race-day shoe with a taller stack height, new knit collar and more structured heel tailored to more extreme terrain. Our decision to increase our Groups stake in Norda reaffirms our strong belief in the brands long-term potential. Nordas authentic identity, rooted in material innovation, lightness, and a compelling long-term value proposition fueled by unprecedented growth, is fully aligned with our Groups purpose, said Ermenegildo Zegna, chairman and chief executive officer of his namesake company, said in a press release. As a custodian of authenticity, we are proud to stand alongside Nordas management and continue to work with the brand as it grows. The Ermenegildo Zegna Groups most recent earnings report showed organic revenue growth of 3.6 percent for the third quarter of 2025 to bring its total revenue for the first nine months to more than $1.5 billion. Best of WWD Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. After fighting ended in World War I, temporary structures lined the downtown side of Canal Street in New Orleans to stir support for a last round of United States war bonds. Algiers Point resident and retired veteran Ron Hill found an intriguing picture in the Louisiana Digital Library. In the image, structures stand tall over Canal Street, complete with wreaths and plaques near the bottom that listed the names of New Orleanians who lost their lives in the war. Being a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, I have an interest in how we remember our veterans from past wars, and am particularly interested in how we honor Gold Star mothers those who have suffered and given up so much for our country, Hill said. We often focus news stories of those who died, while rarely giving much media coverage to those who are left behind when we lose a warrior, and how families of warriors sacrifice for all of us. Advertisement BusinessCompaniesEnergy Seven Groups gas well is leaking methane into ocean off Victoria Nick Toscano December 14, 2025 1:00pm 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 An offshore gas well owned by billionaire businessman Kerry Stokes Seven Group Holdings conglomerate has been leaking methane into the ocean off the Victorian coastline for more than two years. The Longtom gas field lies 30 kilometres south-west of the Gippsland town of Marlo. Its been mothballed since 2015 but is seeping gas from a minor leak detected at one of its shut-in wells and reported to the regulator in 2023. The Bass Straits Longtom gas field, mothballed by Seven Group in 2015, has been leaking methane. Jessica Shapiro Seven Group, the gas fields owner, pledged at the time it would fix the leak. However, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) last week issued a notice saying the company has failed to comply with key commitments it gave in 2023 that required it remediate the leaking well and conduct monitoring of the field. Fugitive leaks from oil and gas infrastructure, such as wells and pipelines, are major sources of methane emissions that are driving dangerous climate change. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that warms the planet up to 80 times more than carbon dioxide over two decades, and is responsible for roughly a third of all planetary warming. Advertisement The failure of the ASX-listed company, which is 51 per cent owned by the billionaire Stokes family, to conduct monitoring or install mechanical barriers at its leaking well demonstrated an erosion of good industry practice, fell short of industry standards and was a potential violation of regulations, NOPSEMAs notice said. Related Article Exclusive Energy Gas giant used greenwash ads to keep homes burning fossil fuel: ACCC The regulator has given Seven Group until March 31 to assess its gas well barrier conditions and stop the leak. It must then reinstate continuous monitoring of the integrity of both gas wells in the Longtom field and submit technical studies to NOPSEMA. Conservationists said the companys lack of compliance with its agreed obligations was not an isolated problem in the offshore oil and gas industry. Freja Leonard, a campaigner at the Australian Conservation Foundation, called for the regulator to pursue penalties against non-compliant oil and gas producers instead of merely asking them to act more responsibly. We urge NOPSEMA to pursue penalties to the extent of the law and regulations to send a clear message that our shared environment isnt the gas industrys plaything, she said. Advertisement Companies know they can dodge their obligations, added Stan Woodhouse from environmental advocacy group Friends of the Earth. This is what happens when violations are repeatedly met with meek requests to do better, he said. Related Article Gas Faced with looming shortfalls, Victoria opens the way for new gas A spokesperson for the regulator said the leak identified at the Longtom gas well was minor, but even at minor levels, NOPSEMA takes these issues seriously and requires titleholders to identify, manage and remediate. Due to some requirements not being complied with, enforcement action has been taken, the spokesperson said. A Seven Group Holdings spokesman said the company will comply with the order, and had actions already under way across each directive. Advertisement Sevens Longtom gas field in Victorias offshore Gippsland Basin stopped producing natural gas in 2015 after a significant depletion of its reserves and major electrical faults led the company to indefinitely put off plans to invest in new drilling programs. Seven has since begun collaborating with Amplitude Energy to investigate a potential restart of Longtom production using existing infrastructure, to help bring on more supply to meet domestic east-coast demand as larger legacy fields start running dry. The Australian Energy Market Operator has warned Victoria and NSW are headed for winter gas shortfalls by 2029 because ExxonMobil and Woodside Energys 50-year-old gas fields in the Bass Strait are being rapidly depleted, with not enough new gas projects available to replace them. Households are increasingly switching from gas stoves and heaters to electric alternatives, aided by state government incentives and policies banning gas hook-ups in new homes. Residential gas demand is on track to fall 30 per cent over the next 10 years. However, that shift is not happening fast enough to offset a supply crunch, the market operator says. Last week, the Victorian and Commonwealth governments opened up new areas of the Otway Basin off Victoria for oil and gas exploration, and invited gas companies to bid for drilling rights. The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the days trading. Get it each weekday afternoon. King Charles Confronts Christian Persecution, Elevates London's Assyrians King Charles III shakes hands with Assyrian Bishop Awraham Youkhanis, Bishop of Western Europe, at Westminster Abbey in London during a pre-Christmas service. ( The Royal Family/X) History collided on Dec. 10 on the marble floor of Westminster Abbey -- the Gothic-inspired church inside the heart of London -- as King Charles III welcomed heads of Eastern churches and other Christian leaders for a solemn reminder of the persecution still facing millions of believers. During the Abbey's annual pre-Christmas service, the King lit a single candle before the 900-strong congregation that included the Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, along with church leaders from across the U.K., the Middle East, and North Africa. The moment set the stage for a series of testimonies by those driven from their homes because of their faith. "I think many attendees were not expecting to hear such direct and painful truths, but it's vital these stories are told," said Qasha Tony Malham of the Assyrian Church of the East's St. Mary's Cathedral in London. "By holding events like these, the King gives a voice to communities who often go unheard and reminds the world that persecution is still a lived reality for many Christians." Mar Awraham Youkhana, a bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, was among the leaders who met privately with the King after the service. "His Majesty showed genuine warmth and interest in learning about our presence in the U.K. and the long history of our people," he said. London's Assyrian community numbers roughly 600 families -- small in size, Malham noted, but tightly knit and deeply rooted in a shared heritage that stretches back millennia. And the significance of thousands of years of history shared between the Eastern churches and British royals was not lost on its community members. "Today, our presence was seen, our story was heard, and our name was spoken," said Dania Marwan. "That alone carries a deep sense of joy and affirmation." Globally, more than 380 million Christians face persecution and discrimination -- at least one in seven worldwide -- according to a 2025 briefing made available on the House of Commons Library. Many of the most severe threats occur in Africa. King Charles has previously spoken out on behalf of religious persecution, using platforms like BBC Radio to urge audiences to remember those who suffer for their faith. As a prince in 2018, he recorded a Good Friday and Easter message expressing support for those persecuted worldwide, saying they should know they are "not forgotten and that they are in our prayers." "Many of them have been attacked and made homeless," the King added. "I have been immensely moved and humbled by the courage and dignity of those I have met." He added his surprise in their "lack of bitterness" and "desire to return to their lands." And while many Assyrians may never return to their ancestral homelands, those in London have worked to build a vibrant and visible presence. "We carry one of the oldest Christian traditions in the world, yet many are still unaware of who we are and the challenges our community has faced," Mar Awraham said. "Being included in national events gives us an opportunity to share our heritage, our faith, and our story. Every moment of visibility is a step toward ensuring that Assyrians feel seen, valued, and represented in this country." The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has opened the doors of the federal banking system to a new wave of digital-asset firms, clearing five crypto companies, including Circle and Ripple, to launch national trust banks. Key Takeaways: The OCC has conditionally approved five crypto firms, including Circle and Ripple, to launch national trust banks. The charters give digital-asset companies a single federal rulebook instead of navigating state-by-state regulations. Paxos is cleared to issue stablecoins under federal oversight, while Ripples charter excludes RLUSD issuance. The approvals, announced Friday, mark one of the most aggressive moves yet by the Trump administration to pull crypto deeper into the regulated banking framework. Crypto Firms Win Conditional Approval for National Trust Banks Circle and Ripple were among the applicants granted conditional approval to build national trust banks, a charter that allows them to custody assets and offer select banking services without taking deposits or issuing loans. The entrants now have 18 months to raise capital, assemble staff and build compliant infrastructure before facing a final exam from the OCC. Trust charters have historically been the realm of asset managers and insurers, but the crypto sector has increasingly sought them as a regulatory foothold that can streamline operations and remove intermediaries. The OCC also approved BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets and Paxos to convert existing state trust companies into federally chartered banks. The shift gives the firms the ability to operate under a single national standard rather than juggling a patchwork of state rules, a longstanding pain point for digital-asset custodians. For Paxos, the approval explicitly permits stablecoin issuance under federal oversight, while Ripples charter states it will not issue its US dollar-pegged RLUSD through the bank. Crypto firms argue that a national trust bank charter brings clarity and boosts client confidence, especially for custody and settlement services. Stablecoin issuers, in particular, view federal oversight as a way to assure corporate partners and distance themselves from lightly regulated competitors. Jonathan Gould, the Comptroller of the Currency, said the new entrants would help ensure that the federal banking system keeps pace with the evolution of finance. Cryptos Push for Legitimacy Grows as Approvals and Listings Surge The approvals come as the crypto industry seeks broader legitimacy in Washington. The digital asset space has seen several notable public listings in 2025. Last month, tZero Group, a New Yorkbased blockchain infrastructure firm focused on tokenized securities and real-world assets, announced that it is preparing to go public in 2026. Advertisement CultureArt & designArts Major push for the key change that led to record audiences in Londons West End Linda Morris December 14, 2025 11:45am 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 West End-style tax incentives to supercharge Australian theatre and live music will be a NSW priority as state governments across the country build a case for major federal arts tax reform. NSW claims it now has the support of the other five states and the two territories after enlisting the Queensland Coalition government to pursue a shake-up of the nations tax system and help Australias struggling culture sector. NSW Treasury is fleshing out and modelling a shortlist of five priority reforms to take to a February meeting of state cultural ministers and pursue these with the Albanese government. These incentives include the abolition of taxes on arts and music prizes and the extension of current screen and digital gaming tax incentives to theatre and live music. Proposed rebates for live music and theatre have received the backing of NSW government. RICHARD CLIFFORD Advertisement Both ideas emerged from Septembers historic arts tax meeting, convened at the Sydney Opera House, and attended by arts ministers from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. In a keynote address on Friday, NSW Arts Minister John Graham said extending the tax offset scheme to live theatre and music venues would have high impact benefits. Changes to the UKs tax relief scheme introduced in 2021 have been credited with the West Ends record-breaking audiences in 2023 and 2024, but an Australian version would most likely be limited to majority-owned Australian entities and local stories. Related Article Analysis Arts Is our new museum brilliant, bonkers or just a big box? The objective will be to structure this so that offsets incentivise new Australian work, thereby creating and retaining more Australian intellectual property and talent, Graham told sector leaders at the Committee of Sydney event. This isnt just about supporting Australian stories; it is about protecting and developing opportunities for stories to be developed in Australia and ensuring that Australian creatives and companies own the production of these new works. NSW foreshadowed it would also seek support from other states to back proposals allowing artists to deduct more of their losses against income from day jobs, and increasing the range of items arts workers can deduct from their income. Advertisement Expanding fringe benefits tax concessions could offer more competitive remuneration packages and benefits for arts workers, helping a sector known for lower salaries, persistent financial insecurity and irregular income patterns. On the philanthropy front, the NSW has embraced a proposal to increase the minimum annual distribution from philanthropic trusts to charities and arts organisations to enlarge the funding pool. Currently, 5 per cent is distributed, but foundations are banking almost twice that in investment earnings every year. Related Article Arts Key funding rounds suspended as NSW arts crisis deepens Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke said the government would consider tax breaks when its national cultural policy, Revive, comes up for review next year. Victoria and NSW have embraced taxation reform as their arts funding allocations have stagnated or declined in real terms since peaking in the first year of the COVID pandemic. Massive arts infrastructure programs are also weighing heavily on both states budgets, including NSWs $1.4 billion Powerhouse Museum project and the $1.7 billion overhaul of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, which includes a refurbishment of the State Theatre in Victoria. Advertisement Modelling prepared for Live Performance Australia the peak body for the live arts and entertainment industry suggests a 40 per cent tax offset lowering pre-production costs would support the creation of more than 4000 new jobs and add almost half a billion dollars in industry value via 168 new theatrical productions in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Were pleased that ministers from around Australia have recognised the proposal is a high-impact measure that will stimulate more and new investment in live performance by commercial and not-for-profit producers, said LPA president Richard Evans. The production incentive is a proven model that works in our screen and digital games as well as internationally. It means more jobs for Australian creatives, more economic activity in our regions and cities driven by arts and cultural activity, and more opportunities for Australians to create and share stories for audiences across our community. 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 LifestyleLife & relationshipsChristmas Opinion Im an atheist, so am I a fraud when I say grace at Christmas? Jo Pybus Writer December 14, 2025 7:30pm December 14, 2025 7:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A I dont believe Im being overly dramatic when I tell you that around this time last year, I suffered an existential crisis. I was hosting two other families for Christmas lunch dear friends who Ive broken bread with many times but this time it was to be my house, at my table, on a day that means different things for them than me. They are church-attending Christians and Im an atheist. Delivering a religious grace before our meal could be seen as insincere. Getty Images/iStockphoto How was I to honour my friends and their beliefs while feeling like a fraud for my own endearment to Christmas a day that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God? Ive sung along to Christmas carols, sent cards with nativity scenes and still buy advent calendars for my adult children, but a belief in an almighty eludes me. Concern as to my hypocrisy at celebrating Christmas was one thing, but doubling down by delivering a religious grace before our meal was hitting red on the insincerity scale. I needed to explore what Christmas means for atheists like me and deliver a welcome that defined where our beliefs intersected. Fortunately for me, some years back I had read Religion for Atheists by Alain de Botton, a book that relieves atheists from the guilt of borrowing from the religious playbook things that help humans live well. De Botton argues that much of what is best about Christmas is entirely unrelated to the story of the birth of Christ. It revolves around themes of community, festivity and renewal which pre-date the context in which they were cast over the centuries by Christianity. Advertisement With that in mind I focused on friendship and sharing, and the good fortune we have in being together to celebrate a day that makes us stop and be thankful for many things. I would deliver a grace that was true to my own beliefs without disrespecting theirs. Related Article Weather Umbrellas or sunscreen? Sydneys Christmas Day weather forecast revealed As they all sat around their laden plates, I stood. Straight out of the gates, I acknowledged that by virtue of the day being called Christmas, I didnt believe anyone who celebrates December 25 is unaware its tradition is steeped in religion. This is true, even for an atheist. I went on to explain that there are many, like our family, for whom Christmas is more of a cultural tradition, with a tendency to draw upon the mysteries of Santa Claus and pop culture iconography to anchor us to the day. Also true, but was this enough for me to gate-crash the sacred birth of a boy, the son of a deity whom I dont believe exists? It is not just Christianity we appropriate our Christmas traditions from, either. We take themes from the northern hemisphere by sending cards with wintry scenes, stand in sweltering kitchens cooking roasts, and sing songs about dashing through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh the latter normally whilst walking through an air-conditioned shopping centre wearing shorts. Then there is the commercial side of Christmas which boosts economies when our spending inhibitions are loosened with tinsel and merriment. This is a commonality to believers and non-believers along with threatening kids that they need to be good or Santa wont bring gifts, which has been in every parents arsenal for as long as I remember. Advertisement Still, explaining this hijacking of a sacrosanct day by those of us non-believers required a little more than a childhood fascination with a fat guy in a red suit and the joys of eating ones body weight in pudding. So I drew upon some pop-culture influences of a less consumerist nature. Related Article Cinema Of all the dodgy behaviour in Love Actually, one character is the worst. And its not who you think It was Cindy Lou Who in Dr Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas who said, I came to see you, no one should be alone on Christmas. In the movie Love Actually, the character Billy Mack, a washed-up rock star, leaves Elton Johns party to spend the evening with his manager, telling him, I realised that Christmas is the time to be with the people you love. Although not steeped in 2000 years of tradition, the celebration in our home last Christmas did bring love, hope and joy. No matter how my reasons to celebrate differed from my guests, overwhelming it was being together and sharing our collective humanity, that was the commonality that made it an incredibly special day. Sharing a meal with friends with philosophical differences, on the very day that highlights those differences, does confirm what de Botton was getting at in his book. We can all benefit from religious teachings of kindness, tolerance and the acceptance of our differences. That is true friendship. Advertisement And with that, I concluded my grace. Please raise your glasses to a mash-up from two iconic Christmas movies, Die Hard and Home Alone. Yippee-ki-yay, ya filthy animals. And merry Christmas. Jo Pybus is a writer and host of the Alex the Seal podcast. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A After Raymond Flaherty was found dead in the living room of his Melbourne flat by a neighbour, police discovered a discarded plastic bottle labelled Xanax next to his body. Before his death in February last year, a friend of the 57-year-old told police Flaherty, who had battled health issues and drug addiction for years, was smashing and chugging bottles of Xanax which he is understood to have bought online. Xanax is a brand name for alprazolam, a highly potent benzodiazepine commonly used for anxiety and insomnia. Raymond Flaherty as a young man pictured with his mother, Kaye Flaherty, and sister Carley. But Victorian coroner Ingrid Giles, who examined the proud Wurundjeri mans death, strongly suspected the Xanax tablets seized from his Fitzroy North unit were not what they seemed. Instead, they were part of a trend of synthetic benzodiazepines, or street benzos, which have been linked to a steady surge of accidental drug overdoses. Giles directed the pills be forwarded to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine for testing. The institute found the Melbourne father of one had unknowingly consumed counterfeit Xanax tablets containing bromazolam, a powerful and potentially fatal sedative which has never been approved for medical use anywhere in the world. Advertisement No trace of alprazolam was detected in the tablets Flaherty had taken. Flaherty was found dead in the living room of his flat by a neighbour. In her findings, Giles demanded the state government take immediate action to address the emerging threat caused by a rise in counterfeit prescription pills flooding the illicit drug market. I consider that such circumstances raise unique and pressing public health risks which demand urgent attention by the secretary of the Victorian Department of Health, she said. Flahertys case comes as overdoses from fake or synthetic benzodiazepines soar. The first Victorian overdose death confirmed to involve such drugs occurred in 2015. There were 10 deaths linked to synthetic benzodiazepines in 2019. The figure was 40 in 2022, 33 in 2023, and 35 last year. Data for this year is still being collated by the Coroners Court. Concerns about bromazolam are also rising around the country, following detection of the banned psychoactive substance in fake Xanax and Valium tablets, as well as traces of it in cocaine, leading to hospitalisations and deaths. One person died and two people were hospitalised in NSW in January this year after taking cocaine found to contain bromazolam. In Canberra this year, bromazolam was also detected in a batch of fake benzodiazepine tablets, promoting a warning from health authorities. Advertisement To date, 16 different synthetic benzodiazepines have been identified as contributors to overdose deaths in Victoria. Only days ago, the Victorian Pill Testing Service sent out an alert that heroin was detected in fake Xanax tablets. Raymond Flahertys family have backed the recommendations from Giles, who called on the secretary of the Victorian Department of Health to commission the chief addiction medicine adviser to immediately investigate the risks posed by the expanding availability of illicit and fake benzodiazepines. Flahertys sister Carley Flaherty said her older brother was deeply loved, proud of his Indigenous heritage, kind and funny, and had struggled to overcome drug addiction most of his life. He adored his mother, Kaye Flaherty, and his dog, Munchie, a white and brown speckled papillon, who was always by his side. He was like a father figure to my youngest son and I looked up to him my whole life, his sister said. We are just so devastated. Advertisement Flaherty (from left) with his mother, Kaye; his nephew Tye; sister Carley; and nephew Jack. She said that in the months before his death, Raymond had distanced himself from his family and friends as he fell into the grips of another drug relapse. Carley said the family had been distressed to learn after his death that he had been banned from his regular chemist because of erratic behaviour. This meant he had been unable to buy his prescribed batch of diazepam, commonly known by the brand name Valium. I think that may have been part of the reason as to why he went online to buy these pills, she said. A plan was arranged for a new pharmacy to dispense diazepam to him, but attempts to reach him by his longtime doctor failed. His sister said that months after he died, the friend who found him dead in his Fitzroy North flat and had tried to revive him also died of an overdose after taking pills he had bought online. If me speaking out can help give people a better understanding of how horrible these drugs really are, and it can help save one person, then that will give me some comfort after losing Raymond, she said. Advertisement Raymond Flahertys death was found to have been caused by a mixture of several drugs including heroin, antidepressants and the lethal effects of bromazolam found in the fake Xanax tablets. Related Article Exclusive Drugs The common medication involved in killing more Australians than alcohol Pennington Institute chief executive John Ryan said illicit benzodiazepines were rising in prominence in Australia, and around the world, and were increasingly being used recreationally or as antianxiety and sleep medication. Its not only touching people who have been traditional consumers of illicit drugs, but its actually touching people from all walks of life, Ryan said, adding there had been a worrying shift in people consuming fake pills as regulation tightened around prescription medication. He said that because the pills were often labelled as diazepam or Xanax there could be a false sense of security, but in reality people had no idea of the danger of what they were consuming. Its a Wild West market, and were very much flying blind as it is a relatively new but significant problem, he said. The drug market keeps changing much quicker than the policy response. Weve seen this massive increase in the availability of illicit benzos, and yet we havent seen an equal sort of reaction from the service system. Advertisement Advertisement NationalNSWBondi shooting Opinion I was 100m away when the shots rang out. It has changed Sydney forever Elias Visontay National Consumer Affairs Reporter December 15, 2025 12:15am December 15, 2025 12:15am 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 Follow our live coverage of the Bondi shooting here. Initially, I thought it was fireworks. But they just didnt stop. It took about 15 seconds for my mind to clock what was happening. All hell was breaking loose. Id arrived at the northern tip of Bondi just minutes before. It had been a hot, humid Sunday, and the day was just coming into the golden hour. Who wouldnt want to get in an evening swim? Police attend to those at the Hanukkah event in the moments after the shooting. Edwina Pickles Id initially been tossing up whether to go to Clovelly where its less pretty, but easier to find somewhere to dump your car but after a friend who lived in Bellevue Hill said hed be keen to join me, we decided wed head to Bondi. Advertisement When a parking spot finally opened up at the northern end of the beach, my friend noticed he knew the man whod just parked right in front of us. Are you here for the Hanukkah event too? he asked us after he got out of his car. If youre part of Sydneys tight-knit Jewish community, running into someone you know in Bondi is a fairly common experience. We hadnt known the event was on its a routine safety precaution for Jewish communal events to only have locations revealed hours before starting. But we told him wed pass through later to check it out after all, this is a festival where we celebrate oily foods, so the idea of a post-dip jam-filled doughnut sounded great. Paramedics help one of the victims of the gunmen. Flavio Brancaleone But first, I was keen to get wet. So we headed past throngs of beachgoers, down towards the sand, glimpsing the large projected screen of a Hannukiah the candelabra lit each of the eight nights of the festival as we passed the park where it was being held. Advertisement We quickly plonked our towels and belongings down, took off our shirts, and waded in. It had cooled slightly, but it was still refreshing to dive under a choppy wave and submerge in the crisp seawater. The first shots rang out a few seconds later. They sounded close we were 100 metres away. I looked at my friend, and when we realised it wasnt fireworks, the thought of the Hanukkah event popped into my head. Surely not. We started looking around and began slowly walking back to shore. Members of the public help emergency services following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach. Flavio Brancaleone Then, we saw people running from the direction of the park. My friend kicked into gear, and we bolted, racing with hundreds of others up the footpath. Advertisement People were moving as far away from the gunshots as they could. At this point, theyd been going for what felt like minutes the longer it dragged on, the deeper the pit in my stomach sank. Drummers who had been jamming in a weekly circle on the grass at the north end for the past few hours were suddenly cowering up against bushes. Families were hurrying their kids up towards the streets of North Bondi. We were all standing there, dripping with salt water, barefoot and sandy, huddling behind garage doors and Art Deco unit blocks. It was surreal. Loading Advertisement By this point, locals had made their way to balconies and rooftops to watch what was unfolding, shouting advice to those on the streets as the gunshots were still ringing out. After what felt like an eternity, we began to hear sirens from police and first responders. Gradually, the shots became less frequent. Once it had been about five minutes without hearing any shots, my friend and I began sidling up against buildings back towards the park and my car where we could see authorities swarming on the scene. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi Beach shooting as it happened: 16 dead, dozens injured in Australias worst mass shooting since Port Arthur massacre; alleged shooter Naveed Akram assessed by ASIO in 2019 As I finally made it to my car, I could hear my phone which Id left in the glove box vibrating. Its barely stopped buzzing since. Mostly family and friends checking if I was ok. Other calls were friends telling me theyd known people who were injured. Advertisement At that point, it was still dawning on me how lucky we were to have avoided the Hanukkah event. Driving back to the inner-west where I live, there was a constant flow of ambulances driving in the opposite direction. I realised my sandals were still lying on the sand. What a stupid thought. As the adrenaline pumps through you, its tricky to know exactly what to do after a situation like this. Who to call, who to talk to, but most importantly, how to be productive and helpful. A good mate of mine then called to tell me his fiancees cousin was in hospital visiting their friend who had been shot. It then dawned on me. I realised I wanted to get back home as soon as I could, before the names of the dead began to be publicly identified. Advertisement Who wants to learn of someone you know being shot while youre driving down Cleveland Street. Shortly after arriving back, I learnt a friends uncle had died. Its an incredibly dark day for Sydney and Australia, for sure. But for the Jewish community, it feels like everything has changed. Ive been going to Bondi all my life. Its the suburb where my parents took me home as a baby. But right now, a spiritual home has become a bloodied wasteland. More coverage on the Bondi terror attack Advertisement 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. The smuggling of illegal cigarettes and vapes into Australia has been publicly linked to a Queensland bikie group after major raids on the Gold Coast. Border Force seized more than a million cigarettes and 9000 vapes from storage sheds in Robina and Burleigh this week. Investigators believe the haul belonged to a prominent Queensland group with links to an outlaw motorcycle gang, a statement revealed on Sunday. The seizure of more than a million cigarettes and 9000 vapes by Border Force this week. Border Force The group was allegedly importing illegal tobacco and vapes across Queensland and NSW, and operated its own retail outlets in both states. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalPolitical donations High Court fight over laws said to entrench cosy table for two Annika Smethurst December 15, 2025 6:00am 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 High-profile former politicians Zoe Daniel and Rex Patrick will launch a High Court challenge to overturn part of the Albanese governments campaign finance regime, arguing it entrenches the dominance of major parties. In court documents to be filed on Monday, the former independent politicians argue sweeping changes to the Electoral Act pushed through parliament at the start of the year with bipartisan support tilt the playing field against independents and new political entrants, and may breach the Constitutions implied freedom of political communication. Zoe Daniel on the campaign trail earlier this year. Simon Schluter Former solicitor-general Justin Gleeson, SC, has been briefed to argue the independents case. Daniel, former independent member for Goldstein, said Labor and the Liberals had conspired to try to ensure that politics remained a cosy table for two. Advertisement They could get better, or they could rig the rules. What a surprise that theyve chosen the latter. Its a rort, not reform, she said. The High Court challenge comes after the Albanese government, in February, pushed through the biggest shake-up of political-donation rules in decades, designed to curb the influence of big money in politics. The government promised tighter caps on spending and real-time disclosure of most donations, after agreeing to several late concessions to lock in Coalition support. At the time, Special Minister of State Don Farrell said the regime levelled the playing field. It also increases the transparency of that system so that all participants in the electoral process are treated equally, he said. Daniel and Patrick will ask the High Court to strike down three parts of the new electoral finance regime, which they say distorts competition by allowing the major parties to draw on far greater funding streams and campaign resources than are available to independents and new entrants. Advertisement The first claim centres on new expenditure-cap rules that put a limit of $800,000 per lower house electorate on candidate-specific advertising. But Labor and the Coalition are still permitted to run large national and state brand campaigns through multimillion-dollar national advertising budgets. Former independent senator Rex Patrick. Rohan Thomson The second claim relates to the design of the new donation-cap system aimed at limiting self-financing candidates such as Clive Palmer and Malcolm Turnbull. The new laws increase the donation cap to $50,000 per donor to a single party branch or candidate but the federated structure of the major parties means a single donor would still be able to contribute to multiple state branches, amounting to as much as $450,000 a year. The plaintiffs will argue this arrangement gives the major parties access to far larger streams of private funding than their competitors. Advertisement The pair will also challenge a new rule that prevents any donor from contributing to more than five candidates in a state or territory, a measure they say is explicitly aimed at community independents who are backed by fundraising groups like Climate 200 and who rely on shared donor support across electorates. Their submission argues that the rule disproportionately constrains independents while leaving the major parties fundraising capacity largely intact. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese walks through a crowd of Labor supporters on election night in May after claiming victory. Alex Ellinghausen While not challenged in their case, the two independents say the new donation laws, which come into effect in 2026, also unfairly hand the major parties millions more public money. In their statement of claim, the plaintiffs argue public funding for the two major parties would have jumped 47 per cent if applied at the 2025 election. According to figures in Daniel and Patricks claim, Labor would have received $54.6 million and the Liberals $41.7 million had the laws applied at the May election. Incumbent independents, they argue, would have gained only about $108,000 each a fraction of their $800,000 spending cap. Advertisement Far from banning big money in politics, this simply ensures that taxpayers foot a massive bill for the major parties rather than getting it from donors, Daniel told this masthead. Related Article Victorian election Labor set to cap party war chests in donation law backflip The legal challenge to federal donation laws comes just weeks after the Victorian government was forced to walk back its own campaign finance laws ahead of a separate High Court case. Last month, The Age revealed the Allan government had conceded in its defence that a pre-2020 deadline that locked out new parties from setting up financial structures similar to the major parties was discriminatory and must be severed. Former Federal Court judge Ron Merkel, SC, has been briefed to argue that case, which is scheduled to be heard in early February. Advertisement Former South Australian senator Rex Patrick, who lost his seat in 2022, described the challenge to federal laws as necessary to ensure independent candidates are not left election campaigning with one hand tied behind their back. Importantly, it will ensure there is real competition and choice for voters at polling booths. Editor's pick Opinion Five Minutes with Fitz Ex-Liberal Party powerbroker says the party is over Peter FitzSimons Columnist and author Melbourne Law School professor Joo-Cheong Tham, a director of the Centre for Public Integrity, said while the Albanese governments changes went some way towards improving democracy, there were significant gaps that favoured established parties. Tham said the new regime still gave major parties a spending advantage, largely because seat-level caps were too narrow and only applied when a communication explicitly named a candidate or electorate leaving plenty of room for targeted campaigning that avoids the limits. He said the government could fix this by expanding the definition to capture spending that can be reasonably regarded as promoting a specific candidate. Advertisement Tham said the changes would be toughest on political newcomers, not necessarily community independents such as those backed by Climate 200. The teal MPs are now incumbents but the new-entrant problems [remain], he said. While supporting a system that was more robust, Tham warned that the looming High Court challenge could potentially unravel key safeguards. This High Court challenge puts a spotlight on whether the political funding laws unconstitutionally favour the major parties, he said. It also risks throwing the baby with the bathwater: if expenditure caps are struck down, it will be a return to a free-for-all for big-money election campaigns. The government has been contacted for comment. 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 PoliticsNSWBondi shooting ASIO on alert for further threats after Bondi shooting, leaves terror level at probable Matthew Knott and Shane Wright December 14, 2025 11:34pm 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 Follow our live coverage of the Bondi shooting here. The nations top spy agency is investigating whether there is any further threat to Jewish Australians after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, but is leaving the terror threat level at the current level of probable. NSW Polices designation of the shock shooting as a terror attack will allow law enforcement authorities, including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), to use specialist powers to investigate the killings and take steps to protect community safety. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess at Sunday nights press conference. Alex Ellinghausen This attack, this senseless attack, is one which is an act of terror. It is aimed at creating fear, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra late on Sunday night. Advertisement But we will stand with the Jewish community and Jewish Australians at this time. Related Article Updated Bondi shooting At least 12 dead in terror attack at Bondi Beach after mass shooting At least 16 people were shot dead and 29 injured, including two police officers, according to authorities. Members of Sydneys Jewish community had gathered at Bondi on Sunday evening to celebrate the first night of the Jewish festival Hanukkah. Albanese flagged there would be increased funding for security for the Jewish community following the attack at one of the countrys most famous landmarks. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Director-General Mike Burgess said one of the attackers was known to his organisation before the shooting but not in an immediate threat perspective. Advertisement Were looking to see if theres anyone in the community that has similar intent. Its important to stress at this point, we have no indications to that fact, but that is something we have active investigations on, he said. Burgess said the national terror threat level remains at probable, meaning there was a 50 per cent chance of an act of terror in the next 12 months. Loading I dont see that changing at this stage, he said as he deplored the horrific events at Bondi Beach. One incident by itself does not necessarily raise the threat level at the national level, but we keep that under constant review. Advertisement ASIO lifted the national terror threat level from possible to probable in August 2024, saying it anticipates an increase in politically motivated violence, including terrorism across all ideological spectrums. Related Article Updated Bondi shooting All we know five days after the Bondi terror attack An increase to the next threat level would mean that the government has concerns of a specific terror threat. The AFPs acting deputy national commissioner Nigel Ryan said the federal police would put all resources we can, all our specialist powers, all our specialist resources, towards ensuring that this matter is investigated as thoroughly as possible. In relation to the joint counterterrorism team, we have heard that there has been a declaration of a terrorist incident that will enable the AFP, along with ASIO and New South Wales Police to use specialist powers in relation to this investigation, he said. Advertisement Ryan said he did not want to speculate about leads police were examining because the investigation is ongoing and in its early stages. Jillian Segal, the federal governments special envoy for combating antisemitism, said the attack on a peaceful Hanukkah gathering at Bondi marks the worst fear of the Australian Jewish community becoming reality. Loading Segal said the attack had not come without warning, noting inflammatory anti-Israel protests outside the Sydney Opera House in the immediate aftermath of Hamas October 7 attacks of 2023. To ordinary Australians, this moment demands clarity, she said. Advertisement What once seemed distant or uncomfortable can no longer be ignored. Taunts from the Opera House steps, synagogues set alight and now massacres at a celebration form part of a clear pattern. This is not the Australia we know and it cannot be the Australia we accept. Related Article Bondi shooting Bondi Beach shooting as it happened: PM condemns shooting as an act of evil antisemitism after 11 people, one shooter killed after attack on Jewish Chanukah by the Sea celebration The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils expressed deep sorrow for the attack in a statement, saying: No one should ever live in fear of such horrific violence in a public space. Every person has the right to safety, security, and peace and we condemn, in the strongest terms, any act that shatters that fundamental right. More coverage on the Bondi terror attack Advertisement A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model . Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of PNE AG ( ETR:PNE3 ) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. The 17.27 analyst price target for PNE3 is 6.9% more than our estimate of fair value Story Continues The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 10.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035 (1 + g) (r g) = 223m (1 + 1.6%) (10.0% 1.6%) = 2.7b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 2.7b ( 1 + 10.0%)10= 1.0b The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 1.2b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 10.2, the company appears quite good value at a 37% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. XTRA:PNE3 Discounted Cash Flow December 14th 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 PNE 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 10.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 2.000. 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 PNE SWOT Analysis for PNE Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Electrical market. Opportunity Expected to breakeven next year. Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation 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. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For PNE, we've compiled three relevant items you should further examine: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for PNE you should know about. Future Earnings: How does PNE3'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 Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German 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. Advertisement PoliticsVictoriaLiberal Party Amelia Hamer embraces Millennial renter tag with stamp duty housing pitch Annika Smethurst December 22, 2025 11:50am 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 Fresh from a narrow and bruising loss in the federal seat of Kooyong, newly preselected Malvern candidate Amelia Hamer shies away from the suggestion she is a treasurer-in-waiting. But the 32-year-old stockbroker and Oxford graduate speaks fluently and frequently of her experience with balance sheets and revenue streams and is happy to promote herself as part of a new generation of Liberals seeking to reclaim the partys reputation for economic management. Amelia Hamer has been endorsed as the Liberal candidate for the state seat of Malvern for Victorias 2026 election. Simon Schluter Its a reputation the Victorian division of the Liberal Party has struggled to hold on to, cycling through shadow treasurers and repeatedly failing to land an economic blow on the government despite ballooning debt and infrastructure blowouts. I analyse company balance sheets ... company profits and losses, I think we can take those skills and actually apply that when we open the books for when we get into government, Hamer told The Age. Advertisement Related Article Suburban Rail Loop Stamp duty changes could provide Suburban Rail Loop funding stream We are going to need people in those positions (on the frontbench) who actually know how to do that. If she wins the seat of Malvern next November, Hamer insists she will be happy to serve in any way she is asked. But alongside her economic pitch, she is already floating a policy: allowing home owners to spread stamp duty costs over years rather than pay upfront. Hamer said that by securitising that obligation packaging up future debt to sell to investors Victoria could still receive the revenue upfront. You may have to pay more to pay it over a period of time, but if the difference is $50,000 or $100,000 upfront versus paying it over 10 years, I think it would make a really big difference to people, particularly when they are looking to upsize, she said. Advertisement Hamer and Josh Frydenberg with a pre-poll voter during the federal election campaign. Rachael Dexter Its something that I want to push for. In Victoria, the state government has started to unwind stamp duty on new commercial and industrial purchases in favour of an ongoing land tax, but it remains an upfront payment on homes. In NSW, former premier Dominic Perrottet gave some first home buyers the option to pay an annual property tax instead of stamp duty. It was later abolished by the Minns government. Hamer, who came close to winning the federal seat of Kooyong in May, embodies a cohort the Liberals have been losing to in the so-called teal movement: female, Millennial, financially literate and a renter. But it was the renter label that proved a liability in her campaign. Hamer was and remains a renter, but her pitch as someone who understands the struggles of tenants dissolved when she was forced to admit she also owns two properties, an apartment in Canberra and a million-dollar London flat. She rents a townhouse in Hawksburn with her partner Ross and his two children when they stay. Advertisement After the election, rumours swirled within Liberal circles that the leak of her investment portfolio came from within the party, an allegation Hamer refuses to speculate on. Her main frustration is that the gotcha moment, as she describes it, was a distraction for the Liberal campaign. But a bigger problem, Hamer said, lay in her partys failure to present a clear policy agenda, a shortcoming she believes the Liberals must fix. Hamer in the photo that came to symbolise her election loss in the federal seat of Kooyong. James Brickwood People expect from an opposition party that they come in, and they say what they are going to do, and I think the team hadnt fully refined and agreed on that, she says of the federal team. Her diagnosis also echoes criticism levelled at the Victorian Liberals, who have spent more than a decade in the political wilderness, struggling to define what they stand for beyond opposition. Advertisement Late last month, Hamer was preselected as the partys candidate for the blue-ribbon seat of Malvern following Michael OBriens resignation. Less than a year out from the election, Hamer is odds-on to win the seat that has been a safe electorate for the Liberals since it was first contested at the 1945 election. But the role she seems to quietly be pitching for an economic portfolio in a Coalition government might be harder to secure. According to a recent poll, Labors primary vote has slumped, giving the Coalition an 11-point primary vote lead. But the Coalition still needs to win 16 extra seats to seize government, meaning Hamer may have to wait a little longer before putting her economic ideas into practice. Advertisement Advertisement Hamer said recalibrating the partys economic message must occur alongside broader renewal. We need to be grounded in reality about what Victorian society looks like today. Victoria is significantly more diverse than it was when I grew up, we need to listen to those communities. We need to listen to young people. Hamer fears the Liberal Partys current message isnt resonating with younger voters who have fallen off the aspiration bandwagon amid harsher economic realities an assessment she offers with the full knowledge that her own circumstances undeniably offered her a smoother ride. I have been very fortunate in my life, I went to a very good school, I had parents who love me, I studied overseas and worked in different cities and gained a whole wealth of different experiences and I see myself as very fortunate, she said. I want to advocate on peoples behalf ... my personal circumstances are irrelevant. Advertisement While the rental faux pas may have bruised Hamers reputation, it hasnt deterred her from wading into the housing debate. Instead, shes leaning in. Her stamp duty policy idea is pitched squarely at younger voters without her headstart. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. 513 new 4G mobile towers for State Staff Reporter : RAIPUR : The Union Government has approved the installation of 513 new 4G mobile towers in Chhattisgarh through BSNL under the Digital Bharat Nidhi. Welcoming the decision, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described it as a significant outcome of coordinated efforts to restore peace, security and development in Naxal-affected and remote regions. Chief Minister stated that the approval forms a strong link in the ongoing campaign against Left-wing extremism. With sustained action by security forces and close administrative coordination bringing stability to several areas, the focus is now shifting towards expanding development and digital connectivity. He added that the installation of these 4G towers will ensure accessible and reliable mobile and internet services for people living in remote and difficult terrain for the first time. Improved connectivity will strengthen access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, administrative services and emergency communication. Chief Minister further stated that the expansion of digital connectivity will prove to be a milestone for financial inclusion. Stronger mobile networks will enable easier access to banking services, direct benefit transfers, UPI transactions, insurance, pensions and other digital services for citizens in remote areas. He said that the initiative is aligned with the core objective of Digital India, which is focused on delivering development to the last mile. Enhanced connectivity will open new digital opportunities for local youth and give momentum to regional economic activity. Chief Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre is prioritising development alongside security in Naxal-affected states. The Chhattisgarh government, he added, is working in close coordination with the Centre to ensure that every citizen of the state is connected to the mainstream of development. On behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh, CM Sai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, calling the decision a historic step towards making Chhattisgarh digitally empowered, secure and inclusive. Driver beaten to death with stick following dispute in Kamla Nagar A youth was allegedly beaten to death with a stick in the Kamla Nagar area of Bhopal following a trivial dispute. The deceased has been identified as Kailash Yadav (36), who worked as a driver. The incident occurred on December 9, when Kailash and his friend Rahul (who works installing Tandoors) An argument erupted between the two over a minor issue during their drinking session. As the argument escalated, Kailash allegedly began using abusive language, which enraged Rahul, who attacked him with a stick before fleeing the scene. Kailash collapsed immediately after being struck. Police arrived at the scene around 3 am and rushed him to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Although there were initially no external injury marks on the body, the post-mortem report later revealed that the death was caused by blunt force trauma from the stick. Based on the post-mortem findings, the police have registered a case of murder against the assailant, Rahul, and have successfully arrested him. History-sheeter shot, stabbed after wedding over old rivalry in Eetkhedi Staff Reporter : Danish Ali, a history-sheeter with 45 criminal cases against him, was shot at by assailants on a public road while returning from a wedding function. The attackers fired three rounds, hitting him in the leg and abdomen. His wife and sister, who tried to intervene, were also attacked with a knife. The seriously injured man has been admitted to a private hospital, where his condition remains critical. Police have registered a case against the named accused but no arrests have been made yet. Dispute arose three days ago: Eetkhedi Police reported that an old dispute had escalated into an argument between Danish and the main accused, Roosi, about three days ago. During this altercation, Roosi had allegedly threatened to kill Danish. On Friday night, Danish was returning from a wedding function in Eetkhedi with his wife Rimsha, sister, and children. Road Blocked, Firing Ensues: The accused, who were lying in wait, blocked the path of Danishs car with their own vehicle. As the car stopped, the assailants opened fire. The first two bullets missed their target, but subsequent rounds struck Danish in the abdomen and leg. Following the shooting, the accused also attacked him with a knife. When Danishs wife and sister rushed forward to save him, the assailants stabbed them as well, causing injuries to their hands. The accused fled the scene after the women raised an alarm. Eetkhedi Police have registered a case of attempted murder against Roosi, Shanu Vajandar, Zuber Kilkil, Fardeen, Shavez, and others. SDOP Eetkhedi, Manju Chauhan, confirmed that all the accused are residents of the Bajariya and Aishbagh police station areas. Raids are continuously being conducted at potential hideouts to apprehend the accused. The injured history-sheeter, Danish Ali, has approximately 45 criminal cases registered against him, including charges under the National Security Act (NSA), Arms Act, gambling, excise, assault, and extortion. His mother is also reportedly listed in the Bajariya police stations list of notorious criminals. The main accused, Roosi, also has around 20 criminal cases registered against him. Last week, Prospect Resources Limited (ASX:PSC) insiders, who had purchased shares in the previous 12 months were rewarded handsomely. The shares increased by 12% last week, resulting in a AU$18m increase in the company's market worth, implying a 17% gain on their initial purchase. As a result, the stock they originally bought for AU$201.4k is now worth AU$235.0k. Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Prospect Resources Notably, that recent purchase by Samuel Hosack is the biggest insider purchase of Prospect Resources shares that we've seen in the last year. We do like to see buying, but this purchase was made at well below the current price of AU$0.23. Because the shares were purchased at a lower price, this particular buy doesn't tell us much about how insiders feel about the current share price. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! See our latest analysis for Prospect Resources ASX:PSC Insider Trading Volume December 13th 2025 Prospect Resources is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find small cap companies at attractive valuations, this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insider Ownership Of Prospect Resources I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It appears that Prospect Resources insiders own 9.7% of the company, worth about AU$16m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. So What Do The Prospect Resources Insider Transactions Indicate? It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchase. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. However, we note that the company didn't make a profit over the last twelve months, which makes us cautious. When combined with notable insider ownership, these factors suggest Prospect Resources insiders are well aligned, and that they may think the share price is too low. While it's good to be aware of what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. To help with this, we've discovered 3 warning signs (2 are concerning!) that you ought to be aware of before buying any shares in Prospect Resources. India engaged with Mexico over unilateral tariff hike NEW DELHI : INDIA is engaged with Mexico over the South American nations decision to unilaterally raise tariffs on a number of products to find mutually beneficial solutions, even as New Delhi reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of its exporters, an official said on Saturday. These duties are announced against countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. The official said that India, in fact, was engaged with Mexico during the initial tabling of a bill in this regard. The Embassy of India in Mexico raised the issue with the Ministry of Economy on September 30, 2025, itself, seeking special concessions to shield Indian exports from the new tariffs. 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. Further, both the 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. Experts said that the trade agreement will help insulate Indian companies from these tariffs, which were imposed under pressure from the US to align with America on increasing tariffs against China and prevent trans-shippment to America. Mexicos Senate has approved a new tariff measure on December 11, 2025, and it has since been cleared by both chambers of Congress. It is aimed at boosting manufacturing and reducing trade imbalances. Under the decision, Mexico will impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia. However, the list of items covered is yet to be officially notified. The higher duties will take effect on January 1, 2026. 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. Koli youth attempts suicide during protest at Yeshwant Stadium Staff Reporter : Tension gripped the area around Yashwant Stadium on Saturday when a young man from the Koli community, who was participating in the agitation demanding reservation, attempted suicide by jumping from the stadium. The incident took place during a semi-nude protest called by the Adya Krantikarak Raghoji Bhangare Praneet Samiti. The protest included an indefinite hunger strike to demand Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate and validity process. As the protest began in the morning, the young man, wearing only undergarments, suddenly ran across the stadium and climbed the stairs. Panic gripped the spot when he yelled he would jump from the stadium. Police personnel had a tough time stopping him from committing suicide and struggled for some time before managing to save him. The incident caused a stir and created a tense atmosphere at the stadium. The protesters alleged that claims of Mahadev Koli, Malhar Koli and Dhor Koli communities living outside scheduled areas are being rejected because old school and revenue records before 1950 mention onlyKoli.They demanded that these records, which were prepared as per the laws of that period, should be accepted as valid proof and that a government order in this regard be implemented immediately. The protesting youth said that due to the absence of clear and uniform criteria, thousands of families are suffering, with their education, employment and reservation rights being affected. Later, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare visited the protest site and held talks with the agitators. Following her mediation, the protesters calmed down and the situation was brought under control. Sai completes 2 yrs in office as Chief Minister Staff Reporter : RAIPUR : Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai completed two years in office as Chhattisgarhs Chief Minister on Saturday. Sai expressed gratitude to the people of State, describing the tenure not as mere governance but as years of service, dedication, and public participation. He called it one of the most significant periods of his life, offering a chance to connect closely with citizens and grasp their aspirations. In a post on X, Sai wrote: Today, as I complete two years of service, my heart is filled with immense emotion. These two years have been the most important of my life not just a time of governance, but of service and dedication. I got the opportunity to walk with you and see the reflection of my responsibility in your smile. Sai highlighted efforts to spread development statewide, boosting farmers facilities for timely, fair produce prices; expanding youth opportunities through recruitment, training, and industries; building education, health, and road networks in tribal areas; and enhancing womens safety and respect to foster confidence and self-reliance. The biggest change is that governance has reached peoples doorsteps, turning administrative distance into partnership. I am proud that Chhattisgarh is advancing toward trust and stability, Sai added. Looking ahead, he pledged accelerated work on education, employment, agriculture, and rural development for a self-reliant state where youth thrive, farmers take pride, and citizens trust their government. Dear ones, this journey continues toward a great destination. Keep lighting our path with your suggestions, hard work, and faith, your support guarantees Chhattisgarhs bright future, he concluded on X. Notably, Sai took oath as Chief Minister on December 13, 2023, at Science College Ground in Raipur. SC asks DGP to conduct SIT probe into death of tribal youth in Sagar Legal Correspondent : The Supreme Court has directed the DGP of Madhya Pradesh to conduct an SIT investigation into the death of a tribal youth in Sagar. The order was issued due to the involvement of former Home Minister Bhupendra Singh. The Supreme Court has ordered the Madhya Pradesh DGP to conduct an SIT investigation into the suspicious death of a tribal youth in Sagar. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joy mala Bagchi stated that the Sagar police were not conducting an impartial investigation, and therefore, the investigation was being entrusted to a team of three senior IPS officers. The bench directed the formation of an SIT within two days, which would complete the investigation and submit its report within a month. The petition, filed in the Supreme Court by BJP activist Govind Singh Rajput, a resident of Malthone, challenged the FIR lodged against him. He alleged that Nilesh Adivasi had initially filed a false FIR against him at the behest of MLA Bhupendra Singh. He later withdrew his allegations after appearing in court. It is alleged that Nilesh was pressured again, but he refused to comply, and died shortly thereafter. Instructions not to take action against family members: Senior advocate Maninder Singh and advocate Vivek Ranjan Pandey presented case on behalf of the petitioner. The bench passed the order, not only granting bail to Rajput, but also directing an SIT probe into the case. It said no action be taken against Nileshs brother Neeraj or family members. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Left Fronts 45-year rule comes to end THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : KERALAS first woman Director General of Police, Sreelekha, on Saturday registered a victory as a BJP candidate from the Sasthamangalam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, adding momentum to the partys claim that it is in strong contention to capture the civic body. 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. Sreelekhas win has come at a time when the race for control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation remains a cliff-hanger, with all three major fronts locked in a close contest. The BJP sees her victory as a symbolic and political boost in its bid to dislodge the CPI(M)-led Left Front from power in the capital city. At the moment, the single largest party in the 101 Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is the BJP with 34 seats, followed by the Left with 20 and the Congress with 16, while seats is on. Sreelekha joined the BJP earlier this year, a move that had taken many by surprise. Her decision to contest the local body election as a ward member further drew attention, given her long and distinguished career in the police force, during which she became the first woman to hold the top post of Director General of Police in the State. However, her campaign was not without controversy. On polling day, December 9, Sreelekha found herself at the centre of a row after sharing what was described as a pre-poll survey on social media. The post claimed that the BJP-led NDA had an edge in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, triggering sharp criticism from rival parties. State Education Minister V. Sivankutty termed the act a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct, pointing out that publishing or circulating pre-poll survey results on polling day is explicitly prohibited by the Election Commission. He described the incident as a serious breach of election norms. Following the backlash, Sreelekha deleted the controversial post from her social media accounts. In the outgoing Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, of the total 100 wards, the CPI(M)-led Left Front held 51 seats, while the BJP-led NDA had 35. The remaining seats were shared by the Congress-led UDF and Independents. NDAs win is a watershed moment in Kerala politics: Modi: PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday termed the mandate received by the BJP-led NDA in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation a watershed moment in Keralas politics and expressed gratitude to the BJP workers for the spectacular results. Thank you Thiruvananthapuram! The mandate the BJP-NDA got in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is a watershed moment in Keralas politics, he wrote on X. PM Modi said the people are certain that the development aspirations of Kerala can only be addressed by the BJP. Our Party will work towards this vibrant citys growth and boost Ease of Living for the people, he said with the hashtag #VikasitaThiruvananthapuram. The Prime Minister said the BJP karyakartas are the strength of the party, and everyone is proud of them. My gratitude to all hardworking BJP karyakartas who have worked among the people, which has ensured a spectacular result in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, he said. Two held in sand traders murder case Staff Reporter : Police have successfully apprehended two individuals in connection with broad daylight murder of sand trader, Dharmendra Thakur in Sihora, Jabalpur. The assailants were arrested on Friday evening after a concerted manhunt, bringing a swift resolution to the shocking crime that occurred on Thursday afternoon. The victim, Dharmendra Thakur was reportedly very active in local civic programs. On Thursday, shortly after leaving his residence in Sihora-Khitauli and traveling around 200 meters, he was intercepted by two men riding a motorcycle. The attackers, identified as Lavi alias Som Tiwari and Shekhar Burman, after a brief struggle fired three bullets, killing Thakur instantly at the scene. Following the shooting, the perpetrators fled on the motorcycle, initially heading towards Katni before proceeding to Darshani village. They attempted to dodge police by hiding in a secluded area and switching off their mobile phones, posing a considerable challenge to the investigating teams. Under the direct supervision of Superintendent of Police (SP) Sampat Upadhyay and leadership of ASP Jitendra Singh, the teams from Crime Branch, Khitauli and Sihora police stations initiated a rigorous pursuit. The breakthrough occurred on Friday afternoon when the ASP received information regarding an unattended motorcycle parked in a secluded area near Darshani. The police teams successfully located and cordoned off the area where the two men were found hiding. They were subsequently confirmed to be Som Tiwari (resident of Rewa) and Shekhar Burman (resident of Sihora), the accused in the shooting. The police are investigating the potential motive, which is believed to stem from a protracted rivalry between the victim and notorious local criminal Assu Vishwakarma. It is reported that the arrested shooters were associates of Vishwakarma, and the act was suspected to have been committed at his behest. Following their arrest, both accused were presented before the court by Khitauli police and were placed in three-day police remand to facilitate further investigation. Meanwhile, Assu Vishwakarma is currently undergoing medical treatment in Nagpur. A Jabalpur police team is scheduled to travel to Nagpur shortly to interrogate him regarding his alleged role in commissioning the murder. Soybeans fell lower into the weekend, with contracts 15 to 17 cents lower on Friday. Weekly losses were 28 cents in the January contract. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 17 cents lower at $10.06 1/2. Soymeal futures were 40 cents to $1.80 higher in the front months and lower in the deferreds, with January closing the week down $4.90. Soy Oil futures were 55 to 83 points lower, as Jan was down 162 points this week. A private export sale of 132,000 MT was reported to China by USDA this morning. Known China purchases (via daily flash sales and weekly data) have accumulated 3.5 MMT. Another sale was reported for soybean meal totaling 104,328 MT to Mexico, with 93,895 MT for the current marketing year and 10,433 MT for the next MY. More News from Barchart Commitment of Traders data was updated this afternoon for the week ending on November 18, with spec funds adding 35,182 contracts to their net long position. That position was 229,625 contracts net long by that date, the largest since October 2020. We will get another backlogged update to the Export Sales report on Monday. Traders are looking for 0.8-3 MMT in soybean sales for the week of November 20. Meal sales are estimated at 100,000-450,000 MT, with 5,000-25,000 MT for bean oil. Sinograin, a Chinese state stockpiler, setup another auction for 513,000 MT of imported soybeans set for next Tuesday. Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.76 3/4, down 16 3/4 cents, Nearby Cash was $10.06 1/2, down 17 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $10.86 3/4, down 16 cents, May 26 Soybeans closed at $10.97, down 15 1/4 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Commonwealth Bank of Australia Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:CMWAY Get Free Report)s stock price fell 0.9% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $102.49 and last traded at $102.71. 64,540 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 4% from the average session volume of 61,884 shares. The stock had previously closed at $103.69. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently commented on CMWAY shares. Zacks Research lowered Commonwealth Bank of Australia from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, August 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $130.18 target price on Commonwealth Bank of Australia and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $130.18. Get Commonwealth Bank of Australia alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Commonwealth Bank of Australia Commonwealth Bank of Australia Price Performance Commonwealth Bank of Australia Company Profile The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $106.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $111.79. (Get Free Report) Commonwealth Bank of Australia provides financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking Services, Business Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, and New Zealand segments. The company offers transaction, savings, and foreign currency accounts; term deposits; personal and business loans; overdrafts; equipment finance; credit cards; international payment and trade; and private banking services, as well as home and car loans. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Commonwealth Bank of Australia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Commonwealth Bank of Australia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phoenix Group Holdings plc (OTCMKTS:PNXGF Get Free Report)s share price traded up 2.1% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $9.58 and last traded at $9.58. 1,066 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 34% from the average session volume of 1,612 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.3795. Phoenix Group Price Performance The stocks 50 day moving average is $9.08 and its 200 day moving average is $8.94. About Phoenix Group (Get Free Report) Phoenix Group Holdings plc operates in the long-term savings and retirement business in Europe. The company operates through five segments: Retirement Solutions, Pensions & Savings, With-Profits, SunLife & Protection, and Europe & Other. It provides a range of savings and retirement income products to support people across various stages of the savings life cycle. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Phoenix Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phoenix Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbH purchased a new stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 16,995 shares of the credit services providers stock, valued at approximately $9,550,000. Mastercard comprises about 1.0% of MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbHs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the second quarter worth about $11,421,213,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Mastercard by 55,868.1% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,421,148 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $7,541,880,000 after buying an additional 13,397,168 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $6,725,317,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 38.6% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,526,118 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,413,936,000 after acquiring an additional 3,765,378 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in shares of Mastercard by 25.6% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,372,404 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $3,580,909,000 after acquiring an additional 1,299,977 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock. Get Mastercard alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes MA has been the topic of several research reports. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $690.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Mastercard from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Evercore ISI set a $610.00 price target on Mastercard in a research report on Friday. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Mastercard from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned 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 $654.81. Mastercard Stock Performance Mastercard stock opened at $571.40 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $513.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.87. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1-year low of $465.59 and a 1-year high of $601.77. The companys 50-day moving average is $554.16 and its 200 day moving average is $566.39. Mastercard (NYSE:MA Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a return on equity of 202.03% and a net margin of 45.28%.The business had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.53 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.89 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year. Mastercard Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. This is a positive change from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Mastercards payout ratio is 19.44%. Mastercard Company Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Strong Sell from the six brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have issued a hold rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$35.19. LB has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Scotiabank set a C$33.00 price target on Laurentian Bank of Canada and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a strong sell rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the stock from C$25.00 to C$40.00 in a research report on Monday, December 8th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$31.00 to C$40.50 in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Raymond James Financial lowered shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from a market perform rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, National Bankshares cut their target price on shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$27.00 to C$26.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Get Laurentian Bank of Canada alerts: Get Our Latest Report on LB Laurentian Bank of Canada Stock Performance Laurentian Bank of Canada stock opened at C$39.96 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of C$1.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.44. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 1 year low of C$24.37 and a 1 year high of C$40.01. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$34.08 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$32.18. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 5th. The company reported C$0.73 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$244.71 million during the quarter. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a negative return on equity of 0.20% and a negative net margin of 0.30%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 3.8414986 EPS for the current fiscal year. Laurentian Bank of Canada Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, November 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, November 1st were paid a $0.47 dividend. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 1st. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio is currently 66.20%. Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile (Get Free Report) Laurentian Bank of Canada provides personal banking, business banking and real estate and commercial financing to its personal, business, and institutional customers across Canada and the United States. The company reports three operating segments: personal, business services, and capital markets. The personal segment offers financial services to retail clients. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laurentian Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bird Construction Inc. (TSE:BDT Get Free Report) insider Wayne Richard Gingrich bought 4,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$25.39 per share, with a total value of C$101,560.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$203,120. This trade represents a 100.00% increase in their position. Wayne Richard Gingrich also recently made the following trade(s): Get Bird Construction alerts: On Friday, November 14th, Wayne Richard Gingrich purchased 100 shares of Bird Construction stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$25.38 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,538.00. On Friday, November 14th, Wayne Richard Gingrich acquired 900 shares of Bird Construction stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$25.39 per share, for a total transaction of C$22,851.00. On Monday, November 17th, Wayne Richard Gingrich acquired 900 shares of Bird Construction stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of C$25.30 per share, with a total value of C$22,770.00. On Monday, November 17th, Wayne Richard Gingrich bought 500 shares of Bird Construction stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$25.28 per share, with a total value of C$12,640.00. On Monday, November 17th, Wayne Richard Gingrich bought 400 shares of Bird Construction stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$25.27 per share, for a total transaction of C$10,108.00. On Monday, November 17th, Wayne Richard Gingrich purchased 100 shares of Bird Construction stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of C$25.26 per share, for a total transaction of C$2,526.00. On Monday, November 17th, Wayne Richard Gingrich purchased 300 shares of Bird Construction stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$25.27 per share, with a total value of C$7,581.00. On Monday, November 17th, Wayne Richard Gingrich acquired 1,100 shares of Bird Construction stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$25.26 per share, with a total value of C$27,786.00. Bird Construction Trading Down 2.1% Shares of TSE:BDT traded down C$0.59 during midday trading on Friday, reaching C$28.12. The companys stock had a trading volume of 114,679 shares, compared to its average volume of 214,752. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.54, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 0.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 74.70, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.25. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of C$28.36 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$27.90. Bird Construction Inc. has a fifty-two week low of C$17.52 and a fifty-two week high of C$31.76. Bird Construction Dividend Announcement Bird Construction ( TSE:BDT Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported C$0.57 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$951.43 million during the quarter. Bird Construction had a return on equity of 26.11% and a net margin of 2.81%. As a group, analysts forecast that Bird Construction Inc. will post 2.7598533 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 19th will be paid a $0.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. Bird Constructions payout ratio is currently 48.04%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently issued reports on BDT. National Bankshares boosted their target price on shares of Bird Construction from C$28.00 to C$34.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. TD Securities lifted their price target on shares of Bird Construction from C$32.00 to C$36.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. CIBC dropped their price objective on shares of Bird Construction from C$37.00 to C$36.00 in a report on Friday, November 14th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Bird Construction from C$37.00 to C$34.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, ATB Capital boosted their target price on Bird Construction from C$33.00 to C$34.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have issued a Buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$35.88. View Our Latest Research Report on BDT About Bird Construction (Get Free Report) Bird Construction Inc operates as a general contractor in the Canadian construction market. The company focuses primarily on projects in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors of the general contracting industry. It provides construction services such as new construction for industrial, commercial, and institutional markets; industrial maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) services, heavy civil construction and contract surface mining; as well as vertical infrastructure including, electrical, mechanical, and specialty trades. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bird Construction Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bird Construction and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North West (TSE:NWC Free Report) had its price objective reduced by BMO Capital Markets from C$57.00 to C$56.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning,BayStreet.CA reports. BMO Capital Markets currently has an outperform rating on the stock. A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on NWC. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on North West from C$60.00 to C$58.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 4th. CIBC dropped their price target on shares of North West from C$59.00 to C$58.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have issued a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, North West presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of C$58.75. Get North West alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on North West North West Stock Up 0.1% Shares of NWC opened at C$48.10 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of C$2.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.94, a PEG ratio of 1.11 and a beta of -0.03. North West has a 52 week low of C$44.48 and a 52 week high of C$57.95. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$47.28 and its 200-day moving average price is C$48.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 2.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 59.78. North West (TSE:NWC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The company reported C$0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. North West had a return on equity of 18.43% and a net margin of 5.14%.The company had revenue of C$634.32 million during the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts predict that North West will post 3.4924863 EPS for the current year. North West Cuts Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were given a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 29th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.4%. North Wests dividend payout ratio is presently 56.34%. About North West (Get Free Report) The North West Co Inc is a Canada-based company that is principally engaged in retail business in underserved rural communities and urban neighborhoods. The company provides food, family apparel, housewares, appliances, and outdoor products, with food products accounting for the majority of the companys revenue. See Also Receive News & Ratings for North West Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North West and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Botswana Diamonds plc (LON:BOD Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 0.26 and traded as low as GBX 0.23. Botswana Diamonds shares last traded at GBX 0.25, with a volume of 2,458,020 shares. Botswana Diamonds Trading Up 4.2% The stock has a market capitalization of 3.00 million, a PE ratio of -5.00 and a beta of 0.80. The businesss 50 day moving average is GBX 0.25 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 0.26. Get Botswana Diamonds alerts: Botswana Diamonds (LON:BOD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, December 12th. The company reported GBX (0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Botswana Diamonds had a negative return on equity of 10.66% and a negative net margin of 2,389.67%. Botswana Diamonds Company Profile Botswana Diamonds plc explores for and develops diamond properties in Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The company's flagship property is the Thorny River/Marsfontein property located in South Africa. It also explores primarily in the Kalahari region of Botswana. Botswana Diamonds plc was formerly known as Botswana Exploration plc and changed its name to Botswana Diamonds plc in October 2010. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Botswana Diamonds Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Botswana Diamonds and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. British American Tobacco p.l.c. (LON:BATS Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 3,936.94 and traded as high as GBX 4,406. British American Tobacco shares last traded at GBX 4,371.75, with a volume of 246,874,359 shares traded. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of British American Tobacco from GBX 4,450 to GBX 4,850 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut British American Tobacco to an underperform rating and upped their price target for the company from GBX 3,000 to GBX 3,400 in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on British American Tobacco from GBX 3,300 to GBX 4,150 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on British American Tobacco from GBX 4,400 to GBX 4,900 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of GBX 4,500. Get British American Tobacco alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BATS British American Tobacco Stock Performance British American Tobacco Company Profile The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 74.63. The firm has a market capitalization of 95.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.43, a PEG ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.27. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 4,083.82 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 3,944.18. (Get Free Report) BAT was founded in 1902 and was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1912. A constituent of the FTSE 100 since its creation in 1984, we have evolved, becoming the only truly global company in our sector. BAT is transforming and is well positioned with a global footprint and multi-category portfolio. Further Reading 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. Quick Read HYBL delivered 7.38% total return in 2025 with just 0.23% price gain and 7.26% distribution yield. The ETF holds 671 positions across high-yield bonds, senior loans and CLOs with a 0.70% expense ratio. Price volatility remained minimal with eight consecutive months trading between $28.40 and $28.70. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. Income-focused investors face a persistent challenge: finding yield without sacrificing capital stability. The SPDR Blackstone High Income ETF (NYSEARCA:HYBL) blends high-yield corporate bonds, senior loans, and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) into a single actively managed portfolio. How HYBL Fits In Your Portfolio HYBL serves as a fixed-income position for investors seeking monthly income with moderate credit risk exposure. The fund's return engine operates through three channels: interest payments from high-yield bonds, floating-rate coupons from senior loans, and structured credit returns from CLO tranches. Sub-advised by Blackstone Credit, the ETF uses top-down allocation to shift weights among these three asset classes based on market conditions, paired with bottom-up security selection. The strategy targets investors who want exposure to below-investment-grade credit but prefer professional management over direct bond or loan ownership. With 671 holdings and a weighted average all-in rate of 7.06%, the fund distributes income monthly. The 30-day SEC yield stands at 6.76%, though the fund distribution yield based on actual payouts reaches 7.26%. One Reddit user in the r/dividends community asked whether HYBL would be "a good diversification for high income" alongside equity-based income funds like JEPI and JEPQ, highlighting how investors view it as a complement to covered-call strategies. Whether It Achieves That Goal Well HYBL has delivered on its capital preservation mandate in 2025. The ETF opened the year at $28.39 on January 2 and closed at $28.455 on December 12, producing a 0.23% price gain. Including monthly distributions totaling approximately $1.89 per share through December, the total return for 2025 reached 7.38% year-to-date, slightly outperforming the high-yield bond category average of 7.34%. Price volatility has been remarkably low. The ETF experienced its most significant drawdown in April 2025, falling to $27.01 on April 8th (a 4.86% decline from the year's opening price). It recovered within 30 trading days and has since traded in a narrow range between $28.40 and $28.70 for eight consecutive months. This stability reflects the underlying credit quality and diversification across 671 positions, though returns come primarily from income rather than capital appreciation. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund lifted its stake in shares of Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) by 56.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,227 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 6,216 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Funds holdings in Capital One Financial were worth $3,665,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC raised its position in Capital One Financial by 588,668.3% in the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 117,447,497 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $24,988,129,000 after purchasing an additional 117,427,549 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 74.8% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,380,913 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,995,603,000 after buying an additional 24,129,990 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 63.4% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,780,128 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,910,500,000 after buying an additional 10,776,843 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Capital One Financial by 64.1% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,008,841 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,970,628,000 after acquiring an additional 5,474,328 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in Capital One Financial in the second quarter worth approximately $1,701,511,000. 89.84% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Insider Activity at Capital One Financial In other news, insider Lia Dean sold 3,269 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $218.15, for a total transaction of $713,132.35. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 69,855 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,238,868.25. This represents a 4.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Richard D. Fairbank sold 103,487 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $220.68, for a total value of $22,837,511.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 4,001,228 shares in the company, valued at $882,990,995.04. This trade represents a 2.52% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 280,218 shares of company stock worth $62,395,804 in the last three months. Company insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock. Capital One Financial Trading Down 0.7% NYSE:COF opened at $237.71 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $151.12 billion, a PE ratio of 100.30, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.16. Capital One Financial Corporation has a 52-week low of $143.22 and a 52-week high of $243.31. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $217.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $215.09. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $5.95 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of $15.46 billion during the quarter. Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 10.94% and a net margin of 2.24%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Capital One Financial Corporation will post 15.65 EPS for the current year. Capital One Financial Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. This is an increase from Capital One Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Capital One Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 135.02%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently commented on COF. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their target price on Capital One Financial from $224.00 to $240.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Capital One Financial from $270.00 to $266.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Capital One Financial from $258.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Capital One Financial from $240.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Capital One Financial in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Capital One Financial has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $262.70. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Capital One Financial Capital One Financial Profile (Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Capital One Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital One Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:BOWFF Get Free Report) and AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, earnings and valuation. Insider and Institutional Ownership 92.6% of AvalonBay Communities shares are held by institutional investors. 19.0% of Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of AvalonBay Communities shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: Profitability This table compares Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust and AvalonBay Communities net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust 49.45% 6.35% 3.59% AvalonBay Communities 38.78% 9.72% 5.45% Risk and Volatility Valuation & Earnings Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust has a beta of 0.93, meaning that its share price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, AvalonBay Communities has a beta of 0.74, meaning that its share price is 26% less volatile than the S&P 500. This table compares Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust and AvalonBay Communitiess gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust $440.33 million 4.95 $429.28 million $3.09 14.40 AvalonBay Communities $2.91 billion 8.59 $1.08 billion $8.19 21.58 AvalonBay Communities has higher revenue and earnings than Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust. Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than AvalonBay Communities, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust and AvalonBay Communities, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust 0 1 0 0 2.00 AvalonBay Communities 0 12 6 0 2.33 AvalonBay Communities has a consensus price target of $205.89, suggesting a potential upside of 16.48%. Given AvalonBay Communities stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe AvalonBay Communities is more favorable than Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust. Dividends Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.15 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. AvalonBay Communities pays an annual dividend of $7.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust pays out 37.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. AvalonBay Communities pays out 85.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. AvalonBay Communities has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. AvalonBay Communities is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Summary AvalonBay Communities beats Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust (Get Free Report) Boardwalk REIT strives to be Canadas friendliest community provider and is a leading owner/operator of multi-family rental communities. Providing homes in more than 200 communities, with over 34,000 residential suites totaling over 29 million net rentable square feet, Boardwalk has a proven long-term track record of building better communities, where love always lives. Our three-tiered and distinct brands: Boardwalk Living, Boardwalk Communities, and Boardwalk Lifestyle, cater to a large diverse demographic and has evolved to capture the life cycle of all Resident Members. Boardwalks disciplined approach to capital allocation, acquisition, development, purposeful re-positioning, and management of apartment communities allows the Trust to provide its brand of community across Canada creating exceptional Resident Member experiences. Differentiated by its peak performance culture, Boardwalk is committed to delivering exceptional service, product quality and experience to our Resident Members who reward us with high retention and market leading operating results, which in turn, lead to higher free cash flow and investment returns, stable monthly distributions, and value creation for all our stakeholders. Boardwalk REITs Trust Units are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol BEI.UN. About AvalonBay Communities (Get Free Report) AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the development, acquisition, ownership, and operation of multifamily communities. It operates through the following segments: Same Store, Other Stabilized, and Development or Redevelopment. The Same Store segment refers to the operating communities that were owned and had stabilized occupancy. The Other Stabilized segment includes all other complete communities that have stabilized occupancy. The Development or Redevelopment segment consists of communities that are under construction. The company was founded by Gilbert M. Meyer in 1978 and is headquartered in Arlington, VA. Receive News & Ratings for Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Costain Group PLC (LON:COST Get Free Report) insider Fiona MacAulay purchased 6,347 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 157 per share, with a total value of 9,964.79. Costain Group Price Performance Shares of LON:COST opened at GBX 158.80 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of 423.54 million, a PE ratio of 13.81, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 2.64. Costain Group PLC has a 1-year low of GBX 85.40 and a 1-year high of GBX 172.40. The businesss 50 day moving average is GBX 150.80 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 145.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.86. Get Costain Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently weighed in on COST. Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and set a GBX 175 price objective on shares of Costain Group in a research note on Monday, September 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Costain Group from GBX 115 to GBX 150 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Finally, Peel Hunt restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 180 price objective on shares of Costain Group in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 168.33. About Costain Group (Get Free Report) Costain helps to improve peoples lives by creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that enables people and the planet thrive. We shape, create and deliver pioneering solutions that transform the performance of the infrastructure ecosystem across the UKs energy, water, transportation and defence markets. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Costain Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Costain Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE:PLOW Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be paid a dividend of 0.295 per share by the auto parts company on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 16th. Douglas Dynamics has raised its dividend by an average of 0.0%per year over the last three years. Douglas Dynamics has a dividend payout ratio of 51.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Douglas Dynamics to earn $1.64 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.18 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 72.0%. Get Douglas Dynamics alerts: Douglas Dynamics Trading Down 0.3% NYSE PLOW opened at $33.94 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average is $31.23 and its 200-day moving average is $30.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 2.01 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $781.98 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.28, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.28. Douglas Dynamics has a one year low of $21.30 and a one year high of $34.41. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Douglas Dynamics Douglas Dynamics ( NYSE:PLOW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The auto parts company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.04. Douglas Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.18% and a net margin of 6.82%.The business had revenue of $162.12 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $163.27 million. Douglas Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.850-2.250 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Douglas Dynamics will post 1.3 EPS for the current year. A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its position in Douglas Dynamics by 229.9% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,204 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 839 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new stake in Douglas Dynamics in the third quarter worth about $39,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Douglas Dynamics by 85.4% in the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,266 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 583 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Douglas Dynamics in the first quarter worth $53,000. Finally, New York State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new position in Douglas Dynamics during the second quarter valued at $61,000. Institutional investors own 91.85% of the companys stock. Douglas Dynamics Company Profile (Get Free Report) Douglas Dynamics, Inc operates as a manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment in North America. It operates through two segments, Work Truck Attachments and Work Truck Solutions. The Work Truck Attachments segment manufactures and sells snow and ice control attachments, including snowplows, and sand and salt spreaders for light trucks and heavy duty trucks, as well as various related parts and accessories. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hannover Ruck SE (FRA:HNR1 Get Free Report)s share price shot up 0.6% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as high as 259.00 and last traded at 258.00. 67,361 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at 256.40. Hannover Ruck Stock Performance The firms 50-day moving average price is 255.94 and its 200 day moving average price is 259.51. About Hannover Ruck (Get Free Report) Hannover Ruck SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance products and services in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Europe, the United States, Asia, Australia, Africa, and internationally. It operates through Property & Casualty Reinsurance; and Life & Health Reinsurance segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hannover Ruck Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hannover Ruck and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Jiangsu Expressway Co. (OTCMKTS:JEXYY Get Free Report) crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $24.94 and traded as high as $25.66. Jiangsu Expressway shares last traded at $25.66, with a volume of 280 shares. Jiangsu Expressway Stock Performance The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $24.94 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.06. About Jiangsu Expressway (Get Free Report) Jiangsu Expressway Company Limited engages in investment, construction, operation, and management of toll roads and bridges in the People's Republic of China. The company operates the Jiangsu section of Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway, Ningchang Expressway, Zhenli Expressway, Guangjing Expressway, Xicheng Expressway, Xiyi Expressway, Zhendan Expressway, Yanjiang Expressway, Jiangyin Bridge, Sujiahang Expressway, Changyi Expressway, Yichang Expressway, and Wufengshan Bridge. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Jiangsu Expressway Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jiangsu Expressway and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (NYSE:HPF Get Free Report) 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 Stock Performance The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $16.26. Get John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II alerts: John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed 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 Inflows and Outflows John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II Company Profile A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. UBS Group AG grew its position in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 339,995 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,729,000 after purchasing an additional 25,779 shares in the last quarter. Axim Planning & Wealth increased its stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 3.3% during the third quarter. Axim Planning & Wealth now owns 332,810 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,608,000 after buying an additional 10,752 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 14.8% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 182,941 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,083,000 after purchasing an additional 23,622 shares in the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II by 7.5% during the 3rd quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 142,493 shares of the companys stock worth $2,401,000 after acquiring an additional 9,998 shares during the period. Finally, Guggenheim Capital LLC purchased a new position in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II during the second quarter valued at $687,000. (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. See Also 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. Kansas City Life Insurance Co. (OTCMKTS:KCLI Get Free Report) passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $31.79 and traded as high as $32.25. Kansas City Life Insurance shares last traded at $32.2150, with a volume of 409 shares changing hands. Kansas City Life Insurance Trading Down 1.5% The stock has a market cap of $311.84 million, a P/E ratio of -8.75 and a beta of 0.45. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $31.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $31.81. Get Kansas City Life Insurance alerts: Kansas City Life Insurance (OTCMKTS:KCLI Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $0.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Kansas City Life Insurance had a negative net margin of 7.41% and a negative return on equity of 0.01%. The company had revenue of $123.78 million during the quarter. Kansas City Life Insurance Company Profile Kansas City Life Insurance Company provides insurance products and services in states and the District of Columbia. It operates through three segments: Individual Insurance, Group Insurance, and Old American. The Individual Insurance segment consists of individual insurance products for Kansas City life, Grange life, and the assumed reinsurance transactions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Kansas City Life Insurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kansas City Life Insurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kentucky Retirement Systems lowered its position in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) by 6.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 210,962 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 13,826 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $16,902,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt grew its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% in the 2nd quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $76,095,550,000 after buying an additional 949,735,001 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,990,551,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 54.9% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,635,681 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,332,851,000 after acquiring an additional 5,894,747 shares in the last quarter. Amundi grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 18.2% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 14,155,753 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,165,868,000 after acquiring an additional 2,180,693 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 8,010.7% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,973,730 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $158,135,000 after purchasing 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: Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance NYSE:WFC opened at $92.76 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $85.51 and its 200-day moving average is $81.74. The company has a market cap of $291.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.26, a PEG 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 has a 52-week low of $58.42 and a 52-week high of $93.42. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.18. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 12.51%. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.11 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.42 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.61%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on WFC shares. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $87.00 to $94.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock 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. Finally, Cfra Research raised Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $90.04. Get Our Latest Report on WFC Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. Further Reading 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. Kentucky Retirement Systems trimmed its position in BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Free Report) by 6.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,463 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 620 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems holdings in BlackRock were worth $9,929,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. bought a new stake in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,940,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in BlackRock during the second quarter worth about $2,263,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of BlackRock by 368.8% during the 2nd quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 811 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $851,000 after acquiring an additional 638 shares during the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC raised its stake in BlackRock by 18.0% in the second quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 4,513 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $4,993,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 35.0% during the 2nd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 1,397 shares of the asset managers stock worth $1,466,000 after acquiring an additional 362 shares during 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 companys 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 $6,478,346.42. This represents a 16.85% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Rachel Lord sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 20th. The stock was 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 approximately $8,394,113.20. The trade was 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 stock opened at $1,088.99 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 3.33 and a quick ratio of 3.33. BlackRock has a 1 year low of $773.74 and a 1 year high of $1,219.94. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1,092.11 and a 200 day moving average of $1,088.31. The company has a market cap of $168.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.00, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.47. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The asset manager reported $11.55 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $11.78 by ($0.23). The firm had revenue of $6.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.22 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.80% and a net margin of 26.64%.The firms revenue was up 25.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $11.46 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that BlackRock will post 47.41 EPS for the current year. BlackRock Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a dividend of $5.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $20.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. BlackRocks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.59%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently commented on BLK. UBS Group began coverage on shares of BlackRock in a report on Thursday. They set a neutral rating and a $1,180.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of BlackRock from $1,093.00 to $1,242.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $1,280.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of BlackRock in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on BlackRock from $1,200.00 to $1,350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Seventeen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, BlackRock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,313.65. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on BlackRock About BlackRock (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. Read More 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. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Saturday morning. Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $530.00 to $630.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Lockheed Martin in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Lockheed Martin from $440.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Lockheed Martin from $500.00 to $550.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Bank of America decreased their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $495.00 to $480.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $508.72. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Stock Performance NYSE:LMT opened at $480.03 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $476.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $465.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $111.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.39 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 company has a current ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.32. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The aerospace company reported $6.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.33 by $0.62. The business had revenue of $18.61 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.45 billion. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 111.84% and a net margin of 5.73%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $6.84 EPS. Lockheed Martin has set its FY 2025 guidance at 22.150-22.350 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Lockheed Martin will post 27.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. Lockheed Martin Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a $3.45 dividend. This is a boost from Lockheed Martins previous quarterly dividend of $3.30. This represents a $13.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. Lockheed Martins dividend payout ratio is 77.05%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, COO John Frank A. St sold 7,792 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $491.04. This represents a 99.99% 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. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Lockheed Martin A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LMT. United Financial Planning Group LLC purchased a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lockheed Martin during the third quarter valued at about $27,000. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 285.7% in the 3rd 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 last quarter. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Lockheed Martin in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. 74.19% of the stock is 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. Stance Capital LLC lessened its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 27.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,818 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 2,174 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for about 1.2% of Stance Capital LLCs holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Stance Capital LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $3,269,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. ORG Partners LLC increased its position in Mastercard by 73.2% during the 2nd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 698 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $394,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares during the period. Ethos Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 19.5% in the first quarter. Ethos Financial Group LLC now owns 3,174 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $1,683,000 after buying an additional 518 shares in the last quarter. Curio Wealth LLC raised its position in Mastercard by 22,400.0% in the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 225 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $126,000 after acquiring an additional 224 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Mastercard by 1.2% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,475,807 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $44,098,695,000 after acquiring an additional 931,132 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wheelhouse Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in Mastercard by 4.4% in the second quarter. Wheelhouse Advisory Group LLC now owns 1,336 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $751,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the period. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Mastercard alerts: Mastercard Stock Up 1.4% Shares of NYSE:MA opened at $571.40 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $513.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.53, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.87. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $554.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $566.39. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52-week low of $465.59 and a 52-week high of $601.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40. Mastercard Increases Dividend Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.28% and a return on equity of 202.03%. The company had revenue of $8.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.89 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. This is an increase from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. Mastercards dividend payout ratio is presently 19.44%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on MA shares. KeyCorp reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $665.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Tigress Financial lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $685.00 to $730.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Hsbc Global Res raised Mastercard from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Wall Street Zen cut Mastercard from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their target price on Mastercard from $638.00 to $630.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $654.81. Read Our Latest Report on MA Mastercard Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbH purchased a new position in W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm purchased 2,078 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $2,162,000. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of W.W. Grainger during the second quarter valued at approximately $536,916,000. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in W.W. Grainger by 4.4% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,627,273 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $5,853,714,000 after buying an additional 238,895 shares in the last quarter. Kodai Capital Management LP bought a new position in W.W. Grainger during the first quarter valued at approximately $67,601,000. Interval Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of W.W. Grainger by 1,429.9% in the 1st quarter. Interval Partners LP now owns 67,957 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $67,130,000 after buying an additional 63,515 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its position in shares of W.W. Grainger by 15.2% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 473,771 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $492,836,000 after purchasing an additional 62,675 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.70% of the companys stock. Get W.W. Grainger alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,150.00 to $1,100.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of W.W. Grainger from $1,006.00 to $1,050.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on shares of W.W. Grainger in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. They issued a market perform rating and a $975.00 price objective on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of W.W. Grainger in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on W.W. Grainger from $963.00 to $975.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $1,009.43. W.W. Grainger Price Performance Shares of GWW opened at $1,023.80 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 2.72. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $957.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $996.87. W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $893.99 and a fifty-two week high of $1,150.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.68 billion, a PE ratio of 28.71, a PEG ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.11. W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $10.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $9.95 by $0.26. The company had revenue of $4.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.64 billion. W.W. Grainger had a net margin of 9.75% and a return on equity of 49.40%. W.W. Graingers revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $9.87 earnings per share. W.W. Grainger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 39.000-39.750 EPS. Equities analysts predict that W.W. Grainger, Inc. will post 40.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. W.W. Grainger Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a dividend of $2.26 per share. This represents a $9.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 10th. W.W. Graingers dividend payout ratio is 25.35%. Insider Buying and Selling at W.W. Grainger In related news, CEO Donald G. Macpherson sold 12,163 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $972.57, for a total transaction of $11,829,368.91. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 103,885 shares of the companys stock, valued at $101,035,434.45. This trade represents a 10.48% 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. 6.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About W.W. Grainger (Free Report) W.W. Grainger, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, distributes maintenance, repair, and operating products and services primarily in North America, Japan, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment. The company provides safety, security, material handling and storage equipment, pumps and plumbing equipment, cleaning and maintenance, and metalworking and hand tools. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GWW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE:GWW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for W.W. Grainger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for W.W. Grainger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Montanaro UK Smaller Companies (LON:MTU Get Free Report) crossed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 99.84 and traded as low as GBX 99. Montanaro UK Smaller Companies shares last traded at GBX 99.20, with a volume of 110,084 shares trading hands. Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Price Performance The stock has a market cap of 115.83 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -17.94 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 99.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 100.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.83, a quick ratio of 41.12 and a current ratio of 0.37. Get Montanaro UK Smaller Companies alerts: Montanaro UK Smaller Companies (LON:MTU Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 21st. The company reported GBX 2.20 EPS for the quarter. Montanaro UK Smaller Companies had a return on equity of 13.16% and a net margin of 91.45%. Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Company Profile The Trust aims to achieve capital growth by investing in small companies listed on the London Stock Exchange or its Alternative Investment Market (AIM). It seeks relative outperformance of its benchmark, the Numis Smaller Companies Index. Montanaro Asset Management was founded by Charles Montanaro in 1991 with a vision to bring a different approach to SmallCap investing. We think of ourselves as an Oasis in the City. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Montanaro UK Smaller Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA Free Report) by 140.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,449,555 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 4,940,406 shares during the period. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF makes up 0.7% of National Bank of Canada FIs holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. National Bank of Canada FIs holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $705,336,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Front Row Advisors LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 695.0% during the 2nd quarter. Front Row Advisors LLC now owns 795 shares of the companys stock valued at $66,000 after purchasing an additional 695 shares during the last quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 34.9% in the second quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 229,935 shares of the companys stock valued at $19,195,000 after purchasing an additional 59,529 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Investment Advisors MI boosted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 11.2% during the second quarter. Strategic Investment Advisors MI now owns 582,368 shares of the companys stock valued at $48,695,000 after buying an additional 58,686 shares during the last quarter. High Falls Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 1.7% during the second quarter. High Falls Advisors Inc now owns 7,754 shares of the companys stock valued at $647,000 after buying an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Allocation Strategies LLC bought a new stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF during the second quarter worth $3,950,000. Get iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Trading Up 28.8% Shares of BATS:IEFA opened at $89.88 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $88.23 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $85.76. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has a 1-year low of $66.95 and a 1-year high of $87.36. The stock has a market cap of $153.70 billion, a PE ratio of 16.18 and a beta of 0.84. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Company Profile The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI EAFE IMI index, a market-cap-weighted index of developed-market stocks in Europe, Australasia and the Far East, and excludes North America IEFA was launched on Oct 18, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Nevada King Gold Corp. (CVE:NKG Get Free Report) rose 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 mid-day 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 Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of C$78.46 million, a PE ratio of -6.17 and a beta of 0.42. The firms 50 day moving average is C$0.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$0.15. 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. Featured Articles 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. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 124.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,229 shares of the investment management companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,789 shares during the period. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $2,286,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,800.0% in the second quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 38 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth about $31,000. Graney & King LLC increased its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 51.5% during the second quarter. Graney & King LLC now owns 50 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 17 shares during the period. Ridgewood Investments LLC raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 45.9% during the 2nd quarter. Ridgewood Investments LLC now owns 54 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the second quarter worth about $39,000. 71.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have issued reports on GS shares. Barclays lifted their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $720.00 to $850.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. UBS Group raised their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $762.00 to $805.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They set a market perform rating and a $785.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating and set a $750.00 price objective (up from $625.00) on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets increased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $756.00 to $810.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has 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 $787.06. The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance Shares of GS stock opened at $887.90 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $800.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $744.12. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $439.38 and a 12-month high of $919.10. The company has a market capitalization of $266.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.36. 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 Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 15.29%. The company had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $8.40 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current fiscal year. The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be paid a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 32.50%. 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). 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. North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new position in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 38,086 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,802,000. Bank of America accounts for approximately 1.4% of North Dallas Bank & Trust Co.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Quaker Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 246.5% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 523 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 880 shares during the period. Nova Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in Bank of America by 75.2% in the second quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 529 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares during the period. RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Bank of America during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. CGC Financial Services LLC raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 585.4% during the 2nd quarter. CGC Financial Services LLC now owns 610 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares during the period. Finally, Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 48.7% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC now owns 681 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the last quarter. 70.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bank of America alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have weighed in on BAC shares. HSBC increased their target price on Bank of America from $51.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $55.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Wolfe Research boosted their target price on shares of Bank of America from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Bank of America to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Bank of America from $51.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Twenty-three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $57.86. Bank of America Trading Up 1.1% Shares of NYSE:BAC opened at $55.14 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $52.39 and a 200-day moving average of $49.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market cap of $402.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.02 and a beta of 1.30. Bank of America Corporation has a twelve month low of $33.06 and a twelve month high of $55.30. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $5.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $27.05 billion. Bank of America had a return on equity of 10.76% and a net margin of 15.70%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.81 earnings per share. As a group, analysts anticipate that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of America Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a $0.28 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is 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. Featured Articles 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. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twenty-three research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $28.1053. A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Norwegian Cruise Line from a buy rating to a neutral rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $23.00 to $21.00 in a report on Tuesday. Zacks Research lowered Norwegian Cruise Line from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Susquehanna reduced their target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $25.00 to $21.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Norwegian Cruise Line from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Norwegian Cruise Line from $29.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Get Norwegian Cruise Line alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line Stock Performance Shares of NYSE NCLH opened at $20.83 on Thursday. Norwegian Cruise Line has a 52-week low of $14.21 and a 52-week high of $29.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 0.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.32, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 2.11. The firms 50-day moving average price is $20.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $22.05. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.03. Norwegian Cruise Line had a net margin of 6.85% and a return on equity of 55.51%. The company had revenue of $2.94 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.03 billion. Norwegian Cruise Line has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.270-0.270 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 2.100-2.100 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Norwegian Cruise Line will post 1.48 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Norwegian Cruise Line In other Norwegian Cruise Line news, insider Jason Montague bought 13,400 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $18.81 per share, for a total transaction of $252,054.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 13,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $252,054. The trade was a increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Zillah Byng-Thorne purchased 29,008 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $18.11 per share, with a total value of $525,334.88. Following the purchase, the director owned 66,017 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,195,567.87. This trade represents a 78.38% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders purchased a total of 90,029 shares of company stock valued at $1,663,575 in the last quarter. 0.41% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new position in shares of Norwegian Cruise Line in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Norwegian Cruise Line in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Norwegian Cruise Line by 1,928.0% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,028 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 1,928 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in Norwegian Cruise Line by 133.3% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,284 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 1,305 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in Norwegian Cruise Line by 81.9% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,004 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 902 shares during the last quarter. 69.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Norwegian Cruise Line (Get Free Report) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Panasonic Holdings Co. (OTCMKTS:PCRFY Get Free Report) dropped 1.3% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $9.2150 and last traded at $9.36. Approximately 100 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 100% from the average daily volume of 248,305 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.48. Panasonic Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $21.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.03. 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 companys 50 day moving average is $9.36 and its 200 day moving average is $9.36. 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. Further Reading 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. Investing.com -- Autonomous vehicles could reshape the U.S. transportation economy, with Bank of America arguing that driverless ride-hailing represents a massive $1tr+ US market opportunity. In a note this week, analyst Justin Post wrote that investors are increasingly focused on how AV technology will alter competition, pricing and profitability for mobility leaders such as Uber and Lyft. According to BofA, U.S. drivers log 3 trillion miles annually, yet ride-hailing today captures only 1% of those miles. If AVs can lower per-mile ride costs closer to car-ownership levels, the bank believes adoption could expand dramatically. Post said that AV ride-hailing could expand to 20% of annual US vehicle miles traveled (VMT) over the next 15 years, implying a market worth $0.9$1.2 trillion based on estimated per-mile pricing of $1.52.0. For Uber, which BofA estimates has 7080% U.S. market share, the long-term growth runway remains substantial even if new rivals such as Waymo, Tesla or Zoox enter aggressively. The firm sees potential for Uber US mobility bookings to grow at a long-term CAGR of 13% to 20% depending on share outcomes between 3070%. A key concern for investors is said to be whether cheaper AV rides will erode margins. But BofA believes Uber could maintain roughly 10% mobility margins even with a drop in ride prices to $2.00 from roughly $2.75 today. Under more favourable cost conditions, such as AV hardware falling to $45,000 and operating costs below 20%, the break-even price could fall to $1.60, the analyst notes. BofA concludes: We still see an impressive opportunity, citing rising AV demand, strong network effects and viable economics for both riders and platforms. Related articles Taking a deeper look at the massive $1T U.S. market opportunity for AVs These Under-$10 Stocks Are Up 100%+ This Quarter - And Some Still Have Room to Run 3 Strategies to Make the Most of Dow's Record-Breaking Run Suncor Energy Inc. (TSE:SU Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU) insider Peter Douglas Zebedee sold 43,364 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$62.53, for a total transaction of C$2,711,550.92. Suncor Energy Stock Performance TSE:SU traded up C$0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting C$61.01. The stock had a trading volume of 5,319,474 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,929,310. Suncor Energy Inc. has a twelve month low of C$43.59 and a twelve month high of C$64.14. The stock has a market cap of C$73.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.22, a PEG ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 0.75. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$58.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$56.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.35, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 1.59. Get Suncor Energy alerts: Suncor Energy (TSE:SU Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported C$1.48 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$12.55 billion for the quarter. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 18.10% and a net margin of 15.15%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Suncor Energy Inc. will post 4.4208333 earnings per share for the current year. Suncor Energy Increases Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 24th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 3rd. This is a boost from Suncor Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. Suncor Energys payout ratio is presently 53.15%. Several brokerages have issued reports on SU. TD Securities raised their price target on Suncor Energy from C$71.00 to C$73.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Suncor Energy from C$59.00 to C$64.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Desjardins upped their price target on shares of Suncor Energy from C$73.00 to C$74.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Suncor Energy from C$53.00 to C$57.00 in a report on Monday, August 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Suncor Energy currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$65.77. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SU About Suncor Energy (Get Free Report) Suncor Energy Inc is an integrated energy company. The companys operations include oil sands development, production and upgrading, offshore oil and gas, petroleum refining in Canada and the U.S. and the companys PetroCanada retail and wholesale distribution networks. The company is developing petroleum resources while advancing the transition to a low-emissions future through investment in power, renewable fuels and hydrogen. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Suncor Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suncor Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its stake in Manulife Financial Corp (NYSE:MFC Free Report) (TSE:MFC) by 660.9% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,265,746 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 1,099,400 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $40,389,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Eastern Bank grew its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial by 156.1% during the 2nd quarter. Eastern Bank now owns 968 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 590 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Manulife Financial in the second quarter worth $38,000. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group bought a new position in Manulife Financial in the second quarter worth $55,000. Carderock Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Manulife Financial during the second quarter valued at $58,000. Finally, Kozak & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at $61,000. 52.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Manulife Financial alerts: Manulife Financial Trading Down 0.5% MFC stock opened at $35.47 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $33.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $31.94. Manulife Financial Corp has a 12-month low of $25.92 and a 12-month high of $35.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $59.63 billion, a PE ratio of 15.76 and a beta of 0.83. Manulife Financial Increases Dividend Manulife Financial ( NYSE:MFC Get Free Report ) (TSE:MFC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.74 by $0.10. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 16.11% and a net margin of 9.81%.The firm had revenue of $12.90 billion during the quarter. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.00 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Manulife Financial Corp will post 2.87 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 26th. This is a boost from Manulife Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.32. Manulife Financials payout ratio is 55.56%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MFC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They set a buy rating for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Morgan Stanley set a $47.00 price target on Manulife Financial in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Friday, November 14th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Manulife Financial has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $49.50. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Manulife Financial Manulife Financial Profile (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MFC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Manulife Financial Corp (NYSE:MFC Free Report) (TSE:MFC). 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. Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:IOR Get Free Report) major shareholder Realty Invest Transcontinental purchased 1,263 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $17.80 per share, with a total value of $22,481.40. Following the purchase, the insider owned 3,437,738 shares in the company, valued at $61,191,736.40. This represents a 0.04% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Major shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC. Realty Invest Transcontinental also recently made the following trade(s): Get Income Opportunity Realty Investors alerts: On Monday, December 8th, Realty Invest Transcontinental acquired 2 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of $17.85 per share, for a total transaction of $35.70. On Thursday, December 4th, Realty Invest Transcontinental bought 56 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $17.85 per share, with a total value of $999.60. On Wednesday, December 3rd, Realty Invest Transcontinental purchased 110 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $17.85 per share, for a total transaction of $1,963.50. On Tuesday, December 2nd, Realty Invest Transcontinental purchased 3 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $17.80 per share, for a total transaction of $53.40. On Thursday, November 6th, Realty Invest Transcontinental acquired 2 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of $17.80 per share, with a total value of $35.60. On Friday, October 31st, Realty Invest Transcontinental acquired 41 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $17.80 per share, with a total value of $729.80. On Wednesday, October 29th, Realty Invest Transcontinental bought 3 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of $17.80 per share, for a total transaction of $53.40. On Tuesday, October 28th, Realty Invest Transcontinental bought 173 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of $17.80 per share, for a total transaction of $3,079.40. On Wednesday, October 22nd, Realty Invest Transcontinental bought 2 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $17.80 per share, with a total value of $35.60. On Tuesday, October 7th, Realty Invest Transcontinental purchased 150 shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $17.75 per share, with a total value of $2,662.50. Income Opportunity Realty Investors Stock Performance Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock opened at $18.65 on Friday. Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. has a 52 week low of $16.05 and a 52 week high of $19.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $75.91 million, a PE ratio of 18.65 and a beta of 0.03. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $18.26 and its 200-day simple moving average is $18.34. Income Opportunity Realty Investors Company Profile Income Opportunity Realty Investors ( NYSEAMERICAN:IOR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.40 million for the quarter. (Get Free Report) Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc, a Dallas-based real estate investment company, currently holds a portfolio of notes receivable. The Company invests in real estate through direct equity ownership and partnerships. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Income Opportunity Realty Investors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Income Opportunity Realty Investors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stance Capital LLC bought a new stake in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 4,479 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $1,429,000. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of AXP. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Express by 12.9% in the 2nd quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 3,360 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,072,000 after acquiring an additional 385 shares during the last quarter. North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. bought a new stake in American Express during the 2nd quarter worth $393,000. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in American Express in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,777,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in American Express by 10.7% in the second quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,710 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $864,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Express by 41.0% during the second quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 37,069 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $11,095,000 after purchasing an additional 10,787 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get American Express alerts: Insider Activity at American Express In related news, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total transaction of $894,359.15. Following the sale, the insider owned 2,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $894,359.15. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total transaction of $18,010,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares in the company, valued at $30,825,691.17. This represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 57,515 shares of company stock valued at $20,658,509. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on AXP. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Wolfe Research began coverage on American Express in a report on Monday, December 8th. They issued a peer perform rating for the company. Barclays upped their price target on American Express from $336.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. UBS Group raised their price objective on American Express from $330.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, HSBC set a $295.00 target price on American Express and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $332.65. View Our Latest Report on American Express American Express Trading Down 0.7% NYSE:AXP opened at $382.14 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $263.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a current ratio of 1.61. American Express Company has a 52 week low of $220.43 and a 52 week high of $387.49. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $354.78 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $328.34. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.98 by $0.16. American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The firm had revenue of $17.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.03 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.49 EPS. The companys revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. American Express Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 10th were given a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 22.01%. American Express Profile (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stance Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (NYSE:MTD Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 1,713 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock, valued at approximately $2,012,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Mettler-Toledo International in the 1st quarter worth about $41,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 94.4% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 35 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Mettler-Toledo International by 50.0% during the 2nd quarter. MV Capital Management Inc. now owns 36 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in Mettler-Toledo International during the second quarter worth about $58,000. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in shares of Mettler-Toledo International by 477.8% in the second quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 52 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.07% of the companys stock. Get Mettler-Toledo International alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Mettler-Toledo International In other news, insider Gerry Keller sold 236 shares of Mettler-Toledo International stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,418.58, for a total value of $334,784.88. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 159 shares in the company, valued at $225,554.22. The trade was a 59.75% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Shawn Vadala sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,511.00, for a total value of $1,511,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 5,288 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,990,168. The trade was a 15.90% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 19,565 shares of company stock valued at $28,683,737 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.94% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently issued reports on MTD shares. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. They set an equal weight rating and a $1,550.00 price target for the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a report on Monday, December 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Mettler-Toledo International in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. They issued a neutral rating and a $1,475.00 price objective for the company. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,275.00 to $1,400.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus raised their price target on shares of Mettler-Toledo International from $1,450.00 to $1,600.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Mettler-Toledo International currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $1,424.17. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MTD Mettler-Toledo International Stock Performance Mettler-Toledo International stock opened at $1,394.97 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $1,402.13 and a 200-day moving average of $1,292.98. Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. has a 52 week low of $946.69 and a 52 week high of $1,525.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.50 and a beta of 1.40. Mettler-Toledo International (NYSE:MTD Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The medical instruments supplier reported $11.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.62 by $0.53. Mettler-Toledo International had a negative return on equity of 426.96% and a net margin of 21.20%.The firm had revenue of $1.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $997.36 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $10.21 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Mettler-Toledo International has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 12.680-12.880 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 42.050-42.250 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. will post 42.71 earnings per share for the current year. Mettler-Toledo International Profile (Free Report) Mettler-Toledo International Inc manufactures and supplies precision instruments and services in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Operations, Swiss Operations, Western European Operations, Chinese Operations, and Other. The companys laboratory instruments include laboratory balances, liquid pipetting solutions, automated laboratory reactors, real-time analytics, titrators, pH meters, process analytics sensors and analyzer technologies, physical value analyzers, density and refractometry, thermal analysis systems, and other analytical instruments; and LabX, a laboratory software platform to manage and analyze data generated from its instruments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mettler-Toledo International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mettler-Toledo International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stance Capital LLC purchased a new position in Edison International (NYSE:EIX Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 32,563 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $1,680,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in Edison International in the 2nd quarter worth about $268,801,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Edison International by 83.5% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 9,962,902 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $510,649,000 after acquiring an additional 4,534,864 shares in the last quarter. ATLAS Infrastructure Partners UK Ltd. lifted its position in Edison International by 197.2% during the first quarter. ATLAS Infrastructure Partners UK Ltd. now owns 4,395,732 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $258,997,000 after acquiring an additional 2,916,645 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Edison International by 4.9% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 51,470,117 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,655,858,000 after buying an additional 2,386,562 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Edison International by 237.2% in the second quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 1,904,568 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $98,276,000 after buying an additional 1,339,806 shares during the last quarter. 88.95% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Edison International alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on EIX shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Edison International from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Edison International from $67.00 to $65.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Wall Street Zen upgraded Edison International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH increased their price objective on Edison International from $52.50 to $55.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Cowen began coverage on Edison International in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. They issued a buy rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $64.20. Edison International Stock Up 0.6% Shares of Edison International stock opened at $58.30 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $56.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.62, a PEG ratio of 0.87 and a beta of 0.83. Edison International has a twelve month low of $47.73 and a twelve month high of $82.48. Edison International (NYSE:EIX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $2.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.16 by $0.18. Edison International had a net margin of 17.24% and a return on equity of 13.62%. The company had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.31 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.51 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Edison International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.950-6.200 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Edison International will post 4.95 earnings per share for the current year. Edison International Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.8775 per share. This is a boost from Edison Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. This represents a $3.51 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 7th. Edison Internationals payout ratio is currently 43.27%. Insider Activity at Edison International In related news, Director Peter J. Taylor sold 1,800 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.27, for a total value of $99,486.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 35,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,946,167.24. This trade represents a 4.86% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. About Edison International (Free Report) Edison International, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation and distribution of electric power. The company supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 50,000 square mile area of southern California to residential, commercial, industrial, public authorities, agricultural, and other sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Edison International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edison International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stance Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 6,190 shares of the communications equipment providers stock, valued at approximately $2,603,000. Motorola Solutions comprises about 1.0% of Stance Capital LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Motorola Solutions in the 4th quarter valued at $208,000. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 119.6% during the first quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 4,713 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $2,063,000 after buying an additional 2,567 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 3.8% in the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 3,435 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,504,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 3.4% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 812,456 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $355,660,000 after buying an additional 26,483 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aberdeen Group plc boosted its position in Motorola Solutions by 69.3% during the first quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 138,180 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $60,007,000 after acquiring an additional 56,547 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.17% of the companys stock. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have commented on MSI shares. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $500.00 to $525.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 29th. Weiss Ratings cut Motorola Solutions from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. Piper Sandler reissued a neutral rating and set a $465.00 price objective (down previously from $495.00) on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Barclays dropped their target price on Motorola Solutions from $509.00 to $495.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Northcoast Research upgraded Motorola Solutions from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $450.00 price target on the stock in a report on Monday, December 1st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Motorola Solutions presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $495.00. Motorola Solutions Stock Performance NYSE MSI opened at $364.46 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $404.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $428.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.59. The stock has a market cap of $60.70 billion, a PE ratio of 29.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.99. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a twelve month low of $363.37 and a twelve month high of $492.22. Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The communications equipment provider reported $4.06 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.85 by $0.21. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 18.71% and a return on equity of 118.48%. The company had revenue of $3.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.99 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.74 earnings per share. Motorola Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 earnings per share for the current year. Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $1.21 dividend. This is a boost from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $4.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is 34.99%. About Motorola Solutions (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Starwood European Real Estate Finance (LON:SWEF Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 88.35 and traded as low as GBX 86.50. Starwood European Real Estate Finance shares last traded at GBX 88, with a volume of 48,244 shares. Starwood European Real Estate Finance Stock Up 2.2% The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 88.41 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 87.56. The company has a market cap of 72.94 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -142.19. Starwood European Real Estate Finance Company Profile (Get Free Report) Starwood European Real Estate Finance Ltd. specializes in making real estate debt investments. The fund invests in Europe with a focus on the United Kingdom and wider European Union's internal market, focusing on Northern and Southern Europe. It provides loans with a term between three and seven years. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Starwood European Real Estate Finance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Starwood European Real Estate Finance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stonebridge Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 7,222 shares of the healthcare product makers stock, valued at approximately $982,000. Abbott Laboratories accounts for approximately 0.9% of Stonebridge Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ABT. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the second quarter valued at about $3,026,180,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 13,347.0% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,056,934 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $823,804,000 after purchasing an additional 6,011,891 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 12.8% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 29,763,415 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,948,117,000 after purchasing an additional 3,371,113 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,800,851 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $23,502,644,000 after buying an additional 2,977,715 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 180.7% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,063,443 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $416,659,000 after buying an additional 1,972,097 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Price Performance Shares of ABT stock opened at $125.47 on Friday. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $218.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.72, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.72. The firms 50 day moving average is $127.45 and its 200-day moving average is $130.48. Abbott Laboratories has a 1 year low of $110.86 and a 1 year high of $141.23. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.30. The firm 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%. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.21 EPS. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast 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 given a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.57%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ABT has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Benchmark started coverage on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Friday, October 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $145.00 target price for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Two 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis 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. Tavistock Investments Plc (LON:TAVI Get Free Report) shares passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 4.60 and traded as low as GBX 3.37. Tavistock Investments shares last traded at GBX 3.37, with a volume of 258,529 shares changing hands. Tavistock Investments Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of 15.79 million, a P/E ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.56, a current ratio of 1.91 and a quick ratio of 3.89. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is GBX 4.03 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 4.60. Get Tavistock Investments alerts: Tavistock Investments (LON:TAVI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 18th. The company reported GBX 1.20 EPS for the quarter. Tavistock Investments had a negative net margin of 3.23% and a negative return on equity of 3.14%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Tavistock Investments Plc will post 0.1312566 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at Tavistock Investments About Tavistock Investments In other Tavistock Investments news, insider Johanna Rager acquired 266,358 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 5 per share, for a total transaction of 13,317.90. Corporate insiders own 90.73% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Tavistock Investments Plc provides investment management and advisory support services to a network of financial advisers in the United Kingdom. The company offers investment planning, financial planning, pension and retirement planning, estate and legacy planning, protection and insurance, will writing, bereavement notification, employee benefits, protects families from financial difficulty, finance for homes and mortgages, financial management, financial planning, and tax saving services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Tavistock Investments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tavistock Investments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. What happened to Boxes to Boots isn't an isolated incident. It reflects a broader shift in how USPS handles international shipments including packages sent to military addresses overseas. The packages are now expected to arrive in time for the holidays. But the situation isn't fully resolved: approximately 150 packages remain missing, and some boxes marked for the Connecticut National Guard are still awaiting shipment (7). USPS acknowledged the issue but placed responsibility on the labeling. "The shipping forms were not filled out correctly in line with current regulations lack of detail on what was being shipped in the packages which led to this delay," a spokesperson said (6). "We wrote. We called. And we made an issue of it," Blumenthal told NBC Connecticut (5). After the story gained national attention and intervention from Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), USPS reversed course. The postal service picked up the returned boxes with new customs declarations and agreed to resend them without charging additional postage (4). Im almost 50 years old and have nothing saved for retirement. What do I do? Dont panic. Here are 6 easy ways to catch up (and fast) Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how The organization had already spent more than $10,000 in shipping costs. "We've sent packages for a good ten years and never had issues," Kristen Gauvin, president of Boxes to Boots, told WTNH. "We did our due diligence with researching proper coding this year and hit a roadblock and weren't getting answers" (3). The packages were returned with the word "toiletries" circled in red ink on the customs form. No phone call. No detailed explanation. No chance to fix the problem before the holiday shipping window closed (1). Making matters more confusing: roughly 300 boxes with identical labeling made it to their destinations without issue (2). A Connecticut nonprofit spent months preparing nearly 2,000 care packages filled with toiletries, snacks and handwritten cards for American troops stationed overseas. Volunteers gathered at a local high school in mid-November to wrap everything in Christmas paper before shipping 1,139 boxes to service members in more than a dozen countries. Story Continues Operation Shoebox, a Florida-based nonprofit that also sends care packages to deployed troops, flagged this problem back in September. "USPS has begun strictly enforcing long-standing international customs rules on military and diplomatic mail," the organization wrote. "These rules were always on the books but buried in postal regulations, seldom enforced, and rarely communicated. Even postal officials could not clearly explain why shipments were suddenly being rejected" (8). The trigger appears to be a September 1, 2025 rule change requiring all international commercial shipments to include a six-digit Harmonized System (HS) code on customs declarations (9). The HS code system, developed by the World Customs Organization, allows customs authorities worldwide to classify goods and assess tariffs. The practical impact is significant: vague descriptions that worked for years no longer pass muster. According to USPS guidelines, customs forms now require descriptions that make clear "what the item is, what it's made of, and what its purpose is" (10). Writing "toiletries" or "gifts" isn't specific enough. You need to say "men's deodorant stick" or "chocolate chip cookies." If your descriptions don't meet these standards, your package may be rejected, returned or even destroyed by customs officials in the destination country (11). Here's where it gets confusing for people shipping to troops. APO, FPO and DPO addresses (the military postal designations) are treated as domestic addresses for postage pricing. A first-class stamp can get a letter to a service member anywhere in the world. But according to USPS guidelines, customs forms are still required for most packages sent to military addresses overseas (12). So you pay domestic rates but face international paperwork requirements. Read More: Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and its raising alarm bells for retirees. Heres why and how to protect yourself Legislation that could fix the problem Blumenthal says the Boxes to Boots situation isn't an isolated incident. He's now aware of similar problems affecting individuals and groups across the country who've had care packages returned (13). His proposed solution: legislation that would treat packages going to U.S. military stationed overseas as fully domestic mail, eliminating the customs form requirement entirely. "There should be no additional burdens," Blumenthal said. "There's no excuse for what happened here to Boxes to Boots, and I'm hoping that their advocacy will have a national effect and solve this problem going forward" (14). Operation Shoebox has also called for Congressional action and launched a petition urging lawmakers to clarify how military mail should be classified (15). The legislation hasn't passed yet, which means the current rules remain in place for anyone shipping to troops this holiday season. How to make sure your care package actually arrives If you're sending a package to a service member overseas, here's how to avoid the fate that befell those 884 boxes: Be ruthlessly specific on customs forms. Don't write "snacks" write "salted peanuts, 8 oz bag" and "milk chocolate candy bar." Don't write "toiletries" write "men's disposable razors, pack of 4" and "SPF 30 sunscreen lotion, 3 oz tube." Every item needs its own detailed description. Use USPS digital tools. When you create labels through Click-N-Ship or Customs Forms Online, the system can help identify the correct HS codes based on your descriptions (16). This reduces the chance of rejection. Order free military shipping supplies. USPS offers a Military Care Kit containing Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, address labels, tape and customs form envelopes at no charge. You can order one at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-610-8734 (17). Know your deadlines. Military mail typically takes 7-15 days depending on service level and destination. Priority Mail Express offers the fastest delivery at 3-7 days. Double-check address formatting. Use the APO/FPO/DPO designation with the correct military state code (AA for the Americas, AE for Europe and the Middle East, AP for the Pacific). Never include the actual foreign country name that can route your package through the host nation's postal system instead of the military mail network. The bigger question The Boxes to Boots situation raises a fundamental issue that Blumenthal's legislation attempts to address: Should Americans sending care packages to American troops stationed on American military bases need to navigate international customs requirements at all? For now, they do. And until the rules change, the burden falls on senders to get the paperwork exactly right. That's something that tripped up even a nonprofit with a decade of experience. Anyone who wants to support Boxes to Boots can donate at boxestoboots.org. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) charity, and according to its website, 100% of donations go directly to creating and delivering care packages to troops overseas (18). You May Also Like Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. CT Insider (1); NBC Connecticut (2); WTNH (3); NBC Connecticut (4); NBC Connecticut (5); NBC Connecticut (6); NBC Connecticut (7); Operation Shoebox (8); Supply Chain Dive (9); USPS (10); USPS (11); USPS (12); NBC Connecticut (13); NBC Connecticut (14); Operation Shoebox (15); USPS (16); USPS (17); Boxes to Boots (18) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its stake in Toronto Dominion Bank (The) (NYSE:TD Free Report) (TSE:TD) by 1,477.7% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 2,666,729 shares of the banks stock after buying an additional 2,497,700 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank accounts for approximately 0.8% of Public Sector Pension Investment Boards portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest position. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in Toronto Dominion Bank were worth $195,749,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TD. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its position in shares of Toronto Dominion Bank by 18.5% during the second quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 12,470,618 shares of the banks stock worth $917,832,000 after acquiring an additional 1,946,172 shares during the last quarter. Triasima Portfolio Management inc. purchased a new position in Toronto Dominion Bank in the second quarter valued at about $8,492,000. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp grew its stake in Toronto Dominion Bank by 41.9% during the 1st quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 4,407,273 shares of the banks stock valued at $264,134,000 after purchasing an additional 1,302,281 shares in the last quarter. Picton Mahoney Asset Management acquired a new stake in Toronto Dominion Bank during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $267,475,000. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its holdings in Toronto Dominion Bank by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 13,815,706 shares of the banks stock worth $1,010,852,000 after purchasing an additional 115,203 shares during the last quarter. 52.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Toronto Dominion Bank alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently commented on TD. Raymond James Financial upgraded Toronto Dominion Bank to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Toronto Dominion Bank in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Toronto Dominion Bank from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Five analysts have rated the stock with 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 price target of $93.00. Toronto Dominion Bank Stock Down 0.4% Shares of NYSE:TD opened at $91.45 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average is $82.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $77.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. Toronto Dominion Bank has a 1-year low of $51.25 and a 1-year high of $92.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $154.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.69. Toronto Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD Get Free Report) (TSE:TD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The bank reported $1.56 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.10. Toronto Dominion Bank had a net margin of 16.52% and a return on equity of 13.90%. The business had revenue of $11.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.10 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.72 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Toronto Dominion Bank will post 5.48 EPS for the current year. Toronto Dominion Bank Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a dividend of $1.08 per share. This represents a $4.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.7%. This is a boost from Toronto Dominion Banks previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. Toronto Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio is currently 35.82%. Toronto Dominion Bank Profile (Free Report) The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Retail, Wealth Management and Insurance, and Wholesale Banking. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Toronto Dominion Bank (The) (NYSE:TD Free Report) (TSE:TD). Receive News & Ratings for Toronto Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tribridge Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 3,071 shares of the railroad operators stock, valued at approximately $707,000. Union Pacific accounts for 0.4% of Tribridge Partners Financial LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Union Pacific during the second quarter valued at $1,856,340,000. Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in Union Pacific by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 7,105,382 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,678,575,000 after acquiring an additional 142,732 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Union Pacific by 5.4% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,949,345 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,641,715,000 after acquiring an additional 354,463 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,398,715 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,472,217,000 after purchasing an additional 46,436 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.7% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 5,105,784 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,206,191,000 after purchasing an additional 86,292 shares in the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Union Pacific alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts recently commented on UNP shares. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Union Pacific from $277.00 to $275.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $265.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Union Pacific from $263.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Loop Capital raised Union Pacific from a sell rating to a hold rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $214.00 to $227.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Friday, October 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $259.54. Union Pacific Price Performance Shares of NYSE:UNP opened at $239.90 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $142.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.99. The business has a 50-day moving average of $226.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $225.79. Union Pacific Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $204.66 and a fifty-two week high of $256.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The railroad operator reported $3.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.99 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $6.24 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.24 billion. Union Pacific had a return on equity of 42.23% and a net margin of 28.73%.The firms revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.75 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current fiscal year. Union Pacific Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a $1.38 dividend. This represents a $5.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Union Pacifics payout ratio is presently 46.90%. 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. Further Reading 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. Wellington Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 6,390 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $583,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SCHW. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in Charles Schwab by 97.9% in the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 386 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 6,650.0% during the first quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 405 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hoese & Co LLP grew its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 131.6% in the second quarter. Hoese & Co LLP now owns 352 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.38% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, October 3rd. They issued an outperform rating and a $110.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Thursday. They set a buy rating and a $119.00 target price on the stock. Barclays decreased their price target 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. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $88.00 to $91.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Charles Schwab from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating 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 issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Charles Schwab presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $108.37. Charles Schwab Trading Down 0.4% Charles Schwab stock opened at $96.63 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $171.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $93.86 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $93.44. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a 12 month low of $65.88 and a 12 month high of $99.59. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.06. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 35.93% and a return on equity of 21.02%. The company had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.93 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.71 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is 25.29%. Insider Activity In other news, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total transaction of $299,122.65. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 34,778 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,245,830.74. This trade represents a 8.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 3,072 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.00, for a total value of $301,056.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,168,454. The trade was a 20.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 6.30% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Charles Schwab Profile (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. White Mountains Insurance Group (NYSE:WTM Get Free Report) and Seibels Bruce Group (OTCMKTS:SBBG Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and risk. Earnings and Valuation This table compares White Mountains Insurance Group and Seibels Bruce Groups top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get White Mountains Insurance Group alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio White Mountains Insurance Group $2.24 billion 2.33 $230.40 million $54.34 37.76 Seibels Bruce Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Profitability White Mountains Insurance Group has higher revenue and earnings than Seibels Bruce Group. This table compares White Mountains Insurance Group and Seibels Bruce Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets White Mountains Insurance Group 5.63% 7.19% 3.38% Seibels Bruce Group N/A N/A N/A Risk & Volatility White Mountains Insurance Group has a beta of 0.36, meaning that its stock price is 64% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Seibels Bruce Group has a beta of 5.47, meaning that its stock price is 447% more volatile than the S&P 500. Institutional and Insider Ownership 88.7% of White Mountains Insurance Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.2% of White Mountains Insurance Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 55.4% of Seibels Bruce Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for White Mountains Insurance Group and Seibels Bruce Group, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score White Mountains Insurance Group 0 1 0 0 2.00 Seibels Bruce Group 0 0 0 0 0.00 Given Seibels Bruce Groups higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Seibels Bruce Group is more favorable than White Mountains Insurance Group. Summary White Mountains Insurance Group beats Seibels Bruce Group on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About White Mountains Insurance Group (Get Free Report) White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides insurance and other financial services in the United States. The company operates through HG Global/BAM, Ark/WM Outrigger, Kudu, and Other Operations segments. The HG Global/BAM segment provides insurance on municipal bonds issued to finance public purposes, such as schools, utilities, and transportation facilities, as well as reinsurance protection services. The Ark/WM Outrigger segment offers reinsurance and insurance, including property, marine and energy, accident and health, casualty, and specialty products. The Kudu segment provides capital solutions to boutique asset and wealth managers for generational ownership transfers, management buyouts, acquisitions and growth finances, and legacy partner liquidity, as well as strategic assistance to investees. The Other Operations segment offers insurance solutions to travel industry through broker channel and on a direct-to-consumer basis; and manages separate accounts and pooled investment vehicles for insurance-linked securities sectors, including catastrophe bonds, collateralized reinsurance investments, and industry loss warranties of third-party clients. White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. was incorporated in 1980 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. About Seibels Bruce Group (Get Free Report) The Seibels Bruce Group, Inc. provides processing, technology, and claims solutions to the property and casualty insurance industry. The company offers processing solutions for coastal markets; business process outsourcing; claims administration solutions; information technology outsourcing; and professional services. It also provides technology solutions, such as IPX enterprise insurance suite, CPX claims management system, FNOL first notice of loss, and reinspection processing xpert solutions; and claims solutions, including third party administration, catastrophe management, first notice of loss, multi-line adjusting and examination, reinspection, and subrogation/salvage services. The company was founded in 1869 and is based in Columbia, South Carolina. Receive News & Ratings for White Mountains Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for White Mountains Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The wheat complex closed Friday with losses. Chicago SRW futures were down 4 to 5 cents in most contracts, as March was down 6 cents on the week. KC HRW futures were 4 to 5 cents on Friday, with March losing 13 cents since last Friday. MPLS spring wheat was fractionally lower to close Friday, with March up 2 cents on the week. Commitment of Traders data as of November 18 showed spec funds trimming 10,070 contracts as from their net short position in Chicago wheat futures and options to 48,691 contracts as of that date. In KC wheat futures and options, managed money cut 13,278 contracts from their net short to 19,939 contracts. More News from Barchart Export Sales data for the week ending on November 20 will be released on Monday, with analysts looking for 300,000-750,000 MT in wheat sales. A South Korean importer purchased a total of 65,000 MT of wheat in a private purchased overnight. Dec 25 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.34 1/2, unch, Mar 26 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.29 1/4, down 4 1/4 cents, Dec 25 KCBT Wheat closed at $4.98 3/4, down 16 3/4 cents, Mar 26 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.18, down 4 1/4 cents, Dec 25 MGEX Wheat closed at $5.82 1/2, unch, Mar 26 MGEX Wheat closed at $5.76 3/4, down 1/2 cent, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6) Today Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 18F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 18F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 50%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. THE YEAR HAS ONE MORE edition of THE WEEK left. The anniversary issue, dated December 28. And this penultimate issue brings you a cover story which is a year younger than THE WEEK, the Man of the Year special. This years spotlight is on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. He was interviewed by Principal Correspondent Abhinav Singh and Senior Correspondent Nirmal Jovial, supported by Photo Editor Bhanu Prakash Chandra and Assistant Video Editor Uthara Dinesh. The article is a fine balance of his journey from Lucknow to space, with snapshots of the personal, including how he courted Kamna. There are also sketches about the love of their life, six-year-old Kiash. I am sure quite a few of our readers from the armed forces can relate to what Kamna said about waiting for that one call every Sunday from a phone booth near the National Defence Academy. Forces wives will also see themselves in her decision to give up her career in dentistry to follow him from posting to posting, even as far as Moscow in winter. Shubhanshu Shukla | Bhanu Prakash Chandra Elsewhere in this issue, Senior Assistant News Editor Ajish P. Joy takes a relook at the Guantanamo Bay cover we carried in 2013. This was done against the backdrop of US President Donald Trumps decision to turn it into a holding camp for undocumented immigrants. The American Civil Liberties Union is fighting the move tooth and nail. Very few terror-accused remain in Guantanamo Bay today. A senior editor of your favourite magazine felt that Nobel laureate Seamus Heaneys poem Blackberry-Picking describes most years, if not all. The poem begins with a desire for more, whetted by the taste of a ripe blackberry: just one, a glossy purple clot/ Among others, red, green, hard as a knot./its flesh was sweet/Like thickened wine. And then leaves you with the feeling that you cannot keep memories, relationships or the taste of a blackberry fresh forever. Time will ensure that everything fades. The editor read the poem for the first time after reading Special Correspondent Anjuly Mathais article about Caroline Casey, a blind Irish woman who fell in love with an Indian elephant, Kanchi. Casey rode Kanchi across the southern states, crossing the Western Ghats. Once, while crossing over to Coorg, Karnataka, from Kannur, Kerala, they spent an unforgettable night in a village. Unforgettable for many reasons. A cobra terrorised Kanchi, and she roused the whole village. And among the people who gathered was a boy who adored Heaney. Casey was carrying a copy of the Irish poets anthology, which contained the boys favourite poemBlackberry-Picking. She read Heaney to the boy and the villagers, by the flickering light of a bonfire. Heaney in the Ghats, by firelight. If that is not magical, then what is? The editor said that he first read Heaney after former US president Joe Biden kept quoting him. Biden, too, has Irish roots. His favourite lines: History says, Dont hope On this side of the grave But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme. Time might grind hope down to dust, yes. But time also offers hope, I feel. And, healing. Floating in his private pool, Chinas helmsman Mao Zedong shared his strategic vision with visiting Soviet strongman Nikita Khrushchev in 1958: You look after Europe, and leave Asia to us. Obviously, he expected the US to withdraw into its pre-war Monroe world of the Americas, thus making the world tripolar. Khrushchev, wiser to the world and with a European disdain for the rustic comrade from the eastern paddies, retorted: No one has authorised us to look after Europe; who has authorised you to take care of Asia? Indian diplomat T.N. Kaul has recorded this in his memoirs A Diplomats Diary. Guess how Kaul learnt of this private chat? Khrushchevs interpreter told him. Lesson for diplomats: walls may not have ears, but interpreters may have wagging tongues. What Mao wanted from Khrushchev, Don Trump is delivering to Xi Jinping. With his national security document, a 21st century version of the 19th century Monroe doctrine, Trump is focusing on the American continent to make the US great again, leaving most of the rest of the world to be sorted out between Xi and Vladimir Putin. Image Ai Lets sort out this Monroe conundrum. Finding that European powers were fighting their colonial brawls on the American continent, US president James Monroe told them to keep off the New World; in return the US wouldnt poke its nose in European affairs. This 1823 statement is thought to have been a definitive proclamation of American isolationism. Much water has churned the Atlantic and the Pacific since. Scholars now see traits of isolationism and interventionism in Americas global conductisolation during the 19th century, intervention in World War I, isolation during the Great Depression, intervention during World War II and thereafter. The fifties and the sixties saw the armed eagle flying around the world, but in 1969 Richard Nixon attempted, in vain, with his Guam doctrine, to take the Vietnam-scarred eagle back to its Monroe nest. Jim Carter let the eagle fly out as a dove of peace, but it got its wings burnt over the Persian sands. Since the days of Ron Reagan who succeeded him, the eagle has been poking its beak in every conflict on every continent. Trump thinks its all been a waste of US tax-payers money. Trump has found a way to MAGAinvoke the Monroe doctrine to restore American pre-eminence in the western hemisphere, and to protect our homeland and our access to key geographies throughout the region. We will deny non-hemispheric competitors [read China] the ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities, or to own or control strategically vital assets [like the Panama Canal] in our hemisphere. He calls it a Trump corollary to the Monroe doctrine. Got the point? He wont let any eastern tyrant control assets on the American continent, invest in American military industries or dump cheap goods in American markets. He will guard the Caribbean and Latin American lands as his backyard. (Venezuelans, listen!) Xi may do whatever he fancies in most of Asia or Africa as long as those actions dont threaten American interests there. (Taiwan, Japan, Australia, India, breathe easy!) Russia could be contained and confinedso one may assumeto eastern Europe and central Asia, and roped in to re-establish strategic stability. Western Europe? Getting crowded by Asiatics and Africans, they are losing their western identity and facing civilisational erasure. They better control the inflow, and spend more euros on arming themselves. If they dont? Let the devil, the mullahs or Putin take them. prasannan@theweek.in Three Royal Thai Army personnel were hurt when the main gun of their Chinese VT-4 main battle tank ruptured, reports said. The tank was in action when the damage happened, leaving its barrel shattered, rendering the vehicle combat ineffective while on the line of fire, reports said. A Chinese built VT-4 in Thailand's army service suffered a catastrophic barrel burst during ongoing conflict with Cambodia. Paki army has the same tank in service as Haider. It was being assembled locally in HIT plant, but the process was stopped due to poor quality of components pic.twitter.com/oxJ8kUoFr8 Jaidev Jamwal (@JaidevJamwal) December 13, 2025 During the mishap, it was not just the main armament of the tank that was damaged but its laser warning system, as well as fire control and targeting systems, also took a hit. Material fatigue, manufacturing defects, ammunition issues, and operational factors are all among the suspected causes for the embarrassing failure. SURIN FRONT, Thailand On 12 Dec 2568 (2025), a Thai Army VT4 main battle tank, purchased from China , reportedly pursued and fired at Cambodian positions. The tanks main gun burst during the engagement, injuring three crewmen, said to be seriously wounded. Authorities pic.twitter.com/880S7MXwof Pro Max (@ruthan76021) December 12, 2025 The development was confirmed by the Royal Thai Army, which claimed that the cause of the incident is still under technical investigation. It added that the tank was taking fire, and the main gun was repeatedly being used when the rupturing happened. Regarding the case of a Thai VT-4 tank experiencing an accident in which firing caused the gun barrel to burst, it did occur, deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army Colonel Richa Suksuwanont said. The tank has damage. As for the cause, it cannot yet be specified and is currently under technical examination. "...VT-4 tank has been continuously involved in operations and has conducted intensive firing during the period of operations. Whether this may be the cause or not, we ask that the public wait for a detailed technical verification by the Ordnance Department, he added. Thailand has entrusted the Ordnance Department with conducting a full technical examination of the damaged tank, including an inspection of the gun barrel, ammunition, fire control systems, and maintenance records, a report said. The Chinese VT-4 tanks Also known as MBT-3000, the VT-4 is in service since 2017. It is a third-generation Chinese Main Battle Tank from the China North Industries Corporation (Norinco). The VT-4s dimensions are comparable to the Indian Armys Russian-origin T-90 tanks. Like the Indian Army's T-90 tanks, the VT-4 has a 125mm gun that can fire both conventional tank rounds and also missiles. Images of the VT-4 tank from Tuesday's exercise show it is equipped with a remote weapon system atop the turret. A remote weapon system on a tank typically is a small gun that is controlled remotely and is useful against infantry and other light targets. The VT-4 main battle tank has a road speed of 70 km/h and 50 km/h in cross-country conditions. In 2020, Pakistan Army had ordered at least 176 VT-4 tanks at a cost of $859 million. Nigeria is a third known foreign user of VT-4 apart from Thailand and Pakistan. 'Not every citizen in this country is treated equally before the law, ' mentioned a strongly worded social media post by the survivor in the 2017 Kerala actress assault case, amid the recent verdict pronounced by Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court. This is the first time she has reacted to the verdict in the case. "At the end of the day, this verdict made me realise how strongly human judgement can shape decisions. I also know that every court does not function in the same way," the actress said. The verdict: All six convicts, Sunil A.K.A Pulsar Suni, Martin Antony, Manikandan B, Vijesh VP, Salim H and Pradeep, in the 2017 actress sexual assault case, were handed 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine. The convicts were sentenced under Section 376D (gang rape) and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy). The court ruled against a maximum penalty, arguing that 'there are no special circumstances that warrant life imprisonment for the accused'. From circumstances that involved the resignation of two public prosecutors from the case to repeatedly requesting a proper investigation into the tampering of the memory card, the actress listed the reasons as to why she lost faith in the trial court. She mentioned that she even wrote letters to the President and Prime Minister and requested that the court conduct the proceedings in an open court. "While I was fighting for a fair trial, the accused filed a petition requesting that this same judge continue to hear the case. This raised even more serious doubts in my mind," her post mentioned. Regarding the verdict, Special Public Prosecutor V. Aja Kumar said the sentencing is disappointing and sends a wrong message to society. "This is the least sentence that can be given for these charges. The prosecution will recommend that the state government file an appeal in the case," the prosecutor said. CLAIM: Tightly swaddling a baby to 'straighten' their hands and feet is harmful and unnecessary. Swaddling should be done loosely to manage reflexive movements, not to forcefully shape a babys limbs. FACT: Swaddling can help newborns sleep better by reducing their startle reflex, but it must be done safely. Studies show that improper swaddling, especially when babies sleep on their stomach or when the legs are wrapped too tightly, can increase the risk of SIDS and hip problems. Always swaddle loosely around the hips, keep the baby on their back, and stop once they begin to roll. In a viral reel posted by Dr Imran Patel, a paediatrician, the doctor addresses a common parenting practice swaddling, and whether it should be done tightly. The reel opens with Dr Imran introducing a 2-and-a-half-month-old baby, as he explains to viewers and the childs mother why certain traditional methods of tying or wrapping infants can be harmful. In the video, Dr Imran says, Hello everybody, this is 2 and a half months hero. He then shares what the mother was told at home, that the baby should be wrapped tightly so that her hands and feet stay straight and do not become crooked. Demonstrating the common technique, he adds, It is tied in such a way that the hands and feet are pulled tight and then the cloth is tied. He immediately clarifies why this approach is incorrect, shifting into an explanatory mode for the audience. Dr Imran tells the mother that babies naturally exhibit primitive reflexes, especially the Moro reflex, which causes their hands to suddenly open even with slight movement. This is why babies sometimes wake up suddenly, he explains, emphasising that swaddling is meant to gently control reflexive movements, not to forcefully straighten limbs. Setting the record straight, he adds, As children grow, their legs automatically become straight. Tying them tightly will not make them straight; that is an illusion. The reel has managed to gain massive traction, amassing 2.47 crore views, over 11.7 lakh likes, and nearly 3 lakh shares, sparking widespread discussion among parents about safe swaddling practices. What is swaddling? Swaddling is the practice of wrapping a baby snugly in a cloth or blanket so that their body is wrapped securely while the head remains free. The gentle pressure created by the wrap mimics the cosy environment of the womb, which is why many newborns find it calming. This soothing technique has been used across cultures for thousands of years, and researchers have studied its effects on infant sleep and behaviour for decades. The effectiveness of a swaddle comes from how it gently limits a babys movements. In scientific terms, some studies describe this as a form of motor restraint essentially, restricting sudden limb movements that can trigger the Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex. This reflex is present from birth and typically lasts until around 36 months of age. It causes babies to abruptly extend their arms or legs in response to loud sounds or unexpected movements. Is swaddling safe? One study titled Influence of swaddling on sleep and arousal characteristics of healthy infants, conducted on 16 healthy infants aged 616 weeks, investigated how swaddling affects sleep patterns and responsiveness to environmental stress. Using overnight polygraphic recordings, researchers found that swaddling increased sleep efficiency, encouraged more non-REM sleep, and reduced spontaneous awakenings. However, the study also noted that significantly less-intense auditory stimuli were needed during rapid eye movement sleep to induce cortical arousals when swaddled than when not swaddled, meaning infants woke up or reacted more easily to even softer or quieter sounds when they were swaddled. The authors concluded that swaddling promotes more sustained sleep and reduces the frequency of spontaneous awakenings, whereas induced cortical arousals are elicited by less-intense stimuli. These findings could indicate that, although swaddling favours sleep continuity, it is associated with increased responsiveness to environmental auditory stress. While this study highlighted the calming effects of proper swaddling, another piece of research focused on safety risks, especially in relation to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A 2016 individual-level meta-analysis examined four observational studies assessing whether swaddling increased SIDS risk. The pooled analysis found an age-adjusted 1.58 times higher risk of SIDS in swaddled infants, though results varied by sleeping position. Crucially, the risk was highest when swaddled infants slept prone (on the stomach) with an odds ratio (OR) of 12.99, followed by side sleeping (OR 3.16) and supine sleeping (on the back) (OR 1.93). Limited evidence also suggested that swaddling became riskier as babies grew older, especially beyond six months. The authors warned that current advice to avoid front or side positions for sleep especially applies to infants who are swaddled. Consideration should be given to an age after which swaddling should be discouraged. While the study doesnt clearly explain why the risk increases, experts suggest that a tightly swaddled baby may struggle to lift their head if they experience breathing difficulty. And, if the swaddle becomes loose while the baby is lying face down, it could raise the chances of accidental smothering. Beyond SIDS concerns, experts have also raised alarms about the impact of tight leg binding on hip development. Traditional swaddling, especially when the legs are wrapped straight, has long been associated with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition where the hip joint does not form properly. A 2020 Indian study surveyed 364 participants, including paediatricians, nurses, and caregivers. It found that 90 pc of caregivers practised traditional tight swaddling, often for more than 10 hours a day, starting from birth. Many believed the practice helped keep the babys legs straight. However, awareness of hip-safe swaddling was extremely low only 6.6 pc of paediatricians, 4 pc of caregivers, and none of the nurses had heard of it. The study concluded that traditional swaddling of infants is a practice deeply rooted in India, born out of misbeliefs, and propagated by lack of awareness. Training in hip-safe swaddling targeted at nurses and Paediatricians would be an effective initial step in creating awareness among mothers and changing their practices. In short, swaddling is generally safe when done correctly. What is the right way to swaddle the baby? Swaddling can be soothing for some infants, but its important for parents to follow safe practices. Babies do not need to be swaddled, and if your child sleeps comfortably without it, you can skip it altogether. If you choose to swaddle, always place your baby on their back to sleep, as this is especially crucial when they are wrapped. The swaddle should be snug enough to stay in place but not so tight that it restricts breathing or movement; loose fabric can be hazardous. Parents should also avoid overheating by not layering too many warm clothes or blankets. Additionally, the babys hips and legs should have enough room to bend and move, since overly tight wrapping around the lower body can affect healthy hip development. For longer periods of swaddling, such as both day and night, using a swaddle-style sleep sack that allows freer leg movement is a safer option. Finally, swaddling should stop once the baby shows any signs of rolling over, as this significantly increases the risk of suffocation. This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS. A public health announcement by officials in California regarding a potential Salmonella contamination has alerted experts and people alike and raises the importance of being more vigilant. Recently, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a health warning and also recalled eggs from Vga Farms after media reported more than 60 people falling ill, with 13 needing hospitalisation after the consumption of the eggs. This situation underscores the importance of food safety and the need for consumers to be careful, especially when it comes to food recalls. What is Salmonella? As per the Cleveland Clinic, Salmonella, or salmonellosis, is an infection with Salmonella bacteria that causes diarrhea, fever and stomach pains. For your daily dose of HEALTH news and updates, Visit Vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems need to stay alert. In severe cases, it can result in hospitalisation or even become life-threatening. Here's what you can do to avoid health risks from Salmonella bacteria: 1. Check for recalls: Regularly visit official websites for updates on recalls. 2. Safe storage: In the case of eggs, always store them in the refrigerator at or below 40F (4C). This helps inhibit the growth of Salmonella bacteria. Refrigerate perishable food (food that goes bad) within 2 hours. If the food is exposed to temperatures above 90F (like a hot car or picnic), ensure that you refrigerate it within 1 hour. Thaw food in the refrigerator, not on the counter. 3. Cook thoroughly: Ensure the ingredients are cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160F (71C). This temperature kills Salmonella and other harmful bacteria. 4. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw eggs to prevent cross-contamination. 5. Be cautious when eating out: Choose eateries that you are confident about the hygiene protocols to avoid any health disaster. Remember, when it comes to food safety, being proactive is key! Calling delay and rising litigation costs the biggest obstacles to justice delivery in India, Chief Justice Surya Kant on Sunday said the true test of the judicial system lies not in legal theory but in the lived experience of ordinary citizens struggling to access courts. Delivering the keynote address at a symposium organised by the Orissa High Court Bar Association on Ensuring justice for the common man: Strategies for reducing litigation costs and delays, the chief justice said justice becomes meaningful only when it is predictable, accessible and humane. Referring to his early years as a practising lawyer, he recalled seeing an elderly farmer waiting outside a courtroom late into the afternoon with his case listed far down the board. For him, delay was not a docket statistic. It was a quiet erosion of dignity, the chief justice said, underscoring how prolonged litigation disproportionately harms the poor and vulnerable. He said the constitutional promise of dignity under Article 21 is compromised when justice becomes slow or unaffordable. The right to dignity is killed through a thousand cuts when the rule of law becomes tardy or expensive, he observed, warning that procedural delays gradually undermine public faith in the justice system. Addressing the issue of pendency, the chief justice said backlog must be viewed as a systemic problem affecting every level of the judiciary. When higher courts remain clogged with long-pending matters, he said, the pressure intensifies on trial courts below. He indicated that efforts are underway at the apex level to dispose of old cases involving settled or repetitive legal issues to remove uncertainty that stalls proceedings across the system. Finality at the top creates confidence across the judicial pyramid, he said, describing the exercise as system stabilisation rather than routine docket management. The chief justice strongly advocated greater use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), particularly mediation, calling it one of the most effective tools for reducing both costs and delays. Drawing from judicial experience, he said mediation has successfully resolved family disputes, commercial conflicts, trademark cases and even cross-border disputes when parties were willing to engage in meaningful dialogue. However, he noted that ADR remains underutilised due to a lack of institutional and cultural commitment. Government departments, he said, often file appeals mechanically due to institutional anxiety rather than legal necessity. He emphasised the need for training and accountability frameworks to curb unnecessary litigation by the state. The chief justice also cautioned lawyers against forum shopping, stating that approaching higher courts simply because one can afford to do so adds to delays. The appropriate forum must be respected, he said, adding that settlement should not be seen as a surrender, but as a strategic resolution of disputes. On technology, the Chief Justice said digital tools introduced during the pandemicsuch as virtual hearings, e-filing and online case tracking demonstrated their potential to reduce procedural delays and expand access to justice. Digital service of summons and electronic tracking of notices, he said, can eliminate months lost to avoidable adjournments. At the same time, he warned against uncritical reliance on technology, particularly in an era of deepfakes and digital fraud. Reforms that exclude the poor, elderly or digitally unfamiliar, he said, risk deepening inequality rather than improving access. Highlighting the importance of judicial infrastructure, the chief justice said inadequate courtrooms, staff and facilities continue to strain the system. Infrastructure, he stressed, should be viewed as an investment rather than expenditure. He called for specialised and exclusive courts for time-bound trials, especially in complex criminal cases with national and international ramifications. Concluding his address, the chief justice likened the justice system to a chariot driven by four wheelsthe bench, the bar, the administration and the citizen. If even one refuses to move, the journey halts, he said, calling for collective responsibility to ensure timely and affordable justice for all. India on Sunday categorically rejected the Bangladesh interim government's charges and asserted it has never acted against the neighbouring country's interests. India's statements come after Bangladesh's foreign affairs ministry summoned Indian envoy to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, to convey concerns over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's statements. In its statement, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that India has always favoured free and fair elections in Bangladesh. "India categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh in its press note dated 14 December 2025. We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere," it said. India categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh in its press note dated 14 December 2025. We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful pic.twitter.com/coMKUqr53R ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025 Rejecting Bangladesh's claims of letting its "fugitives" make statements that could disturb the law and order situation in the country, MEA said, "India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh." India pressed that the upcoming general elections should be held in a peaceful atmosphere. "We expect that the interim government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections," it stressed. Bangladesh's foreign ministry summoned Indian envoy Pranay Verma and conveyed its concern over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's "incendiary" statements from India. According to a statement, the foreign ministry also brought to Verma's notice the activities of some members of Hasina-led Awami League while staying in India. The parliamentary elections in Bangladesh will be held on February 12. It will be the first general election after the collapse of the Hasina government in August last year, following massive protests. Referendum on the July Charter plan would also be held on the day. "It is now clear that the current occupying authority is entirely biased, and that under their control it is impossible to ensure a fair and normal environment where transparency, neutrality, and the people's will can be reflected," the Awami League said in a statement on Thursday. During the meeting, Bangladesh also sought the extradition of Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to face sentences passed by judicial authorities in Bangladesh. A Dhaka special tribunal recently sentenced Hasina to death for "crimes against humanity". The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) decision to appoint 45-year-old Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as its national working president signals the beginning of a leadership reset within the organization. The move, announced by the BJP parliamentary board on Sunday, was unexpected, with Nabins name hardly mentioned in succession discussions. He will be the youngest person to occupy the party's top organizational position and the first from Bihar. The appointment alters the BJPs internal hierarchy. By elevating a leader younger than several senior office bearers and Union ministers, the party has disrupted its traditional age- and experience-based order. This is likely to have a cascading effect within the organization, requiring adjustments among leaders senior to him in age and experience. In political terms, such organizational changes have often preceded cabinet reshuffles in the BJP. Now, the next expected step is a rejig of the Union cabinet. #WATCH | Patna: Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin appointed as the BJP National Executive President; visuals from his residence, where people are congratulating him on the appointment pic.twitter.com/RiORoP1Jso ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2025 The timing is notable. On the same day, the BJP appointed Pankaj Chaudhary, an OBC leader and minister of state for finance, as its new Uttar Pradesh unit president. Uttar Pradesh remains the BJPs most electorally critical state, and leadership changes there are indicative of broader strategic moves. Together, the two appointments suggest that the party has begun reorganising its leadership. Nabin's elevation also points to early preparation for the next electoral cycle ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. His appointment places him above several leaders who have played prominent roles in the partys rise over the past decade. His announcement comes after a long delay as the BJP and RSS were involved in discussions on deciding the next party chief, with the latter pushing for a younger face so that the next generational leadership is prepared in the post-Modi era. The message is implicit: age and seniority alone are no longer sufficient markers of authority. The decision formally ends the extended tenure of J. P. Nadda, who was appointed party president in January 2020 and served nearly five years, well beyond the partys customary three-year term. Nabin's endorsement as the next party chief would come after the BJP holds its national council meeting, likely to be held in the next few weeks. Nabin currently serves as the road construction minister in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government and is a five-time MLA from the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Patna. He entered electoral politics in 2006 after the death of his father, Nabin Kishore Prasad Sinha, a senior BJP leader and former MLA from the same seat. Since then, Nabin has retained Bankipur across successive elections, gradually increasing his margins. Bankipur remains a BJP stronghold and reflects the partys urban support base in Bihar. Belonging to the Kayastha community, Nabin comes from a political family with a strong RSS background. He has completed his intermediate education and built his political career primarily through organizational work rather than public mobilisation. Within the BJP, he is regarded as a disciplined and low-profile but efficient administrator. His rise within the party has followed the organizational ladder. Nabin has served in the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha as general secretary, and has handled responsibilities such as the BJP's state in-charge for Chhattisgarh, where the party returned to power. These roles have enhanced his experience as an organizational man and election manager. With age on his side, he expected to re-energize the party cadre across the country and also send a message that sincere organizational cadres were rewarded with responsibilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, congratulating Nabin on social media, described him as a hard-working party worker with organizational experience and a record as both MLA and minister. The emphasis of the endorsement was on discipline and delivery rather than ideological positioning or mass appeal, underlining the partys current organizational priorities. At the same time, Nabin's appointment carries a social signal. His elevation, as an upper-caste leader, in line with several previous party chiefs, reassures the BJPs traditional support base at a time when national political discourse is increasingly focused on OBC empowerment through initiatives such as the caste census. If the party has pressed a reboot button, signalling generational change, it is also a message to its political opponents to prepare next-generation leadership. In the early decades of the twentieth century, as radium fever gripped scientists and entrepreneurs alike, one Philadelphia businessman joined the race for the glowing substance that promised medical miracles and industrial riches. His name was Dicran Hadjy Kabakjianan Armenian immigrant and inventor, whose ambition outpaced the safety knowledge of the era. Kabakjian was neither a famous physicist nor a well-funded industrialist. He was part of a smaller, largely forgotten world of independent experimentersmen who believed that with enough perseverance and chemical ingenuity, they too could produce a substance worth more than its weight in gold. What Kabakjian did not know, and what few in his day fully understood, was that radium was a danger unlike anything that had ever been handled in small workshops or private homes. In trying to refine it, he contaminated both places so thoroughly that decades later federal surveyors would still find his walls, floors, and pipes ticking ominously on a Geiger counter. When Marie and Pierre Curie announced the discovery of radium in 1898, the world was dazzled by its faint green glow. Physicists and chemists everywhere scrambled to probe this strange new realm of radioactivity and search for practical uses for the element. Kabakjian was no different. With a background in physics, he quickly established himself as one of the leading American authorities on radiation and its properties. In 1913, he developed a process for extracting radium salts from carnotite, the yellowish clay-like uranium ore mined in Colorado and Utah. His method called for crushing the ore into a fine sand and treating it with strong acids, a technique that could recover nearly 90 percent of the radium presentfar more efficient than existing extraction processes. Kabakjian sold the exclusive rights to this method to the W.L. Cummings Chemical Company, where he served as their chief radium consultant. In 1915, Cummings established a radium-refining facility in Lansdowne, housed in a wooden building beside the train tracks near South Union and Austin Avenues. Powerful grinding machines reduced the ore to fine sand, which workers then manually shovelled into towering two-story vats. There, the sand was subjected to a series of chemical treatments designed to coax out minute quantities of radium. The plant processed as much as two tons of carnotite ore a day, yet its yearly yield amounted to only about three grams of radiumroughly the mass of a modern penny. While such a return might seem miserly for the effort involved, the economics of the era told a different story. A single gram of radium commanded an astonishing $100,000well over $2 million in todays money. And Cummingss operation was one of only six radium-producing facilities in the entire world. The business flourished for a time, and both Cummings and Dr. Kabakjian enjoyed the profits. But the success was short-lived. In the early 1920s, richer ores were discovered elsewhere, and despite Kabakjians continued refinements to the extraction process, Cummings could no longer compete. The refinery shut down for good in 1922. Kabakjian, however, saw an opportunity in miniature. Although his method was no longer viable on an industrial scale, it remained profitable for small-batch refining. So in 1923, he set up a modest radium-processing workshop in the basement of his elegant three-story Victorian duplex, located not far from the shuttered refinery. Kabakjian purchased ore by the truckload, which arrived at his home every few months. His two sons, Armen and Raymond, hauled the heavy sacks into the basement, where they ground the ore into sand. Even the daughters took part in the operation. Alice heated the sand until radium crystals began to form, Louise weighed the crystals and packed them into fine-gauge platinum needles, and Lillian kept the accounts. Kabakjian and his wife oversaw the entire enterprise from start to finish. A piece of carnotite in sandstone, mined in Colorado. Credit: James St. John The radium they produced was sold to doctors and hospitals for the rapidly growing field of cancer radiotherapy. During the Second World War, the family even supplied radium to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, where it was used in industrial x-ray work to detect microscopic cracks and flaws in ship components. By the 1940s, Kabakjians health began to decline, forcing him to close the family business. He died in 1945 at the age of seventy. An autopsy later revealed that he suffered from fibrosis of the lungs, caused by years of inhaling fumes from the strong acids used in his refining process. After his death, the Kabakjian family sold their three-story house and moved to a smaller residence. The property passed to the Tallant family, who were initially unaware of Kabakjians long history of radium work in the basement. When Anna Tallant learned of it from neighbours, she quickly moved out, selling the house once again, this time to another unsuspecting buyer, the Kizirian family, in 1961. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Pennsylvania began identifying former sites where radioactive materials had been processed, checking them for lingering contamination. Dr. Kabakjians name surfaced during the review, and one day investigators from the Department of Health arrived at the Kizirian home carrying Geiger counters. The family was stunned to learn what their house had once been used for, and even more alarmed when the instruments began to chatter. Radiation levels throughout the property were far beyond what could be considered safe. The basement, where Kabakjian had conducted most of his refining work, was the worst. One basement sink emitted so much gamma radiation that inspectors refused to come within several feet of it. But the contamination was not confined to the cellar. The first-floor dining room, the front porch, the garage, and even the driveway all showed elevated readings. State authorities ordered the Kizirians to clean up the property, but Harry Kizirian had no way to cover the estimated $10,000 cost. At the time, state and federal clean-up programs funded only military and industrial sites, not private homes. The Bureau of Radiation Protection ultimately announced that the house would have to be demolished. Desperate, the Kizirians hired a lawyer, who persuaded a congressman to intervene. His efforts succeeded in securing a joint statefederal decontamination effort led by the U.S. Air Force. Clean-up began in 1964, and by the time the work was completed, more than 120 drums of radioactive material had been removed and shipped to a disposal facility near Buffalo, New York. Fortunately, the Kabakjian and Kizirian families, along with others who had lived or worked in the house, were tested, and no long-term health effects were found. As part of the investigation, the bodies of Dr. and Mrs. Kabakjian were exhumed for analysis. Tests revealed that the professors remains contained 5.7 micrograms of radiumat the time, the highest concentration of radioactive material ever recorded in a human body. The initial clean-up cost the state $200,000, yet even after a thorough decontamination, the house still emitted enough radiation to raise the long-term cancer risk for anyone living there, particularly the risk of lung cancer from inhaling radon gas and microscopic radium particles. The Kizirians were barred from returning, and because further remediation was impractical, the state decided the house would ultimately need to be demolished. But demolition did not come immediately. The structure remained standing as a curious piece of local lore for nearly twenty more years. When the Environmental Protection Agency returned in the 1980s with fresh surveys, the results were alarming. A resident living in the house would have received an annual dose of roughly 1.6 remabout ten times the accepted limit. The surrounding soil was also heavily contaminated with radium, thorium, actinium, and protactinium. The most serious dangers came from radon gas and radium dust trapped inside the house. Once inhaled, these internal sources irradiate the body from within, posing far greater risks than external exposure. Dismantling finally began in 1987 and concluded in 1989. The clean-up cost the government $11.6 million. Workers removed 1,430 tons of radioactive rubble to a nuclear waste site in Utah, along with an additional 4,000 tons of contaminated soil. More than 6,000 tons of clean soil were brought in to replace it, and 246 feet of municipal sewer line had to be excavated and replaced. Following the demolition of the Kabakjian house, the EPA turned its attention to the former W.L. Cummings Chemical Company refinery on Austin Avenue. During the investigation, officials discovered that Cummings had, years earlier, disposed of waste sand containing trace amounts of radioactive material by giving it to local contractors. The sand had been mixed into mortar, stucco, plaster, and concretemeaning that an unknown number of homes in Lansdowne and nearby communities had been built or repaired with radioactive materials containing radium, thorium, and possibly uranium. EPA crews spent weeks driving through the neighbourhood in a van outfitted with external radiation detectors, scanning houses from the street in search of radioactive stucco. Their survey ultimately identified 21 contaminated sites. The agency repaired one house, demolished and rebuilt ten others, and permanently condemned and relocated the residents of eight more. With these actions, the radioactive legacy that began with Dicran Hadjy Kabakjian was finally brought to an end. Luckily, no one who had purchased contaminated concrete in the 1920s appeared to suffer serious harm. Most problems were confined to the Kabakjian home, where several individuals later developed illnesses that, while impossible to conclusively link to radiation, remain unsettlingly suggestive Anna Tallant , who lived in the house from 1949 to 1961, died in 1969 of breast cancer at age 54. , who lived in the house from 1949 to 1961, died in 1969 of breast cancer at age 54. Raymond Kabakjian , Dicrans son who spent most of his youth in the house, died in 1977 of abdominal cancer at age 65. , Dicrans son who spent most of his youth in the house, died in 1977 of abdominal cancer at age 65. Raymond Kabakjian Jr. , Dicrans grandson, died in 1983 of bladder cancer at age 37. , Dicrans grandson, died in 1983 of bladder cancer at age 37. William Dooner, who delivered carnotite ore to the Kabakjian home for two decades, died in 1984 at age 71 from lung cancer. References: # The Hot House, The Ancient and Esoteric Order of the Jackalope A nuclear generator filled with plutonium disappeared atop the Himalayas during a secret, failed CIA mission that is yet to be fully disclosed. The device was taken to the mountains by a team of American and Indian mountaineers to spy on China, a recent New York Times report revealed. After it was lost, the governments of both countries tried covering it up as fears of environmental safety and radiation risks created panic. The incident took place in October 1965. The mountaineers' mission was to carry a monitoring device, which would be powered by a portable nuclear generator, to the top of the Nanda Devi, a highly dangerous and inaccessible peak in the range standing at 25,645 feet. ALSO READ | How CIA and Intelligence Bureau set up listening devices at Nanda Devi, Khardung La to monitor China The portable nuclear generator was powered by roughly a third of the total amount of plutonium used for the bomb dropped in Nagasaki. Apart from the Pu-239 isotope, which was used in the atomic bomb, it also contained Pu-238, a highly radioactive fuel. The device weighed around 57 kilograms and was designed to withstand the freezing temperatures. The team was sent out by the CIA investigate after the US suspected that China was developing nuclear weapons. The purpose of the device was to spy on the neighbour and intercept radio signals from the countrys missile launches and tests. In September, they set off to the second-highest mountain in India, even as expert climbers thought the mission was a gamble. They went under the guise that they were on a scientific research mission. The highest-ranking Indian military captain on the team, M.S. Kohli, recalled the incident to TNYT, saying, I told them it would be, if not impossible, extremely difficult." In October, as the team neared the summit, a severe snowstorm struck In an effort to save the teams lives, Kohli ordered the mission to be abandoned immediately. Secure the equipment. Don't bring it down, he told the team over the walkie-talkie. The visibility on the mountain dropped, and there was no food or water. The device was tied to an ice ledge at Camp Four, and the climbers left the mountain for safety. When they returned, the nuclear-powered device was missing, never to be seen again. The mission had failed in its final stage. The device is believed to have been buried under the snow and glaciers. A recovery team was sent out in 1966; however, the entire ice ledge was found to have been swept away, possibly by an avlanche. American climber Jim McCarthy said that the warmth from the device could have caused the surrounding ice to melt, making it sink into the glacier. In the 1970s a scandal had broken out. Despite tense relations between the two countries, US President Jimmy Carter and Indian Prime Minister Moraraji Desai worked together in secret to bury the incident. There is still worry that the highly toxic plutonium left in the mountains could melt and contaminate the Ganges River. Maccarty said that he later developed testicular cancer due to exposure to radiation on the mission. After a landslide near the Nanda Devi killed 200 people in 2021, the speculations about the nuclear device resurfaced. Many locals doubt that the heat from the missing generator could have played a role. Kohli died in 2025 at the age of 93. Many of the climbers, close to the end of their lives, lived in fear ever since the incident. The lost nuclear device is still a concern for locals, according to the report, as glaciers in the mountains are rapidly melting due to climate change, and the frequency of floods and landslides keeps increasing in the area. While experts say that they worry the plutonium could fall into the wrong hands and could be used to make nuclear weapons. The incident is a reminder of Cold War paranoia and the geopolitical unaccountability of governments. A Gujarati couple and their three-year-old daughter were allegedly kidnapped in Libya for a ransom while they were trying to migrate to Portugal. Kismatsinh Chavda, his wife Heenaben and their daughter Devanshi were taken for a ransom of Rs 2 crore in the North African country while they were attempting to get to Portugal. Chavdas brother is settled in the country, according to Mehsana Superintendent of police Himanshu Solanki. The family of the couple appealed to the authorities on the matter. The couple started out on their journey on November 29 without out a valid visa and with the help of a Portuguese-based agent who Solanki says was not Indian. "Chavdas brother is settled in Portugal, and he was travelling with the help of an agent based in Portugal. The family was travelling with the intention to settle there, and the agents involved in the case are not Indians, PTI quoted Solanki as saying. They first left for Dubai from Ahmedabad. From there, they were taken to Libyas Benghazi city without their knowledge. They are being kept in captivity there as of now. SP Solanki said that Mehsana Collector SK Prajapatu was informed of the incident. After the family was abducted, the kidnappers contacted their relatives and demanded the ransom of Rs 2 crore. The SP has said that the state government and the Ministry of External Affairs have been informed of the kidnapping. The Bharatiya Janata Party has once again surprised political circles by picking a non-popular face for one of its key party roles. The ruling party has chosen Bihar minister Nitin Nabin as its new national working president. Nitin, a five-time legislator from Patna's Bankipur Assembly constituency, is currently serving as minister for road construction in Bihar's Nitish Kumar-led cabinet. The BJP parliamentary board announced the 45-year-old leader as the party's new national working president on Sunday. Shri Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil peoples Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2025 In a notification, BJP national general secretary Arun Singh said, "Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary board has appointed Nitin Nabin, a minister in the Bihar government, the Bharatiya Janata Party's national working president with immediate effect." Nabin has held key party posts earlier as well, including as the national secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. Son of veteran Bihar BJP leader Nabin Kishore Sinha, Nitin ventured into politics following his father's demise. Congratulating the Bihar leader on the appointment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as a "hardworking Karyakarta" and a leader with "impressive record " as a legislator. "Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as minister in Bihar for multiple terms." the prime minister said in a post on X. "He has diligently worked to fulfil peoples aspirations. He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working. I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our party in the times to come." Modi added. BJP president J.P. Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Nitin on the appointment. President Donald Trump has vowed serious retaliation after two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed on Saturday in a deadly ambush in Palmyra, Syria. The president described it as an attack by the Islamic State against both the United States and its new partner, Syria. It was the first American combat deaths in Syria since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December last year. Trump said the attack took place in a very dangerous part of Syria that remains only partially under the control of the authorities and argued that the violence was aimed at undermining growing cooperation between Washington and Damascus. The attack occurred outside a building in Palmyra where officials from Syrias Interior Ministry had travelled from Damascus to meet their local counterparts. According to a US official, American soldiers and their interpreter were outside the building when a lone gunman opened fire from a nearby structure with what appeared to be a machine gun. Three additional American service members were wounded, as were two members of the Syrian security forces. The American soldiers who were killed were part of an Iowa National Guard contingent assigned to the Syria mission, according to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. US Central Command said the wounded Americans were evacuated by helicopter to the al Tanf garrison near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders, where they received medical treatment. Officials later said their injuries were not life-threatening and that they were in stable condition. Syrian authorities said they had warned their American counterparts about the possibility of an Islamic State attack. Noureddine al Baba, a spokesman for the Syrian Interior Ministry, said the ministry had informed the Americans about the risk of an Islamic State assault in the area. He claimed that the international coalition did not sufficiently take those warnings into account. The ministry added that the attacker was one of more than 5,000 personnel operating in the Badia region and had been undergoing weekly evaluations, with recent assessments raising concerns about possible extremist views. The identity of the gunman has complicated the diplomatic and security picture. While US Central Command initially described the assailant as a lone gunman, Syrian officials and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said he was a member of the Syrian security forces. The Syrian Interior Ministry acknowledged that the attacker was within its ranks but denied that he held any leadership role. According to al Baba, the man had been under investigation for holding extremist ideas, and a formal decision regarding his status was due to be issued the following day. US officials said the attacker was neutralised by partner forces, meaning Syrian security personnel at the scene. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trumps warning with stark language directed at anyone who might target American forces. In a social media post, he said that those who attack Americans anywhere in the world would spend the rest of their brief and anxious lives knowing the United States would hunt them, find them and ruthlessly kill them. The administration quickly reinforced this message with a visible military response. US Air Force F-16 fighter jets were seen flying at low altitude over Palmyra in a show of force, and drones were deployed to increase surveillance of the area. The ambush has underscored the fragility of security in post-Assad Syria at a moment when relations between Washington and Damascus have been warming. Following the ouster of Assad, a new government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa took power and moved swiftly to seek international legitimacy. Al Sharaa recently became the first Syrian leader to be hosted by the White House, and he has also formally joined the international coalition fighting the Islamic State. The Palmyra attack could be a deliberate attempt by the Islamic State to disrupt the budding US-Syria partnership. Damascus has called the incident a cowardly terrorist ambush and has reaffirmed its commitment to taking forward the partnership with Washington. Syrian officials said the attack pointed towards the need for closer intelligence coordination to stabilise the country after years of civil war. The broader operational context of the attack lies in the central Syrian Badia, a vast desert region where the Islamic State has long maintained sleeper cells and logistical networks. The area around Palmyra is largely controlled by the Syrian Armys 70th Division, formerly part of the Free Syria Army, which has been integrated into the Ministry of Defence while retaining close ties to the US counterterrorism mission. The United States currently has about 2,000 troops in Syria supporting operations against the Islamic State. Yet, the fact that an insider close to the Islamic State could hit a fortified facility has made it clear that the group still poses a clear threat despite the massive losses inflicted upon it. It has also illustrated the challenges facing the United States as it moves ahead with a new partner that continues to grapple with internal security risks. As investigations continue into whether the gunman acted entirely alone or had links to a wider cell, the US military has increased surveillance and readiness across the region. Officials say they are prepared to carry out the swift and unrelenting justice promised by the administration if further threats emerge. Representative Rick Crawford, Republican of Arkansas and chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said: This is a glaring reminder that the radical Islamic threat against the US and our service members abroad is still very real, and we must continue to treat Islamic State, and any other radical terror group, like the deadly threat they are. A 1.5kg bird may not seem like a major cause for civil aviation concerns, but as Pakistan's data shows, these can even bring down passenger aeroplanes that are nearly 50 lakh per cent heavier. From 2018 to 2022, 198 incidents of bird strikes were reported at the Allama Iqbal International Airport alone, while 622 were reported across Pakistan, as per an Express Tribune report. In that regard, Pakistan is set to install SURICATE, its first AI-powered Bird Repelling System (BRS), at the Lahore International Airport. The BRS will be designed jointly by French tech firm ATERMES and Pakistan's Imperial Electric Company (IEC) under a contract from the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). SURICATE reportedly uses a blend of optronics, edge computing, and deep-learning algorithms to detect bird activity in real time. When a bird in the area is identified as a potential risk, the system automatically activates laser and sound deterrence systems to get rid of the danger. Unlike traditional bird-repelling methods, this system also saves power by activating only when needed. When in use, it consumes just 150W of power. The AI system, which borrows features from BARIER, the French company's turnkey surveillance system for border protection, can also withstand harsh weather, and can be used on land or at sea. Under the agreement, ATERMES will supply SURICATE, as well as the knowledge on how to best adapt it for the Pakistani airport, while the IEC will manage on-ground installation, systems integration, and maintenance, as per a Global Defense Insight report. According to ATERMES Chairman Lionel Thomas, the project would transform "bird control into a predictive, autonomous, and eco-responsible process". Two people were killed and eight others critically injured in a shooting incident at Brown University in Rhode Island, the United States, on Saturday. The suspect is still at large, and the police have launched a manhunt. The university acknowledged widespread fear and uncertainty following the incident, which occurred at the Barus & Holley engineering building in Providence. The students were attending an exam when the suspect opened fire. We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of two deceased victims from the active shooting situation at the Barus & Holley engineering building. There are eight additional victims in critical, but stable condition at the hospital. There remains a shelter in place Brown University (@BrownUniversity) December 13, 2025 The identities of the two victims are not immediately known. The hospital personnel are also verifying the identities of those transported for medical treatment, officials said. Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O'Hara said that the suspected shooter is a male dressed in black. Police are scouring local video cameras in the area for footage to get a better description of the suspect. "We are using every resource available to locate this suspect," O'Hara was quoted as saying by CNN. He added that police were still determining how the suspect entered the Brown University building, but confirmed that he exited through the Hope Street side. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley expressed shock over the incident and said the police were searching for the shooter. "We are a week and a half away from Christmas. And two people died today, and another eight are in the hospital. So please pray for those families," Smiley told a news conference. President Donald Trump termed the incident "terrible" and said: "All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt". Brown is a private institution with roughly 7,300 undergraduate students and more than 3,000 graduate students. Sunday was the second day of final exams for the fall semester. The incident has once again ignited debates on the gun laws in the US, which has witnessed a surge in mass shootings in schools, workplaces and places of worship. According to the Gun Violence Archive, 389 incidents of mass shootings were recorded in the US this year. Six soldiers of the Bangladesh Army were killed in a terrorist attack while serving with a UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan. Eight others were injured in the incident reported from the Abyei Special Administrative Area on the border between South Sudan and Sudan, the Bangladesh Army said. According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate, the public relations division of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, fighting was still ongoing in the region. 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. After midnight on Saturday, the Bangladesh Army issued a statement on its Facebook page saying authorities were continuing all-out efforts to provide necessary treatment and carry out rescue operations for the injured peacekeepers, news agency PTI reported. The soldiers were inside a United Nations logistics division facility when it was struck by a suicide drone, Al Jazeera said. The Sudanese army blamed the attack on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), while the paramilitary group did not make an official statement on the matter. 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 in due course once more information became available. The authorities in the Abyei Special Administrative Area issued a separate statement saying a group of rebels, along with armed youths from the Twic faction, carried out a series of barbaric, coordinated attacks starting Saturday morning. Media reports suggest there is virtually no government presence, legal justice system, or police force in Abyei. 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. South Sudan became an independent nation in 2011 through a referendum after decades of civil war with Arab-majority northerners. Bangladesh is a major contributor to UN blue helmet missions. Officials say more than 6,000 personnel from the army, navy, air force and police are currently deployed, particularly in war-torn African countries, including Sudan. The UN recently renewed the mandate for its Abyei mission, known as UNISFA, as it continues to navigate an increasingly complex security landscape. I strongly condemn the horrific drone attacks that targeted the @UNISFA_1 logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, resulting in fatalities & injuries of members of the Bangladeshi @UNPeacekeeping contingent. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers & the Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 13, 2025 Bangladeshs interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, said in a statement that he was deeply saddened by the attack and confirmed the toll at six dead and eight wounded. Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on X, "I strongly condemn the horrific drone attacks that targeted the logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, resulting in fatalities & injuries of members of the Bangladeshi @UNPeacekeeping contingent. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers & the Government & people of Bangladesh. I wish a swift recovery to the injured. Attacks against UN peacekeepers like this one are unjustifiable & may constitute war crimes. I remind everyone of their obligation to protect UN personnel & civilians. There will need to be accountability. Russia on Saturday made good on its threat that it would retaliate to Ukraines attacks on Russian oil tankers by launching attacks on the Odesa port. The Kinshal missiles attack on the Ukrainian port destroyed a Turkish cargo ship anchored in Odesa. Russia also ramped up the attack on the energy and industrial infrastructure in the Ukrainian port city, with a massive air attack. This, according to geopolitical experts, hints that Russia could be attempting to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea, as it warned. Russias strategy is to destroy all of Ukraine's port infrastructure in the Black Sea. It will also attack ships and vehicles that assist Ukraine in carrying out terrorist attacks in the Black Sea, thereby cutting Ukraine off from the Black Sea basin, experts believe. According to Russian media reports, the Kremlin used not only Kinzhal but also Kalibr missiles, indicating the launch of a tanker-port war. The attacks left over 14 electrical substations and about 10 transformer stations in ports in Odessa and the surrounding region nonfunctional, leaving large parts of the city without heat or water. Russian war correspondents point out that the strikes mean that Ukraine's maritime logistics capabilities have been sharply reduced. "The Danube and Odessa ports won't be operational immediately, and dry cargo and bulk carrier owners will now have to think twice before agreeing to logistics to Ukraine," the reports add. Russian blogger Yuriy Podolyaki, the targets also included military equipment storage facilities and warehouses. "Everything is in line with Vladimir Putin's statement that Russia will cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea in response to a series of terrorist attacks by Ukrainian unmanned boats on our oil tankers," he said. The implications are far-reaching, according to political scientist Marat Bashirov. He believes that after the strikes on Odessa and Nikolaev, a tanker-port war has also begun. The new front is deeply worrying the Black Sea countries. So far, only Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called us. But Bulgaria and Romania are also facing a huge risk to their shipping. Russia has stopped coddling and is responding to threats with force," Bashirov added. Many also recalled Putins earlier warning in this regard to Ankara in 2024. He recalled that Russia is protecting the Blue Stream gas pipeline, which runs along the bottom of the Black Sea and supplies Turkey with gas, and the TurkStream pipeline, which supplies Europe with natural gas. "We have to protect both of these gas routes along the Black Sea floor because the Ukrainian armed forces are attempting to attack and destroy them. In any case, the ships guarding them are under constant attack," Putin noted. We were suspended mid-air! Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, his wife, Kamna, four of us from THE WEEK and an associate of ours stood inside a lift that had abruptly abandoned its climb. Our destination was the second floor of the ISRO quarters in Bengaluru. The metal box, built to hold eight people or 544kg, had just seven of us, yet there we were, trapped in a silent shaft, waiting for it to resume its climb. Someone quipped: Looks like this might be your first lift interview right here in this claustrophobic space. Shubhanshu smiled and shrugged it off, saying, Oh this is quite comfortable. I was fascinated by his (Rakesh Sharmas) journey, but the thought of becoming an astronaut never found a place in my mind because our country didnt have a human space programme then. Axiom-4 Mission Commander Peggy Whitson told Kamna that an astronaut never goes alone. The partner must also be fully present. A stalled lift could go into free fall, a moment when gravity becomes the only force in charge. And there we were with a man who has lived through perhaps the most dramatic version of that physics lessonthe International Space Station itself, a far larger metal box constantly in free fall, hurtling around earth at 28,000kmph. Shubhanshu calmly called security, who alerted the technicians. Not for a moment did heor Kamna, his strongest support systemshow a flicker of tension. Instead, they joked about the strange welcome they had ended up giving us. When the doors finally slid open, the Air Force officer shifted instinctively into command mode: Be careful when you step out. Move quickly. He waited till each of us had exited before stepping out. A macrame dream catcher hung above some potted plants on the ground, with climbing money plants guarding the entry to the Shukla home. Two stuffed, cloth owls hung on the wall, with the residents names stitched on to them: the left one read Shux and the right one, Kamna. A few meditating Buddha figurines added to the calm. Someone told me it will bring peace, said Kamna. Inside, in the showcase, we noticed a wooden reclining Buddha. We got that from Bali. When I saw it, my reaction was: Oh! That is such a peaceful Buddha, she added. In a way, Shubhanshuthe first Indian to go to the ISS, for 18 daysis like that tranquil Buddha. At least when it comes to sleep. Astronauts often speak of weightless dreams, even nightmares, shaped by the mind and microgravity. There is also the strange phenomenon of retinal flashes, when high-energy cosmic rays trigger the retina, producing bursts of lightseen even with eyes closedwhich can disrupt sleep. Up above the world so high: Shubhanshu on board the International Space Station | NASA But Shubhanshu says that he slept soundly on the ISS and added, with characteristic humility, that crews who stay six months or more experience an entirely different level of physiological strain. Even before, he slept so soundlytired after the gym, flying, everythingthat he hardly had any sleep disturbances or dreams, said Kamna. Shubhanshu (8) at the Services Selection Board interview But dreams also hold the heavier meaning of ones ambitions. So, when we sat down for a long chat, our first question was whether becoming an astronaut was a childhood dream. Short answer: no, he said. Indias first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, flew in 1984; I was born in 1985. I wasnt around when it happened, but we grew up hearing his stories, seeing his images and reading about his messages from space in our schoolbooks. I was deeply impressed and fascinated by his journey, but the thought of becoming an astronaut never found a place in my mind because our country didnt have a human space programme then. The youngest of the three children of Lucknow-based Shambhu Dayal and Asha, Shubhanshu grew up in a middle-class family where anything you wanted had to be earned. With no one from the armed forces in the family, joining the services, he said, wasnt something he had planned either. Shubhanshu on a bike as a child In class 12, when everyone was discussing engineering, medicine and civil services, a group of friends decided to apply for the NDA (National Defence Academy) because it was prestigious. One of my friends didnt fill the form, so I filled it, almost accidentally, said Shubhanshu, who cleared the written exam, interview and medical before his board exam. That is when the thought of becoming a fighter pilot took final shape. The spark, though, goes further back. In class six, he watched fighter aircraft perform aerobatics at an air show; it was an image that never left him. So, when the opportunity came to join the armed forces, I was clear that I wanted to be a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, he said. Flying did become something Shubhanshu loved, but his first and forever loveKamnaentered his life much earlier. They studied together from class 3 to 12 at City Montessori School, Aliganj. Did their romance begin in school? No. We were both studious kids. And he was so shy, said Kamna. Shubhanshu added that they were good kids, though Kamna had one complaint: That I wouldnt study much and still score good marks, he said, with a laugh. Their love blossomed after Shubhanshu joined the NDA and Kamna began her dentistry course. You missed him then? we asked. He missed me more, she said with a smile, adding that they understood their feelings for each other naturally, without any drama. The long-distance relationship wasnt easy, especially with the communication limits placed on an NDA cadet. When he was there, we had just one phone call a week, said Kamna. I couldnt call him; I had to wait for his call on Sunday afternoon. Mobile phones werent allowed then, so he would call from a PCO. Shubhanshu at the NDA Walking through their quarters, we stumbled upon a precious artefact from their early-2000s romancea wooden vase with purple flowers spilling out of it, featuring a handwritten love letter from Kamna. It carried lines such as: I dream of a life with you, my darling; of tingling hearts and moonlit nights; to feel the love in air all swarming / And bathing me with its light. The couple married in 2009, and have a six-year-old son, Kiash, fondly called Sid, who loves dinosaurs. We reached the Shukla household sometime after Kiash had returned from his swimming lessons. They enrolled him because they believe an active childhood lays the foundation for becoming a fine, grounded adult. Kiash is energetic and warm; every time he darted past us, he offered high-fives and eagerly explained why the Triceratops, not the T rex, was his favourite. Shubhanshu with family Games and physical activity have been an integral part of Shubhanshus life, too. In Lucknow, when THE WEEK spoke to the astronauts family, they recalled how the training at the NDA had transformed their quiet boy into a gentleman of discipline and steel. That change, they said, also reshaped the family dynamic, with the youngest gradually becoming the one everyone turned to in a crisis. Gunjan is what his parents and sisters used to call him; the Air Force gave him the name Shux. Beyond that, the IAF also shaped him into a combat leader and seasoned test pilot with more than 2,000 hours of flight time across aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32. He graduated from the Test Pilot School in 2018, which made him eligible to be one of the astronauts for Indias Gaganyaan mission. Kamna (in pic), Shubhanshus wife | Bhanu Prakash Chandra Aviation, especially military flying, always has inherent risks. My wife, having lived this life with me for so many years, understood what such assignments [including the space mission] demand, he said. I usually dont explain too much to my parents; I keep things to myself so they dont worry. But I discuss everything openly with my wife. That helps me stay at peace when Im stepping into something like this. When he was there (NDA), we had just one phone call a week. I had to wait for his call on Sunday afternoon. He would call from a PCO. Kamna (in pic), Shubhanshus wife Flying to space multiplies the risks, and for Kamna, a piece of advice from Peggy Whitsonthe mission commander of Axiom-4, which carried Shubhanshu to the ISSbecame a quiet anchor. Whitson, who holds the records for the most cumulative days in space for NASA and the most spacewalks by a woman, told her that an astronaut never goes alone. The partner, she said, must also be fully presentliving the mission, holding the anxieties and offering the steadiness that makes the journey possible. It is a partnership, a natural give-and-take. Kamna carried those words as a promise, and stood by Shubhanshu through every stage of the mission. In 2021, when Shubhanshu was sent to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Kamna travelled to Moscow with Kiash and stayed there for about a year. That winter was bitter, with temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees Celsius. Shubhanshu could return home only once a week. But I didnt want my husband to miss Sids childhood, at least not all of it, said Kamna. Shubhanshu had basic proficiency in Russian, while Kamna said she survived with Google Translate. Even so, one can see how deeply the couple cherish their Russian memories. Their showcase displays handcrafted souvenirsfrom the iconic blue-and-white Gzhel ceramics to Matryoshka dolls painted as cosmonauts. Flight mode: Shubhanshu with the Air Forces Surya Kiran aerobatics team. As the wife of an Air Force officer posted frequently to remote locations, Kamna had to give up her dental practice. But after returning from Russia, she turned to something that felt both personal and purposefulsupporting Lucknows zardozi and aari hand-embroidery artisans. Many of them had slipped into extreme poverty during the pandemic, forced to abandon their art to work as mechanics, farmers or rickshaw drivers. Having long been connected to these communities, Kamna created an online brand named after Kiash to help restore their livelihood and dignity. But, though she runs an online brand, Kamna said neither she nor her husband has ever been active on social media. THE WEEK found a genuine Facebook profile of Shubhanshu with just 216 friends, and the only update on it dates back to 2011a post about the most amazing cutlets he had ever eaten. Under it was Kamnas playful comment asking, kisne khilaye? (who fed you them?) But since Junethe month he travelled to spaceShubhanshu has been regularly sharing stories from his mission and his astrophotography. He believes it is important to share these experiences to inspire the younger generation. He picked up astrophotography after his first phase of training in Russia, and he carried that passion to space. He hopes to hold an exhibition someday. In one post after returning, he shared a series of Orion Nebula shots he had taken, captioning it: Slow or fast, if you keep moving, progress is guaranteed. Shubhanshu Shukla | Bhanu Prakash Chandra That idea of quiet, steady progress isnt limited to his photography. Inside the home, we found a growing librarywith books ranging from those on philosophy and space travel to fiction and fantasy. Shubhanshu admitted that Kamna was the more avid reader, adding, I picked up the habit from her. Both of us love reading. And he would have got more time to do so when he and the other Axiom-4 crewmembers had an extended pre-flight quarantine after a series of launch delays. He said such ambiguities were expected and built into astronaut-training programmes. Yet, there were some things even training couldnt prepare them forlike explaining the quarantine situation to little Kiash. Family visits were allowed, but an eight-metre distance had to be maintained between visitors and the astronauts. That strange long-distance closeness was especially hard for Kiash to understand. Shubhanshu and Kamna told him he had germs on his hands, and that was why he couldnt touch his father. Can I wash my hands? he would ask Kamna every time Shubhanshu came to see him. But if quarantine confused him, the night of the launch gave Kiash a moment he would carry for the rest of his life. As the 2.30am lift-off on June 25 approached, Kamna tried to prepare him for what he was about to see. And when the rocket carrying his father finally tore through the darkness, the flare was so bright that he gasped, Mom, it looks like the sun! Since Junethe month he travelled to spaceShubhanshu has been regularly sharing stories from his mission [on social media]. In a way, just as Kiash tried to make sense of what he saw on earth, Shubhanshu was processing his own set of unfamiliar sensations in microgravity. Our brains have evolved entirely in gravity. So, the first time you go to space, its very hard to let go of objects. In microgravity, everything is falling togetheryou, the pen, the stationso nothing appears to fall. But your brain doesnt understand that at first. If I were holding a pen and needed my hands, I couldnt simply let it go. I would instinctively look for someone to hold it for me, he said, adding that two of his crewmatesSawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, also first-timersreacted the same way. They would hold the object and stand next to me, even though it would have just floated there. It was only after a few days, he said, that the brain began to adjust. You learn its perfectly fine to let goleave objects floating around, do your work and gather them again, he said. Its a major shift in how your mind interprets the world. As he let go of certain inhibitions, Shubhanshu unlocked some superpowers. One of them was becoming a water bender. Handling liquids in microgravity is not easy. Astronauts have to be slow, deliberate and extremely precise, he said. One of my STEM demonstrations required me to create a water bubble, then inject an air bubble inside it, and then inject a coffee bubble inside the air bubbleessentially, a bubble inside a bubble inside a bubble. Its incredibly difficult. Even the NASA astronauts on board, who had flown before, said they had never tried it because it was so complex. On the first day, Shubhanshu couldnt even form a proper water bubble, let alone add the air and coffee bubbles. It was frustrating, but I kept practising, he said. By the third day, I became comfortable handling fluids. Eventually, we managed to capture the triple-bubble structure. Thats why I jokingly said I had become a water bender. But arguably the biggest superpower he unlocked was the unconditional love he feltnot only for his family, his country or even humanity, but for the entire earth. After all, as Dr Brand says in Interstellar, Love is the one thing were capable of perceiving that transcends the dimensions of time and space! Interview/ Shubhanshu Shukla, astronaut and group captain, Indian Air Force Q/ If not a fighter pilot, what would you have become? A/ I dont think like that, and I have no idea what I would have done. I love flying. After joining the Air Force, I enjoyed every moment in the cockpit. Ive been extremely lucky to find two professions Ive lovedflying fighters, which I enjoyed for years, and then getting the opportunity to fly to space for my country. I feel fortunate on both counts. When you sit by the window and look back at earth, that experience is deeply spiritual. You forget everything. We already have strong scientific talent and many reputable research institutions, but now we need a more consolidated national effort. Q/ Space missions often include personal or cultural rituals for good luck. Tell us about the pre-flight rituals your Axiom-4 team had. A/ For us on Axiom-4, there was a ritual handover from the Axiom team to the SpaceX team, because once you reach that point, the rocket and operations are entirely under SpaceXs control. After the handover, you get into the Teslas that take you to the suit-up area. During that two-to-three-minute ride, you can see the rocket clearly in the distance. Youre also allowed to play a song of your choice during the drive. The commander and pilot sit in one car, and the mission specialists in another. My commander [Peggy Whitson] played her song first, Thunder by Imagine Dragons, and then I played minea high-energy track, Vande Mataram, from the movie Fighter that I really enjoy. It was meant to get your excitement and adrenaline up before you enter the rocket. Q/ During lift-off, the G-force (a measure of acceleration) gradually build up and that pressure is felt mainly on the chest. What exactly are astronauts trained to do? A/ Thats an interesting question because fighter pilots also experience G-load (effect of G-force on the body), but the direction of the force is completely different. In a fighter aircraft, you experience G from head to toethe G-Z axis. Under those conditions, blood gets pulled down from your head. If that continues, you can black out, lose consciousness for a short time, and then regain it once the G-load reduces. The bodys tolerance to G-Z is limited because the spine is taking that load. In spaceflight, if those same forces acted along the G-Z axishead to toeyou could face up to 1820Gs, which the spine cannot tolerate. Thats why space capsule seats are reclined. This alignment shifts the force to the chest-to-back directionthe G-X axisand the body can tolerate G-X much better. But G-X has its own challengeyour chest and lungs get compressed, and you cant breathe normally. The breathing technique we use in fighter jets for G-Zwhere you strain your muscles and forcefully inhale and exhaledoesnt work here. In spaceflight training for G-X, youre taught to pull your stomach inward and forcefully exhale. You cant expand your chest because its being compressed, so inhalation happens passively once youve exhaled. So, you have to completely change how you breathe. Strapped in: Shubhanshu during astronaut training in Russia. Q/ Based on your experience, what are the key differences between Russian and US training philosophies in space science and exploration? A/ I think the core objective is the same for both sideslaunch humans safely into space, enable them to conduct science and maintenance work, and then bring them back safely. The goal is identical, but the methodology is different. Experiencing both was extremely insightful because it showed us that there is no single correct way to solve the problems of human spaceflight. Q/ Any specific observations? A/ That was actually my job, to observe. And one major difference becomes clear instantlythe spacecraft design philosophy. Soyuz is a spacecraft that has taken humans to space for decades, reliably and safely. Crew Dragon is a modern spacecraft doing the same job, also with high levels of safety, but using a different design approach. It was extremely insightful to see how Soyuz has maintained reliability over such a long time, and how a modern system like Crew Dragon achieves safety using current technology. It shows how you can combine proven philosophies with todays engineering tools to achieve the same safety standards in different ways. Q/ Many astronauts describe spiritual momentsa kind of silence and peacein microgravity. Was it like that for you? And what other moments from the journey felt impossible to replicate on earth? A/ Before my mission, I had spoken to many astronauts, watched videos, listened to training material and heard people describe how space changes them. But my imagination of what it would be like was completely different from what I actually experienced. I realised that its impossible to fully comprehend something so unfamiliar because we have no reference point for it. When someone describes space, you still imagine it through the lens of your own earthly experiences, and that simply doesnt translate. During the initial days, I didnt feel anything spiritual because we werent feeling well physically due to the transition to microgravity, and we were also extremely busy. We had a packed schedule of scientific work and experiments. But once we settled in and became more efficient, we finally had moments to sit by the window. And when you sit by the window and look back at earth, that experience is deeply spiritual. You forget everything. I try to meditate on earth, but its difficult to sit without thoughts. In space, I found that I could sit for hours looking at earth, and nothing came to mindjust complete peace. It is incredibly calming and satisfying. Another profound moment is the sense of oneness you feel. When you look at earth from space, you dont see borders or regionsyou see your entire planet as your single home. That feeling was very strong for me. Astronauts often refer to this as the overview effect, a documented phenomenon. Everyone experiences it in their own way, but for me the highlight was realising that this entire planet is home, not just the place I come from. The other realisation is the sheer scale of earth. It is massivefar bigger than we understand while living on it. And that brings a strong awareness of how small and insignificant you are in the larger scheme of things. Preparing to defy gravity: Shubhanshu during his training days at Edwards. Air Force Base in the US. Q/ While you were doing experiments on the International Space Station, your own body was also part of the research. What tests did you undergo after returning to earth, and how will the findings support long-duration missions? A/ It has been extremely insightful for us as a nation, especially for our scientific community, to conduct experiments in microgravitysomething we never had the opportunity to do earlier. Enabling experiments in space is itself a huge process. Something very simple on earth becomes extremely complex in microgravity. Fluids float, tools behave differently and even using a syringe becomes challenging. One major takeaway was understanding how to adapt ground-based procedures to a microgravity environment. I conducted seven experiments prepared by Indian researchers, all designed with future human space missions in mind. This included experiments looking at food securityhow to pack maximum nutrition in minimal space, because both space and nutrition are premium in orbit. These solutions will help us in space and also address challenges on earth. Experiments on muscle atrophy can inform treatments for degenerative diseases here as well. As for human research, yes, astronauts themselves are subjects of several studies. Policies dont allow me to reveal which HRP (Human Research Program) experiments I was part of, but many tests are done to observe how the body responds to the stress of microgravity. There are numerous physiological changes and all of that is documented. These datasets will be essential as India prepares for long-duration human spaceflight. We are at the beginning of a long journey as a nation, and understanding these changes is crucial for what comes next. Q/ How hard was it to sleep in space? A/ Its fascinating because youre essentially sleeping in mid-air. You get into a sleeping bag and strap yourself so you dont float away during the night. The first day, I wanted to put something under my neck, like a pillow, because thats what were used to. But in microgravity, your head floats; it never rests on the pillow because nothing is pulling it down. You can sleep on the floor, the wall, or the ceilingit makes no difference. By the fourth or fifth day, your body adjusts, and you start feeling as though youre sleeping on a very firm surface. After that, it becomes extremely comfortable. Q/ Your mission commander Peggy Whitson once said, Gravity sucks. Some people get motion sickness going up; I get it coming down. What was re-entry like for you? A/ Thats exactly right. For Peggy, ascent is easy and descent is difficult. For me, it was the opposite. I didnt feel very good going upI had symptoms of space motion sicknessbut coming back, I was perfectly fine. No discomfort at all. It affects each body differently. Q/ Many astronauts have headaches, puffiness and changes in vision in microgravity. How did your body handle the transition? A/ Yes, my body also went through these changes. During my interaction with the prime minister (Narendra Modi), my face was almost twice its normal size because of the puffiness. Your heart slows down because it no longer needs to push blood against gravity. Fluids move towards your head, which causes the puffiness and a kind of mental fog. These are normal physiological changes when entering microgravity. How much they affect someone varies from person to person, but within three to four days, most astronauts return to normal functioning. Q/ The mission showed how companies like Axiom and SpaceX can collaborate effectively with NASA. How can India build similar partnerships with global space startups? And how do we ensure space access doesnt remain limited to a few powerful nations or wealthy companies? A/ Collaboration is the inherent nature of spaceflight; there is no other way to do it. The moment you go to space, you become a representative of humanity, not just your nation. India understands this well. As we move towards building our own space station and future missions, collaboration will be essential. The goal is to not just achieve technical milestones, but to uplift everyone, bring different players together, and build an ecosystem where participation is broad and meaningful. India will play a crucial role in shaping global norms on how space should be used. Im glad to be part of this phase. Learning to launch: Shubhanshu during training in Russia. Q/ As a pilot, how did working with Crew Dragon influence your views on automation and AI in deep-space missions? What level of automation should India adopt for future spacecraft? A/ Historically, automation has proven to be better for routine tasks and predictable operations. Thats why modern spacecraft automate as much as possible. But spaceflight has a unique challengeyou must design systems to handle situations you cannot predict on the ground. These are the unknown unknowns. You cannot automate for a problem you cannot define. Thats why you need a healthy balancestrong automation for routine tasks, and meaningful manual control for unexpected situations. As we look at missions to the moon and Mars, where immediate help is unavailable, crews must be self-sufficient and capable of independent decision-making. Q/ Do women have specific advantages on long-duration missions? A/ There are scientifically established biological factors that can give women certain advantages in long-duration spaceflight. Those facts exist. But ultimately, every missions crew is selected based on the specific requirements of that mission. Q/ How do you see Indias overall space research and training ecosystem evolving in the coming decades, especially compared with countries like the US, where strong private players are emerging? A/ I think we are standing on the cusp of a major inflection point in Indias space journey. The entire ecosystem is going to transform rapidly. We already have strong scientific talent and many reputable research institutions, but now we need a more consolidated national effortespecially for the kind of missions we want to undertake in the future. We are working towards building an ecosystem that enables people across the country to contribute meaningfully and to feel excited about itto see their work actually fly to space. Its our responsibility to create a robust infrastructure that promotes research, nurtures innovation and connects people to the right opportunities so they can contribute to ambitious goals like building a space station and landing on the moon by 2040. This is not optional; its essential. Also Read THE WEEK Man of the Year Shubhanshu Shukla: The inspiring journey from Lucknow to ISS Q/ Tell us about the souvenirs you collected from the ISS. A/ I didnt collect anything from the ISS itself, but astronauts are allowed to carry personal items and bring them back. ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) had invited proposals, and many ideas came in. We collaborated with the National Institute of Design, and the students created some wonderful souvenirs that represented Indias cultural diversity. These were small artefacts that I carried with me to space. They symbolised India as a whole and also its many regionsa beautiful reflection of our unity in diversity. They travelled to space with me and have returned, and we will be displaying them and sharing their stories soon. Computershare Limited (OTCMKTS:CMSQF Get Free Report)s share price fell 1.6% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $22.05 and last traded at $22.59. 16,194 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 14% from the average session volume of 14,201 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.95. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Computershare from a sell rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Computershare has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $39.50. Get Computershare alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on CMSQF Computershare Trading Down 1.9% About Computershare The stocks 50-day moving average price is $23.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $25.10. (Get Free Report) Computershare Limited provides issuer, employee share plans and voucher, business, communication and utilities, technology, and mortgage and property rental services. The company offers issuer services that include register maintenance, corporate actions, stakeholder relationship management, corporate governance, and related services; mortgage services and property rental, including tenancy bond protection services; and employee share plans and voucher services comprising administration and related services for employee share and option plans, and childcare voucher administration services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Computershare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Computershare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Asian Television Network International Limited (CVE:SAT Get Free Report) traded down 38.5% during mid-day trading on Saturday . The stock traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.04. 204,000 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 903% from the average session volume of 20,335 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.07. Asian Television Network International Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of C$976,120.00, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.36 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10,844.68. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$0.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$0.09. 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. Featured Articles 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. China Pharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CPHI Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 10.2% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $1.48 and last traded at $1.50. 42,122 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 48% from the average session volume of 81,489 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.67. China Pharma Trading Up 3.6% The stock has a market capitalization of $7.80 million, a PE ratio of -2.73 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $1.69 and a 200-day moving average price of $1.70. Get China Pharma alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows An institutional investor recently raised its position in China Pharma stock. Citadel Advisors LLC increased its stake in China Pharma Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CPHI Free Report) by 31.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,426 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,356 shares during the quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.93% of China Pharma worth $59,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. China Pharma Company Profile China Pharma Holdings, Inc develops, manufactures, and markets generic and branded pharmaceutical, and biochemical products to hospitals and private retailers in the Peoples Republic of China. The company provides products in the form of dry powder injectables, liquid injectables, tablets, capsules, and cephalosporin oral solutions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for China Pharma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Pharma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Commercial International Bank (Egypt) S.A.E. (OTCMKTS:CIBEY Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.9% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $2.45 and last traded at $2.38. Approximately 52,074 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 204% from the average daily volume of 17,115 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.3580. Commercial International Bank (Egypt) S.A.E. Stock Performance The business has a 50 day moving average of $2.14 and a 200 day moving average of $1.92. About Commercial International Bank (Egypt) S.A.E. (Get Free Report) Commercial International Bank (Egypt) SAE. provides financial products and services in Egypt. The company operates in four segments: Corporate Banking, Investment, Retail Banking, and Assets and Liabilities Management. It offers current and saving accounts, business accounts, time deposits, and certificates of deposit; car, personal, travel, solar, education, and overdraft loans; fund investment management; mortgages services; and insurance products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Commercial International Bank (Egypt) S.A.E. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Commercial International Bank (Egypt) S.A.E. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (NYSEARCA:TOV Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.1% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $29.02 and last traded at $28.99. Approximately 8,233 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 59% from the average daily volume of 20,132 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.96. JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF Trading Down 1.0% The company has a market capitalization of $191.65 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.69 and a beta of 1.00. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $28.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $27.23. Get JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows An institutional investor recently bought a new position in JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF stock. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (NYSEARCA:TOV Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 231,726 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,038,000. Captrust Financial Advisors owned 3.60% of JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF as of its most recent SEC filing. About JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF The JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (TOV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. index. The fund tracks an index of large-cap US stocks while employing a methodology that seeks to align stock selection and weighting with Jewish value pillars. TOV was launched on Feb 26, 2025 and is issued by JLens. See Also Receive News & Ratings for JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian National Railway (TSE:CNR Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNI) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$134.99 and traded as high as C$136.54. Canadian National Railway shares last traded at C$134.90, with a volume of 2,338,203 shares changing hands. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have issued reports on CNR shares. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$150.00 to C$160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Cibc Captl Mkts raised shares of Canadian National Railway from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$154.00 to C$153.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on Canadian National Railway from C$148.00 to C$158.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, ATB Capital increased their target price on Canadian National Railway from C$150.00 to C$151.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$153.53. Get Canadian National Railway alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Canadian National Railway Canadian National Railway Stock Down 0.1% The stock has a market cap of C$82.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.30, a P/E/G ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a current ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 107.59. The firms 50 day moving average is C$133.72 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$134.91. Canadian National Railway (TSE:CNR Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported C$1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 27.10% and a net margin of 31.20%.The business had revenue of C$4.17 billion for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Canadian National Railway will post 8.2610275 EPS for the current year. About Canadian National Railway (Get Free Report) CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canadas Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canadian National Railway Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian National Railway and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Big Yellow Group Plc (LON:BYG Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,000.88 and traded as high as GBX 1,004. Big Yellow Group shares last traded at GBX 997.34, with a volume of 5,145,329 shares. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have issued reports on BYG shares. Peel Hunt reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 1,310 price target on shares of Big Yellow Group in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Liberum Capital reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 1,385 target price on shares of Big Yellow Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Big Yellow Group to a hold rating and increased their price target for the stock from GBX 1,092 to GBX 1,191 in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Big Yellow Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 1,271.50. Get Big Yellow Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BYG Big Yellow Group Stock Up 0.2% The firm has a market cap of 1.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.20, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.72. The businesss 50-day moving average is GBX 1,092.10 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 1,001.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.68, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 0.36. Big Yellow Group (LON:BYG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 17th. The company reported GBX 30 earnings per share for the quarter. Big Yellow Group had a net margin of 120.15% and a return on equity of 10.18%. On average, equities analysts predict that Big Yellow Group Plc will post 57.4799434 EPS for the current year. Big Yellow Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Big Yellow is the UKs brand leader in self storage. Our diverse customer base, strong brand and location of our 109 stores helps us deliver a resilient performance. We are committed to innovation in customer engagement, harnessing technology and investing in the development of our store teams. This dedication puts exceptional customer service at the heart of what we do, whilst ensuring we continue to operate a sustainable business. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Big Yellow Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Big Yellow Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tritax Big Box REIT plc (LON:BBOX Get Free Report)s share price passed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of GBX 144.85 and traded as low as GBX 143.10. Tritax Big Box REIT shares last traded at GBX 144.50, with a volume of 146,368,813 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BBOX has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Tritax Big Box REIT in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Tritax Big Box REIT from GBX 180 to GBX 184 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Peel Hunt reiterated an add rating and issued a GBX 160 price objective on shares of Tritax Big Box REIT in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 300 target price on shares of Tritax Big Box REIT in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 214.67. Get Tritax Big Box REIT alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on BBOX Tritax Big Box REIT Stock Performance Tritax Big Box REIT Company Profile The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.99, a current ratio of 0.54 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 148.52 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 144.89. The stock has a market cap of 3.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.89. (Get Free Report) Tritax Big Box REIT plc (ticker: BBOX) is the largest listed investor in high-quality logistics warehouse assets and controls the largest logistics-focused land platform in the UK. BBOX is committed to delivering attractive and sustainable returns for Shareholders by investing in and actively managing existing built investments and land suitable for logistics development. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Tritax Big Box REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tritax Big Box REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (NYSEARCA:EPI Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $45.76 and traded as low as $45.22. WisdomTree India Earnings Fund shares last traded at $45.44, with a volume of 672,240 shares trading hands. WisdomTree India Earnings Fund Stock Down 0.9% The businesss fifty day moving average price is $45.91 and its 200 day moving average price is $45.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.76 billion, a PE ratio of 18.68 and a beta of 0.49. Get WisdomTree India Earnings Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC lifted its holdings in shares of WisdomTree India Earnings Fund by 128,122.6% during the first quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC now owns 22,267,142 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $973,297,000 after purchasing an additional 22,249,776 shares during the period. Meitav Investment House Ltd. raised its position in WisdomTree India Earnings Fund by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Meitav Investment House Ltd. now owns 3,367,899 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $159,919,000 after buying an additional 46,216 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in WisdomTree India Earnings Fund by 8.1% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,689,972 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $127,693,000 after buying an additional 200,526 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in shares of WisdomTree India Earnings Fund by 54.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,203,951 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $57,152,000 after acquiring an additional 426,310 shares during the period. Finally, Flputnam Investment Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of WisdomTree India Earnings Fund by 3.6% in the first quarter. Flputnam Investment Management Co. now owns 994,462 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $43,468,000 after acquiring an additional 34,361 shares in the last quarter. WisdomTree India Earnings Fund Company Profile WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (The Fund) seeks to track the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the WisdomTree India Earnings Index. The Index measures the performance of profitable companies incorporated and traded in India that are eligible to be purchased by foreign investors and that meet specific criteria developed by WisdomTree Investments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for WisdomTree India Earnings Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WisdomTree India Earnings Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Xtra-Gold Resources Corp. (TSE:XTG Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$3.26 and traded as high as C$3.45. Xtra-Gold Resources shares last traded at C$3.42, with a volume of 51,911 shares traded. Xtra-Gold Resources Price Performance The firm has a market cap of C$155.72 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.00 and a beta of 0.48. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$3.27 and its 200-day moving average price is C$2.63. Get Xtra-Gold Resources alerts: Xtra-Gold Resources (TSE:XTG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported C$0.05 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$2.65 million for the quarter. About Xtra-Gold Resources Xtra-Gold Resources Corp is a gold exploration company with a substantial land position in the Kibi Gold Belt. The Kibi Gold Belt, which exhibits many similar geological features to Ghanas main gold belt, the Ashanti Belt, has been the subject of very limited modern exploration activity targeting lode gold deposits as virtually all past gold mining activity and exploration efforts focused on the extensive alluvial gold occurrences in many river valleys throughout the Kibi area. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Xtra-Gold Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xtra-Gold Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hang Seng Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HSNGY Get Free Report) shares passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $19.08 and traded as high as $19.4350. Hang Seng Bank shares last traded at $19.13, with a volume of 447 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Hang Seng Bank from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Reduce. Get Hang Seng Bank alerts: Get Our Latest Report on HSNGY Hang Seng Bank Price Performance About Hang Seng Bank The businesss 50-day moving average price is $19.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.31. (Get Free Report) Hang Seng Bank Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and related financial services to individual, corporate, commercial, small and medium-sized enterprises, and institutional customers in Hong Kong, the Mainland of China, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Global Banking, Global Markets, and Other. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Hang Seng Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hang Seng Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. INV VK HI INC2 (NYSE:VLT Get Free Report)s stock price crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $11.19 and traded as low as $11.10. INV VK HI INC2 shares last traded at $11.1250, with a volume of 9,666 shares. INV VK HI INC2 Stock Down 0.3% The company has a 50 day moving average of $11.18 and a 200-day moving average of $11.08. Get INV VK HI INC2 alerts: INV VK HI INC2 Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be paid a $0.094 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 10.2%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows INV VK HI INC2 Company Profile Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new stake in INV VK HI INC2 during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of INV VK HI INC2 in the second quarter worth $121,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. bought a new stake in INV VK HI INC2 during the third quarter worth about $342,000. Fiera Capital Corp lifted its position in INV VK HI INC2 by 36.5% during the third quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 57,564 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $646,000 after purchasing an additional 15,401 shares during the period. Finally, Park Avenue Securities LLC bought a new position in INV VK HI INC2 in the 2nd quarter valued at about $710,000. 21.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) Invesco High Income Trust II is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, INVESCO Asset Management (Japan) Limited, INVESCO Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, INVESCO Asset Management Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, INVESCO Senior Secured Management, Inc, and Invesco Canada Ltd. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for INV VK HI INC2 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for INV VK HI INC2 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ibstock plc (LON:IBST Get Free Report)s stock price passed below its fifty day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 131.98 and traded as low as GBX 125.80. Ibstock shares last traded at GBX 130.40, with a volume of 16,972,967 shares traded. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts have weighed in on IBST shares. Berenberg Bank lowered their price target on shares of Ibstock from GBX 170 to GBX 150 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on Ibstock from GBX 210 to GBX 170 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Ibstock from GBX 188 to GBX 143 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Ibstock from GBX 210 to GBX 190 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 163.25. Get Ibstock alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on IBST Ibstock Price Performance Ibstock Company Profile The companys 50-day moving average is GBX 131.89 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 143.71. The firm has a market capitalization of 524.92 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.33, a PEG ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.91, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.19. (Get Free Report) Ibstock plc manufactures and sells clay and concrete building products and solutions to customers in the residential construction sector in the United Kingdom. The company offers bricks and masonry, which includes facing and engineering bricks, brick slips, special shaped bricks, walling stone, architectural masonry, prefabricated components, eco-habitats, and padstones and lintels, as well as facade systems; roofing products comprising roof tiles and accessories, and chimneys; and flooring and lintels, such as beam and block flooring, insulated flooring, hollowcore, and screed rails. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ibstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ibstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. V2X, Inc. (NYSE:VVX Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Hold from the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $62.4444. A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on V2X from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on V2X from $51.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of V2X from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of V2X in a report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of V2X in a research note on Thursday. They issued a neutral rating and a $62.00 target price on the stock. Get V2X alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on VVX V2X Stock Down 0.6% Shares of NYSE VVX opened at $54.69 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $56.39 and a 200-day moving average price of $53.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.87, a P/E/G ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 0.12. 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 data on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.13 billion. V2X had a return on equity of 15.22% and a net margin of 1.81%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.29 EPS. V2X has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.650-4.950 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that V2X will post 4.16 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at V2X In other news, Director Dino M. Cusumano sold 2,250,000 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the director owned 5,750,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $316,250,055. This represents a 28.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder American Industrial Partners C sold 2,250,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the insider owned 5,750,001 shares in the company, valued at $316,250,055. This represents a 28.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On V2X Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in V2X by 842.1% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 803,517 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,676,000 after buying an additional 718,225 shares during the period. Reinhart Partners LLC. raised its holdings in shares of V2X by 206.8% in the 3rd quarter. Reinhart Partners LLC. now owns 890,002 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,701,000 after acquiring an additional 599,921 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its position in shares of V2X by 5,323.3% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 553,235 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,139,000 after acquiring an additional 543,034 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of V2X by 727.4% during the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 466,863 shares of the companys stock worth $27,120,000 after purchasing an additional 410,438 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC bought a new position in shares of V2X in the first quarter worth approximately $19,753,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.18% of the companys stock. About V2X (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. Featured Articles 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. Iamgold Corporation (NYSE:IAG Get Free Report) (TSE:IMG) has been given an average rating of Moderate Buy by the ten brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, five have issued a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $15.25. IAG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Iamgold from $8.50 to $15.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Iamgold from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price target for the stock from $9.00 to $14.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Stifel Canada upgraded Iamgold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Iamgold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Iamgold from $9.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Get Iamgold alerts: View Our Latest Report on IAG Iamgold Price Performance Iamgold stock opened at $15.83 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.39, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.39. Iamgold has a 52-week low of $4.98 and a 52-week high of $16.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 1.68. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $13.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.28. Iamgold (NYSE:IAG Get Free Report) (TSE:IMG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The mining company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $714.61 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $759.45 million. Iamgold had a net margin of 15.39% and a return on equity of 10.39%. On average, equities analysts predict that Iamgold will post 0.67 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in Iamgold by 35.7% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 51,992,067 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $672,253,000 after buying an additional 13,691,148 shares during the last quarter. CI Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in Iamgold in the 3rd quarter worth about $96,747,000. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Iamgold during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $45,911,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Iamgold by 183.5% in the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 7,614,294 shares of the mining companys stock worth $56,118,000 after acquiring an additional 4,928,077 shares during the period. Finally, Bornite Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Iamgold in the second quarter worth about $34,089,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 47.08% of the companys stock. About Iamgold (Get Free Report) IAMGOLD Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an intermediate gold producer and developer in Canada and Burkina Faso. It owns 100% interest in the Westwood project that covers an area of 1,925 hectare and located in Quebec; a 60% interest in the Cote gold project, which covers an area of 596 square kilometer located in Ontario, Canada; and a 90% interests in the Essakane project that covers an area of 274,000 square kilometer situated in Burkina Faso. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Iamgold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Iamgold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Williams Companies, Inc. (The) (NYSE:WMB Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the twenty ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation, eleven have issued a buy recommendation and three have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $68.2143. A number of analysts have recently weighed in on WMB shares. Tudor Pickering upgraded shares of Williams Companies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of Williams Companies from $72.00 to $70.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Wall Street Zen lowered Williams Companies from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, October 4th. Mizuho raised Williams Companies to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Williams Companies from $59.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Get Williams Companies alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Williams Companies Williams Companies Price Performance NYSE WMB opened at $59.77 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $72.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.81, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 0.42 and a quick ratio of 0.36. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $60.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $59.72. Williams Companies has a 1 year low of $51.58 and a 1 year high of $65.55. Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The pipeline company reported $0.49 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $2.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.87 billion. Williams Companies had a return on equity of 16.74% and a net margin of 20.61%.The businesss revenue was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.43 EPS. Williams Companies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.010-2.190 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Williams Companies will post 2.08 earnings per share for the current year. Williams Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. Williams Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 103.09%. Insider Activity In related news, SVP Terrance Lane Wilson sold 4,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.53, for a total value of $242,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 302,645 shares in the company, valued at $18,319,101.85. The trade was a 1.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.44% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Williams Companies Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WMB. Flaharty Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Williams Companies during the 1st quarter worth $25,000. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in shares of Williams Companies in the first quarter worth about $29,000. Private Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its position in Williams Companies by 104.8% during the second quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 469 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares during the last quarter. Hartford Funds Management Co LLC acquired a new position in Williams Companies during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new stake in Williams Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. 86.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Williams Companies Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Williams Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It operates through Transmission & Gulf of Mexico, Northeast G&P, West, and Gas & NGL Marketing Services segments. The Transmission & Gulf of Mexico segment comprises natural gas pipelines; Transco, Northwest pipeline, MountainWest, and related natural gas storage facilities; and natural gas gathering and processing, and crude oil production handling and transportation assets in the Gulf Coast region. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Williams Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Williams Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Hexcel Corporation (NYSE:HXL Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Hold from the thirteen brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $73.3333. A number of research firms have weighed in on HXL. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Hexcel from $81.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased 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. Morgan Stanley set a $67.00 price target on shares of Hexcel and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Hexcel from $67.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Hexcel in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Get Hexcel alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Hexcel Hexcel Stock Performance NYSE:HXL opened at $73.17 on Thursday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $70.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $63.51. 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 has a twelve month low of $45.28 and a twelve month high of $79.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 86.08, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 1.06. Hexcel (NYSE:HXL Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The aerospace company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.38 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $456.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $449.99 million. Hexcel had a return on equity of 9.25% and a net margin of 3.67%.Hexcels quarterly revenue was down .2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.47 EPS. Hexcel has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.700-1.800 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Hexcel will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hexcel Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Investors of record on Monday, November 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 3rd. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Hexcels dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 80.00%. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, insider Lyndon John Smith sold 2,077 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.02, for a total transaction of $151,662.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,426 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $615,266.52. This represents a 19.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Patrick Winterlich sold 3,413 shares of the businesss 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 of the companys stock, valued at $2,959,782.38. This represents a 7.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 1.39% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Hexcel Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Hexcel by 32.4% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 57,266 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $3,136,000 after buying an additional 14,002 shares during the period. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. lifted its stake in Hexcel by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. now owns 817,388 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $44,760,000 after acquiring an additional 22,396 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in Hexcel by 32.4% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 3,314,702 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $181,514,000 after acquiring an additional 812,026 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D grew its stake in Hexcel by 16.7% during the 2nd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 36,171 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,043,000 after acquiring an additional 5,179 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC increased its holdings in shares of Hexcel by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 541,899 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $30,834,000 after purchasing an additional 6,167 shares during the period. 95.47% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Hexcel (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 Articles 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. Shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Reduce from the twelve research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have issued a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $261.5833. Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $258.00 price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $298.00 to $275.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a report on Friday, October 31st. Barclays raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $243.00 to $244.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $265.00 target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Illinois Tool Works Insider Activity Institutional Investors Weigh In On Illinois Tool Works In other news, Director Pamela B. Strobel sold 1,521 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $245.25, for a total value of $373,025.25. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 39,249 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,625,817.25. This represents a 3.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Modern Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 8.3% in the first quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 848 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $210,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 39.5% in the second quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 67,439 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $16,674,000 after acquiring an additional 19,102 shares during the period. Level Four Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 16.3% in the 2nd quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 11,680 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,888,000 after purchasing an additional 1,638 shares in the last quarter. Swiss National Bank grew its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1.3% in the second quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 844,000 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $208,679,000 after purchasing an additional 11,200 shares during the period. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 12.3% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,797,055 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $938,822,000 after acquiring an additional 415,982 shares during the last quarter. 79.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Illinois Tool Works Price Performance Shares of ITW stock opened at $258.07 on Thursday. Illinois Tool Works has a fifty-two week low of $214.66 and a fifty-two week high of $278.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.03, a PEG ratio of 11.49 and a beta of 1.14. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $247.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $253.51. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The industrial products company reported $2.81 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.72 by $0.09. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.05% and a return on equity of 93.26%. The firm had revenue of $4.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.09 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.91 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.400-10.500 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works will post 10.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Illinois Tool Works Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $1.61 dividend. This represents a $6.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is presently 62.46%. About Illinois Tool Works (Get Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United States and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sse Plc (OTCMKTS:SSEZY Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the six analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. SSEZY has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of SSE in a report on Friday, November 14th. UBS Group downgraded SSE from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, November 27th. Citigroup lowered shares of SSE from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of SSE from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of SSE in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Get SSE alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on SSEZY SSE Stock Up 0.4% SSE Company Profile Shares of OTCMKTS SSEZY opened at $28.44 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $26.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. SSE has a twelve month low of $18.60 and a twelve month high of $30.58. (Get Free Report) SSE plc engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and supply of electricity. It generates electricity from water, gas, coal, oil, and multi fuel. The company distributes electricity to approximately 3.8 million homes and businesses across the north of the central belt of Scotland and central southern England; and owns, operates, and develops high voltage electricity transmission system in the north of Scotland and remote islands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for SSE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SSE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE:GBTG Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the six ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have assigned a 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 $10.25. Several equities analysts have commented on GBTG shares. Zacks Research downgraded Global Business Travel Group from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Global Business Travel Group in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Evercore ISI raised their price target on Global Business Travel Group from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, December 1st. BTIG Research upped their price objective on shares of Global Business Travel Group from $8.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Global Business Travel Group from $7.00 to $8.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Get Global Business Travel Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on GBTG Global Business Travel Group Trading Up 0.8% GBTG stock opened at $8.05 on Tuesday. Global Business Travel Group has a one year low of $5.78 and a one year high of $9.56. The stock has a market cap of $4.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 402.25 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $7.74 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $7.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 1.23. Global Business Travel Group (NYSE:GBTG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.07) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.02 by ($0.09). Global Business Travel Group had a net margin of 0.40% and a return on equity of 3.52%. The firm had revenue of $674.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $615.39 million. The businesss revenue was up 12.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Global Business Travel Group will post -0.17 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in Global Business Travel Group by 66.6% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 736,472 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,347,000 after acquiring an additional 294,527 shares in the last quarter. Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP grew its position in shares of Global Business Travel Group by 13.0% in the 2nd quarter. Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP now owns 795,691 shares of the companys stock worth $5,013,000 after buying an additional 91,374 shares during the last quarter. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in Global Business Travel Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $297,000. PB Investment Partners L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Global Business Travel Group by 36.2% in the 2nd quarter. PB Investment Partners L.P. now owns 835,496 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,264,000 after acquiring an additional 222,232 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. purchased a new stake in Global Business Travel Group during the first quarter worth $455,000. 82.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Global Business Travel Group (Get Free Report) Global Business Travel Group, Inc provides business-to-business (B2B) travel platform in the United States and internationally. The company's platform offers a suite of technology-enabled solutions to business travelers and clients; travel content suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and aggregators; and third-party travel agencies. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Global Business Travel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Business Travel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Centaurus Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Free Report) by 63.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 60,607 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 23,549 shares during the period. Centaurus Financial Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $4,856,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 62.3% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 66,233 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,652,000 after purchasing an additional 25,436 shares during the period. Trivium Point Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 16.3% in the 1st quarter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC now owns 4,158 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $298,000 after acquiring an additional 584 shares during the last quarter. Ethic Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 58,629 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,181,000 after acquiring an additional 4,581 shares in the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 220.2% during the 1st quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 13,317 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $956,000 after acquiring an additional 9,158 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Forvis Mazars Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 12,978 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $932,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently commented on WFC. Weiss Ratings raised Wells Fargo & Company from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b) rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America increased 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. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 4th. Citigroup upped their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $90.04. Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance WFC opened at $92.76 on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52-week low of $58.42 and a 52-week high of $93.42. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $85.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $81.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07. The company has a market cap of $291.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.26, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.11. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.18. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.51% and a net margin of 17.18%.The business had revenue of $21.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.11 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.42 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were given a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend 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 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. Public Sector Pension Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 32.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 274,315 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 67,410 shares during the quarter. Parker-Hannifin comprises 0.8% of Public Sector Pension Investment Boards portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. Public Sector Pension Investment Board owned approximately 0.21% of Parker-Hannifin worth $191,601,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in PH. Quadrant Capital Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 20.1% during the second quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 3,610 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,521,000 after purchasing an additional 604 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC lifted its position in Parker-Hannifin by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 12,386 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $7,529,000 after buying an additional 596 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich acquired a new stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the 2nd quarter valued at $733,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 20.9% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,194 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,334,000 after acquiring an additional 379 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 0.9% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,125,240 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $7,770,646,000 after acquiring an additional 101,476 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.44% of the companys stock. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Parker-Hannifin Stock Down 1.6% Shares of PH stock opened at $884.58 on Friday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $807.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $751.12. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a twelve month low of $488.45 and a twelve month high of $908.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.07. The company has a market capitalization of $111.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.51, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 1.25. Parker-Hannifin Announces Dividend Parker-Hannifin ( NYSE:PH Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.62 by $0.60. Parker-Hannifin had a return on equity of 27.23% and a net margin of 18.17%.The company had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.94 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $6.20 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. 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, research analysts predict that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were given a dividend of $1.80 per share. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. Parker-Hannifins payout ratio is currently 25.65%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades PH has been the subject of a number of research reports. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on Parker-Hannifin from $825.00 to $935.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $840.00 to $925.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered Parker-Hannifin from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $809.00 price target for the company. in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Argus restated a buy rating and issued a $900.00 price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $800.00 to $825.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $889.50. Get Our Latest Stock Report on PH Insider Activity at Parker-Hannifin In other news, VP Berend Bracht sold 3,507 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $864.58, for a total value of $3,032,082.06. Following the sale, the vice president owned 2,580 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,230,616.40. This trade represents a 57.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Rachid Bendali sold 1,437 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the vice president directly owned 2,714 shares in the company, valued at $2,315,014.86. This trade represents a 34.62% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Parker-Hannifin Profile (Free Report) Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to ensure purity and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors used in fluid and gas handling; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment. Further Reading 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. Public Sector Pension Investment Board grew its stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Free Report) (TSE:CM) by 51.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,106,008 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 2,425,000 shares during the period. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce comprises approximately 2.1% of Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Public Sector Pension Investment Board owned 0.76% of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce worth $503,383,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the first quarter worth about $32,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Finally, MAI Capital Management grew its position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 57.5% in the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 737 shares of the banks stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 269 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.88% of the companys stock. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Up 0.2% CM stock opened at $92.82 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $86.21 billion, a PE ratio of 15.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 1.02. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $84.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $77.52. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a fifty-two week low of $53.62 and a fifty-two week high of $93.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ( NYSE:CM Get Free Report ) (TSE:CM) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The bank reported $1.57 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $5.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.23 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 13.57% and a return on equity of 14.93%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces quarterly revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.91 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.5 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Investors of record on Monday, December 29th will be given a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 29th. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.6%. This is an increase from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.97. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is 46.31%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial began coverage on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued a market perform rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $107.50. Read Our Latest Analysis on CM Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Company Profile (Free Report) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Free Report) (TSE:CM). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board lessened its position in GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report) by 8.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 223,989 shares of the companys stock after selling 20,926 shares during the quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Boards holdings in GE Aerospace were worth $57,653,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bare Financial Services Inc lifted its position in shares of GE Aerospace by 81.1% in the second quarter. Bare Financial Services Inc now owns 96 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Lavaca Capital LLC lifted its position in GE Aerospace by 1,666.7% during the 2nd quarter. Lavaca Capital LLC now owns 106 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 113.5% during the 2nd quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 111 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of GE Aerospace during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of GE Aerospace in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.77% of the companys stock. Get GE Aerospace alerts: Insider Activity at GE Aerospace In related news, SVP Russell Stokes sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.71, for a total value of $2,381,680.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 150,434 shares in the company, valued at approximately $44,785,706.14. This represents a 5.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently issued reports on GE shares. Susquehanna assumed coverage on GE Aerospace in a report on Thursday, December 4th. They set a positive rating and a $350.00 target price on the stock. Wolfe Research boosted their price target on GE Aerospace from $280.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. UBS Group set a $366.00 price objective on GE Aerospace and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. BNP Paribas raised shares of GE Aerospace to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a $350.00 target price on shares of GE Aerospace in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $309.94. Get Our Latest Research Report on GE GE Aerospace Stock Performance Shares of NYSE GE opened at $300.23 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. GE Aerospace has a 12 month low of $159.36 and a 12 month high of $316.67. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $299.55 and a 200-day moving average of $278.24. The company has a market capitalization of $316.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.08, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.40. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.20. GE Aerospace had a return on equity of 34.01% and a net margin of 18.34%.The business had revenue of $11.31 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.29 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.15 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 26.4% on a year-over-year basis. GE Aerospace has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 EPS for the current year. GE Aerospace Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.36 per share. This represents a $1.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 29th. GE Aerospaces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.23%. About GE Aerospace (Free Report) GE Aerospace (also known as General Electric) is a company that specializes in providing aerospace products and services. It operates through two reportable segments: Commercial Engines and Services and Defense and Propulsion Technologies. It offers jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GE Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GE Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State of Wyoming lifted its stake in shares of KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR Free Report) by 92.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 37,687 shares of the construction companys stock after acquiring an additional 18,083 shares during the quarter. State of Wyomings holdings in KBR were worth $1,807,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in KBR. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in KBR by 432.5% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 607 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 493 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its position in shares of KBR by 75.8% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 617 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 266 shares during the period. Byrne Asset Management LLC bought a new position in KBR during the second quarter worth $41,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in KBR by 37.5% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,093 shares of the construction companys stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in KBR by 98.1% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,228 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 608 shares during the period. 97.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get KBR alerts: KBR Trading Down 1.2% 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. KBR, Inc. has a 52 week low of $39.61 and a 52 week high of $60.98. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $42.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $47.02. The company has a market cap of $5.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.54. KBR Announces Dividend KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.99 billion. KBR had a return on equity of 35.14% and a net margin of 4.71%.KBRs quarterly revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.84 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that KBR, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $0.165 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. KBRs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.68%. Analysts Set New Price Targets KBR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Oppenheimer began coverage on KBR in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. They set an outperform rating and a $60.00 price target for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of KBR in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Bank of America reduced their price objective on shares of KBR from $55.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of KBR in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They set an equal weight rating and a $45.00 target price on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $59.09. View Our Latest Research Report on KBR About KBR (Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Recommended Stories 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. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. trimmed its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 42.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 33,184 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 24,916 shares during the period. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing comprises about 0.7% of China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $7,534,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of TSM. 1248 Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Resources Management Corp CT ADV purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 174.1% during the 2nd quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 159 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Down 4.3% Shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $291.87 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.51 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.31. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $293.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $256.75. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 52-week low of $134.25 and a 52-week high of $313.98. 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 Increases Dividend Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.59 by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $951.89 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 34.34% and a net margin of 43.72%.The firms revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.94 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $0.9678 dividend. This represents a $3.87 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.85%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently commented on TSM. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $290.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Sunday, December 7th. Itau BBA Securities assumed coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Susquehanna upped their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed 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 equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $355.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 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. Read More 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. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. lowered its holdings in Hubbell Inc (NYSE:HUBB Free Report) by 1.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 294,685 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 2,913 shares during the quarter. Hubbell accounts for 0.9% of Westwood Holdings Group Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. owned approximately 0.55% of Hubbell worth $120,352,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its position in Hubbell by 2.0% during the second quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 1,237 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $505,000 after purchasing an additional 24 shares during the period. DB Fitzpatrick & Co Inc raised its stake in shares of Hubbell by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. DB Fitzpatrick & Co Inc now owns 4,349 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,776,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Chicago Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Hubbell by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Chicago Capital LLC now owns 6,131 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,504,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Hubbell by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Klingman & Associates LLC now owns 2,496 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,019,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, Bordeaux Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Hubbell by 5.0% in the second quarter. Bordeaux Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 635 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.16% of the companys stock. Get Hubbell alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Hubbell In other Hubbell news, insider Mark Eugene Mikes sold 2,470 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $466.50, for a total value of $1,152,255.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 4,785 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,232,202.50. This trade represents a 34.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Alyssa R. Flynn sold 2,011 shares of Hubbell stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $470.32, for a total value of $945,813.52. Following the transaction, the insider owned 3,243 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,525,247.76. This represents a 38.28% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.66% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Hubbell Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:HUBB opened at $448.27 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $437.11 and its 200-day moving average price is $426.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.83 billion, a PE ratio of 27.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Hubbell Inc has a 1 year low of $299.42 and a 1 year high of $484.26. Hubbell (NYSE:HUBB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The industrial products company reported $5.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.98 by $0.19. Hubbell had a net margin of 15.24% and a return on equity of 27.68%. The firm had revenue of $1.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.54 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.49 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. Hubbell has set its FY 2025 guidance at 18.100-18.30 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Hubbell Inc will post 17.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hubbell Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a dividend of $1.42 per share. This represents a $5.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. This is an increase from Hubbells previous quarterly dividend of $1.32. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Hubbells dividend payout ratio is presently 35.24%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth HUBB has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays lifted their price target on Hubbell from $431.00 to $456.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Hubbell in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $450.00 target price on shares of Hubbell in a research note on Friday. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Hubbell from $475.00 to $480.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Hubbell from $490.00 to $500.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $474.00. Read Our Latest Stock Report on HUBB Hubbell Profile (Free Report) Hubbell Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells electrical and utility solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Electrical Solutions and Utility Solutions. The Electrical Solution segment offers standard and special application wiring device products, rough-in electrical products, connector and grounding products, lighting fixtures, and other electrical equipment for use in industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities by electrical contractors, maintenance personnel, electricians, utilities, and telecommunications companies, as well as components and assemblies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Hubbell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hubbell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Munro Partners bought a new stake in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE:BIP Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 168,180 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $5,634,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Picton Mahoney Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $46,203,000. Addenda Capital Inc. lifted its position in shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 13.5% during the 2nd quarter. Addenda Capital Inc. now owns 704,591 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $23,604,000 after acquiring an additional 83,770 shares during the period. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its stake in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 46.7% during the second quarter. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 2,503,764 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $83,739,000 after acquiring an additional 797,429 shares in the last quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. boosted its stake in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 99.5% during the second quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 47,294 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,581,000 after acquiring an additional 23,582 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aviso Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Brookfield Infrastructure Partners by 30.2% in the second quarter. Aviso Financial Inc. now owns 383,100 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $12,832,000 after purchasing an additional 88,948 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.92% of the companys stock. Get Brookfield Infrastructure Partners alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $44.00 price objective on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $40.00 price target on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. National Bankshares set a $35.00 price objective on Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Brookfield Infrastructure Partners from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $40.88. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Stock Performance Shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners stock opened at $34.75 on Friday. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP has a 52 week low of $25.72 and a 52 week high of $36.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $34.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $33.04. The company has a market cap of $16.02 billion, a PE ratio of 51.86 and a beta of 1.09. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP Get Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.86 by ($0.42). The company had revenue of $5.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.05 billion. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a return on equity of 2.74% and a net margin of 3.70%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.76 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.0%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partnerss dividend payout ratio is currently 256.72%. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Company Profile (Free Report) Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. owns and operates utilities, transport, midstream, and data businesses in North and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company's Utilities segment operates approximately 2,900 km of electricity transmission lines; 4,200 km of natural gas pipelines; 8.1 million electricity and natural gas connections; and 0.6 million long-term contracted sub-metering services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BIP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (NYSE:BIP Free Report) (TSE:BIP.UN). Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. bought a new stake in Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 3,929 shares of the information technology services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,174,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Aprio Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Accenture by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,640 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $512,000 after acquiring an additional 33 shares during the period. Texas Bank & Trust Co boosted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 0.4% during the first quarter. Texas Bank & Trust Co now owns 8,181 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $2,553,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the last quarter. Norway Savings Bank grew its position in shares of Accenture by 0.9% in the second quarter. Norway Savings Bank now owns 4,123 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,232,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Firethorn Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in Accenture by 4.4% in the second quarter. Firethorn Wealth Partners LLC now owns 854 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $255,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC boosted its stake in Accenture by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 4,902 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,465,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. 75.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Accenture alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Accenture In other news, insider Manish Sharma sold 6,902 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.01, for a total transaction of $1,725,569.02. Following the sale, the insider owned 1,860 shares in the company, valued at $465,018.60. This trade represents a 78.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 5,917 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $246.62, for a total transaction of $1,459,250.54. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 8,599 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,120,685.38. The trade was a 40.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 33,319 shares of company stock valued at $8,335,225 over the last 90 days. 0.02% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently commented on ACN shares. Citigroup raised shares of Accenture to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Accenture from $325.00 to $271.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Accenture from $348.00 to $309.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Susquehanna cut their target price on Accenture from $330.00 to $270.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, Guggenheim lowered their price target on Accenture from $305.00 to $285.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, September 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $293.21. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ACN Accenture Stock Performance NYSE:ACN opened at $271.70 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $250.48 and its 200 day simple moving average is $265.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. Accenture PLC has a twelve month low of $229.40 and a twelve month high of $398.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $178.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.36, a PEG ratio of 2.64 and a beta of 1.26. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 25th. The information technology services provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.34 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 26.45% and a net margin of 11.02%.The firms revenue was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.66 earnings per share. Accenture has set its FY 2026 guidance at 13.190-13.570 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Accenture PLC will post 12.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Accenture Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Friday, October 10th were given a dividend of $1.63 per share. This is a boost from Accentures previous quarterly dividend of $1.48. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. Accentures dividend payout ratio is presently 53.66%. Accenture Profile (Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enersys (NYSE:ENS Get Free Report) and AZZ (NYSE:AZZ Get Free Report) are both mid-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends and risk. Dividends Enersys pays an annual dividend of $1.05 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. AZZ pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Enersys pays out 12.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. AZZ pays out 7.7% 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. AZZ is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Get Enersys alerts: Valuation and Earnings This table compares Enersys and AZZs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Enersys $3.62 billion 1.50 $363.73 million $8.55 17.22 AZZ $1.58 billion 2.04 $128.83 million $10.40 10.31 Enersys has higher revenue and earnings than AZZ. AZZ is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Enersys, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Risk & Volatility Enersys has a beta of 1.1, meaning that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, AZZ has a beta of 1.13, meaning that its share price is 13% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Enersys and AZZ, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Enersys 0 0 4 1 3.20 AZZ 0 3 6 1 2.80 Enersys currently has a consensus price target of $126.00, indicating a potential downside of 14.41%. AZZ has a consensus price target of $116.33, indicating a potential upside of 8.48%. Given AZZs higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe AZZ is more favorable than Enersys. Profitability This table compares Enersys and AZZs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Enersys 9.05% 22.48% 10.42% AZZ 19.69% 15.01% 7.78% Institutional & Insider Ownership 94.9% of Enersys shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 90.9% of AZZ shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Enersys shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of AZZ shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary AZZ beats Enersys on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. 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. About AZZ (Get Free Report) AZZ Inc. provides hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions in North America. It offers metal finishing solutions for corrosion protection, including hot-dip galvanizing, spin galvanizing, powder coating, anodizing, and plating to steel fabrication and other industries, as well as to fabricators or manufacturers that provide services to the transmission and distribution, bridge and highway, petrochemical, and general industrial markets; and original equipment manufacturers. It also provides aesthetic and corrosion protective coatings and related value-added services for steel and aluminum coil primarily serving the construction; appliance; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; container; transportation; and other end markets. The company was incorporated in 1956 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. Receive News & Ratings for Enersys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enersys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kentucky Retirement Systems cut its stake in Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report) by 6.2% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 162,541 shares of the companys stock after selling 10,653 shares during the quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $12,867,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 29.5% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 38,278 shares of the companys stock worth $3,808,000 after purchasing an additional 8,710 shares during the last quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in the first quarter valued at about $721,000. Horizon Investments LLC boosted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 14.7% during the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 35,433 shares of the companys stock worth $3,180,000 after buying an additional 4,540 shares during the period. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 23.6% during the first quarter. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC now owns 99,621 shares of the companys stock worth $8,942,000 after buying an additional 19,046 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 14,076 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,263,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.07% of the companys stock. Get Merck & Co. Inc. alerts: Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance NYSE MRK opened at $100.33 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $92.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $85.37. The company has a market capitalization of $249.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.25, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.29. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1-year low of $73.31 and a 1-year high of $105.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.66 and a quick ratio of 1.44. Merck & Co., Inc. Increases Dividend Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.36 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $17.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 44.54% and a net margin of 29.63%.Merck & Co., Inc.s revenue was up 3.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.57 earnings per share. Merck & Co., Inc. has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.930-8.980 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 9.01 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.4%. This is a boost from Merck & Co., Inc.s previous quarterly dividend of $0.81. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Merck & Co., Inc.s payout ratio is currently 42.80%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MRK has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised Merck & Co., Inc. from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $90.00 to $125.00 in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a research report on Monday, October 13th. They set a neutral rating and a $95.00 price objective for the company. Berenberg Bank cut shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the stock from $100.00 to $90.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $107.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Merck & Co., Inc. Insider Activity at Merck & Co., Inc. In other news, EVP David Michael Williams sold 8,614 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.59, for a total transaction of $720,044.26. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 24,578 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,054,475.02. This trade represents a 25.95% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile (Free Report) Merck & Co, Inc is a health care company, which engages in the provision of health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, and Other. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MRK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Merck & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wellington Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 21,542 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $1,065,000. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF accounts for approximately 1.5% of Wellington Capital Management Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Baker Boyer National Bank boosted its position in shares of Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 1.9% in the second quarter. Baker Boyer National Bank now owns 11,030 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $546,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares during the period. Family CFO Inc raised its stake in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Family CFO Inc now owns 71,994 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,561,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares during the last quarter. Pitti Group Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter. Pitti Group Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,090 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $301,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Dover Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Dover Advisors LLC now owns 8,732 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $432,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Family Office LLC grew its position in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Family Office LLC now owns 10,817 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $535,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. 67.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF alerts: Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Stock Performance Shares of VWO opened at $53.94 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $54.47 and a 200-day simple moving average of $52.08. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a 52 week low of $39.53 and a 52 week high of $56.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $102.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.08 and a beta of 0.55. Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Company Profile The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, that measures the return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VWO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA:VWO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lowered its stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (NYSE:ICE Free Report) by 9.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 715,648 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 75,163 shares during the quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned approximately 0.13% of Intercontinental Exchange worth $131,292,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbH acquired a new stake in Intercontinental Exchange during the 2nd quarter worth $2,368,000. Promus Capital LLC boosted its stake in Intercontinental Exchange by 19.4% in the second quarter. Promus Capital LLC now owns 8,653 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,588,000 after acquiring an additional 1,405 shares in the last quarter. Stance Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the second quarter worth about $1,336,000. North Dallas Bank & Trust Co. acquired a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange during the second quarter worth about $1,093,000. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Intercontinental Exchange in the 2nd quarter valued at about $470,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.30% of the companys stock. Get Intercontinental Exchange alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts recently issued reports on ICE shares. UBS Group decreased their target price on Intercontinental Exchange from $215.00 to $200.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Intercontinental Exchange from $188.00 to $178.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Intercontinental Exchange from $202.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Intercontinental Exchange from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, December 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $194.70. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CEO Jeffrey C. Sprecher sold 150,000 shares of Intercontinental Exchange stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.08, for a total value of $22,962,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,801,705 shares of the companys stock, valued at $275,805,001.40. The trade was a 7.69% 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, General Counsel Andrew J. Surdykowski sold 1,770 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.52, for a total transaction of $269,960.40. Following the transaction, the general counsel owned 44,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,743,214.24. This trade represents a 3.85% 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 have sold 175,489 shares of company stock worth $26,972,956. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Intercontinental Exchange Trading Up 0.1% NYSE:ICE opened at $163.21 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $93.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.73, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $154.98 and its 200-day simple moving average is $170.16. Intercontinental Exchange Inc. has a 12-month low of $142.29 and a 12-month high of $189.35. Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.71 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.71. The firm had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. Intercontinental Exchange had a return on equity of 13.79% and a net margin of 25.24%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.55 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Intercontinental Exchange Inc. will post 6.73 EPS for the current year. About Intercontinental Exchange (Free Report) Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ICE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (NYSE:ICE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Intercontinental Exchange Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intercontinental Exchange and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust (NYSEAMERICAN:BHV Get Free Report)s share price traded up 0.7% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $11.00 and last traded at $11.00. 1,264 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 4,960 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.92. BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust Stock Performance The companys fifty day moving average price is $11.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $10.62. Get BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust alerts: BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a $0.0515 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 5.6%. Institutional Trading of BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust About BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust An institutional investor recently bought a new position in BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust ( NYSEAMERICAN:BHV Free Report ) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 3,999 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,000. (Get Free Report) Blackrock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets of United States. It primarily invests in the investment grade municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes and Virginia personal income taxes. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:SHZHY Get Free Report) shares traded down 0.2% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $7.86 and last traded at $7.86. 2,378 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 74% from the average session volume of 9,019 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.8750. Shenzhou International Group Stock Performance The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $8.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $7.76. About Shenzhou International Group (Get Free Report) Shenzhou International Group Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, engages in the manufacture, printing, and sale of knitwear products in Mainland China, European Union, the United States, Japan, and internationally. It produces and sells knitted sportswear, casual wear, and lingerie wear. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Shenzhou International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shenzhou International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) traded up 1.8% on Friday . The stock traded as high as $1,028.90 and last traded at $1,027.6780. 3,241,517 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 20% from the average session volume of 4,027,176 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1,009.38. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently commented on the company. Leerink Partners upgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $886.00 to $1,104.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Berenberg Bank upped their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $830.00 to $950.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $951.00 to $1,145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,171.00 to $1,290.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $1,121.90. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Get Our Latest Report on LLY Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.55. The firms 50-day moving average price is $939.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $819.64. The stock has a market cap of $971.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.28, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.37. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.09 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 30.99% and a return on equity of 109.52%. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 53.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.18 earnings per share. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current fiscal year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a $1.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 29.35%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eli Lilly and Company A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LLY. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 22.0% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,597 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,409,000 after acquiring an additional 1,730 shares during the period. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,136,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Kaufman Rossin Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter valued at approximately $242,000. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV lifted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 39.4% during the first quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 3,449 shares of the companys stock worth $2,849,000 after purchasing an additional 975 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT lifted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 31.9% during the first quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 5,078 shares of the companys stock worth $4,194,000 after purchasing an additional 1,228 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. About Eli Lilly and Company (Get Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Featured Stories 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. MASTERINVEST Kapitalanlage GmbH purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 6,957 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $4,924,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Winthrop Advisory Group LLC increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Winthrop Advisory Group LLC now owns 429 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $303,000 after buying an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. Avion Wealth boosted its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 31.1% in the second quarter. Avion Wealth now owns 59 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 14 shares during the period. KPP Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.1% during the second quarter. KPP Advisory Services LLC now owns 668 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $473,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares in the last quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. raised its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. FAS Wealth Partners Inc. now owns 653 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $462,000 after purchasing an additional 14 shares during the period. Finally, Dumont & Blake Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Dumont & Blake Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,241 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,586,000 after purchasing an additional 15 shares in the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Down 2.5% Shares of NYSE 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 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $439.38 and a 12-month high of $919.10. The firms 50-day moving average price is $800.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $744.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $266.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.36. The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.68 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $8.40 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared 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. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 32.50%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $725.00 to $790.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $843.00 to $900.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday. Zacks Research cut shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Barclays raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $720.00 to $850.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $750.00 target price (up from $625.00) on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $787.06. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). 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. CubeSmart (NYSE:CUBE Get Free Report) and Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, valuation, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership and dividends. Institutional & Insider Ownership 97.6% of CubeSmart shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.7% of Digital Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.7% of CubeSmart shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Digital Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get CubeSmart alerts: Risk and Volatility CubeSmart has a beta of 1.11, indicating that its share price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Digital Realty Trust has a beta of 1.11, indicating that its share price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CubeSmart 33.31% 12.49% 5.37% Digital Realty Trust 23.67% 6.41% 2.98% Dividends This table compares CubeSmart and Digital Realty Trusts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. CubeSmart pays an annual dividend of $2.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.7%. Digital Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $4.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. CubeSmart pays out 133.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Digital Realty Trust pays out 126.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. CubeSmart has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years. CubeSmart is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for CubeSmart and Digital Realty Trust, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CubeSmart 0 11 7 0 2.39 Digital Realty Trust 1 7 15 2 2.72 CubeSmart currently has a consensus price target of $45.63, suggesting a potential upside of 25.03%. Digital Realty Trust has a consensus price target of $199.05, suggesting a potential upside of 29.60%. Given Digital Realty Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Digital Realty Trust is more favorable than CubeSmart. Earnings & Valuation This table compares CubeSmart and Digital Realty Trusts top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio CubeSmart $929.08 million 8.96 $391.18 million $1.56 23.39 Digital Realty Trust $5.55 billion 9.50 $615.19 million $3.87 39.69 Digital Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than CubeSmart. CubeSmart is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Digital Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Digital Realty Trust beats CubeSmart on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About CubeSmart (Get Free Report) CubeSmart is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust. The Company's self-storage properties are designed to offer affordable, easily accessible and, in most locations, climate-controlled storage space for residential and commercial customers. According to the 2023 Self-Storage Almanac, CubeSmart is one of the top three owners and operators of self-storage properties in the United States. About Digital Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Digital Realty Trust, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming. The company was founded on March 9, 2004, and is headquartered in Dallas, TX. Receive News & Ratings for CubeSmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CubeSmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WidePoint Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $6.37 and traded as high as $6.47. WidePoint shares last traded at $6.34, with a volume of 13,408 shares traded. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. HC Wainwright reissued a buy rating and set a $9.00 target price (up previously from $7.00) on shares of WidePoint in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Westpark Capital reiterated a buy rating and set a $9.00 price target on shares of WidePoint in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $8.67. Get WidePoint alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on WYY WidePoint Price Performance The firms fifty day moving average price is $6.37 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.76. The stock has a market cap of $62.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -26.42 and a beta of 1.29. WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The technology company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.05) by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $36.13 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.64 million. WidePoint had a negative net margin of 1.55% and a negative return on equity of 17.61%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that WidePoint Corporation will post -0.26 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of WYY. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of WidePoint by 87.6% during the second quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 60,527 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 28,269 shares during the last quarter. Summit Financial Strategies Inc. boosted its stake in WidePoint by 28.2% during the 2nd quarter. Summit Financial Strategies Inc. now owns 117,748 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $403,000 after purchasing an additional 25,932 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new stake in WidePoint during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $87,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of WidePoint in the second quarter worth approximately $74,000. Finally, Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of WidePoint in the second quarter valued at approximately $60,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 22.60% of the companys stock. WidePoint Company Profile (Get Free Report) WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. It offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploys identity management solutions that provides secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for WidePoint Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WidePoint and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookfield Renewable (NYSE:BEPC Get Free Report) and BKV (NYSE:BKV Get Free Report) are both mid-cap energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and earnings. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Brookfield Renewable and BKVs gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Brookfield Renewable alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Brookfield Renewable $5.88 billion 0.96 $236.00 million ($0.89) -43.53 BKV $580.98 million 4.73 -$142.87 million $0.52 54.61 Volatility & Risk Brookfield Renewable has higher revenue and earnings than BKV. Brookfield Renewable is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than BKV, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Brookfield Renewable has a beta of 1.23, indicating that its stock price is 23% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BKV has a beta of 1.57, indicating that its stock price is 57% more volatile than the S&P 500. Insider and Institutional Ownership 75.1% of Brookfield Renewable shares are held by institutional investors. 4.1% of BKV shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Brookfield Renewable and BKV, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Brookfield Renewable 1 1 3 0 2.40 BKV 0 1 6 1 3.00 Brookfield Renewable presently has a consensus price target of $39.75, suggesting a potential upside of 2.59%. BKV has a consensus price target of $31.17, suggesting a potential upside of 9.76%. Given BKVs stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe BKV is more favorable than Brookfield Renewable. Profitability This table compares Brookfield Renewable and BKVs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Brookfield Renewable -34.58% -12.74% -3.20% BKV 5.67% 6.91% 4.59% Summary BKV beats Brookfield Renewable on 12 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Brookfield Renewable (Get Free Report) Brookfield Renewable Corporation owns and operates a portfolio of renewable power and sustainable solution assets primarily in the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Brazil. It operates hydroelectric, wind, solar, and distributed energy and sustainable solutions with an installed capacity of approximately 19,161 megawatts. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Brookfield Renewable Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Brookfield BRP Holdings (Canada) Inc. About BKV (Get Free Report) BKV Corporation engages in the acquisition, operation, and development of natural gas and NGL properties. It is also involved in the gathering, processing, and transportation of natural gas. The company was founded in 2015 and is based in Denver, Colorado with additional offices in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania and Fort Worth, Texas. BKV Corporation, LLC operates as a subsidiary of Banpu North America Corporation. Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Renewable Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Renewable and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Altice USA (NYSE:ATUS Get Free Report) and Ooma (NYSE:OOMA Get Free Report) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability and risk. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Altice USA and Oomas gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Altice USA alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Altice USA $8.64 billion 0.10 -$102.92 million ($3.96) -0.45 Ooma $256.85 million 1.28 -$6.90 million $0.07 169.93 Analyst Recommendations Ooma has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Altice USA. Altice USA is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ooma, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Altice USA and Ooma, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Altice USA 3 1 2 0 1.83 Ooma 0 1 2 0 2.67 Altice USA presently has a consensus price target of $2.55, suggesting a potential upside of 42.46%. Ooma has a consensus price target of $19.00, suggesting a potential upside of 59.73%. Given Oomas stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Ooma is more favorable than Altice USA. Insider & Institutional Ownership 54.8% of Altice USA shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.4% of Ooma shares are held by institutional investors. 44.6% of Altice USA shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 9.9% of Ooma shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Risk & Volatility Altice USA has a beta of 1.63, suggesting that its stock price is 63% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ooma has a beta of 1.34, suggesting that its stock price is 34% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Altice USA and Oomas net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Altice USA -21.43% N/A -0.90% Ooma 0.85% 10.81% 6.32% Summary Ooma beats Altice USA on 10 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Altice USA (Get Free Report) Altice USA, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides broadband communications and video services in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. It offers broadband, video, telephony, and mobile services to residential and business customers. The company's video services include delivery of broadcast stations and cable networks; over the top services; video-on-demand, high-definition channels, digital video recorder, and pay-per-view services; and platforms for video programming through mobile applications. In addition, it provides voice over Internet protocol telephone services; and mobile services, such as data, talk, and text. Further, the company offers Ethernet, data transport, IP-based virtual private networks, Internet access, and telephony services; hosted telephony services, managed Wi-Fi, managed desktop and server backup, and collaboration services comprising audio and web conferencing; fiber-to-the-tower services to wireless carriers; data services consisting of wide area networking and dedicated data access, as well as wireless mesh networks; and enterprise class telephone services that include traditional multi-line phone service. Additionally, it provides hosted private branch exchange, network security, and international calling and toll-free numbers services. Furthermore, the company offers audience-based and multiscreen advertising solutions; data analytics; and news programming services, as well as operates news channels under the News 12 Networks, Cheddar, and i24NEWS names. It also provides broadband communications and video services under the Optimum and Suddenlink brands. Altice USA, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Long Island City, New York. About Ooma (Get Free Report) Ooma, Inc. provides communications services and related technologies for businesses and consumers in the United States and Canada. The company's products and services include Ooma Office, a cloud-based multi-user communications system for small and medium-sized businesses; Ooma Connect, which delivers fixed wireless internet connectivity; and Ooma Enterprise, a unified-communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) solution. It also provides Ooma AirDial, a plain old telephone service; PureVoice HD, a residential phone services; Ooma basic that provides unlimited personal calling within the United States; and Ooma Premier, a suite of advanced calling features on a monthly or annual subscription basis. In addition, the company offers Ooma Telo, a home communications solution designed to serve as the primary phone line in the home; Ooma Telo Air, a wireless Ooma Telo with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; and Ooma Telo LTE, which combines the Ooma Telo base station with the Ooma LTE Adapter and battery back-up. Further, it provides Ooma Mobile HD app that allows users to make and receive phone calls and access Ooma features and settings; 2600Hz provides business communication applications; Talkatone mobile app; and OnSIP, an UCaaS solutions. The company offers its products through direct sales, distributors, retailers, and resellers, as well as online and sale representatives. Ooma, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. Receive News & Ratings for Altice USA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altice USA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lennar (NYSE:LEN.B Get Free Report) and Persimmon (OTCMKTS:PSMMY Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends and profitability. Risk & Volatility Lennar has a beta of 1.3, suggesting that its share price is 30% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Persimmon has a beta of 1.19, suggesting that its share price is 19% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get Lennar alerts: Profitability This table compares Lennar and Persimmons net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lennar 7.72% 11.09% 7.34% Persimmon N/A N/A N/A Institutional and Insider Ownership Earnings & Valuation 3.3% of Lennar shares are owned by institutional investors. 15.0% of Lennar shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Persimmon shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. This table compares Lennar and Persimmons top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Lennar $35.44 billion 0.81 $3.93 billion $12.09 9.34 Persimmon $4.09 billion 1.38 $341.33 million N/A N/A Lennar has higher revenue and earnings than Persimmon. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Lennar and Persimmon, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lennar 0 0 0 0 0.00 Persimmon 0 0 4 1 3.20 Dividends Lennar pays an annual dividend of $2.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Persimmon pays an annual dividend of $0.91 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Lennar pays out 16.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Summary Lennar beats Persimmon on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Lennar (Get Free Report) Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land. It primarily sells single-family attached and detached homes in communities targeted to first-time, move-up, active adult, and luxury homebuyers. The company also offers residential mortgage financing, title insurance, and closing services for home buyers and others. In addition, it involves in the fund investment activity; and originates and sells into securitizations commercial mortgage loans. Further, the company develops, constructs, and manages multifamily rental properties. Lennar Corporation was founded in 1954 and is based in Miami, Florida. About Persimmon (Get Free Report) Persimmon Plc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a house builder in the United Kingdom. The company offers family housing under the Persimmon Homes brand name; housing under the Charles Church brand name; and social housing under the Westbury Partnerships brand name. It also provides broadband services under the FibreNest brand; and timber frame, insulated wall panels, and roof cassettes under the brand Space4. Further, it offers concrete bricks and roof tile. Persimmon Plc was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in York, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for Lennar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Justice Minister says he has sought assurances from the Garda commissioner that there is adequate protection for the Jewish community in Ireland. Jim OCallaghan said he spoke with Justin Kelly on Sunday evening after gardai said they would increase patrols at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community, following the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney. He said they had already spoken about ensuring the right protection was in place many months ago. He added that Mr Kelly had told him and the Chief Rabbi of Ireland, Yoni Wieder, of his commitment to the safety of the Jewish community. Mr OCallaghan said he is attending a Hanukkah event on Monday to sympathise and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Ireland. I want to reassure them of our support in the aftermath of the appalling terrorist attack in Sydney. Earlier on Sunday, Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs said it was not aware of any citizens who had been impacted directly by the gun attack in Sydney. I want to express my shock and horror at the incident which took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney over recent hours. All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia. Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) December 14, 2025 In a statement on Sunday morning, Helen McEntee said: Our consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally. The Minister for Foreign Affairs said she was in shock and horror at the antisemitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating the first day of their Hanukkah festival of lights. She added: All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia. New South Wales Police confirmed at least 16 people were killed in the attack. Irish President Catherine Connolly said she wished to offer my deepest sympathy to the Jewish community everywhere at this time, mindful of the beginning of this Hanukkah period. I offer these condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Australia, especially all who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured. Shocked and appalled by the gun attack that left ten people dead at Sydneys Bondi Beach. Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated. Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 14, 2025 In a statement on X, the Taoiseach said he was shocked and appalled by the attack. Micheal Martin said: Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated. Taniste Simon Harris said he was horrified by the incident. In a social media post he said: Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families, with the people of Australia and the Jewish community during this time of profound pain. The spectre of hate and violence must never be tolerated. Holiday season slap fighting that started with a "disgusted" note from Kansas City Councilman and aspiring Missouri State Senator Nathan Willett has now been seized upon by a far more controversial denizen of the right-wing discourse. For those who don't know his work . . . Bill Donohue is a longtime conservative faith leader who has garnered countless talk show appearances and even earned ridicule from the South Park guys. To wit . . . CATHOLIC LEAGUE HONCHO BILL DONOHUE NOT ONLY CONDEMNS THE CITY MANGER OVER CHRISTMAS DECOR GUIDELINES BUT ALSO SUGGESTS SELF-IMPOSED EXILE TO CUBA IN A SCATHING PUBLIC REBUKE!!! Here's a quote from his letter . . . I could not help but notice that you are boasting about the display of "decorated trees," and the like, in City Hall. That you couldn't even mention "Christmas trees" you must tremble at the site and sound of the dreaded "C-word" tells me all I need to know about you. "Cuba also bans Christmas. Why not go there for Christmas? Make sure you get a one-way ticket." And whilst the Catholic leader is trying to be clever, we'll share a bit of public info to give more context to his words . . . A quote about the newish city manager . . . Born in Bolivia and raised in Wisconsin, he began his career in Kansas City as an entry-level planner in 1997 and has since led some of the Citys most complex and high-impact initiatives. Marios path to city manager is the definition of the American Dream. The reality is that there are many places in the world that ban Christmas from Saudi Arabia to North Korea . . . But the Cuba line from Donohue gets to the crux of what he's REALLY trying to say and the angle he's taking . . . It's a snithe criticism that's cool for politics but doesn't really capture the spirit of the faith that Donohue purports to defend . . . Just for Sunday and this working-class recession holiday season we humbly ask our readers to engage in a bit of mental gymnastics . . . Would Jesus leverage ethnic heritage in an argument over holiday decorations??? We can only hope that, at the very least, the Almighty might be more accurate with His posturing against Latin American backgrounds. But I digress . . . Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Developing . . . Here's the aftermath to a week of accusations against a historic party district: Kansas City activists are working diligently to fend of negative perceptions following racially-charged accusations against local small biz. In meandering and hard-to-follow post . . . Here's our very simple take-away . . . Notice activists blaming a small biz forced to shut down amid a racial ruckus that they've helped to propagate. It might not be "blaming the victim" because there aren't really any good guys in this overblown real estate story. However . . . Beleaguered brunch operators get a kick on their way down and out . . . Check the activist quote that responds to complaints of a hostile work environment . . . "He offers no condemnation of the alleged racist cartel that controlled who could and could not open businesses in Westport. He expresses no solidarity with the Black entrepreneurs who, unlike him, were never given the keys to begin with. "Instead, he points his finger at a Black media platform, a Black woman, Black civil rights leaders and Black entrepreneurs . . ." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Damning Transcript Exposes Truth Behind Holy Brunch Closure - The Kansas City Defender What began as a federal RICO lawsuit has become one of Kansas City's most explosive legal sagas. Now, Holy Brunch's owner is blaming Black media for his closure and screenshotting a Black woman reporter in an expletive-laden Facebook diatribe. But court transcripts expose what he knew all along. KC civil rights leaders back Black business owners in $70 million Westport lawsuit Local civil rights groups are backing Black business owners in a $70M RICO suit alleging Westport CID prevented Black-focused nightlife from opening in Kansas City. Developing . . . BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. From December 14 to 20, the Days of Uzbek Culture will be held in Azerbaijan, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture. On this occasion, the leadership of the Ministry of Culture of the brotherly country, well-known figures of the arts, and leading artistic ensembles have arrived in Azerbaijan on a visit. On December 14, a large-scale concert program dedicated to the opening ceremony of the Days of Uzbek Culture will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Center. On December 15, the first meeting of the Joint Cultural Commission of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan will be held. As part of the Days of Culture, concert programs by the Navruz Dance Ensemble and the State Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan will be organized. The closing ceremony of the Days of Uzbek Culture will be held at the Mirza Ulugbek Secondary School, built and put into operation by the brotherly country in 2023 in the city of Fuzuli. The Days of Uzbek Culture were held in Baku in 2023, and the Days of Azerbaijani Culture were held in Tashkent in 2024. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. The grand opening of the Days of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan took place in Baku, Trend reports. The event was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center and included a rich concert program featuring Uzbek artists and creative groups. The evening featured musical and dance performances. Speaking at the event Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Farid Jafarov emphasized that today, Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations are dynamically developing in all spheres, including culture, thanks to the far-sighted policies of the heads of state. The deputy minister emphasized that under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the country is achieving significant success in all areas of development. Culture is one of the priority and especially important areas of this process. After all, we are peoples originating from the same roots and sharing a common historical and cultural heritage, values, and traditions, he said. The opening ceremony was part of the cultural dialogue between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and was aimed at strengthening friendly ties and developing humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. The event brought together representatives of official circles, cultural figures, as well as guests and residents of the capital. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Today, Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations are dynamically developing in all spheres, including culture, thanks to the far-sighted policies of the heads of state, said Deputy Minister of Culture of Azerbaijan Farid Jafarov at the opening ceremony of the Days of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan, Trend reports. He noted that the Days of Culture held in Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are not ordinary events in the field of art. This is a vivid manifestation of the shared roots, mutual respect, and friendship of the two brotherly peoples, Jafarov said. The deputy minister emphasized that under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the country is achieving significant success in all areas of development. Culture is one of the priority and especially important areas of this process. After all, we are peoples originating from the same roots and sharing a common historical and cultural heritage, values, and traditions, he said. Farid Jafarov also noted that it is no coincidence that Days of Culture are once again being held this year in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan on a reciprocal basis. According to him, cultural and art figures from the two countries regularly participate in international festivals hosted in each others countries. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is growing and enriching every year, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Bakhrom Ashrafkhanov told Trend this during the opening ceremony of the Days of Culture of Uzbekistan. According to him, the current Days of Culture are distinguished by an expanded program and a wider geographical coverage. "Today was just the beginning of a comprehensive cultural program spanning the entire week. We presented a general concert program for a wide audience," he noted. The ambassador said that the opening ceremony was attended by representatives of government agencies, parliamentarians, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions, as well as connoisseurs of Uzbek classical and contemporary music. He emphasized that the concert program was specially prepared for the Azerbaijani public and reflects both ancient cultural traditions and modern art trends. "The program features music and choreography from various regions of Uzbekistanfrom Samarkand and Bukhara to Tashkent and Khorezm. The repertoire, costumes, and stage sets showcase the breadth and depth of our culture," he said. According to the ambassador, along with Uzbek works, the program included Azerbaijani songs and dances, which gave the events a collaborative character. He noted that cultural events will continue in the coming days. The Navruz dance group will perform at the Heydar Aliyev Palace, and a separate orchestral concert will be held at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic. In addition, on December 18, the Uzbek delegation will visit the city of Fuzuli, where a music and dance program will be presented to local residents. "We want to please all of Azerbaijan and bring the culture of Uzbekistan not only to the capital's public, but also to the regions," he stressed. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Volume of natural gas export from Azerbaijan to Italy increases in 10M2025 Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan In JanuaryOctober of this year, the export of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Italy grew in volume but decreased in value compared to the same period last year. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Photo: The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 14. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has published final statistical data on the recent parliamentary elections, outlining candidate participation, voter turnout, and election monitoring, Trend reports via CEC A total of 589 candidates were initially nominated for the elections. Of these, 63 withdrew their candidacies, 56 were denied registration, and the registrations of 10 candidates were later canceled. As a result, 460 candidates took part in the elections, including 271 men and 189 women. Sixteen candidates with disabilities were among those registered. Election monitoring involved broad international and domestic participation. The CEC accredited 788 international observers from 58 countries, while 137 media outletscovering print, television, radio, and online platformswere authorized to report on the campaign and voting process. During the election period, the Rapid Response Coordination Group recorded 274 reports of alleged violations. Voting was conducted at 2,492 polling stations nationwide. In addition, 27 remote polling stations were established in hospitals, military units, temporary detention facilities, shopping centers, and markets. Another 100 polling stations operated abroad, allowing more than 190,000 citizens to participate through remote voting mechanisms. The voter register included over 4.29 million citizens. A total of 1,584,446 voters cast ballots, resulting in a turnout of 36.9 percent. On December 12, 2025, the CEC adopted a resolution officially registering 87 elected deputies in 29 multi-mandate constituencies, confirming compliance with the statutory gender quota. At the same time, election results in Electoral District No. 13 were annulled due to violations of legal requirements. The presentation of official certificates and badges to the registered deputies is scheduled for December 17, 2025. Photo: Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 14. Central Asian states plan the creation of a regional platform to coordinate the development of local self-government, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz Development Policy Institute. The issue was raised at the first Local Self-Governance in Central Asia forum, which brought together representatives of government bodies, municipal associations, international organizations, think tanks and experts from across the region. The event was organized by Uzbekistans Mahallas Association and the Development Policy Institute of Kyrgyzstan, with support from UK-funded and Swiss-backed development programs. A key outcome of the forum was a proposal to establish a Council of Local Self-Government and Local Development in Central Asia. The council is envisioned as a permanent regional platform uniting government agencies, local authorities, municipal associations and communities from all 5 Central Asian countries. According to participants, the platform would focus on coordinating data exchange, piloting joint initiatives, improving investment decision-making at the local level and strengthening citizen participation in governance. Discussions also emphasized the need to harmonize approaches to local economic development, improve the regional investment climate, expand the use of digital governance tools and econometric models, and encourage cross-border cooperation between municipalities. ADB-funded wastewater treatment plant project opens tender in Kyrgyzstan A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for December 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. local time at the ARIS office in Bishkek. Bids must be submitted to the same address no later than January 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. local time, together with a bid security declaration as specified in the tender documentation. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. The continued reference by the UN Secretariat and some members of the UN Security Council to Resolution 2231, which has expired and envisaged the restoration of sanctions against Iran, has no legal basis, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, Trend reports. He noted that the report prepared by the UN Secretary-General for the Security Council is based on a resolution that has no factual or legal basis. According to Iran, Resolution 2231 has expired. This view is not only Irans but is also shared by two members of the UN Security Council. The European trios reference to the mechanism for restoring sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is due to U.S. pressure and is entirely politically motivated, with no legal foundation. Baqaei emphasized that it was clear from the beginning that an action lacking legality would have no effect. Iran has expressed its protest to the UN Secretariat. China and Russia hold a similar position, and their stance is completely clear. However, the European trios use of the Security Council mechanisms for their own purposes has created a legal loophole within the Security Council. Their insistence on continuing this process will only result in the further expansion of this loophole, he added. On November 20, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution requesting Iran to provide precise information about its uranium enriched to 60 percent and to allow inspections of its nuclear facilities. On September 26, the United Nations Security Council convened to deliberate on a draft resolution presented by Russia and China, which sought to extend the term of Resolution 2231 and prevent the activation of the "snapback" mechanism. The resolution was met with mixed reactions: four members voted in favor, nine opposed, and two abstained. Consequently, as of September 28, the Security Council's sanctions targeting Iran were reinstated. Resolution 2231, adopted by the UN Security Council on July 20, 2015, marked a pivotal moment in international diplomacy, annulling six prior resolutions against Iran and lifting extensive sanctions related to its nuclear program. Under Articles 36 and 37 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), if a member state files a complaint over another partys violation of the deal, a review process begins. If the issue is not resolved, the complainant can escalate it to the UN Security Council. Should the Council accept the complaint against Iran, international sanctions may be reactivated, and the Council may even authorize military action against Iran. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Iran can hold negotiations with the directors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at various levels if necessary, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, Trend reports. He noted that Irans mission in Vienna currently maintains direct contact with the IAEA, and interactions between Iran and the IAEA continue. Baqaei emphasized that Iran is a member of the IAEA, and therefore there can be no problem with holding negotiations. As for the formation of a new method for cooperation between Iran and the IAEA, discussions on this matter should be held. It is worth noting that Irans current cooperation with the IAEA is primarily based on a law adopted by the Iranian Parliament. This law clearly defines the format and framework of Irans cooperation with the IAEA, he added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. The repeated references by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to Irans 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent do not bring about any change in reality, said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, Trend reports. He said that the IAEA Director General continuously repeats certain cases, wording, and reports, but this does not alter the existing reality. The reality, he stressed, is that Iran is a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Within this membership, Iran fully understands and has fulfilled all its obligations under the safeguards agreement. Baqaei noted that the IAEA Director General is expected to address certain issues to those actually responsible for the situation rather than to Iran. However, the IAEA Director General, as well as the IAEA Board of Governors, have refrained even from briefly commenting on the strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Irans peaceful nuclear facilities. In such circumstances, a fair position has not been adopted, and the stances taken are one-sided, which cannot resolve the problem. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 14. Turkiye strongly condemns the terrorist attack during Hanukkah celebrations in the Australian city of Sydney, the Turkish Foreign Ministry says, Trend reports. The Ministry expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and to the entire Australian people, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. "Turkiye reaffirms its principled position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as well as its commitment to cooperation in the fight against this global threat," the ministry noted. As a result of the armed attack in Sydney, 12 people were killed and 29 people were injured. Latvian MPs have approved the reallocation of EUR 5 million to purchase unmanned systems to support Ukraine in 2025. That is according to Delfi, Ukrinform reports. The funding will be redirected from the Latvian Foreign Ministry's budget program for contributions to the European Peace Facility for the current year. The money will instead go to the Latvian Defense Ministry to procure drone systems for Ukraine and support the development of Latvia's dual-use technology industry. The Latvian Foreign Ministry said the reallocation was possible because Hungary blocked a decision on providing military support to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility. As a result, Latvia's planned contributions for 2025 were not fully used, allowing the unused funds to be redirected within the state budget. Read also: Latvia to provide EUR 15M for drones to Ukraine next year Ukrinform reported earlier that next year Latvia plans to allocate EUR 200.54 million to bolster air defense and EUR 50 million to develop drone capabilities. Photo: Delfi When Scripture Enters the Courtroom: Manusmriti, Criminal Justice and Indias Constitutional Crisis Indias constitutional framework rests on a foundational premise: Criminal Justice must be governed by enacted law and constitutional values, not by religious scripture or moral theology Indias constitutional framework rests on a foundational premise: Criminal Justice must be governed by enacted law and constitutional values, not by religious scripture or moral theology. Yet, this premise has been seriously unsettled by a recent Sessions Court judgment from Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, where the death penalty was awarded while invoking verses from the Manusmriti. The controversy surrounding this judgment is not about the gravity of the crime alone. It raises far deeper concerns about secularism, equality before law, judicial discipline, and public confidence in the justice delivery system. In December 2025, the Additional Sessions Judge at Bahraich sentenced Mohammad Sarfaraz to death for murder arising out of the October 2024 communal violence case famous as R G Mishra murder case. In justifying the need for deterrent punishment, the judgment relied upon a shloka attributed to the Manusmriti: , translated as, Punishment governs all subjects; punishment alone protects them; punishment remains vigilant when all sleep; the wise declare punishment to be the embodiment of dharma. This verse, generally traced to Chapter 7 (Verse 18) of the Manusmriti, was used to emphasise the necessity of harsh punishment for maintaining social order. While the sentiment of deterrence may find echo in modern penology, the source from which it is drawn is constitutionally troubling. The Manusmriti is an ancient smriti text, dated by scholars to roughly 200 BCE200 CE, which lays down social and legal norms rooted in varna hierarchy and gender subordination. It explicitly prescribes differential punishments for the same offence depending on caste status, declaring, for example, that penalties for Shudras be harsher and those for Brahmins comparatively lenient. Women are repeatedly described as requiring lifelong guardianship. Such provisions stand in direct opposition to the egalitarian foundation of modern constitutional law. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised that ancient religious texts, however significant culturally, cannot be elevated to legal authority in a constitutional democracy. This incompatibility was recognised even during the Colonial Rule. Under Warren Hastings Judicial Plan of 1772, Hindu and Muslim personal laws were confined to civil matters such as marriage, inheritance, and religious usage, while criminal justice followed a uniform framework. Lord Cornwallis judicial reforms of 1793 consciously moved away from religiously derived punishments, establishing circuit courts and seeking consistency and proportionality in sentencing. Colonial administrators viewed scriptural punishments as arbitrary and incompatible with governance based on uniform rules. The distancing of criminal law from religious authority became more pronounced under Lord William Bentinck. Through a series of regulations between 1829 and 1834, the role of religious law officers pandits and qazis were effectively eliminated from criminal adjudication. The culmination of this process was the enactment of the Indian Penal Code in 1860. Drafted under the leadership of Thomas Babington Macaulay, the IPC explicitly rejected ancient religious laws in favour of a rational, secular, and uniform criminal code. Macaulay was unambiguous in his assessment that traditional Hindu and Islamic criminal laws were wholly unfit for a modern society and incompatible with equality before law. Independent India inherited and constitutionalised this secular approach. Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution guarantee equality before law, prohibit discrimination on grounds of religion or caste, and mandate that deprivation of life or liberty must occur only according to procedure established by law. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), a nine-judge Bench of the Supreme Court held that secularism is part of the basic structure of the Constitution, declaring unequivocally that the State has no religion and that governance must remain neutral in matters of faith. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution, was acutely conscious of the dangers posed by texts such as the Manusmriti. On 25 December 1927, during the Mahad Satyagraha, he led the public burning of the Manusmriti, condemning it as a text that sanctified caste oppression and inequality. The Constitution he later drafted was designed as a radical departure from such normative frameworks, replacing graded hierarchy with equal citizenship. Indian courts have occasionally referred to the Manusmriti, but historically such references have been illustrative or critical, not normative. In Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India (1995), while examining the issue of bigamy through religious conversion, the Supreme Court referred to certain verses of the Manusmriti to highlight the historical subordination of women under traditional Hindu law. The Court made it clear that such norms stood superseded by constitutional guarantees, observing that personal laws must yield to constitutional values of equality and dignity. The concern arises when religious texts are invoked not merely to describe historical injustice but to justify contemporary criminal punishment. Sentencing jurisprudence in India has been carefully developed to prevent precisely such arbitrariness. In Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980), the Supreme Court held that the death penalty may be imposed only in the rarest of rare cases, emphasising that sentencing must be based on well-recognised principles and a careful balancing of aggravating and mitigating circumstances. The Court warned that punishment cannot rest on emotion or moral indignation but must be rational, principled, and guided by law. Judicial discipline has been equally emphasised. In State of Rajasthan v. Prakash Chand (1998), the Supreme Court cautioned that judicial independence does not mean freedom to act arbitrarily and that judges must not allow individual predilections to colour judicial reasoning. Courts, the judgment stressed, derive legitimacy from adherence to law, not from personal belief systems. Invoking a religious scriptureparticularly one historically associated with hierarchyin criminal sentencing risks undermining secularism by privileging one faiths moral universe over others. In a communally sensitive case, such reasoning can deepen perceptions of bias and alienation among minorities. Justice must not only be done but must manifestly appear to be done; reliance on religious authority erodes that perception. The rule of law depends as much on legitimacy of reasoning as on correctness of outcome. Justice H.R. Khanna, reflecting on the role of courts, famously observed that judicial authority flows from fidelity to law, not from popular sentiment or moral fervour. When courts begin to draw upon scripture rather than statute, they risk weakening the constitutional foundation that gives their judgments authority. Indias judiciary now stands at a critical juncture. Cultural and religious texts may hold social or philosophical value, but criminal courts are governed by the Constitution alone. Punishment must be justified by law, evidence, and constitutional principles and not by ancient scriptures the Constitution was expressly designed to transcend. To preserve secularism, democracy, and trust in justice, courts must reaffirm a simple truth- in the Indian Republic, the Constitution, not Manusmriti, is the final authority. [The writer, Shahnawaz Ahmad is Assistant Professor of Law, Crescent School of Law, Chennai, and former Assistant Professor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Pushing Muslim Political Consciousness Back to Pre-Partition Mindset The Indian Muslims are currently not just back to square one they are, in truth, below zero, because whatever political capital the community had before the Partition has eroded further In the politics of Mumbra - Indias largest Muslim-majority ghetto, a term coined during last years Maharashtra legislative assembly elections has resurfaced with fresh intensity: The Bhoonga Company and its Maulanas. As the local body elections approach and political groundwork accelerates, the phrase has re-entered the political vocabulary, triggering renewed debate about its meaning, role, and relevance. During the previous Assembly elections, Jitendra Awhad, a three-term sitting MLA, was re-elected with a thumping majority. His opponents attributed his victory to this so-called Bhoonga Company, portraying it as a force that diverted attention from everyday civic issues and mobilised the Muslim electorate en bloc against the BJP in the name of saving Islam and protecting Muslims. According to these critics, the group largely comprising local Maulanas, took to the streets and did the ground work for the INDIA bloc, advocating for the defence of the Constitution and the secular fabric of the country. Their messaging resonated strongly in a community already deeply anxious about political developments and inclined toward any campaign that promised the electoral defeat of the BJP. Since the massive victory that the BJP secured in last years legislative assembly elections, this so-called company has been blamed for giving the Hindu side the very fodder it needed to counter-polarise and mirror the same communal campaign in reverse. The group went into full action after one of the countrys most senior Muslim scholars, Khalil-ur-Rahman Sajjad Nomani, held a press conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh and released a list of 288 candidates. Critics argue that this move effectively turned the Muslim electorate into a mirror image of the BJP voters equally identity-driven, equally communal, and equally conscious of religious boundaries. And this raises an uncomfortable question: Socially, what difference does this make? I myself support the electoral and political defeat of the BJP, but if that defeat is pursued through the same identity-polarising methods, what would be the long term cost of this defeat? Equally communalizing and essentially the same and opportunistic in nature, can Muslims mirror the attitude of the Hindu electorate and outsmart the Hindu right wing? When religious issues and consciousness take centre stage, they are bound to end, in every existential question into being reduced essentially to a non-issue. Pursuing short-term electoral gains through clerical mobilisation risks causing long-term damage to an already fragile social fabric. Elevating a few religious figures into unquestionable authorities over a diverse and non-homogeneous Muslim population and asking them for electoral/political guidance consolidates the community under the banner of Islam under attack. Yet the moment this mobilisation happens, the very democratic act of voting is turned into a battlefield of religious identities, with the language of liberal democracy invoked only superficially and to keep the illusion of constitutional democracy intact This rhetoric found sharp resonance just before the last MLA elections, when the then Chief Minister visited the ashram of Ramgiri Maharaj who had, according to a large section of Muslim blasphemed the Prophet and declared that no one could touch him. This fed communal tensions at a critical moment. Muslims across Maharashtra protested and demanded an FIR against Maharaj, and from that point onward the election discourse in places like Mumbra was reduced to the Maharaj and his remarks. The secular opposition amplified this line more effectively than the clerics themselves, attacking the Mahayuti candidate Najeeb Mulla as a friend of a blasphemer, while essential local issues disappeared from the conversation. This is the immediate and troubling drawback of such politics: It fuels communal polarisation precisely when attention should be on governance, development, and civic needs and other genuine grievances of the Muslim Citizenry. The pre-election opportunity to negotiate or demand accountability is lost. The Maharaj was believed to be shielded by Eknath Shinde, and the so-called Bhoonga Company attempted to turn this into an emotional flashpoint to push votes toward the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). But the idea that Muslims voted en bloc because of clerical influence does not hold. These groups may have tried, but Muslim voters as citizens, were not simply swayed by them. Rather, they acted from a broader political understanding shaped by their opposition to the BJP. The so-called clerical influence is overstated; Muslim political behaviour is driven far more by lived realities than such company. But this so-called company is also guilty of something serious: It has tried its best to whitewash the conduct of local hooligans, MLAs, and discredited power brokers. Its support for them does not come from any democratic consciousness it comes from a raw religious understanding similar to a normal Hindus support for BJP due to the construction of Ram Mandir. A mix of clerics, habitual mischief-makers, and corrupt politicians roamed the streets urging Muslims to vote against the anti-Muslim party, yet the same Muslim voters were discouraged from demanding any accountability from the self-proclaimed defenders of secularism and democracy, and denied opportunity to look within and the secular parties continued pandering Muslim Communalism under the garb of minority rights. In doing so, the company pushed Muslim political consciousness back to a pre-Partition mindset, when similar appeals were made asking Muslims to vote for the Muslim League on the promise that overwhelming electoral support would secure Pakistan. The logic then was: vote for us so we can show the British the strength of our mandate. That politics did not deliver salvation thenand what makes anyone believe that a worn-out version of the same formula will deliver anything now? Fear drove the community then; fear drives it now. But fear delivered no relief then, and it delivers none today. Muslims are therefore not just back to square one they are, in truth, below zero, because whatever political capital the community had before the Partition has eroded further. The so-called secular parties spent years pandering to clerical egos while ignoring the genuine civic aspirations of citizens who happen to be Muslim. The result is a population deprived of basic developmental rights and repeatedly diverted into being cannon fodder for clerics and secular parties during elections. On the opposite side, the offer is no better in Mumbra where the NCP (Ajit Pawar) now experiments with a new kind of Muslim politics, one that takes shape under the shadow of Hindutva itself. What is this leadership supposed to stand for? What does it aspire to? What future does it imagine for the community? Sadly, the propagators of this politics have no answers what political alternative does the non-secular ( BJP allied) parties offer to citizens who happen to be Muslim, will be something that could be witnessed in the coming and ongoing local body elections. Surprisingly, this so-called company has not reappeared since the tragic defeat of the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) last year. This absence suggests that, despite whatever good faith some of its members claimed, the groups real objective was narrowly limited to the five-year ritual of voting in an electoral democracyand nothing more. Such a constrained vision has only harmed the democratic development of Muslim citizens. Muslims, who are diverse and politically aware, cannot be persuaded so easily to support one side or oppose another. But when politics is reduced to these periodic theatrics, Muslims are dragged into a political role where their only function is to vote every five years, and their issues are restricted to protecting their religious symbols and every genuine grievance is pushed under the carpet. This is dangerous, because question of human dignity that Muslims aspire for, cannot be protected in isolation. It can only be secured through structures and rights that extend universally to everyone, not through dispatching human dignity aimed exclusively at Muslims. Yet the companys rhetoric pushed Muslims into a narrow, reactive politics, and in its very first major intervention, it failed miserably. Worse, its narrative of saving Islam and saving Muslims left the community with a troubling question: If the BJP wins, is Islam finished? If the answer is YES, then it implies Muslims have no faith left in their own religion and the Mullahs are out of Islam. If the answer is NO, then what was the point of all this fear-mongering in the name of religion? The fact remains: Such a senseless act was carried out in the name of Muslim leadership. Sajjad Nomani chose to walk alongside individuals whose political intentions were shallow, and whose vision for Muslim politics was no better than ordinary power-brokers. Eventually a tactic in electoral politics is said to have worked when it achieves what it wanted to achieve, it has failed on that front as well. By doing so, he inadvertently legitimised a company that offered no long-term roadmap for the political future of Muslims. This top-down, anti-democratic method of instructing voters through clerical authority fundamentally violates the spirit of democracy. The idea that a person who merely studies religion is automatically qualified to guide millions on political choices makes no sense in the 21st century. The pre-modern model where the king and the religious authority were fused into one moral order was buried after the Enlightenment, and attempts to revive it today only limits how one can exercise citizenship . By empowering clergy to influence elections, the so-called secular forces also lose the moral right to criticise the Hindu Right for its use of religious symbolismbecause they end up replicating the same communal logic under a different name. When the results came last year, all the accumulated anguish of Maharashtras Muslims erupted in Asaduddin Owaisis sharp criticism of the company that had mobilised the community. His anger highlighted an unresolved question: in what capacity are these actors intervening in the political processare they individual influencers, an organised network, religious authorities, or simply opportunists? Until this is clarified, their role will remain opaque and unaccountable. If clerics attempt endorsements again this year, they will invite renewed accusations of vote jihad, further polarising an atmosphere already charged with suspicion. Exercising democracy in such an undemocratic way forces citizens to abandon genuine civic concerns and respond instead to manufactured identity anxieties. The larger danger is that this style of mobilisation helps cultivate a TLP (Tehreek-e-Labbek) like consciousness within the communitya universe where accusations of blasphemy, emotional and clerical coercion, and mob-certified religiosity shape political behaviour. Once normalised, such attitudes can easily be turned inward, giving religious hardliners the authority to target Muslim reformers under the pretext of protecting faith. The politicisation of blasphemy is not a one-way street; it inevitably pushes society toward a Pakistan-like situation where dissent becomes punishable and clerical authority overrides democratic choice. Yet some clerics seem frustrated that Muslims are not as bigoted, enraged, or violently mobilised as their Hindu counterparts, as though moral restraint were a weakness. The Company, in this sense, would be a logical extension of the vote jihad narrative. It mirrors the communal strategies it claims to resist. Those who claim to support the secular alliance are often no less communal than the BJP; they simply operate from the other side of the identity divide. Fighting one form of communalism with another exposes the confusion at the heart of the secular bloc and its cynical willingness to employ any forcereligious or otherwiseto counter the BJP. If secularists are comfortable seeking blessings from Muslim communal actors, then what moral principle prevents the BJP from intensifying identical tactics among Hindu voters? Whenever elections approach, fundamental civic concernsbasic amenities, public services, and the everyday ways one exercises citizenshipare pushed to the margins. In their place, personal beliefs and identity-based anxieties take centre stage. This shift has transformed the regions politics: from a city that could have demanded civic accountability to a citizenry compelled to constantly prove and perform and exercise ones citizenship in religious terms . In this context, the alleged Bhoonga Company has been remarkably effective. It has enabled a subtle but deep penetration of religious discourse into the political sphere while maintaining a veneer of secular respectability. This quiet seepage appears benign at first glance, yet it is far more insidious than the overt strategies of Hindutva forceswho simply mirror and appropriate the same tactics from within Muslim political mobilisation and threaten the very foundations of our republic . [The writer, Osama Rawal, is a Journalist based in Thane.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic This report examines the relationship between labour brokerage and the risk of forced labour among Nepali migrant workers employed abroad. It examines all aspects of the labour brokerage system, traces the process in which Nepali migrants may become undocumented and thus irregular migrants even before departing for destination countries, examines the fees and payments for labour brokerage services and provides case studies for further analysis. The report also looks at the forced labour triggers in Nepal and India and the receiving-country mechanisms that encourage forced labour in destination countries of Nepali migrants, including Israel, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. The role of Guatemala and Mexico as transit countries for Nepali workers traveling illegally to the United States is also explored. To collect data, Verite conducted a 12-month research project on the ways in which labour brokers contribute to the exploitation of Nepali migrant workers, both in Nepal and in destination countries. In-depth desk and field research was carried out for the study in Guatemala, India, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates and the United States to uncover the types of labour brokerage networks that exploit both documented and undocumented Nepali migrant workers; the points in the employment lifecycle in which triggers for human trafficking and forced labour occur; the factors that increase migrant workers vulnerability to the triggers for trafficking and forced labour; and viable policy options to reduce Nepali migrant workers vulnerability to exploitation. The researchers reviewed relevant literature on documented and undocumented migration and conducted a contextual analysis of relevant audit findings, social institution mapping and extensive interviews with workers, NGO staff, government officials, labour advocates and union officials in several countries that receive Nepali migrant workers. The research uncovered both formal and informal labour broker networks that exploit Nepali workers. Formal networks centre on registered agencies, mostly based in Kathmandu, and on individuals in Nepal acting as official agents. These agents work with registered and unregistered agents in receiving countries that employ workers throughout their stay in the receiving country. Informally, individuals act as subagents for labour-brokerage agencies and go from village to village to recruit workers. The research found that most of the documented abuses of Nepali workers are related to recruitment agents in the villages or recruitment agencies in Kathmandu. Nepali workers are commonly deceived by brokers about working conditions in receiving countries and many suggested that they accept the deception and exploitation due to fear of reprisal or of losing their jobs, which would render them unable to repay the debt incurred to migrate. In the case of Nepali workers in Guatemala, Israel, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, all the elements of forced labour and trafficking for forced labour are present: deceit, vitiated consent, movement and transfer, exploitation, restricted movement and coercion. The researchers highlight a number of vulnerabilities to forced labour: the ladder of intermediaries, a lack of workers awareness of the migration cycle, problematic policies regarding migrant workers, onerous recruitment fees leading to a cycle of debt, a lack of understanding of the link between forced labour and human trafficking, corruption and the requirement of too much documentation for migrant workers. The report concludes with a number of recommendations for States to address gaps and loopholes in Nepali legislation, including the need for a ministry or department for combating human trafficking; addressing the lack of rights for domestic workers abroad; regulation of village agents; enforcement of the Foreign Employment Act of 2007; ratification of the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime; maintaining data on returnees, deportations and the nature of violation of human rights and labour rights; establishing a task force on government corruption regarding migrant workers; and enhancing the capacity of law enforcement agencies and border authorities. Through the qualitative analysis and case studies, the report highlights the legal gaps and employment experiences of Nepali workers. The research provides insights into the recruitment processes of undocumented Nepali workers and the various elements that contribute to their vulnerability and to their exploitation in both Nepal and in destination countries. There was great excitement in one County Waterford school recently when it played host to a successful local author as part of a Writers in Schools initiative. Author, Aislinn O'Loughlin, visited St Declan's Community College on Thursday, December 11, to lead a creative writing workshop with the school's Third Year JCSP students. The visit was part of the WIS initiative. A spokesperson for the school said Aislinn shared insights into her career before guiding students in creating their own characters as a starting point for their stories. "The students left feeling inspired and eager to continue writing," said the spokesperson. "Were very grateful for Aislinns visit and hope to welcome her back again soon," she added. The old adage, seize the opportunity to act while you can, should be emblazoned on Waterfords coat of arms. Some people prefer the carpe diem expression, which means the same thing. In any event, it particularly applies to our elected representatives. They come, go, succeed, fail, make an impression, or just disappear into the background. Is Waterford one of the most volatile constituencies in the country? The range and variety of local reps we have had over the life of this column suggests as much. We elect them and discard them. There is a broad dissatisfaction with how the city is treated by government and, latterly, an understanding that ministerial representation at the cabinet table, as with Martin Cullen, is the only way to get a fair share of whats going. We have gone from the naive belief, fostered by politicians, that if we were entitled as a city to some government investment that it would surely arrive, to the understanding of political patronage. If investment did not arrive, so goes the circular argument used to confuse the peasantry, then we were not entitled to it or had failed to qualify, filled out the wrong form, applied too late, funding was all allocated, business case was incomplete, procurement rules werent followed, or some such political scutter. Historically, we elected people who made no impression inside or outside the Dail and we paid the price. As for raising Waterford issues in the Dail? Couldnt be doing that now, could we? In the last Dail, Matt Shanahan had the word Waterford on government lips almost daily in questions to government leaders. Maybe he got nothing for his pains, but at least we and they knew the score. We didnt want that either, as we retreated to the toxic silence of the party vote and neutralized ourselves again with a two-all election. Two for government, two against, amid recollections of electing a TD for decades, who allegedly never spoke in the Dail at all! We suffer on. Climbing the greasy political pole is difficult. If you manage it, you must grab stuff with both hands. All political careers end in failure anyway. Time at the top is short, so grab every cent of constituency funding you can, before the inevitable ballot box failure. This Cassandra-like warning applies most particularly to Waterford TD and government chief whip, Mary Butler, who has found herself in attendance at cabinet meetings but thus far seems unable to fully exploit her position and deliver on the Waterford agenda. Governments failure to grant 12 million in matching funding to develop our airport was an unforgiveable, political insult, calculated to undermine regional access. The North Quays, the UHW surgical hub, the SETU Engineering building all belong to the last government. These developments are welcome, but given the huge sums available to government, do they really represent an adequate share of whats going? Government spending data, extensively analysed by SETU academics in the South East Economic Monitor (SEEM) report, provide a resounding no! The National Development Plan (NDP) review has elicited sectoral plans for the next five years, from every government department. Those that particularly affect Waterford city are in health and education, yet given the perpetual struggle we have had to extract investment from government, who knows how secure promised investment actually will be? Who knows what threats in the local, national or international business climate may derail our best laid plans? Remember, proposed new engineering and business schools were on the stocks here in 2009 in a ready-to-go PPP. It was cancelled in 2011. 15 years later, theyre only now under construction. Experientia docuit as they say in Latin. Experience has taught us! James Lawless, Minister for Further Education, was in town last week to remind us that SETU has a great future. And so say all of us. Minister John Cummins captured the moment, saying: The progression of this One Health building is a real statement of intent by Government in the direction of travel that we want SETU to take. Todays good news follows the approval for a design team to be appointed for the veterinary medicine building in recent weeks. Together, these developments mark another significant milestone in advancing SETUs expansion and strengthening its long-term impact on our community. Its great to hear these announcements, although I fear that we are being chained to the governments infrastructure delivery process, with its interminable political PR announcements at every stage, without any firm indication of when construction will start. Waterford and SETU need urgent, rapid, transformative, third-level investment to repair the damage of 20 years without any. We need exceptional treatment to recover lost ground. The challenges facing Minister Mary Butler seem greater. Her mentor Micheal Martin is unlikely to last long after the end of the 2026 presidency of the EU as Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader. There is no guarantee that a new leader will prolong Ms Butlers ministerial tenure. She offers hostages to fortune by allowing Waterford HSE development proposals to be long fingered. I now understand that UHWs Vertical Out Patients Department project, which received planning in 2022, has been cancelled. A replacement proposal to develop an urgently required new bed block, as indicated in the National Acute Inpatient Bed Capacity Plan, is under consideration since 2024. Already a year behind schedule, it is delayed for lack of funding. UHW currently has no large development project with planning permission, or at tender stage, ready to go. This is a dangerous lacuna. The e-tenders website is crammed with development proposals for hospitals across the country, but none here. Any new UHW proposal will require minimum a year before construction might start. We will have more of the endless multi-stage announcements at every step in the impenetrable HSE delivery process. UHWs experience with small-scale developments (mortuary anyone?) makes us very nervous when it comes to the political battle for precedence and funding. Surgical hubs are external to normal provision and being added to all Model 4 hospitals, meaning UHW is still the countrys least resourced one of them. It needs exceptional investment across all metrics to catch up. What is Ms Butler doing to secure that? Olivia Kelleher 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. 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). 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. Advertisement Exclusive BusinessBanking & financeBanking products Fake documents, ghost trucks: Westpacs secret fraud probe revealed Charlotte Grieve December 15, 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 Westpac launched an internal investigation to probe concerns millions of dollars of unchecked fraud was financing non-existent, or ghost, trucks in suburban Melbourne and a money-laundering ring in Western Australia. The banking giant has stood down at least four employees over the allegations and two formal complaints were made last week to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and Crime Stoppers by an employee detailing widespread fraud claims. Bank staff say fraudulent loans were used to obtain cash for vehicles that never existed. Michael Howard The complaints, submitted to the authorities anonymously and obtained by this masthead, say a toxic and high-pressure sales culture within Westpacs prized small- to medium-business banking division has driven widespread fraud. Westpac confirmed it had recently undertaken an internal review that identified a small number of customer loans for further investigation, which had resulted in new policies being introduced. Advertisement Were proactively engaging with regulators and weve acted to improve our controls and processes, a spokesperson said. Were frequently updating our policies and processes, and when we find wrongdoing we take action to put things right. The intervention comes five years after Westpac was given the largest fine in Australian corporate history ($1.3 billion) for breaching anti-money-laundering laws 23 million times by failing to vet customers properly, which allowed payments for child exploitation material in South-East Asia. Westpac confirmed that its latest investigation spanned fraudulent loans approved by the Simple+, start-up and equipment financing teams. When we find wrongdoing we take action to put things right. Westpac spokesperson Two staff working at the bank, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential matters, alleged customers used fake documents to obtain the money through fast approval processes without adequate checks. These staff allege Westpac has placed volume over compliance, and the lack of thorough checks or responding to staff concerns has allowed crime rings to wash cash through the bank. Advertisement All they have to do is provide cash flow forecast for the next two years and some kind of business plan, said one source about Westpacs start-up loan scheme. The two staff said Westpacs business bank, particularly in Victoria, had a cut-throat culture that was driving the problems. They described a dont care how you do it, just get it done attitude towards approving new loans to meet unsustainable sales targets. Its sit down, shut up, get your job done. Any speak-up is just not a thing at Westpac, said one source. Theyre always on the back foot. Theyre not proactive enough with anything. I fear that thats exactly how weve approached this era of Im not even going to check the fraud; Im just going to shove it through to get my leader off my back. Advertisement In response, Westpac defended its lending standards and said sales targets were in line with industry competitors. We reject the allegations made in relation to workplace culture, the spokesperson said. Westpac has zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour and we encourage our people to speak up when things dont seem right. The suspected fraud was detected as loans defaulted across several Westpac business banking loan schemes, including the Simple+ campaign that offers new customers up to $5 million in loans through a fast-track approvals process. Loans under Westpacs start-up loan scheme are also under the microscope, according to multiple sources. Under these, new customers can access up to $500,000 of unsecured loans over five years after providing basic information about business projections. Advertisement Customers were coming to Australia, registering a business, taking $50,000, going back offshore and having no plan to repay those loans, said one of the staff members. It was [suspected] in Western Australia that this became a money-laundering ring. It was a ring of different businesses registering, getting money, going offshore. The same source said investigations were probing a cluster of potentially fraudulent loans approved through the banks equipment financing team, citing customers in Melbournes Tarneit and Point Cook that are believed to have used fake documents to obtain cash for vehicles that never existed. This latest internal Westpac investigation comes five years after the bank was given the largest fine in Australian corporate history, for breaching anti-money-laundering laws 23 million times. Edwina Pickles Our policy at Westpac allowed customers to purchase vehicles up to $500,000 per vehicle, up to $1.5 million in total, without actually going out and inspecting the vehicle, the source said. Advertisement So they would give us invoices for vehicles of $400,000, these big prime movers, then all of a sudden, theyd stop repaying and we went to do site inspections of the vehicles after the fact and they didnt exist. The term ghost truck is used to describe a non-existent vehicle for which a loan is obtained. Westpac equipment finance manager Ming-Jin Liaw held a meeting this year with all divisions around Victoria raising awareness of elevated fraud through vehicle financing and introducing new checks to limit the fraud, according to two sources. Liaw did not respond to requests for comment. A former Westpac broker processed loans through the Simple+ scheme, but it was discovered that many of the brokers customers used the same templates to provide fake documentation, resulting in a web of fraud. The broker resigned before the bank took regulatory action, one source said. All the documents were fraudulent, the source said. We are supposed to put that [broker] on a register to tell every organisation they have acted without integrity so they shouldnt be able to register as a broker. They neglected to act in a way that prevented causing harm. That lack of action when its really required is the issue with Westpac. Advertisement Westpac has stood down a number of managers over the alleged fraud. They have either been placed on leave while investigations are undertaken or forced out of the company. All were contacted for comment but did not respond. Editor's pick AGM season Foreign pension giants sour on banks over green issues Two banking sources said these employees had taken the fall for senior management, and there was no accountability for executives responsible for marketing Simple+ as a fast way for new customers to access loans. The Westpac spokesperson said: Were unable to comment on individual employees or on actions taken. The small-business lending leaders identified have recorded very high levels of engagement and leadership in recent employee surveys. The two banking sources also described alleged bullying within Westpacs business banking division, including yelling and name-calling. Advertisement The sources said business development managers were known internally as hunters and have targets to bring in loans worth $65 million a year, regardless of economic conditions or whether customers can afford repayments. They described reports of suicidal thoughts, alcoholism and severe mental and physical illness linked to meeting these targets. One man went and got a diagnosis of PTSD from behaviours coming from leadership at Westpac, said one source. His colleague was an alcoholic who came to work drunk with erratic behaviour two days in a row. Westpac business banking managers are paid a base salary of $105,000 to $130,000 and annual bonuses of up to $20,000, with targets including dollar-figure and balance sheet growth targets. Business development managers are paid about $140,000, with annual bonuses of $30,000. Why are shortcuts being taken? The unreasonable targets its Wolf of Wall Street stuff, one source said. These allegations are repeated in the anonymous complaints submitted to authorities last week. Advertisement The ASIC complaint, obtained by this masthead, alleges systematic loan fraud via inadequate scrutiny of third-party-referred business plans via brokers to business bankers. The complaint alleged failure to properly assess debt to income serviceability and aggressive sales and performance management tactics. Why are shortcuts being taken? The unreasonable targets Its Wolf of Wall Street stuff. Source The complaint also points to a culture of aggressive leadership behaviour, leading to high turnover of bankers and leadership staff and unruly consolidation of business banking portfolios with inadequate sales support to sustain workload and/or balance compliance/risk metrics. The complaint called on ASIC to review all Simple+ loans in Victoria to investigate alleged widespread fraud and review the disciplinary action taken against staff. Advertisement The Crime Stoppers complaint made similar allegations about accepting fraudulent loan referrals from mortgage brokers and aggressive behaviour from staff. It is a crime to provide false information to ASIC or the police. Penalties include large fines or jail. ASIC and Victoria Police declined to comment and it is not known whether any criminal investigation is under way. Editor's pick Opinion Five Minutes with Fitz Ex-Liberal Party powerbroker says the party is over Peter FitzSimons Columnist and author Westpac has been on a long journey to rebuild trust after it was given the largest fine in Australian corporate history in 2020 over the money laundering and child exploitation scandal that resulted in the departure of former chief executive Brian Hartzer and chair Lindsay Maxsted. The scandal involved 23 million breaches of anti-money-laundering laws after the bank failed to properly vet thousands of international transactions, including customers who paid for child exploitation in the Philippines and other parts of South-East Asia. Advertisement Westpac released the findings of its own investigation into the compliance breaches at the time, with two major investigations blaming technology failures, leadership misjudgments and poor systems for the breaches. It posted financial results in November that showed its business lending jumped 15 per cent as banks fiercely compete to lend to small and medium enterprises. 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 LifestyleLife & relationshipsSunday Life This German Christmas market may be kitsch, but its the essence of the holiday season Craig Tansley December 14, 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 This story is part of the December 14 edition of Sunday Life. See all stories . Here are five of the best Christmas markets to visit in Europe. Budapest, Hungary Too often overlooked for other European medieval hotspots such as Prague, Budapest offers up one of Europes most surprising Christmas market venues. The city is carved in two (Buda and Pest) by the Danube, but a walk down Pests ancient cobbled lanes, past castles and in view of the river, will bring you to holiday markets that wont break the bank (Hungary doesnt use the euro, and its currency, the forint, offers value for Australians). The food on offer is spectacular: bowls of hearty goulash, finished with traditional marzipan sweets and Budapest ice-cream try some, its the best in Europe. Come from late November to avoid crowds, or wait until December when folk dancers take over the streets. The beautiful Christmas markets in Strasbourg, France. Getty Images Vienna, Austria Advertisement Want to see an entire city bewitched by Christmas? Viennas stunning First District full of buildings built when it was the headquarters of the Hapsburg Empire turns into a non-stop Christmas party. Markets are set up among the citys finest buildings and you can easily walk between them all. Choirs sing carols on the streets, while locals and tourists enjoy roasted chestnuts, punsch (warm fruit punch) and gluehwein (mulled wine) as they sit and watch the happy scene. As well as hundreds of stalls, theres an ice rink and free concerts near City Hall, beside where horse-drawn carriages trot down cobbled streets. If this doesnt feel romantic, nowhere will; though its just as suitable for families, too. Strasbourg, France Dubbed the capital of Christmas, this charming medieval border town in north-east France provides the perfect blend of French elegance and German tradition in its hearty celebrations. The markets throughout its historic centre date back almost 500 years; use your imagination here with helpings of vin chaud (more mulled wine!) and it might still be the 16th century. More than 300 illuminated wooden chalets line cobbled squares set against a 30-metre-high tree. Its largely car-free, too, so walking is easy and safe. The citys canals enhance the experience; take a walk beside them for excellent views. Gdansk, Poland The least known of all on the list, Gdansk is often overlooked even among Poles for destinations such as Krakow and Warsaw. Yet this is where youll find Europes most under-rated Christmas markets, selling food and gifts at very reasonable prices. Set among its compact medieval old town, there are five markets, but theyre so close theyre treated as one. Smell the salt air (its on the Baltic Sea) mixed with mulled wine (again!), and walk among stalls on cobbled streets. The market begins on November 21; check it out mid-week for live music events, and youll probably avoid the crowds of Europes more famous Christmas markets. Advertisement Related Article Cruises Forget the Med: Id rather travel Europes other great sea Nuremberg, Germany These are the ultimate German Christmas markets; youll feel like youre in a fairytale, but expect crowds. They are also among Europes most traditional markets: Nuremberg is dubbed the little city of wood and cloth. Youll feel giddy with the smell of roasting chestnuts mixed with grilled bratwurst in the chilly night air, against a backdrop of Gothic church towers and cobbled streets. While the markets, some of the worlds oldest, have become a tad kitsch, everything here feels like the epitome of Christmas. Come for the food alone: try a Nuremberger three mini bratwursts on a roll and the gingerbread (lebkuchen). Theres a real party vibe, and kids have a Christmas section of their own, complete with a ferris wheel. Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter. 21 Savage warned Drake not to get into a rap feud with Kendrick Lamar. 21 Savage warned Drake about Kendrick Lamar feud The 33-year-old rapper who worked with Drake on Her Loss admitted he told Drake that getting involved in a rap battle with a mistake because You finna go into a battle that you cant win. Theres no way you can win. 21 Savage told the Perspektives With Bank podcast that he warned Drake not to do all that s*** and leave that s*** alone. But goddamn, he felt like he was challenged lyrically, so he wanted to respond. Even if you win, you still dont win. The only difference is, when youre at the top where does winning put you? You cant go Number One-Point-One. So how the f*** could you win, anyway? Although Lamar was widely perceived as the winner of the battle thanks to the success of Not Like Us, Savage doesnt believe Drake took a hit. He said: Nah. I feel like he took an internet hit. But then it be like: Damn, did you take an internet hit? Because streaming, you gotta go on the internet to stream. Meanwhile, back in October, Drake's lawsuit against his own record label over the feud was dismissed. The Canadian rapper sued Universal Music Group (UMG) for defamation relating to their releasing and promoting Kendrick Lamar's diss track Not Like Us but a federal judge in New York City ruled against him. Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the "vitriolic war of words" used in the song during a "heated rap battle" was not defamatory. UMG are "pleased" with the result and vowed to continue to work with the God's Plan hitmaker in future, despite the case. They said in a statement: "From the outset, this suit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day." "Were pleased with the courts dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drakes music and investing in his career." UMG had previously sought to have the lawsuit dismissed by arguing Drake had "encouraged" his feud with Kendrick and having "lost a rap battle that he provoked", decided to "sue his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds." The record label noted Not Like Us features hyperbolic insults but Drake had also used their platform to "promote tracks levelling similarly incendiary attacks" on his rival. 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 Travel newsOcean cruises The ignominious final fate of the fastest passenger ship ever built Gary Buchanan December 15, 2025 4:20am 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 years following the end of the Second World War were the final golden age of the ocean liner, with some of the most sumptuous passenger ships ever built regularly crossing the North Atlantic. A cavalcade of ritzy vessels offered suites of lavish rooms and opulent dining salons, as well as speeds once unthinkable. But one ship outpaced all the others. On her maiden voyage from New York to Le Havre in July 1952, the SS United States set a trans-Atlantic speed record of three days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes, at an average speed of 35.59 knots (66 km/h). The SS United States travels along New Yorks Hudson River as it begins its first voyage to Europe from New York, July 3, 1952. AP The coveted Blue Riband is an accolade for the fastest crossing of this vast ocean by a commercial passenger ship. The SS United States claimed the title more than 70 years ago, setting a record that has still not been surpassed. The high price of marine fuel now prohibits such bold, gas-guzzling endeavours. For comparison, Cunards Queen Mary 2 takes a leisurely seven days to travel from Southampton to New York at a maximum speed of 30 knots (48 km/h). A top-secret construction Advertisement The express liner was certainly the most technologically advanced passenger ship ever to sail the Stars and Stripes. With her two 20-metre-high winged funnels painted red, white and blue, a low hull stretching 300 metres, and a beam calibrated to navigate the Panama Canal, this sleek ship of state broke the mould. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. The design of the Big U the ships affectionate moniker was so innovative that the details of her construction were kept top secret. Built at the Newport News Shipbuilding yard in Virginia, the vessel was a joint effort between the owners, United States Lines, and the United States Navy. Two-thirds of the $US78 million ($A117 million) construction costs were subsidised by the Pentagon in order that the liner could be requisitioned by the military and easily converted to a hospital ship or transport ship able to carry an army division of 14,400 troops over 16,000 kilometres without refuelling. The transformation was never needed, although the ship was briefly on standby for mobilisation during the Cuban Crisis in 1962. The engine room the SS United States. Its eight boilers and four massive steam turbines were the most powerful ever installed on a merchant vessel. Getty Images The ships top speed of 38.32 knots (71 km/h), achieved during the 1952 speed trials, was not disclosed because it was considered a military secret. Its eight boilers and four massive steam turbines were the most powerful ever installed on a merchant vessel. Another attribute that remained a Cold War state secret was the novel combination of four-bladed and five-bladed propellers. To reduce weight, this streamlined Atlantic greyhound was the first to use an innovative process that fused the all-aluminium superstructure with a battleship-grade, two-inch-thick steel hull. The famed designer William Francis Gibbs wanted his ship to be fireproof, so he insisted that no wood was used in the construction or fittings. Sailing with the stars Advertisement Travellers soon embraced Americas flagship, which had the right mix of 1950s glamour to attract the rich and famous. Among the passengers who boarded the ship in the 50s and early 60s were Marlon Brando, Coco Chanel, Sean Connery, Gary Cooper, Salvador Dali, Walt Disney, Duke Ellington, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne and John F. Kennedy. The capacity was 1972 passengers in a tiered system of first class, cabin class, and tourist class. Some viewed this as incongruous in such a classless democracy. With its mid-century modern decor, the ship defined America on the high seas in terms of atmosphere, food, and service. It was less stuffy than its European counterparts, such as the venerable Cunard Queens, with their imposing double and triple-height salons crafted from 56 of the worlds rarest woods. The ship remained moored in Philadelphia for years as various restoration projects foundered. iStock Some passengers loathed the SS United States, however, complaining that its black and silver palette of black linoleum flooring and oyster-white walls appeared too much like a warship. One caustic critic referred to it as dull early Sheraton. The novelty of being the first ship to be fully air-conditioned, as well as the first to use microwave ovens, didnt carry enough sway for certain members of the travelling elite who sought grace versus pace. For 17 years, Americas greatest ocean liner operated a trans-Atlantic service at a racy operational speed of 30 to 32 knots (48 to 51 km/h), enabling the ship to maintain a schedule of five-night crossings from New York to Le Havre, Southampton and, occasionally, Bremerhaven. There were also winter cruises to South America, Africa and Europe. In September 1958, the ship logged her millionth mile, but dark clouds lay on the horizon. The introduction of the Boeing 707 that year shifted the global travel paradigm. Jets carrying over 180 passengers at speeds of up to 960 km/h made trans-Atlantic flights accessible to the masses. Advertisement The unwanted wonder Following the financial collapse of United States Lines in 1969, the Big U was laid up at her birthplace in Virginia. Voyage number 400 would be her last. By 1978, the US Navy decided it was no longer relevant to their needs, and the ship was put up for sale. The rusting hulk passed from owner to owner, each with audacious plans for a secure future. One such venture saw the ship towed to Turkey and then Ukraine for hazardous material removal in 1992. Stripped of asbestos, it returned to Philadelphias Delaware River four years later. Another purchaser, Norwegian Cruise Line, announced plans in 2003 for an exotic service around the Hawaiian Islands. Like all the others, this endeavour foundered. Scuttling the ship is a cheaper option than the cost of restoring it. Getty Images In 2009, the SS United States Conservancy launched a Save Our Ship campaign to build public support for the vessel, prevent her sale for scrap, and raise funds for her purchase and restoration. In July 2010, a philanthropist gifted $US5.8 million, enabling the ships purchase by the faithful caretakers. This bolstered several plans to restore the ship, all of which were unfulfilled. In 2024, after decades moored in Philadelphia, the forsaken ship was evicted from its berth because of a rent dispute. Advertisement The cost burden and challenge of finding a suitable location as a tourist attraction or hotel became insurmountable. With all other options exhausted, Floridas Okaloosa County purchased the vessel for $US10.1m, with the sole purpose of deploying her as an artificial reef. This undertaking is a fraction of the hundreds of millions of dollars that it would have taken for a full restoration of the vessel. The ship departs Philadelphia on its final voyage to become an artificial reef off Florida. iStock Few could have imagined the ignoble final resting place for this beacon of American ingenuity. In the next few months, devoid of her funnels, the SS United States will make her final voyage. The former pride of Americas merchant marine will be scuttled in the Gulf of Mexico, 37 kilometres south of the Florida Panhandle, to become the worlds largest artificial reef. Underwater footage will capture this sad spectacle of the vessels live sinking and final placement on the ocean bed. The submerging is intended to create a marine ecosystem and dive site, with the ships artefacts preserved in a land-based museum. The fastest trans-Atlantic ocean liner in history will have been transformed into a barnacle-encrusted carcass. The fates of five other great ocean liners Advertisement Queen Elizabeth 2 The iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 repurposed into floating Dubai hotel QE2. Having crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times, the renowned QE2 was sold to Dubai World in 2007. The longest-serving ship in Cunards history has been saved from the acetylene torch and given a new lease of life, opening as a floating hotel in 2018. Towering over Port Rashid, the sympathetically refurbished liner features 447 original staterooms, nine bars and restaurants, retail outlets, and a swimming pool. SS Rotterdam The SS Rotterdam is now home to two restaurants, the Lido Grill and the Club Room, as well as a bar. Advertisement Another European flagship was saved from an ignominious demise at the knackers yard. Holland America Lines fifth SS Rotterdam was launched in 1958 at a shipyard in her home port. After 13 years crossing the North Atlantic, the liner assumed a new role cruising the world. A succession of tenures, each resulting in bankruptcies, followed this sun-kissed heyday. Finally, in April 2013, WestCorp Hotels took over the running of SS Rotterdam, which is now permanently moored at the Maashaven. Embodying 1950s design, the 254 hotel rooms and restaurants offer nostalgia in spades. SS Normandie This was certainly the most extravagantly decorated trans-Atlantic ocean liner of her day, perhaps of all time. Sadly the flagship of the French Line sailed for less than five years before being laid up at New York in August 1939, as war broke out in Europe. During conversion to a troopship for Allied service in 1942, she caught fire at New Yorks Pier 88 on West 49th Street and later capsized. The burnt-out hulk of the former holder of the Blue Riband in 1935 and 1937 made a forlorn sight. The destroyed ship was finally broken up for scrap in 1946. Related Article Cruises How fast do ships travel? 12 of the biggest questions in cruising answered RMS Queen Elizabeth In 1970, Hong Kong shipping magnate C.Y. Tung bought Cunards decommissioned RMS Queen Elizabeth to convert it into a floating campus called Seawise University. The largest ocean liner in the world at that time arrived in Hong Kong in July 1971 for an extensive refit. On January 9 1972, several mysterious fires broke out on the leviathan, and she capsized in shallow water in Hong Kongs Victoria Harbour. RMS Queen Mary Her former sister ship enjoys a more noble retirement in the sun. The majestic RMS Queen Mary, which held the Blue Riband in 1936 and again in 1938, was sold to the City of Long Beach, California, in 1967. Permanently moored, the former Cunarder is a popular tourist attraction with a museum and a hotel where guests can slumber in the art deco dreamscape of original first class suites and cabins. The Telegraph, London Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Ocean cruises Cruises For subscribers Ellen O'Donoghue A newly married woman is found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her home, and what seems like a tragic accident soon raises chilling questions. A manhunt ensues but for whom? And how is justice served? Meanwhile, a series of letters arrive at Garda stations across the Midlands, and investigators have to turn to his handwriting, delving deep into the mind of a man whose secrets are darker than anyone imagined. A potential killer waiting to pounce is uncovered. Separately, an 11-year-old boy disappears near his home, and a discovery that would shock the nation is made after one of the largest searches in the States history. These crimes are all cases discussed in a new podcast, Lines of Enquiry, a GoLoud podcast examines investigations, critical decisions and dramatic twists in some of Irelands most well-known crime cases. Host John Sweetman worked as an expert crime scene investigator with the Garda Technical Bureau for 25 years. He uses his expertise and closeness to the cases, having worked on numerous ones discussed in the podcast, to use his forensic expertise and bring listeners through the facts, evidence, and results. I spent 10 years in fingerprints, going out to crime scenes, chemically treating exhibits, looking for fingerprints from items taken from crime scenes, Sweetman says. After 10 years there, I moved sideways within the Technical Bureau to the documents and handwriting section, which would entail examining any kind of secure document, be it passports, identity cards, driving licenses, currencies, to determine whether or not they are real or counterfeit. It appealed to his natural eye for detail, Sweetman says. He was always artistically inclined, having worked in animation before joining An Garda Siochana. The Garda Technical Bureau appealed to him because he says, I didnt like being out in uniform. When first approached to host the podcast, Sweetman thought that Bauer Media and GoLoud wanted advice or background on a case. But no, they asked me to be the host. I was kind of like, what? he laughs. It has been a collaborative effort, however, with Sweetman providing cases for episodes alongside producers, and they all work on scripts together. He thinks that his ability to explain the logistics of the crimes clearly comes in part from having to appear before a judge and jury in a trial, and getting them across in a way thats understandable to the layperson. He also knows what gardai do and do not say from day to day when working on cases, so it provides another layer of authenticity to the stories. I bring a good bit of knowledge to what goes on behind the crime scene tape at cases that weve covered so far, little things the public might know about, and maybe demystifying a few things about looking for fingerprints, or any kind of evidence, at crime scenes, Sweetman says. He hopes to shed light on some cases that the public may not be as aware of, too, he says, such as the Midlands Letters case, where a man was sending letters to garda stations in the Midlands threatening to abduct and kill teenage girls. That was an investigation that nobody would be aware of, because essentially it was more of crime prevention rather than coming to the thing after some serious incident has gone down, Sweetman says. That was a very interesting case to work on, because it went on for a couple of years before there was a resolution to it. But every time I pick up the phone to call an old colleague of mine, or maybe another retired member that was on the job with me, somebody will bring up another thing that sounds really interesting, so theres plenty of them out there, Sweetman tells BreakingNews.ie. Other cases covered in the podcast include the case of Robert Holohan from Cork, who went missing and was found murdered, and the case of Mary Gough, who was found dead at the bottom of the stairs at her house by her husband. In that case, the suspect faked his own suicide, triggering a manhunt until he was tracked down and faced justice. Another crime discussed on the podcast is the murder of Mary Dillon in Finglas Sweetmans first murder as a member of the Garda Technical Bureau in 1998. The was a very, very interesting case in that it was a complete whodunit. Its an extreme of the human condition, and people just find it fascinating. When it comes to peoples fascination with true crime, Sweetman describes it as funny. "Its always been there, and its certainly ballooned in the last few years now, because things like podcasts and YouTube and all that sort of stuff, he says. Its an extreme of the human condition, and people just find it fascinating. Most of us will go through life and will hopefully not be involved in something serious like you see or hear about in these true crime things, but that doesnt lessen the fascination with the extremes of what people are capable of, Sweetman says. The fascination with true crime, its not going to go away. No more than crime is going to go away, the fascination that we all seem to have for it, its just there. After more than 40 years, a woman is reunited with her Kentucky family after allegedly being abducted by her mother Discussions began on Wednesday in Strasbourg among representatives of Europes governments on abandoning key provisions in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). From Social Democrats to fascist parties, all are pushing towards an agreement by the spring of 2026 that will spell the end of any commitment to the universalist principles proclaimed in the ECHR in the immediate aftermath of the horrific crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Nazis during World War II. Migrants from Eritrea, Libya and Sudan crowd the deck of a wooden boat as they wait to be assisted by aid workers of the Spanish NGO Open Arms, in the Mediterranean sea, about 30 miles north of Libya, Saturday, June 17, 2023. [AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra] Underlining the unanimity within the political establishment, the talks were initiated by Denmarks Social Democratic Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Italys fascist Prime Minister Giorgia Melloni. In May, the pair issued an open lettersigned by seven additional European Union (EU) member statesthat denounced the European Court of Human Rights for interfering with national political decisions and demanded freedom from the restraints of the ECHR. In a manner little different from the Trump administrations recent declaration that Europe faces civilisational erasure due to illegal migration, the open letter railed against criminal foreigners and hostile states seeking to instrumentalise immigrants against Europe. The letter is one expression of a decisive shift by Europes ruling class to break with the constraints of international law as it seeks to ruthlessly assert its interests against the working class and its imperialist rivals. Its pursuit of a massive rearmament programme to enable European imperialism to fight its global competitors, and support for Israels genocide of the Palestinians and bloody war between Ukraine and Russia, underscore the criminal character of this agenda. It demands an unrestrained onslaught on the living standards and rights of the working class, of which immigrants are a key component. EU immigration ministers agreed on a package of measures on December 8 to accelerate mass deportations and facilitate the creation of concentration camps for migrants in authoritarian countries not subject to European law. The measures included a significant expansion to the list of safe third countries where EU members can dispatch refugees, and approval for the building of return hubs outside the EUs borders to process asylum claims. In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merzs coalition government is implementing the migration policies of the fascist Alternative for Germany (AfD), like its Social Democrat-led predecessor. Earlier this year, Merz won the enthusiastic backing of the fascist right when he declared in explicitly racist terms that Germanys cityscapes had become unrecognisable due to mass migration. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt blustered in the manner of the AfD following the EU agreement, Over the past 10 years, illegal immigration has brought disorder to Europe. Together with our European partners, we are now bringing order back to European immigration policy. Summing up his goals, Dobrindt declared, Strong borders, rapid repatriations, innovative deportation centres. In Britain, Keir Starmers right-wing Labour government invoked Denmark as a model last month when it presented a far-right immigration plan. Labours goals are to abolish rights extended under the ECHR, including the right to a family life, and right to protection against torture and degrading treatment, and to massively increase deportations. Europes governments have long pursued vicious anti-immigrant policies to establish Fortress Europe. These find their most murderous expression in the Mediterranean, which has become a mass grave for thousands of people due to the blocking of all legal routes to reach the continent and prohibitions on sea rescues. According to the Missing Migrants Project by the International Organisation for Migration, some 33,220 migrants have been recorded as missing in the Mediterranean since the project began in 2014. The total for 2025 is approaching 2,000. However, the present turn marks something new, with governments of all political stripes breaking explicitly with even the semblance of international law. They openly declare that the basic democratic rights the bourgeoisie was forced to grant in a previous period due to the horrors of World War II are no longer appropriate and must be abrogated from national and international legal systems. At the same time, political parties in all the major European countries are working systematically to integrate fascist forces into power, a process they have already achieved in Italy and the Czech Republic. As politics across the continent has lurched sharply to the right, the European Court of Human Rightsset up in 1959 to enforce the rights contained in the ECHRhas remained one of the few venues in which migrants, political dissidents, and other persecuted minorities at least have the possibility of challenging state repression and the systematic violation of their rights. For example, the Court found in October 2024 that Germany and Greece violated EU law by imposing automatic removals on asylum seekers without giving them the opportunity to pursue legal remedies that were open to them. The specific case concerned an individual, H.T., who was forcibly removed by German authorities to Greece, where they were detained in inhumane conditions in one of the countrys notorious concentration camps for refugees. The Court found both countries in violation of Article 3 of the ECHR, the right to protection against inhumane or degrading treatment. In July 2025, the Court accepted a complaint by Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk, who was detained by the imperialist-backed Zelensky regime in April 2024 and charged with high treason under martial law. The complaint argues that Bogdan, a leader of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists, represented a danger to society because he opposes the present war, and both the Zelensky and Putin regimes, and fights for the unity of Ukrainian and Russian workers in the struggle against imperialist war. The attacks on the working class planned by governments across the continent in the coming years to make European imperialism war-ready are so sweeping that no opposition can be tolerated, even when expressed through the highly managed framework of bourgeois legality. In Germany, an all-party coalition has approved 1 trillion in war spending, which must now be squeezed out of the working class through the destruction of public spending and social programs, summed up in the declaration by Merz that the current welfare system is no longer affordable. French President Emmanuel Macron is committed to tens of billions in spending cuts to fund a massive increase in the military budget. EU member states have agreed to a shared 850 billion military spending programme, funded by austerity measures. In every country, thousands of workers are being thrown out of their jobs as civilian industry is converted to war production and the capitalists offload the deepening crisis produced by decaying capitalism onto the backs of the workers. The same ruthless methods perfected by the ruling class against immigrants and refugees, the most vulnerable sections of the working class, are now to be turned against all workers who try to resist this vicious class-war agenda. The defence of immigrant rights, as the World Socialist Web Site has always insisted, is a central component of the defence of all worker rights. The fight for the political independence of the working class from the warmongering and nationalist bourgeois parties must uphold the unrestricted right of everyone to live and work in the country of their choice. It must struggle for the abolition of all immigration quotas, and discriminatory measures based on nationality and ethnicity. The struggle against imperialist war and militarism requires a socialist and internationalist programme, aimed at the abolition of the obsolete nation-state borders and repudiation of nationalist tropes employed by ruling elites in every country to block working-class unity. Workers must build a mass political and industrial movement against war and capitalist austerity and make the words of Marx and Engels Communist Manifesto their battle-cry: Workers of the world, unite! LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Halloween and Christmas are combining at one Mid-Michigan haunted house this weekend, and theyre bringing in Hollywood star power for the event. Awaken Haunted Attraction, located in Leslie, MI, is hosting a unique two-night event that combines holiday festivities with haunting frights. Featuring elaborate makeup and costume work, guests can roam haunted halls, a snowy town, and more, all with Krampus wandering not too far behind. Awaken Haunted Attraction is located in Leslie, MI, just off of US-127 (WLNS) In celebration of their 10th season, Awaken has brought in character actor Douglas Tait for this weekends event. Taits expansive career has spanned many iconic horror franchises, including Freddy vs. Jason, Halloween Kills, and, most recently, the new Five Nights at Freddys 2 movie, in which he plays Withered Chica. Tait will be at Awaken on December 12th and 13th, taking photos, signing autographs, and meeting with fans from across Mid-Michigan. One of the many unique costumes featured at Awaken Haunted Attraction (WLNS) For more information and to purchase tickets, you can visit Awaken Haunted Attractions website. 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 WLNS 6 News. Actor Peter Greene was reportedly discovered lying face down on the floor with a strange note when police found him dead on Friday. Peter was lying on the floor, facedown, facial injury, blood everywhere a neighbor described of the gruesome scene to New York Daily News. The outlet additionally reported that a strange handwritten note was found on the scene along with the actors body. Actor Peter Greene was reportedly discovered lying face down with a strange note when police found him dead on Friday. FilmMagic Peter was lying on the floor, facedown, facial injury, blood everywhere, the actors neighbor claimed. GC Images Im still a Westie, it read, referring to the 1970s Irish-American gang that operated out of Hells Kitchen. Advertisement Advertisement A rep for Greene did not immediately respond to Page Sixs request for comment. Greene was pronounced dead on Friday after he was found unresponsive in his Lower East Side apartment on Clinton Street around 3:25 p.m. He was 60. The neighbor added that he was found near a handwritten note that read Im still a Westie, referring to the 1970s Irish-American gang. Getty Images Police found Greene unresponsive in his Lower East side apartment on Friday. William Farrington Police told The Post that no foul play was suspected, but that a cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner. Greene was the father of a 16-year-old son, Ryder. The Pulp Fiction stars death was confirmed by his longtime manager, Gregg Edwards, who remembered the late actor as a terrific guy in a statement to the outlet. Truly one of the great actors of our generation. His heart was as big as there was. Im going to miss him. He was a great friend, he said. Advertisement Advertisement It appears Greenes death came as a surprise to Edwards and others around him as he was originally scheduled to film with Mickey Rourke on an independent thriller called Mascots. The Pulp Fiction stars death was confirmed by his longtime manager, Gregg Edwards, in a statement to The Post. MIramax His other credits include The Mask, Laws of Gravity, Clean, Shaven, Blue Streak and Training Day. New Line Cinema Upon learning of the actors passing, Edwards said the films writer-director, Kerry Mondragon, was very upset. He worked with so many amazing actors and directors, Edwards added, citing Greenes performance as mobster Dorian Tyrell opposite Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz in The Mask as arguably his best role. His additional credits include Laws of Gravity, Clean, Shaven, Blue Streak and Training Day. Adult content creator Bonnie Blue has returned home to the United Kingdom after being deported from Indonesia, where she was arrested for allegedly making X-rated content. Blue, 26, arrived in England on Saturday, December 13, according to a press release shared with Us Weekly. Im rich and have good lawyers did you really think Id face jail time? Blue, real name Tia Billinger, said in a statement. From sharing fluids with barely legals to watching my content with corrupt men, lets just say Im excited to show you what got me in all this trouble. Advertisement Advertisement She continued, It cost me $20 to get out of prison, so I need to recuperate my huge losses. If you want to see what got me deported you can for less than my fine. OnlyFans Stars Who Have Reacted to Bonnie Blues Arrest: Annie Knight, Sophie Rain and More Blue returned to social media several hours before her flight landed in England. You thought I was doing 15 years in the hole but I had 15 fill mine instead, she wrote via Instagram on Friday, December 12, alongside a video lip-synching to the sound, I think you know what its about to go. News broke earlier this month that Blue had been arrested in Bali after a local police raid. The influencer traveled to Indonesia for Schoolies, an event where Australian high school graduates celebrate the end of the school year. Blue was taken into custody after allegedly making content containing pornographic or immoral elements, per a police statement at the time. Advertisement Advertisement We can confirm for now that theyve been arrested and have multiple charges that theyre investigating her on. She is going to court on Friday, a rep for Blue told Us on Wednesday, December 10. They still dont have any of their phones or passports and are still being interrogated daily. After Blues hearing, she was fined Rp 200,000 ($12 USD) and ordered to leave Indonesia. While Blue has not further addressed her arrest and resulting scandal, OnlyFans personality Annie Knight weighed in. Why Bonnie Blue Doesnt Think Theres Competition Between Her and Other Creators Bonnie and I obviously dont get along, but the thought of being in a jail cell, alone in a Third World country, is terrifying, and I do feel for her, Knight, 28, exclusively told Us on Friday. That being said, it is hard to feel overly empathetic for her situation when I warned her of the consequences of filming pornography in a country like Indonesia, where they have very strict laws about these things. Advertisement Advertisement Knight also claimed that Blue has further chosen to ridicule the country by smiling on camera instead of issuing a simple apology for her actions. "I do hope Bonnie can make it home to her family for Christmas as I would hope that for anyone, Knight added to Us. I also hope that she learns from this mistake and chooses to make wiser decisions in the future, however it is pretty clear by her response that thats not going to happen. Knight and Blue have long been at odds regarding their respective OnlyFans endeavors. Blue was ultimately banned from the platform in June over her petting zoo stunt plans, now opting to make new content for other sites. To learn more about the serious potential risks and harms of competitive sex and other explicit OnlyFans content read what doctors, mental health professionals and other experts told Us Weekly here. Jeffrey Epsteins connections didnt stop at the former Prince Andrew. In fact, his royalty connections didnt even stop at Andrew Mountbouten-Windsor. Considering how many people came in contact with the convicted sex offender, that part is not surprising. But the name might be. Swedens Princess Sofia reportedly met Epstein several times in 2005, back when she was a young lingerie model, a full decade before marrying Prince Carl-Philip. New leaked documents show that her mentor, Swedish businesswoman Barbro Ehnbom, tried to put her in touch with Epstein, Dagens Nyheter, Swedens leading newspaper, reported. More from StyleCaster Advertisement Advertisement Related: Heres what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth In an email dated December 2005 featuring a photo of the now-princess, Ehnbom wrote to Epstein, This is Sofia, an aspiring actress who just arrived in New York. 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 responded, Im in the Caribbean. Does she want to come for a couple of days? Ill send a ticket. According to the Swedish Royal Court stated Sofia never went to Epsteins island, though they did confirm the two had met, saying she had been introduced to the person in question on a few occasions around 2005, and adding, The princess has not had any contact with the person in question for 20 years. Epstein died in a New York City jail while awaiting trial in 2019. Princess Sofia, Duchess of Varmland attends the Nobel Prize Banquet 2024 at Stockholm City Hall on December 10, 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden This all comes after reports that Andrew wont ever step foot in the United States again. RadarOnline reported that He knows Congress cant subpoena him abroad, so staying away is his only shield, with one source saying, Theres a feeling he will die without ever stepping foot back in America. Thats how deep Andrews fear of facing questioning in America appears to run. Advertisement Advertisement He has been asked to sit for a transcribed interview with the House oversight committee, with one of the Democratic members of the committee, Suhas Subramanyam, saying Andrew has been hiding from us, and I think he will continue to try to hide from people doing meaningful investigations of this matter. It seems like every time we find more evidence, prince Andrew seems to be in the documents. And so I think if he is hoping that the story will just go away by ignoring us and being silent, he will be sorely disappointed, as we continue to pursue this over the next year and beyond. For now, Andrew is set to spend Christmas at Royal Lodge, as he has refused to vacate what has been his home for many years before the holidays. But insiders are saying it will be a sad, lonely affair driven by his stubbornness. Hes treating it almost like a squatter situation, staying put until everything is completely ready for his move, sources explained. It is typical, Andrew pathetic, childish, and ridiculous. Advertisement Advertisement But theres a sense that perhaps hes not being pushed too hard yet, because no one actually wants him at Sandringham for Christmas, as he wont be invited for the familys holiday celebration. The family feels relieved he wont be there for Christmas. It spares everyone an awkward situation with the senior royals after such a turbulent year, a source said. Best of StyleCaster Sign up for Stylecaster's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A quick trip to Target might seem like a break from the chaos unless you're Elon Musk. For him, stepping into a store like Target or CVS turns into a security scramble before he even makes it past the front doors. "There's an immediate can I have a selfie' line that forms," he said. "It's not that I don't want to. I simply can't." That moment came during an episode of "The Katie Miller Podcast" last week, where Musk discussed everything from artificial intelligence and sleep habits to the very real risks of being one of the most recognizable people on the planet. Asked when he last did something "extremely ordinary," like shopping at Target or CVS, Musk didn't dodge the question he shut it down. "I can't go to things where there's the general public," he said. Don't Miss: The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon Invest at $0.85/Share Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share. Advertisement Advertisement It's not just about attention or crowd control. Musk brought up the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, saying incidents like that have only heightened the threat level. "There are serious security issues," he said. "Life is on hardcore mode. You make one mistake and you're dead. And it only takes one." When asked if Kirk's death changed his behavior, he said it didn't it "reinforced" what he already knew. The conversation covered more than just his absence from the grocery aisle. Musk said he averages just under six hours of sleep per night five hours, 56 minutes, to be exact and spends most of his day handling "information triage" across Tesla, SpaceX, X, xAI, and more. One of his goals is to avoid constant context switching because of the cognitive drain. "If you had to context switch every three seconds, the penalty would be very high," he said. Trending: An EA Co-Founder Shapes This VC Backed MarketplaceNow You Can Invest in Gaming's Next Big Platform Musk also spoke about his longstanding anxiety over AI. "I've had AI nightmares many days in a row," he said. Despite leading the charge in AI development, he made it clear he's not cheering for where things are headed. "People get confused. They think what I predict will happen is what I want to happen. It's not." Advertisement Advertisement On a lighter note, Musk named Trump as the funniest person he's met. "President Trump is very funny it's somewhat effortless," he said, recalling a moment where Trump, asked if he was a fascist, told New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, "Just say yes. It's easier that way." Host Katie Miller also asked which life moments Musk would relive just to feel them again. His answers: the births of his children, SpaceX's first successful orbit, and the moment Tesla made its electric car work. But casually running into Musk in the toothpaste aisle? Don't count on it. He's not hiding. He's staying alive. Read Next: Missed Tesla? EnergyX Is Tackling the Next $200 Billion Opportunity Lithium Wall Street's $12B Real Estate Manager Is Opening Its Doors to Individual Investors Without the Crowdfunding Middlemen Advertisement Advertisement Image: Imagn UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article Elon Musk Says He Can't Shop At Target or CVS Like Normal People Because a 'Selfie Line' Forms 'Not That I Don't Want To. I Simply Can't' originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Maisie Williams let loose during a vacation in Italy ... stripping down to nothing to take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea! Check out the "Game of Thrones" star's recent Instagram clip -- she seems to be in pure bliss as she flashes the camera with her bare butt and enters the blue water surrounding the stunning island of Sardinia. She dives right under, and comes up with a huge grin across her face. Instagram / @maisie_williams Her friends also got in on the cheeky carefree fun, posing together topless -- but covered by the water -- in one pic, and diving down to show off their bottomless behinds all sticking out of the water in another snap. Instagram / @maisie_williams Maisie stayed at a guesthouse that offers yoga and a sauna during her trip, according to her IG post. It appears she enjoyed all the outdoors has to offer, sharing glimpses of herself hiking with pals and jumping off a cliff into the refreshing water below. Clearly, Maisie is living her bare beach bum adventure to the fullest! Maisie Williams showed off her birthday suit while going skinny dipping in Italy. The Game of Thrones star took to Instagram Friday to share a video of herself taking a plunge in the Mediterranean Sea. She fearlessly dove into the water and came to the surface, flashing a smile at the camera. Maisie Williams went skinny dipping in Italy. Maisie Williams/Instagram The Game of Thrones star shared a video of herself taking a dip in the Mediterranean Sea via Instagram Friday. Maisie Williams/Instagram Williams, 28, shared additional snaps of herself and her pals in the water with their bums in the air. Other photos showed the actress cliff diving and immersed in the Italian landscape. Advertisement Advertisement summer is so over but life is still happening in a big way x, she captioned the photo dump. She also shared additional photos of her friends and their bums in the air. Maisie Williams/Instagram Other photos showed the group cliff diving. Maisie Williams/Instagram Williams and her pals stayed at the Su Ferreri Retreat Guesthouse in Sardinia for their getaway. According to the site, the venue offers visitors a slow living in nature experience through hikes, yoga and sauna sessions. The New Mutants star rarely posts on social media and last posted in April. summer is so over but life is still happening in a big way x, Williams captioned the dump. Maisie Williams/Instagram The actress and her friends vacationed at the Su Ferreri Retreat Guesthouse in Sardinia. Maisie Williams/Instagram Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Williams shared a glimpse at her life, with the first photo being of herself dolled up in a sheer gown at a table. Another showed her in a flower field, while a third saw her playing the Twister board game. geo tag: all around the towns and everything x, the Falling star captioned the photos. Williams rarely posts on social media. Getty Images She last shared a glimpse into her life in April. Getty Images While Williams tends to keep under the radar, she was most recently seen stepping out with her Practical Magic 2 co-star Joey King in September. The duo turned heads while wearing colored wigs to karaoke in London. Photos shared via Kings Instagram showed them hugging at a bar and later singing their hearts out. British police announced this week that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will not face prosecution over his attempts to have his protection detail investigate Virginia Giuffre. However, in case you were thinking that the chips are starting to land quite neatly for Andrew, here comes a story in the Mail on Sunday saying he is set to move to a temporary Sandringham property the size of a shoebox when he vacates Royal Lodge next year. Given that they regularly describe a six-bedroom home as a cottage, we wait with bated breath to see the royal definition of a shoebox. Advertisement Advertisement Rest assured, Andrew is still in line for a substantial home, once renovations are complete. Andrew is personally sorting through boxes of accumulated possessions as he prepares to vacate Royal Lodge. / Shutterstock The Mail says that the royals have been removing the contents of Royal Lodge under cover of darkness, trucking items to a Windsor storage facility belonging to the Crown Estate. Its still going to take some time to get him out of Royal Lodge as Andrew, a natural hoarder, has filled rooms of his Windsor home with clutter and was not prepared to accept help sorting through his private collections. The Mail says, some anterooms are filled to the ceiling with documents and photographs. King Charles III in The Morning Room at Clarence House, London, recording a personal message that was broadcast as part of Stand Up To Cancer 2025. / The Royal Family/Channel 4 The Real Message of Charles Cancer Speech What mattered most about King Charles TV statement on Friday, in which he said he was doing well in his cancer battle, was not what it said about his illness, but what it signaled about power. This was an attempt to reassert authority over an institution that has drifted badly off the rails. Advertisement Advertisement It is best understood as a strategic intervention rather than a health update. Carefully calibrated, optimistic without being definitive, it was designed to close down speculation and reclaim a narrative that slipped from the kings grasp shortly after he ascended to the throne. The message was clear: things are improving, he is still here, and the story needs to move on. King Charles has kept up his official duties, such as the state visit from President Donald Trump, but has at times appeared tired and frail. / Toby Melville / REUTERS That matters because the palace never intended to announce Charles had cancer at all. The plan was to talk about benign prostate treatment; the disclosure only came because secrecy became impossible. What was framed as transparency had consequences. From the moment cancer was said out loud, attention shifted from Charles reign to its endpoint. Succession and Williams readiness became live issues far earlier than intended, and authority began to drain toward the heir. Once a monarch is publicly framed as vulnerable, power ebbs. Yesterdays statement was an attempt to halt that erosion. The briefing was telling: no remission, no victory lap, just talk of a very positive stage and reduced treatment. This was about changing the temperature, not declaring the battle won. Charles still has cancer. That has not changed. What has changed is the calculation that silence is damaging. The announcement of King Charles illness brought an unwelcome focus on the end of his reign and the succession. His recent address is designed to emphasize that he is still in control. / Karwai Tang / WireImage The timing was no accident. On the same day, a clearly briefed story appeared in the London Times stressing that Charles has not been in touch with Prince Harry since their brief meeting earlier this year. Read together, these were signals of authority. The king is saying he is not passive, not to be managed or emotionally leveraged. He is still in charge, even in his relationship with a son who has spent years monetizing grievance. Advertisement Advertisement Which brings us to the real test. If Charles health is stabilizing and he is well enough to step back up, the era of half-measures must end. The monarchy has been battered by the unresolved Andrew scandal, poisoned by the Harry saga, and weakened by a visible collapse of discipline. Nothing illustrated that better than the appalling optics of the York family including Andrew wafting into a christening at a royal chapel in a royal palace, as if boundaries still do not matter. If Charles is better, the obligation is not just reassurance about his health, but the imposition of order. This is a constitutional institution whose legitimacy depends on hierarchy, boundaries, and restraint. For too long, those lines have blurred, producing a monarchy that looks reactive and weak. Yesterday marked a fork in the road. Either it signals a genuine reassertion of control, or it will be remembered as another moment when reassurance was mistaken for leadership. Sympathy is natural. It is also beside the point. The question now is whether Charles will get back on with the job: enforcing standards, restoring discipline, and running an institution that has been drifting for far too long. Want more royal gossip, scoops and scandal? Head over to The Royalist on Substack Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Kendall Jenner is officially part of the growing list of celebrities and billionaires escaping to Wyoming. Rupert Murdoch, Bill Gates and Kanye West all own property in the state, drawn by its privacy, open spaces, but also no income tax. The supermodel just opened the doors to what Architectural Digest recently described as her top secret mountain retreat, a surprising shift from her usual sleek, neutral aesthetic. Don't Miss: A Cozy, Colorful Retreat Built From The Ground Up Jenner bought the remote property about five years ago on a whim after falling in love with the area's energy. As a self-described horse girl who spent summers in Wyoming as a kid, she was captivated by the regions natural beauty and sense of freedom. NEW | Kendall Jenner for Architectural Digest, in an exclusive tour of her mountain home. More pics: https://t.co/fuSJUgosVt pic.twitter.com/H3rw3GvsND Kendall's Gallery (@kendalljbrs) December 8, 2025 The original structure on the land was unsalvageable, so she started fresh with architect Kirby Lee and tapped San Francisco-based designer Heidi Caillier to bring her vision to life. Advertisement Advertisement I had a vision. It was a house full of people squeezed onto a couch for game night, Jenner told AD. On one of my first trips there, it happened. It made me damn near emotional. I had this dream, and it happened in a home that I built. Trending: From Moxy Hotels to $12B in Real Estate The Firm Behind NYC's Trendiest Properties Is Letting Individual Investors In. The result is a warm, lived-in space filled with color, patterns, and character, a far cry from the minimalist look often associated with Jenner. The centerpiece of the living room is a massive sectional sofa covered in 50 yards of floral Lee Jofa fabric. I'm beyond happy with that couch, she said. There has never been a doubt in my mind about the fabric. Design choices throughout the home embrace a vintage-meets-modern feel, from checkerboard tile in the primary bath to tartan window seats and antique rugs. Jenner leaned into the idea of playfulness and comfort, telling AD, I'm not a bare-bones type of girl. I love color, and I love pattern. More Than A House SUBTITLED PT BR | Kendall Jenner opens the doors of her mountain home to Architectural Digest. Check the full video: https://t.co/h433ziepOn pic.twitter.com/ICucdi1DMg Kendall's Gallery (@kendalljbrs) December 8, 2025 With three bedrooms, cozy bunk nooks, and a kitchen fireplace suggested by her mom, Kris Jenner, the house was built with hosting in mind. Jenner emphasized her hands-on role in the process. When doing any home, I love making things collaborative, and my choice in designer is extremely intentional, she told AD. I know that I'm going to be highly involved and extremely picky. See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it? Caillier introduced Jenner to new design ideas, particularly wallpaper and rich, earthy colors like aubergine and chartreuse. Even the bathrooms got creative, featuring a yellow sink and toilet that sparked attention on social media. I can confirm there is a yellow toilet, Caillier joked. Advertisement Advertisement Not one to stop at a traditional house, Jenner also brought her 2020 Airstream Bambi up to the property, turning it into a cozy guest space with vintage linens, a zinc tub, and its own kitchenette. It was a very special birthday gift and very sentimental, she told AD. Then I thought, wait a minute, how cute would that be as a guest room? These days, Jenner uses the hideaway to unwind in nature, go off-roading, hike, and cook with friends. Jenner said she enjoys spending time in the mountains getting dirty during the day and relaxing with a barbecue at night. She described the pace of life as slow but satisfying, adding that despite thinking she might get bored if she stays too long, she never does. Read Next: GM-Backed EnergyX Is Solving the Lithium Supply Crisis Invest Before They Scale Global Production Image: Shutterstock This article Kendall Jenner Unveils Her 'Top Secret' Mountain Hideaway In Wyoming. It's The Latest Gem In A State Beloved By Billionaires originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Bonnie Blue the former OnlyFans star who made headlines for claiming to have slept with more than 1,000 men in just 12 hours is back in her native U.K. after being deported from Indonesia, where she was arrested in Bali for allegedly violating morality laws. Upon returning to England on Saturday, the 26-year-old adult content creator addressed the controversy in a press release sent to the media. She said it cost her less than $20 to get out of prison in Indonesia, and joked that she needs to recuperate [her] huge losses. Im rich and have good lawyers did you really think Id face jail time? said Blue, per Us Weekly. If you want to see what got me deported, you can for less than my fine. Advertisement Advertisement Blue, who was reportedly banned from OnlyFans earlier this year for planning what she called a petting zoo stunt, said shes excited to show her fans what got her into all this trouble. She teased that it included sharing fluids with barely legals [and] watching my content with corrupt men. Blue was arrested in Bali on Thursday, Dec. 4, following a raid on a vacation rental, which she was allegedly using to make content containing pornographic or immoral elements, according to the Bali Express. There, 17 male tourists, ranging in age from 19 to 40, were also taken into custody. Badung Police Chief Arif Batubara told local outlet detikBali that authorities seized Blues pickup truck, multiple cameras and several contraceptive devices. The majority of the men were released shortly after, though Blue, one Australian man and two British men remained in custody, reported Australias 9 News. Advertisement Advertisement Blues rep told Us Weekly on Wednesday that the influencer was being investigated for multiple charges and had a court day set for Dec. 12. They still dont have any of their phones or passports and are still being interrogated daily, the rep said at the time. In court on Friday, Blue was ultimately ordered to leave the country and fined Rp 200,000, the equivalent of around $12. Blue started off the year with a bang when she claimed to have bedded 1,057 in just a dozen hours. If true, that would break the 2004 record previously set by Lisa Sparxxx, who slept with 919 men in 24 hours. The daughter of Lil Wayne said on her podcast that her uncle Mack Maines lyric on the song Every Girl was the reason Disney chose not to work with her. According to Reginae Carter, her father and his collaborators were not Disney Channel-friendly. Because of who my dad is, people gonna put that on me, Carter said on her podcast Heir Time, where she interviews other people who are the children of celebrities. Advertisement Advertisement In a conversation with Fat Joes daughter, Azzy Milan, Carter, who is the daughter of Lil Wayne and Toya Johnson, said that Disney once rejected her over a line from a Young Money song, Every Girl. On Mack Maines verse, he says, In about three years, holla at me, Miley Cyrus. Cyrus was around 16 or 17 at the time the song was dropped. I wanted to do something for Disney, Carter said. Couldnt, because my uncle said, in about three years, holla at me Miley Cyrus.' Maine has gotten backlash for the lyric before. When Drake and Kendrick Lamar were dissing each other in 2024, Maine showed his support for Drake, who hads released a response to Lamar called The Heart Part 6, after Lamar called him a pedophile. The response to Maine on social media was swift as people immediately began reposting his Miley Cyrus verse, and even a tweet where he wished the Disney star a happy birthday in 2009, calling her my babygirl and celebrating that she would be 18 in one year. Maine posted multiple times over the years about Cyrus, commenting on her engagement to Liam Hemsworth, her music videos, and calling her his baby. Advertisement Advertisement Even without the tweets, Maines lyric was enough to block Carter from pursuing any opportunities with Disney, she claims. They dont play, Carter said. More must-reads: Zaur Gasimlis Taghiyev: Oil is the first film in a potential tetralogy, so it should come as no surprise that it plays like an extended first act. Azerbaijans 2026 Oscar entry, about philanthropist, oil magnate and father of the nation Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, is resplendent in its conception as a period biopic with the scale of mid-century Hollywood epic. However, its reverence for its subject overshadows most hints of human drama, yielding a work that skirts around critical examination and seldom manages to present Taghiyev with feet of clay. The film is framed between two distinct moments of societal and economic transformation. It begins in 1922, after the formation of the USSR, and introduces Taghiyev (Qurban Ismayilov) as a former millionaire and a forgotten recluse turned bitter through the eyes of fictitious American journalist Jerry Thompson (Vadim Stepanov). Thompson is merely passing through and collecting anecdotes, but hes heard tell of Taghiyevs legend, which the elderly tycoon soon narrates at length, beginning in the 1870s, before the countrys economic boom. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Taghiyev is played, as a younger man, by Parviz Mamedrzaev, who crafts the role with prophetic kindness and occasional ferocity. Starving villagers reassemble in orderly fashion at his mere suggestion, as he offers a young girl extra helpings of grain. Hes admired by his peers and practically worshipped by the workers he conscripts into his burgeoning oil drilling business, though hes also scorned by a local religious cleric who appears to warp the word of the Quran for murky reasons. Taghiyev is a holy man in the body of a modern capitalist, to the point that much of the movies drama surrounds his exploited workers bickering over whether they should demand to be paid fairly or simply trust that hell eventually strike liquid gold. And yet, the film approaches these dilemmas is nearly noncommittal fashion, refusing to take a stance on Taghiyev too soon (or at all) beyond his spiritual aura. In framing this figure of flesh and blood through such a mythological lens, it transforms his tale into one of faith that of his children and his employees in him, and his own, in himself as the question of his responsibility toward each person is approached with a feather-light touch. That this story is narrated by an older Taghiyev perhaps lends credence to a self-mythologizing, but the movies journalistic framework is seldom literal (the movie often features flashbacks scenes Taghiyev is not a part of, and could not have seen). Besides, even if Taghiyev: Oil were about a man creating his own legend, the only takeaway here might be that he wasnt a particularly noteworthy storyteller. These in-world mechanics are perhaps too narrow a way to examine a film such as this. Rather, Gasimlis story is one of national self-identification; its version of Taghiyev is far more symbolic than human, practically urging its Azerbaijani audience to place their faith in the idea of national unity at any and all personal cost. The real Taghiyev remains revered for what one might call righteous reasons, but this fictitious version of him who we largely meet before he made his fortune is too abstract to deserve the same treatment, despite Mamedrzaevs careful, clinical performance that attempts to find humanity where the film at large does not. The period-appropriate details and occasional birds eye view of infrastructure on the verge of blossoming are a treat for the eye, as are the process-oriented scenes of oil drilling, which recall the muck and violence of There Will Be Blood. Gasimlis camera is tightly controlled, and he finds just the right moments to rush towards the unexpected. However, the beauty of his frame is counterbalanced by the dullness of the tale at hand: that of a figure etched in stone, unmoving, carved as a tablet for other peoples thoughts, opinions and beliefs, rather than as a person with many of his own. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. A woman from San Francisco called into The Ramsey Show with a dilemma that left personal finance expert Dave Ramsey stunned: her fiances ex is still on the lease of the rental home they plan to live in after getting married. A Lease Tied To The Past It feels really, really gross to me to move in, start a marriage and move into a home with this exs name on it, said Nicole, who explained that despite a court order, the ex has refused to remove her name from the lease. Her fiance has lived in the rental for years, but the property management company hasn't been responsive. Don't Miss: Advertisement Advertisement Nicole, a realtor herself, said she was told there are only a few options: get the ex to sign off which hasnt worked terminate the lease and move out, which could mean forfeiting the deposit, or convince the landlord to re-draft the lease without the exs name. Ramsey was typically frank. This is gross. And it should have been dealt with a long time before youthree weeks before you get married, he said. He added that the responsibility falls on Nicoles fiance. This is on him. You're right, Ramsey said, calling the situation really bizarre. Ramsey offered a simple plan, saying the property management company should be contacted directly. He questioned why Nicoles fiance hadn't already taken the lead on resolving the issue. If it's me, I'm calling the property management company, Ramsey said. I'm your fiance, and I'm saying, Look, I want my wife to be on our lease, not my ex.' Trending: Wall Street's $12B Real Estate Manager Is Opening Its Doors to Individual Investors Without the Crowdfunding Middlemen He suggested giving the landlord an ultimatum: Either re-draft the lease with the new wife on it without the ex, or they're going to give 30 days notice and move. Advertisement Advertisement Ramsey emphasized the option to move as a surprisingly simple and effective solution, even if it comes with some cost. Nicole seemed taken aback by the idea and pointed out that they would then need to find a new place to live. Then you just find a new place. Thats easy, Ramsey replied without hesitation. Dont sign up for lack of freedom and drama and call that a good deal. Thats not a good deal. For Ramsey, the underlying issue seemed bigger than just a lease. He also gets pushed around by her pretty regularly, he said. And thats whats really bothering you at the core of this. In the end, Ramsey encouraged Nicole to stand firm and demand a change. Youve sat on your thumbs, now fix this, buddy, he said, directing his message to the fiance. You shouldnt have to be calling me about this. He should have already taken care of this. Read Next: Image: Shutterstock This article 3 Years Into The Relationship And The Ex's Name Won't Come Off The Lease. Dave Ramsey Calls It 'Bizarre,' Offers A Surprising Solution originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Simply put, Alaska is enormous. Two cities might appear close together on a map, when really they're a 10-hour drive apart. That's the case with Juneau (Alaska's capital) and Petersburg, a coastal town on the state's Mitkof Island (one of many islands). Over the years, it's earned the nickname "Little Norway," most likely as a tribute to Peter Buschmann, the Norwegian settler and fisherman who opened a cannery here in the late 1800s which many credit with growing Petersburg into a fishing village. Today, Petersburg locals continue to celebrate the "Little Norway" concept. The town hosts an annual Little Norway festival and maintains its status as an active fishing village and port. Visitors can enjoy all the fishing Petersburg has to offer along with some of the best scenery that nature and community alike provide, making it a must-see place in Alaska for first-time visitors. In many ways, Petersburg truly does resemble Norway. Its location along the Wrangel Narrows mirrors Norway's own historic fishing villages which sit along fjords and narrow waterways. Long before Petersburg earned its name, the area was (and still is) home to the indigenous Tlingit people, who have their own fishing practices. In fact, Petersburg's Indigenous name, "Seet Ka Kwaan," means "people of the fast-moving waters." Indigenous communities account for at least 10% of Petersburg's population. Visitors are encouraged to acknowledge and respect their history, lineage, and contributions to the land, as observed locally through Indigenous festivals and the presence of millennia-old native art and fishing traps. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The 40 Most Mysterious Places In The Whole Entire World A fishing village with real things to do, outdoors and inside Kayaker paddling beneath bridge at sunset - Troy Larson/Shutterstock It might seem unnatural to imagine a town bustling with culture when hearing the words "fishing village." In reality, Petersburg is full of culture, especially during the Little Norway Festival. It's a celebration of Norwegian culture where participants are treated to traditional dress, foods, and dances as the event plays out. Year-round, however, tributes are paid to Nordic culture throughout the town, including with the name of a main road that runs along its waterfront (Nordic Drive, north and south). Petersburg's "downtown" is essentially its waterfront district and is impressively well-appointed for its small size. Though it only spans a few blocks, it houses bars, multiple restaurants (some of which are only open seasonally, so be aware of dining challenges in Alaska), an art gallery, and a memorial museum. Patrons can purchase native art, apparel, and gifts from the neighborhood's Cedar Box shop and learn about Petersburg's indigenous presence from the Petersburg Indian Association. Beyond the confines of the waterfront district lies the stunning scenery that Petersburg offers. Here, visitors have the opportunity to learn more about the area's native history with Indigenous Adventures, a Tlingit-owned outdoor charter company that hosts fishing and whale-watching outings. The water offers some of the best views of Petersburg's wildlife and natural beauty. That helps explain the wide range of paddling tours along the area's creeks, sounds, and glaciers from local kayak companies. Petersburg also has plenty of nature-watching by foot. The Nature Boardwalk Trail, for instance, is endorsed by Audubon Alaska for offering some of the state's best bird-watching. The best way to enjoy Petersburg, Alaska Fiery sunset over a Petersburg, Alaska shoreline - Susan Ohmer/Shutterstock Now, for the million-dollar question: Can you see the Northern Lights in Petersburg? The short answer is yes. Here's the catch, though. You have to know the best time to visit Alaska for views of the Northern Lights (or anything else it has to offer, really, like all the outdoor activities). For the Northern Lights, the ideal months are the end of August through mid-April, when there's more darkness. Of course, that means skipping a visit in the late spring and summer, when the weather is the mildest and most ideal for hiking and kayaking. Remember, much of Petersburg's tourist economy is seasonal, so always check to see what's available in terms of lodging that time of year. Advertisement Advertisement When lodging is available, there are several options in Petersburg. Within the waterfront district, Scandia House receives good reviews (rates hover around $145/night in the summer). Just outside of that district (a two-minute drive) is the Nordic House, where rates start at $200/night. Part of what makes Petersburg such a gem is the lack of easy access to it. There's no way to drive to Petersburg, so only boats and aircraft can reach it. Alaska Airlines services flights to Petersburg James A. Johnson Airport and the Alaska Marine Highway System offers ferries to Petersburg. However, service can be intermittent, so check schedules in advance. Waterways to Petersburg are too small for major cruise liners, though some smaller ships (usually those with a maximum of 200 passengers) do stop there. 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. Making lobster rolls at home can be a labor of love. After you've decided that buying whole lobsters is worth the price, you then need to cook them gently to keep the meat tender, and afterward comes the tedious process of extracting all the meat from the hard-shelled exteriors. Once you've gotten every last precious bit of lobster meat from the shells, you need to determine which part of the meat is best for the rolls and what should be used for other dishes and preparations. We spoke with chef Daniel Le of Essex Pearl during the NY Wine & Food Fest at the Seaport concerning the ideal meat to use for the most tender lobster rolls. You might assume that a lobster's meaty tail is the best part of the crustacean to use for a lobster roll, but it's actually not the most tender part of the animal, according to Le. He reveals that they "use a big majority of claws and knuckles just because [they're] more tender and sweet" at his restaurant. "If you think about it, it's a less moving part of the lobster," he adds. "The tails are flopping around, but the knuckles and the elbows [themselves], they're not really moving." Similar to why a filet mignon is so tender, the lobster's claw and knuckles don't get as much of a workout on a daily basis compared to its tail. The tail, of course, is used much more frequently and therefore works the muscles more regularly, resulting in a less tender meat. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 9 Cheap Fish You Should Avoid Buying At All Costs Dressing a lobster roll is up to personal preference Pile of lobster knuckle and claw meat on a marble platter - All Fresh Seafood/Shutterstock The difference between Connecticut vs. Maine lobster rolls has to do with both condiment and temperature. One is warm and drenched in butter, while the other is served chilled and lightly enveloped in mayo. When asked if butter or mayo better complements knuckle meat, Le explains that he doesn't have a personal preference for one style or the other. "If you do them right, they taste identical to each other," the chef notes. If making a warm, Connecticut-style lobster roll, Le says that as long as "you don't overcook it in the butter, it's still going to be tender and sweet," making for a delicious experience. One tip for making sure that the tender lobster meat doesn't get overcooked is to ensure that the lobster meat only gets a brief bath in warm clarified butter. "I think the misconception behind that is because [with] a lot of the butter rolls, the lobster sits in the butter, and it's a continuous cook, so it gets rubbery and dry," Le warns. Instead, he suggests making sure that the meat doesn't spend a long time in the hot butter. If you're feeling particularly wild, you could opt for a combination of both butter and mayo, as long as you don't overdo it and lose the taste of that precious lobster meat you worked so hard to extract. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Tasting Table. With its gorgeous natural setting, rustic rooms and cabins, and proximity to endless outdoor activities, the Great Bear Inn is the perfect couples' escape. This intimate bed and breakfast sits on the edge of Montana's Glacier National Park, which was originally the home of the Blackfeet and Flathead Indigenous groups. They used the land for fishing, hunting, and tribal ceremonies. This land in the Rocky Mountains became a national park in 1910 and was only the 10th one established in the United States. It covers an incredible 1 million acres, and Glacier National Park is often called the "Crown of the Continent." The Great Bear Inn is in the tiny town of West Glacier, just a 30-minute drive from Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), which operates nonstop flights to major cities all over the United States. When you pull into town, you will quickly discover that it is a great base for booking outdoor activities you can find everything from fishing to hiking to whitewater rafting trips. West Glacier also has plenty of places to buy gear, eat, and sleep. The Great Bear Inn is just on the outskirts of town, so you can be sure you'll have everything you need nearby for your getaway. Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth Settle into the charming Great Bear Inn the view from the Great Bear Inn, a bed and breakfast near Glacier National Park in Montana - The Great Bear Inn / Facebook The Great Bear Inn feels like a classic mountain chalet, tucked away in the forests and peaks of Montana. The property has eight beautifully designed rooms and two standalone cabins. Room rates start at $300 per night and all bookings include breakfast every morning. French toast, eggs, fresh fruit, and other offerings will fortify you for an active day ahead in the national park. The Grande Rooms cost $370 per night are the most romantic choice for a cozy getaway, with in-room fireplaces and king-sized canopy beds. Advertisement Advertisement The freestanding cabins are more expensive at $425 per night, but have two stories and full kitchens with enough space to spread out if you're traveling with a group. There is a big game room at the inn to keep you entertained when you are not out exploring. It has a pool table and a bunch of board games, perfect for a little healthy competition on a romantic getaway. Be sure to head out to the the wraparound deck. Once you find a chair with the perfect view, you will want to claim it for the remainder of your stay. It does not get much more romantic than this. Explore nearby spots in Glacier National Park the entrance to Glacier National Park, with the Rocky Mountains in the background, in Montana - Joecho-16/Getty Images Though it might be tempting to just hang out at the cozy Great Bear Inn all day, you definitely shouldn't. Glacier National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country for good reason. To start exploring, you will need to purchase a standard entrance pass ($35 per vehicle), which is valid for seven days. Certain parts of Glacier National Park, including the mountainside Going-to-the-Sun road trip route, require a timed reservation to enter, and you can buy a pass and make reservations online. The Apgar Visitor Center is less than 2 miles beyond the national park's West Entrance and has a bookstore, fascinating exhibits, and knowledgable park rangers. There is also plenty of parking in case you want to take a shuttle or book a bus tour. Lake McDonald, the largest in the park, sits just north of the visitor center. And for couples that like hiking, the stunning 6-mile out-and-back Avalanche Lake Trail is a must-do. The Great Bear Inn will let you borrow bear spray as a precaution before you head out on the trails. While dangerous encounters are rare, Glacier National Park is home to both black and grizzly bears. There were a couple of incidents in 2024 and 2025, so it's best to be prepared. Here's what to do if you run into a bear when out hiking. 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. A small city about an hours drive from Wichita was recognized by popular home improvement network HGTV as being the best in Kansas to visit for Christmas. Lindsborg, with a population of more than 3,700, won Kansas top spot in the Nov. 17 write-up, with HGTV calling it the perfect destination for holiday revelers. Visitors can witness traditional Swedish Christmas celebrations like Luciafest, dance to the songs of traditional Swedish folk dances and find Scandinavian Christmas crafts, confectionaries and holiday snacks in its charming shops, the HGTV article reads. Advertisement Advertisement A group of Swedish immigrants settled in Lindsborg in 1869, and the city maintains strong ties to its Swedish roots and is often referred to as Little Sweden USA. HGTV specifically highlighted Lindsborgs Dala Horses, Swedish, hand-carved horses that are painted in holiday colors all around town during the Christmas season. We are honored that Lindsborg has been selected by HGTV as the best small to visit in Kansas during the holidays, Holly Lofton, the director of Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau, told The Eagle via email. Lofton said the city takes the holiday season seriously. Our community begins celebrating in earnest in early November, and the festivities continue until King Knuts Day in January, she wrote. Among the many traditions that make Lindsborg shine, none is more cherished than the Lucia Festival celebrated here just as it is in Sweden. Advertisement Advertisement Lindsborgs St. Lucia festival will take place Saturday, Dec. 13 this year and feature folk dancing, a church service, holiday treats and more. Campbell Gaskill, right, was chosen as the Lucia for the 2022 St. Lucia Festival in Lindsborg. Here, Natalie Nelson lights her crown of candles. This recognition from HGTV highlights the magic, heritage, and heartfelt hospitality that make Lindsborg a truly unforgettable holiday destination, Lofton concluded. Other popular Lindsborg spots include their Hemslojd gift shop, the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum, the Blacksmith Coffeeshop and Roastery, Red Barn Studio Museum and more. Just outside Lindsborg sits Coronado Heights castle, a popular Kansas attraction that is believed to have been a lookout spot for Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his men. According to the citys website, a Spanish armor chain mail has been found on the property, as well as Spanish coins, a bridle and lead bars. The castle is considered one of the eight wonders of Kansas geography. HGTVs best Christmas towns for 2025 If youre wanting to visit other Christmas towns, here are some spots in neighboring states, from HGTV: Many know Maui as a beachy playground for surfing and whale watching. But while you're visiting this Hawaiian paradise, there's also a spectacular hiking trail you won't want to miss: the Waihe'e Ridge Trail in the northwestern part of the island, near the town of Wailuku. Imagine hiking high above the verdant landscape, surrounded by mist and clouds, gazing down at the extraordinary "Jurassic Park" type beauty especially in the winter, when the trail is truly sublime. The Waihe'e Ridge Trail is considered a hard or moderately difficult hike due to its steep incline depending on your pace, it can take five hours to complete. It's approximately 5 miles round-trip, with more than 1,500 feet of elevation gain, and is suitable for older children who have some hiking experience. It is essential to wear good hiking shoes here, since parts of the trail are rocky and can get muddy and slippery after rain. The trail's vistas and lush forests provide a breathtaking experience, especially during the winter rainy season when the foliage is at its greenest. While some may say that autumn is the best time of year to visit Maui, winter may be the loveliest time to do this particular trail. You can also do the trek during the summer dry season, but you'll miss the striking colors, rushing streams, and majestic cascades (like Makamaka'ole Falls) that are more pronounced after a heavy rain. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The 5 Cheapest Islands In Hawaii For Your Next Tropical Vacation Embarking on the Waihe'e Ridge Trail Hikers on the Waihe'e Ridge Trail in Maui, Hawaii - Nienkenijhof/Shutterstock Regardless of which season you end up visiting, the best time to do this trail is in the early morning, when it's cooler. You'll also find fewer crowds and more available parking. To get to the Waihe'e Ridge Trail, take the Kahekili Highway (also known as Highway 340) to Maluhia Road, which leads to a parking lot at the trailhead. Once you park your car, it's just a few feet to the start of the trek. The Waihe'e Ridge Trail is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and entrance is free. The trail begins with a steep incline, but the dirt paths are wide and comfortable to walk on. You'll find trail markers every half mile, so you're sure to stay on the right track. While there are several steep sections along the trail, there are also spots where you can stop and rest, so your adventure can be as rigorous or as leisurely as you decide. It's important to bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and snacks (granola bars are a quick and easy energy booster). Also, be sure to follow a safety protocol if you'll be hiking solo. You can spot wildlife along the trail year-round, including a variety of bird species such as the Hawaii amakihi, gray francolin, and apapane. As you hike up the mountain, you'll arrive at many scenic lookout points, each offering a panoramic view of the cloud-brushed landscapes below. Once you reach the very top, you'll find a wooden lookout deck where you can take pictures and celebrate your rigorous climb. After conquering this trek, you can continue on to explore Maui's remote snorkeling sites and whimsical wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Dollar Flight Club has released its annual Cheap Flight Forecast, revealing the 30 most affordable places to fly in 2026. The report ranks destinations using typical low prices, deal frequency, gateway accessibility, stability and overall traveler value to highlight cities where affordable airfare is consistently attainable rather than rare outliers. According to the forecast, several major U.S. cities top the list for travelers looking to stretch their budget next year. Fort Lauderdale offers average fares around $95, making it one of the easiest warm weather getaways on the list. Orlando follows closely with fares near $105 and a steady stream of flight deals thanks to its major airport hubs. Chicago also stands out with prices averaging $94, giving travelers an inexpensive way into one of the countrys biggest metros. Other wallet friendly options include Pittsburgh, Dallas and Charlotte, all offering competitive pricing and strong connectivity for 2026 travel. The most affordable domestic destinations Fort Lauderdale, Florida 12019 / Pixabay Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Average flight price of $95 Orlando, Florida: Average flight price of $105 Chicago, Illinois: Average flight price of $94 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Average flight price of $108 Dallas, Texas: Average flight price of $129 Charlotte, North Carolina: Average flight price of $92 Detroit, Michigan: Average flight price of $119 Knoxville, Tennessee: Average flight price of $104 Pensacola, Florida: Average flight price of $108 Des Moines, Iowa: Average flight price of $110 Miami, Florida: Average flight price of $115 Orlando Sanford, Florida: Average flight price of $95 Phoenix, Arizona: Average flight price of $115 Denver, Colorado: Average flight price of $110 Cleveland, Ohio: Average flight price of $110 The most affordable international destinations With its gorgeous scenery, spectacular waterfall, and historic covered bridge, Kent is a picture-perfect spot in New England. The small town in Connecticut is also home to adventure-filled state parks. Nature lovers should start packing their bags immediately. This part of northwestern Connecticut was originally the home of the Algonquin people. They were forced to give up their land along the rivers when European settlers arrived. Kent was eventually established in 1739 and grew into an iron-manufacturing and farming town. The rural spot, right along the border of New York, is now home to just over 3,000 people and its economy is dominated by tourism. Many of the historic buildings on Main Street were turned into shops and restaurants and they are particularly busy in the fall. In fact, Kent is one of the best towns to visit for fall foliage and charm. The closest airport is across the New York border in Newburgh. Its Stewart International Airport (SWF) is about an hour away. Since it is such a small airport, you will find more nonstop flight options an hour and a half east of Kent at Hartford's Bradley International Airport (BDL) a convenient New England airport known for being one of America's best. You can also ride the train from Grand Central Terminal in New York City, as Wassaic, the last stop on the Harlem Line, is only 8 miles west of Kent. Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth Explore Kent's beautiful state parks waterfall cascading in Connecticut - 365 Focus Photography/Shutterstock There are two gorgeous state parks in Kent. Kent Falls State Park is home to (and named after) the largest waterfall in Connecticut, and the brook that flows from the falls continues into the Housatonic River. Beyond its stunning waterfall, the nearly 300-acre state park has a covered bridge and several hiking trails to explore. Kent Falls tumbles 250 feet over a series of ridges with the last 70 feet dropping into a pool of water. There is a covered pedestrian bridge at the beginning of the paved path that leads to the falls. There are also two hiking trails, the Red and Yellow Trails, which combine into a nearly 1-mile loop. Viewing platforms are positioned along the way. To visit Kent Falls State Park with an out-of-state vehicle, there is a Connecticut State Parks and Forests fee (from $10 per day). Advertisement Advertisement Macedonia Brook State Park is another great outdoor destination in Kent. This larger state park spreads across 2,300 acres along New York's border. Macedonia Brook Road runs through its center. It follows the curves of Macedonia Brook, which is stocked with trout. Eleven-and-a-half miles of color-coded trails and 51 campsites extend from there. The easier trails lie to the east. The 6.3-mile Macedonia Brook Loop circles the entire state park. While the Macedonia Ridge Trail, which climbs to the top of Cobble Mountain, has amazing views of the Catskill and Taconic Mountains, as well as the Hudson River Valley. There is no parking fee, only campsite and picnic-shelter fees, to visit this state park. Find more stunning views in Kent the historic covered Bulls Bridge over the Housatonic River in Kent, Connecticut - danf0505/Shutterstock Once you take in the beautiful scenery in Kent's state parks, it's time to discover what is hidden in this cute little town. Kent Falls Brewing Company is a great spot to celebrate a long hike. The brewery is part of a working farm that raises poultry and pork and grows apples and hops. You can enjoy flights and small pours in their tasting room or buy bottles and cans to go. Though the selections change regularly, IPAs and pale ales are regularly on tap. After the brewery, you should visit Bulls Bridge. The historic covered bridge, which crosses the Housatonic River, sits just off Route 7, a scenic road that runs through Kent and the Litchfield Hills. The single-lane bridge was constructed in 1842 and included on the National Register of Historic Places more than 100 years later. It is now one of Connecticut's only still-used covered bridges. You can park in the nearby lot to walk through the bridge or drive through it. You can also stroll down Kent's Main Street, which is lined with art galleries, restaurants, and shops. The Morrison Gallery has contemporary art exhibits. Ore Hill and Swyft, which share a restored post-and-beam building, serve seasonal food grown at a local farm. While in nearby Litchfield, you'll find a unique hotel in a former courthouse. The Abner Hotel is a historic Connecticut hotel that exudes small town charm. It doesn't get much more picturesque than this. Advertisement Advertisement 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. A woman wrote that her father called her a "selfish b*tch" after she refused to hire her brother, who is facing federal embezzlement charges for allegedly stealing more than $200,000. She posted on the r/FoundandExpose subreddit, saying that years of financial support ended with a sudden demand for more help after she stepped away. Family Celebration Turns Into A Retirement' From Paying Their Bills According to the original poster, she became her family's main financial support at age 24 after starting a tech consulting firm that grew quickly. She wrote that she paid her father's commercial lease for three years, covered her mother's surgery and physical therapy, and loaned her brother money for rent, car payments, and certifications he did not complete. Don't Miss: Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel Could Be the Next AI Powerhouse Just $0.85 a Share Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro Advertisement Advertisement The OP said her parents later organized a dinner she believed celebrated her brother's new senior analyst job. Instead she wrote that her father stood to toast her "graduation" from financial duties. She wrote that her father stood during dinner and thanked her for years of supporting the family, adding that her brother had finally "stepped up" and was ready to take over. He told her they were "graduating" her from all financial duties and called the dinner her "retirement party," saying they no longer needed her money. OP added that she paid the $600 restaurant bill before leaving and blocked all their numbers except her father's for emergencies. Trending: Have $100k+ to invest? Charlie Munger says that's the toughest milestone don't stall now. Get matched with a fiduciary advisor and keep building Arrest, Charges And A Sudden Reversal Three weeks later, the poster said her father called at 6 a.m. to report that federal agents arrested her brother at work. She wrote that investigators accused him of stealing from client accounts during his four-month role. According to her post, the arrest ended his job and left him facing possible prison time. Advertisement Advertisement She added that her father asked her to pay for a lawyer, saying "family helps family." She said she refused and reminded him he had already celebrated her exit from financial responsibility. Afterward, the OP wrote that her brother's girlfriend left him and he moved home with their parents. Soon after, she said her father asked her to hire him at her firm "once this blows over." OP refused. See Also: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform The poster said her father accused her of abandoning the family, while her mother said she was being vindictive over what she called a "silly party." The OP said her brother later sent a text saying he had "hit rock bottom" and needed support, but she did not reply. She added that extended relatives urged her to help with legal fees. According to the post, her grandmother said she was disappointed in "the person" the poster had become. Read Next: Earn While You Scroll: The Deloitte-Ranked #1 Software Company Growing 32,481% Is Opening Its $0.50/Share Round to Accredited Investors. Image: Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article 'Selfish B*tch?' Dad Says His 34-Year-Old Daughter Abandoned Family After She Refuses To Hire Brother Facing Embezzlement Charges originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Size matters. From a fighter jet smaller and lighter than a SUV to a flying machine three times longer than a Boeing 747, aircraft come in vast sizes and weights. We take a look at the freakish outliers of aviation and the fascinating stories that led to their unlikely sizes. Join us as we meet ten aircraft of record-breaking proportions. 10: Smallest Jet Fighter: McDonnell XF-85 Goblin McDonnell XF-85 Goblin In the Convair B-36, the USAF had a bomber of unprecedented size. Impressive though it undoubtedly was, doubts were tacitly admitted as to its ability to defend itself even with the prodigious armament of 16 20mm cannons lavishly distributed amongst nose and tail turrets along with six remotely controlled retractable turrets. Advertisement Advertisement The B-36 was possessed with such enormous range that a conventional escort fighter would be impractical; however, taking along a parasite fighter to chase off any hostile aircraft impertinent enough to attempt an interception was an entirely different matter. Hence the existence of the XF-85 Goblin, by a considerable margin the smallest jet fighter ever to fly. 10: Smallest Jet Fighter: McDonnell XF-85 Goblin McDonnell XF-85 Goblin With a length of only 14 ft 10 in (4.52 m) and an empty weight of a mere 3740 lb (1,696 kg), the Goblin was a titch of a jet fighter (World War I fighters were lighter, but larger). Opinions were, and remain, divided as to the practicality of the F-85/B-36 combination. Designed by a team led by Herman D. Barkey, who would later oversee the development of McDonnells rather more successful F-4 Phantom, the tiny McDonnell, despite its comical appearance, was an exceptionally well-executed response to the parasite requirement. But it was not to be, Air Force command, under pressure to curtail spending, cancelled the XF-85 project, citing its relatively modest performance and the high level of pilot skill required to reattach the aircraft to its carrier. This was the end for the egg-like Goblin. 9: Airliners Airliners The Boeing 747-8 is the world's longest airliner, with a length of 250 ft 2 in (76.25 m), closely followed by the Airbus A340-600 at 75.36 metres. The Boeing 777-9 is 251 feet and 9 inches (76.72 meters), but at the time of writing has yet to enter service. Advertisement Advertisement The Airbus A380-800 is the world's heaviest passenger aircraft, with a maximum take-off weight of 560,000 kg (1,234,600 lbs). The much-loved A380 can carry the most passengers too, with an impressive 853 passengers possible. This is the limit an airliner can carry safely, though more could be carried in an emergency, as demonstrated by the following story. 9: Airliners Airliners The most passengers ever carried on one flight was in 1991 during the Operation Solomon evacuation of Jewish Ethiopians to Israel. A staggering 1086 people boarded a El Al Boeing 747 in Addis Ababa (pictured). However, when they landed, there were 1089 passengers - three babies were born during the flight. 9: Airliners Airliners The biggest (and fastest) propeller airliner was the Soviet Tupolev Tu-114 (pictured), which first flew in 1957. This four-engined swept-wing giant had a wingspan of 51.1 m (167 ft 8 in), a length of 54.1 m (177 ft 6 in) and a maximum weight of 171,000 kg (376,990 lb). 8: Biggest & Heaviest Fighters Biggest & Heaviest Fighters The Soviet Tu-128 Fiddler of 1961 is often cited as the biggest operational fighter; with a length of 30.06 m (99 ft), it was around twice as long as todays F-16. It was a long-distance fighter interceptor and needed to be this size to carry enough fuel to defend vast areas of the Soviet Union and the large air-to-air missiles. It weighed up to 43,700 kg (96,342 lb). Advertisement Advertisement Even the Tu-128 must bow down to the American Lockheed YF-12 (pictured), which was the biggest and fastest interceptor ever made. It first flew in 1963, weighed up to 63,504 kg (140,000 lb) and was a trifle longer than the Fiddler at 30.97 m (101 ft 8 in). However, this Mach 3 monster never entered service. 8: Biggest & Heaviest Fighters Biggest & Heaviest Fighters What was the heaviest interceptor to enter service? The answer to this is the gargantuan Soviet Mikoyan MiG-31 of 1975, with a maximum take-off weight of 46200 kg (101,900 lb), equivalent to 11.5 male adult Asian elephants! As an operational fighter (rather than a dedicated interceptor) the heaviest is likely the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor that tops out at a massive 38,000 kg (83,500 lb). However, a rather sneaky answer to the question of the biggest fighter is the British Nimrod. In preparation for the Falklands War of 1982, the RAF gave its Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft the ability to carry two AIM-9 Sidewinders. The primary intent was not self-defence, but to destroy any Argentinian maritime reconnaissance aircraft they might encounter. This arguably making the Nimrod the heaviest fighter ever to fly, with a maximum weight of 87090 kg (192,000 lb) and length of 38.65 m (126 ft 9 in). 7: Largest operational propellor plane: Antonov An-22 Antonov An-22 The Soviet Antonov An-22 first flew in 1965. It was designed to move outsize military and civilian loads great distances, and despite its size, land at less than perfect airfields. It was an absolute behemoth, with a length of 57.84 metres, wingspan of 64.40 metres and maximum take-off weight of 250,000 kg (551,156 lb). Advertisement Advertisement In 1966, the gargantuan machine set 12 world records, the following year it set another when it lifted cargo weighing 100,444.6 kg to an altitude of 25,748 feet (7848 metres). The Antonov An-22 achieved a mind-bending total of 41 world records in speed and carrying capacity. 7: Largest operational prop plane: Antonov An-225 Antonov An-225 The Antonov Bureau love creating massive aircraft; the An-124 was for some time, the largest aircraft in the world, and it was followed by a similarly world-beating An-225 (pictured). The An-22 was there to support its younger siblings, and was used to moving over-sized components for constructing the An-124 and An-225. Power for the An-22 comes from four Kuznetsov NK-12MA turboprop engines, each capable of generating an astonishing 11,000 kW (15,000 shp). These drive eight-bladed contra-rotating constant-speed propellers. The NK-12, the most powerful turboprop to see service, also powered the Tu-114 airliner, Tu-116 VIP transport, Tu-95/142 bomber, Tu-126 AWACS aircraft and the bizarre A-90 Orlyonok surface-effect vehicle. 6: Largest helicopter: Mil V-12 (Homer) Mil V-12 (Homer) Unquestionably the largest helicopter by a massive margin, is the unorthodox V-12. Like the Antonov An-22, the V-12 intended loads included inter-continental ballistic missiles, which required a helicopter of unprecedented proportions. Advertisement Advertisement The Mil V-12 was enormous, with a length of 37 m (121 ft 5 in), and a maximum loaded weight of 105,000 kg (231,485 lb). The V-12 looked bizarre with two rotors each at the end of a massive, flared wing. At the wingtip was a power unit comprising two Soloviev D-25VF turbo-shaft engines. Each drove a massive five-bladed 35 m (115 ft) diameter rotor. Synchronisation shafts ran from wing-tip to wing-tip to ensure the safe synchronisation of the rotors in case of mechanical failure. 6: Largest helicopter: Mil V-12 (Homer) Mil V-12 (Homer) The four Soloviev D-25VF turboshaft engines together generated an epic 26,000 horsepower, and the V-12 was capable of 162 mph. The V-12 captured a slew of world helicopter records across 1969, including the highest altitude achieved while carrying a 40,000 kg (88,000 lb) payload when it flew to 2255 m (7,398 ft), a record that stands to this day. The largest rotor diameter was that of the US-built Hughes XH-17, an experimental flying crane that first flew in 1952. 5: Wingspan (and heaviest single-engined) Wingspan (and heaviest single-engined) The conventional biplane with the biggest wingspan was the NC-4 Curtiss flying boat (pictured), the first aeroplane to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, which it did in 1919 (though the flight was not non-stop). It had a wingspan of 126 ft (38 m). The sesquiplane (a biplane with upper and lower wings of different lengths) with the largest span was the Caproni Ca.90 of 1929. Though its upper wingspan of 34.90 m (114 ft 6 in) was less than that of the NC-4 Curtiss; the lower wingspan of 46.60 m (152 ft 11 in) was greater. 5: Wingspan (and heaviest single-engined) Wingspan (and heaviest single-engined) Scaled Composites Model 351 Stratolaunch (or Roc) of 2019 (pictured) is the world's largest aeroplane of all in terms of wingspan, with an astonishing 384 feet (117 meters) of wing; that is over three times the distance of the Wright brothers first flight The Roc is a mothership capable of launching air-launch-to-orbit (ALTO) rockets or hypersonic aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement The Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II is the heaviest single-engined aircraft to enter operational service, with a maximum take-off weight of around 31,751kg (70,000Ib). This is the same as the maximum operating weight of the four-engined Lancaster heavy bomber 4: Biggest Flying Boat (and biggest piston-engined aircraft) Biggest Flying Boat (and biggest piston-engined aircraft) A flying boat is a seaplane with a fuselage (main body) designed for flotation. It differs from other types of floatplanes that rely on floats. Before there were large airports across the world, the flying boat was a solution to both passenger, freight and military transport. Able to land on any relatively calm and unobstructed body of water, it offered great flexibility (though they were generally draggier and less efficient in flight than an equivalent conventional aircraft). The largest ever flown was the gargantuan Hughes H-4 Hercules, popularly known as the Spruce Goose (pictured) for its partly wooden construction. It was developed by the famously eccentric business magnate Howard Hughes, whose many roles included pilot, aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, philanthropist - and (possibly) the worlds richest person for a period. 4: Biggest Flying Boat (and biggest piston-engined aircraft) Biggest Flying Boat (and biggest piston-engined aircraft) The Hercules was a prototype for a proposed transatlantic strategic transport, to ferry large numbers of soldiers (750 of them), or two M4 Sherman tanks, during the second world war. Its development time meant it was not completed in time to see active service. It was a leap up in aircraft size, with a wingspan of 319 ft 11 in (97.51 m), a length of 218 ft 8 in (66.65 m) and an empty weight of 250,000 lb (113,398 kg). Advertisement Advertisement To give an idea of how freakishly large the Hercules was, it held the record for the largest wingspan flown for the seventy-two years from 1947-2019, finally being defeated by the Scaled Composites Stratolaunch. After one brief flight, on November 2, 1947, the Hercules was cancelled; with the war ending, there was less of an urgent need for such an expensive aircraft. 3: Largest supersonic aircraft Largest supersonic aircraft The Soviet (now Russian) Tupolev Tu-160 bomber, first flown in 1981, is the heaviest supersonic aircraft ever flown, with a maximum take-off weight of 275,000 kilograms (606,271 pounds). To put this into perspective, it weighs the same as 104 fully loaded Spitfires! It is also the heaviest combat aircraft ever flown. The Tu-160 entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1987. It is interesting to note that Ukraine initially inherited nineteen Tu-160s from the former Soviet Union. It later handed over eight of these aircraft to Russia in exchange for gas debt relief in 1999, with the remainder scrapped under the NunnLugar Cooperative Threat Reduction agreement. 3: Biggest supersonic aircraft Biggest supersonic aircraft The closest American equivalent to the Tu-160 is the rather smaller B-1 bomber which is also a four-engined supersonic variable geometry (swing-) wing strategic bomber. But the B-1 is smaller than the largest US supersonic bomber, and the largest supersonic aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement The longest supersonic aircraft, beating the Tu-160 by around two metres, was the North American XB-70 Valkyrie of 1965 (pictured). It measured around 185 ft 0 in (56.39 m) on the ground, but likely measured more at trisonic speeds. The XB-70 aircraft was also the largest aircraft to exceed Mach 3 (we will treat the Space Shuttle as a spacecraft). 2: Biggest aircraft flown in the second world war: Douglas XB-19 Douglas XB-19 The Douglas XB-19, which first flew on 27 June 1941, was an experimental long-range bomber and among the most significant aircraft flying in World War II. The super-bomber had a wingspan of 212 ft 0 in (64.62 m), comfortably twice that of the sizable Avro Lancaster. The massive wings had an area of 4,285 sq. ft (398.1 m2), which it needed to lug the massive maximum take-off weight of 162,000 lb (73,482 kg) into the air. To again compare it to the Avro Lancaster bomber, it was twice the weight, plus an additional 13 metric tons. In this photo, the DC-3 nearby looks tiny in comparison 2: Biggest aircraft flown in the second world war: Douglas XB-19 Douglas XB-19 What wasnt so impressive about the XB-19 was its power; even with four Wright R-3350-5 Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, generating 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) each, the XB-19 was woefully underpowered. Replacement of the engines with something beefier was desperately needed. Advertisement Advertisement The Allison V-3420, which was essentially a pair of Allison V-1710 engines sharing a crankcase, was the choice of replacement engine, but the XB-19 was still a slouch and beset by technical problems. It also now looked decidedly old-fashioned. It never entered service and was scrapped in 1946. 2: Biggest aircraft flown in the second world war: Blohm & Voss BV 238 Blohm & Voss BV 238 Though the XB-19 had the longest wingspan of the war, in terms of length and weight, it was later outdone by the German Blohm & Voss BV 238 Flying Boat of 1944. This had a maximum take-off weight of 100,000 kg (220,462 lb) and a length of 43.35 m (142 ft 3 in). 1: Biggest of all Biggest of all The Hindenburg class airships were the largest aircraft ever built, and their scale is almost incomprehensible to modern minds as they were nearly a quarter of a kilometre long! They measured 245.3 m (803 ft 10 in) which is three times longer than a Boeing 747, or almost twelve Lancaster bombers! An airship is a type of aerostat (lighter-than-air) aircraft that can navigate flying under its own power. Airships use buoyancy from a lifting gas less dense than air to stay airborne. Before reliable and comfortable long-distance airliners, airships offered a faster alternative to ships. They also provided extraordinary luxury. 1: Biggest of all Biggest of all The Hindenberg was created by the Zeppelin Company (Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH) on the shores of Lake Constance in Germany, and was operated by the German Zeppelin Airline Company (Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei). The first in the class, LZ 129, first flew on March 4, 1936, the second, LZ 130, on September 14, 1938. LZ 129 was named in honour of Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, the President of Germany from 1925 until his death in 1934. The LZ 129 Hindenburg story ended in disaster on May 6, 1937, when LZ 129 Hindenburg burst into flames while landing at Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey. Thirty-six people were killed in the massive fireball. As large airliners became available, the airship age, with its slow, flamboyant grandeur, ended. Follow Joe Coles on Substack, Twitter X or Blue Sky. His superb Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is available here. If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> Britains three V-bombers were created as part of Britains nuclear deterrent in the Cold War. Of these, the Vulcan is the best known. Despite the grim primary reason for the Avro Vulcan bomber - nuclear warfare - the charismatic aircraft was, and is, much loved. Famous for its thunderous roar, massive delta wing and spritely performance, it developed a cult of devoted fans likely to last for hundreds of years. The aircraft was a remarkable achievement, even more so considering work began as early as the 1940s. Here are ten incredible features of the Vulcan bomber: 10: Timing Timing It is often noted that there were a mere ten years between the introduction of the angular Avro Lancaster bomber to the RAF in 1942, and the space-age Vulcans first flight on 30 August 1952. There is a reason this is often repeated, as this was an incredible achievement; in this short period, Avro had leapt from 282 mph bombers to ones capable of 646 mph! Advertisement Advertisement Sir Sydney Camm, designer of the Hawker Hurricane, said of the cancelled TSR-2 bomber: "All modern aircraft have four dimensions: span, length, height, and politics. TSR-2 simply got the first three right." Camm missed out another important dimension: time. As well as getting the four dimensions Camm mentioned right, the Avro Vulcan also enjoyed excellent timing. 10: Timing Timing Another aspect of the Vulcans immaculate timing was that it was available as a part of the British independent nuclear deterrent force in the late 1950s, two years ahead of the Handley Page Victor. The Vulcan appeared at a critical moment in the Cold War. The Vulcan was also lucky in arriving early enough to miss the controversial 1957 Defence White Paper, which (prematurely) decreed manned military aircraft obsolete. This paper effectively ended work on the later (Mach 3-capable) Avro 730 bomber/ reconnaissance aircraft. 9: Blue Steel Blue Steel Despite the Vulcans impressive performance, the RAF knew the bomber would still be vulnerable to a new generation of Soviet surface-to-air missiles and air defence fighters. Flying directly over a well-defended target was particularly dangerous; what was needed was a stand-off weapon launched a safer distance away from the target. Advertisement Advertisement Avro, the manufacturer of the Vulcan, responded to this requirement by creating the Blue Steel missile. Blue Steel was part of the Rainbow Code series of names for British military projects, which included the rather brilliantly named Indigo Corkscrew. Blue Steel was a rocket-propelled nuclear-armed missile launched from beneath the Vulcan. It was a massive weapon, 10.7 m (35 ft) long and weighing over three tons. Its warhead was the terrifying Red Snow thermonuclear weapon with a destructive effect akin to over one million tons of TNT. The missile could reach colossal speeds of up to Mach 3. Blue Steel was only in service for seven years, in which it proved unreliable and cumbersome to prepare. It was retired on 31 December 1970, when the United Kingdom's strategic nuclear capacity passed to the Royal Navys Polaris submarine fleet. 8: Performance Performance The Vulcan remains much loved, and much of this affection comes from what an impressive airshow performer it was, thanks to its dramatic cloaked appearance, thunderous car-alarm-inducing howl and sparkling performance. Whereas most bombers are rather sluggish, the Vulcan handled more like a giant fighter. Advertisement Advertisement The low wing loading and relatively high-thrust-to-weight ratio imbued the Vulcan with astonishing manoeuvrability for an aircraft of its size and weight, especially at high altitudes. At higher altitudes, the Vulcan proved a frustratingly manoeuvrable target for fighter aircraft practicing intercepts. Its high-altitude performance was truly remarkable, with reports of aircraft reaching as high 60,000 feet (18,288 metres). The Vulcan was faster than the US Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and had the range to hit targets in the Soviet Union from bases in Britain. Other benefits of the Vulcans big wing and great power included an impressively short runway performance. Unusually for a large aircraft of the time, and telling of its handling, it was controlled by a fighter-style stick rather than a large control yoke (see photo). 7: The sound! The sound! Ask anyone who was lucky enough to see the Vulcan in flight (or even witnessed the testing the engines on the ground, for that matter), and they will be enthused about its thunderous noise. The Vulcans raucous howl was a beguiling thing - but what caused the Vulcans wonderful noise, and distinctive howl? Advertisement Advertisement We spoke to Michael Carley, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Bath, whose main research interests are aeroacoustics and numerical modelling of vortex-dominated flows and acoustics. Meaning he is the perfect person to answer this question. 7: The sound! The sound! According to Carley, The Vulcan engine is loud because it is small. Jet engines generate thrust from the product of mass flow rate and exhaust velocity. If your engine is small, the exhaust velocity needs to be large for a given thrust, and noise increases very rapidly with jet exhaust speed (that is one reason why modern aircraft use two large engines rather than four smaller ones, if they can). The howl comes from acoustic resonance in the air intakes. This gets compared to the sound you hear when you blow over the top of a bottle, but a better comparison might be to the sound from the wind when it blows over cavities and round buildings, to the exhaust or intake noise from a high-performance car or bike, or at a push, to some musical instruments. 6: QRA QRA The Royal Air Force had a large number of Vulcans in the 1960s, offering a formidable deterrent force. Nine frontline squadrons and one training unit were equipped with the type. From 1962, The V-Force reached a heightened state of operational readiness with the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) status. Advertisement Advertisement This meant one bomber from each squadron was always theoretically at cockpit readiness (this was later increased to two). If news of an attack on the UK or the start of nuclear hostilities, the QRA aircraft would be in the air to counterattack in minutes. 6: QRA QRA The Vulcan was arguably the best of the V-Force bombers for Quick Reaction Alert. It could start all four of its engines, with flight instruments and flying controls brought online, in twenty seconds at the touch of a single button. When we spoke to former RAF Vulcan navigator Mike Looseley he noted of the quick start, It originally could be initiated by the crew chief from the power set outside the aircraft, but after an unfortunate event involving lost aircraft door keys, we didn't do that much. 5: Operation Black Buck Operation Black Buck When RAF Vulcans carried out the Operation Black Buck attacks on targets in the Falklands Islands in 1982, they were the longest-distance bombing raids ever conducted. The target was Port Stanley airfield and its defences, a staggering 7600 miles (12,200 km) and 16-hour round-trip. Advertisement Advertisement If this wasnt already hard enough, the RAF Vulcans were close to retirement and ill-equipped for modern warfare. Many of the parts needed were not fitted, and parts were scrounged from any available source, including a museum! Black Buck was launched from RAF Ascension Island, a volcanic island in the South Atlantic Ocean. The mission required an incredibly complex air refuelling plan. 5: Operation Black Buck Operation Black Buck There was no guarantee of success, and the Vulcan had not yet been tested in combat. It would face formidable air defences. Armed with unguided bombs and Shrike anti-radar missiles, the Black Buck missions overcame almost catastrophic bad luck to succeed in what was and may remain, the most complex air attack mission plan. Despite the odds, five of the seven Black Buck missions succeeded in making attacks. The Black Buck missions are somewhat controversial, with some believing the massive effort was pointless and others that the raids had a powerful deterrent effect on Argentinian military actions. 4: Testbed Testbed The Vulcans high ground clearance, relatively high top speed and excellent high-altitude performance made it a handy platform for the testing of high-performance jet engines. In this way, the Vulcan has made massive contributions to three extremely significant aircraft projects, two military and one civil. Advertisement Advertisement One of the most technologically daunting tasks of creating the Concorde supersonic airliner was designing its remarkable engines. In 1966, the Vulcan air-tested Concordes Olympus 593. The 593 was an evolution of the engine developed for Britains cancelled bomber, the supersonic TSR-2, which also benefitted from engine testbed work performed by the Vulcan. 4: Testbed Testbed The Vulcan greatly contributed to the development programme of the Panavia Tornado fighter-bomber. The Tornados Turbo Union RB199 turbofan engine (pictured) was flight-tested using an Avro Vulcan with the engine installed in a nacelle representative of that of the Tornado aircraft. The Vulcan first flew with the RB199 nacelle fitted in 1972. Another Tornado technology tested on the Avro Vulcan was the Mauser 27mm automatic cannon used on the Panavia Tornado (and later Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet, Saab Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon). The gun was fitted along with the RB199 nacelle to test gun gas ingestion. 3: Avro 707 Avro 707 At the time of the Vulcans development, little was known about the qualities of delta (triangular) wings. While the delta wing offered potential advantages both structurally and aerodynamically at higher speeds, some very serious questions relating to safety and handling at lower speeds remained. Advertisement Advertisement As well as being a delta, the proposed bomber was tailless. A tailless aircraft has no other horizontal aerodynamic surface besides its main wing. Tailless aircraft offered a decrease in drag and were very fashionable at the time, with many being impressed by the speeds achieved by the tailless Messerschmitt Me 163 of World War II. 3: Avro 707 Avro 707 Tailless aircraft had been flown in the early 20th century by the aviation innovator (and philosopher) J. W. Dunne, but high-speed jets were a new breed. To research the flying qualities of the tailless delta for the Vulcan project, Avro built the 707 experimental aircraft series. The 707 was 1/3 the size of the Vulcan. The first 707 flew on 4 September 1949. However, 26 days later, during a test flight, the first prototype crashed near Blackbushe. Squadron Leader Samuel Eric Esler, DFC, AE was killed. Five 707s were built in total, and they explored various aspects of tailless delta flight. 2: Wing Wing The Vulcan was one of the first delta-winged aircraft to enter operational service. It entered service in September 1956, following the service entry of two delta fighters: the British Gloster Javelin in February and the US Convair F-102 in April. Delta wings offer great strength and a large internal volume which can contain fuel or engines (both in the case of the Vulcan). The Vulcans iconic triangular or delta wing is its most distinctive feature; this vast structure has an area of 3554 sq ft (330.2 m2). Advertisement Advertisement The delta wing is a highly unusual feature for an aircraft that travels slower than the speed of sound, like the Vulcan. One of the reasons the delta was adopted was that it allowed the required stiffness using the trusted manufacturing techniques then known; the rival Victors crescent wing required the development of spot-welded honeycomb structures. 2: Wing Wing Early Vulcans had a straight leading edge (the front of the wing that first contacts the air). This had aerodynamic issues, so was replaced with a kinked leading edge for the B.1 and B.1A variants. The B.2 took this approach further and increased the overall wing area. 1: Sky Shield Sky Shield In the early 1960s, NORAD (North American Air Defense) Command and CONAD (Continental Air Defense) wanted to determine how well North America could defend itself from large-scale attacks from the air. Exercise Sky Shield was held to answer this important question, a vast training exercise involving hundreds of aircraft simulating intruding Soviet bombers. RAF Avro Vulcan B.2s participated in Sky Shield II in 1961, simulating Soviet heavy bombers operating at extremely high altitudes 56,000 ft (17,000 m), while B-52 simultaneously attacked at 35,00042,000 ft (11,00013,000 m) along with lower-level B-47 Stratojets. 1: Sky Shield Sky Shield The Vulcans combined the high altitude with extremely effective electronic jamming to evade successful detection. A 27 Sqn Vulcan, flying from Bermuda, evaded the defending USAF F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors, and effortlessly landed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York. A northern force of four Vulcans also did well, with all their aircraft landing in Newfoundland. Not a single Vulcan was lost to defending forces, and there was very little in the way of successfully detecting the Vulcans. Sky Shield II was a massive feather in the cap for the Vulcan force, and a huge wake-up call for NORAD. It wasn't until 1997 that most of the Sky Shield II results were declassified: no more than one-fourth of bombers in Sky Shield II would have been intercepted, and none of the Vulcans. The Vulcan was retired from RAF service in 1984; one (XH558) went on being operated for display purposes until 1993. It was restored by a civilian team, which operated it at air displays between 2008 and 2015. It now resides at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Follow Joe Coles on Substack, Twitter X or Blue Sky. His superb Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is available here. If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> ASHEVILLE - An 18-year-old was found dead near a Candler residence on Dec. 12, according to a Dec. 14 news release from the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. At 3:39 p.m. Dec. 12, sheriff's deputies responded to a request to assist Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center at 69 Gilbert B Crook Road in Candler regarding a person found dead. Upon arrival, deputies identified the person as Joseph Rose, who had been reported to the Asheville Police Department as being missing earlier. Rose was found in the "field/woods" near the residence, according to the incident report. Advertisement Advertisement "The circumstances of Roses death are under investigation at this time. We will release more information as we can," the news statement said. The Citizen Times contacted the Sheriff's Office to ask whether foul play was suspected in the death. Spokesperson Matt Marshall said he did not have that information. "BCSO personnel are committed to finding answers through a thorough investigation. These can take time and we appreciate the continued patience for us to follow through with that process, Sheriff's Office District 2 Capt. Chris Stockton said in the news release. "Our agencys heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Mr. Rose." This story will be updated. Advertisement Advertisement More: Buncombe jail officer fired for policy violation amid detainee release More: Another Buncombe County Sheriff employee arrested on assault charge This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 18-year-old found dead near Candler home, Buncombe Sheriff Office says LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) Three men have been taken to a local hospital after they were injured in a shooting that happened on Swancy Street in Longview on Saturday, according to the Longview Police Department. One dead after 18-wheeler crash on Highway 271 near Interstate 20 Longview PD said officers responded to a shooting that was reported in the 700 block of Swancy Street at around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. When officers arrived at the scene of the shooting they found three men who had been shot. Advertisement Advertisement According to a press release from Longview PD, the three men suffered non-life threatening injuries and were taken by the Longview Fire Department to be treated at a local hospital. Officials said investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident and theyve identified a suspect. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Longview PD at 903-237-1199. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. At least 50 Indiana counties are under a travel advisory, and 20 counties were issued a travel watch for Dec. 14, following an overnight snow storm. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) travel advisory map has each county shaded in red for a travel warning, orange for a travel watch, yellow for a travel advisory and gray for a county without an elevated status report on it's current travel conditions. Here's how you can check your county to see where it lands on the map. Travel advisory According to DHS, a travel advisory is the lowest level of a related advisory. Advertisement Advertisement "Routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation, and individuals should use caution or avoid those areas," the department says on its website. Watch advisory According to DHS, a watch advisory is issued when conditions are threatening to a countys safety. "Only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended, and emergency action plans should be implemented by businesses, schools, government agencies and other organizations," the departments website states. Warning advisory According to DHS, a warning advisory is the highest level of a related advisory, where people may be told not to travel at all. Advertisement Advertisement "Travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only," the departments website states. Here's the winter weather info you need Indiana Weather Alerts: Warnings, Watches and Advisories. Indiana power outage map: How to check your status. Internet outages: How to track them. What you should and shouldn't do when the power is out. Your neighbor left their pet outside. Who you should call. Indianapolis weather radar Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Is your Indiana county under a travel advisory? See map SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Motorists were backed up for miles along Interstate 65 from Sumner County into Robertson County Sunday afternoon due to an overturned semi. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the southbound lanes of I-65 were closed at mile marker 99 just before Exit 98 due to the incident, which was reported shortly before 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts (Courtesy: TDOT) A TDOT official said the semi that overturned was hauling horses, all of which were contained and loaded onto trailers with some help from the Tennessee Department of Agricultures Disaster Animal Response Team. Advertisement Advertisement The Goodlettsville Fire Department said several units were dispatched to the scene of the crash, but motorists were encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Based on TDOTs SmartWay map, traffic was delayed well past mile marker 105.5 on I-65 South. However, a diversion route was set up at Exit 104 with all southbound lanes and shoulders blocked, as well as the exit ramp, on I-65 South in Robertson County. (Courtesy: TDOT) The TDOT representative posted shortly after 4 p.m. that crews were still working to remove the crashed semi and debris from the road, but at 4:54 p.m., she announced all lanes had reopened on the interstate. Advertisement Advertisement No additional details have been confirmed about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. 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 WKRN News 2. Local jeweler and gemologist Jann van der Veen was OK not making a sale, his son recalled. His thing was, the inventory will speak for itself, it doesnt need me to talk to the customers, van der Veens son Christopher Korbel told The News Tribune at van der Veen Jewelers on Dec. 11. ... He would only purchase quality jewelry to sell. Pictures of the van der Veen Jewelers founder show a tall, lanky man with white hair beaming in a bluish-gray blazer over a button-up and blue jeans. In the months following van der Veens death, loyal customers have trickled through the store, remembering how much they enjoyed visiting with him and hearing his stories of growing up in Amsterdam. The Dutch man was born in March 1945, just before the end of German occupation of Amsterdam during World War II, and immigrated to the U.S. with his mother and three sisters, his son told The News Tribune. Advertisement Advertisement Van der Veen died due to health complications on April 22, according to a GoFundMe established to support his family and their medical bills. He was 80 years old. Now, his family is preparing to shutter the store, located at 4711 Point Fosdick Dr. in the Uptown Gig Harbor shopping center. The stores last day is Dec. 23, and customers can receive discounts of up to 75% off as part of their closing sale. Founder Jann Van der Veen, left, and staff jeweler, David Wakely, right, stand at the entrance to van der Veen Jewelers in Gig Harbor, Wash. in this photo posted to the stores Facebook Friday, Sept. 9, 2022. The store will close after Dec. 23, 2025. (van der Veen Jewelers/Courtesy) The store in Uptown opened in 2014, according to the release. Being in the Gig Harbor community has been a dream achieved, van der Veen reportedly said when the store opened, according to the release. We love providing our experience and expertise in our hometown nothing is more satisfying than sharing your trade and passion with people you know and your neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement The release went on to say that van der Veen often spoke of how much he valued the relationships he was able to form with people through the years as they purchased jewelry to mark special occasions in their lives or just to add sparkle to their days. Glass cases inside Van der Veen Jewelers showcase an array of necklaces, rings, delicate chains and precious stones. The store sells fine jewelry, travel, bridal and estate pieces, carrying several brands including Gabriel & Co., the No. 1 fine jewelry designer in the US 6 years in a row, the website says. The store also provides jewelry repair, custom design, appraisal and watch repair services, as well as free jewelry cleaning services for walk-ins, according to their website. Diamond bands on display at van der Veen Jewelers in Gig Harbor, Wash., Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. (Julia Park/jpark@thenewstribune.com) Korbel, his son, said he was five years old when his stepfather began to enter the jewelry business. Van der Veen joined the industry in 1972 and became a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Graduate Certified Gemologist and master jeweler, according to the press release. Advertisement Advertisement He ran several stores over a career of over 50 years, starting with his first store in southern California in the 1980s, the release said. He also opened Diamond Expressions in Federal Way in 2000, which is now closed; and a store on Bainbridge Island called van der Veen Jewelry and Kadootjes. Asked about van der Veens favorite pieces, his son Korbel said it would probably always be diamonds. Though the store carries them now, Van der Veen resisted selling lab-grown diamonds, preferring the natural stones but seeking diamonds mined without cruelty, Korbel said. The store hasnt updated their open hours on their website leading up to the closing. Kristen Dodd, assisting with the stores marketing, wrote in an email that the plan is to operate 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Korbel, a retired teacher, doesnt have his stepfathers knowledge of precious stones, but his instinct is that van der Veen gave too good of deals. I wouldnt be surprised if oftentimes, his very loyal customers would receive the same discount that his family members received, Korbel said. UPDATE: At least 2 people dead, several hurt in Brown University shooting Editors note: This story was updated at 5:44 p.m. to clarify earlier information regarding the suspects custody status. An active shooter was reported at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday night, according to reports from The Brown Daily Herald and several local stations. The shooting happened near Barus and Holley before 5 p.m. on Dec. 13, on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, the student newspaper reported. The building houses the School of Engineering and the Physics Department, WCVB reported. Advertisement Advertisement Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT as a last resort, take action to protect yourself, an alert sent to students obtained by the outlet read. Multiple people were seen lying on the ground by the Sciences Library and were being helped by police, the newspaper reported. The schools department of public safety urged students to hide, run or evacuate the campus. More News Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Buried in the news cycle on the night before Election Day, New York City released shocking new data: Close to 22,000 fewer students had enrolled in public schools this fall. It was the first significant enrollment decline since the school system stabilized after the COVID-19 pandemic era, down by 2.4% citywide. The last time the number of students fell as much was an even greater drop during the 2021-22 school year: 3.8%. School officials did not explain the preliminary data at the time, but Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos deduced in a recent interview that it was tied to concerns about affordability and immigration. While young families have been steadily leaving New York due to the high costs of raising children, new students were moving in during the most recent immigration surge. Advertisement Advertisement Now, amid the Trump administrations crackdown, that surge is ebbing. When families are thriving and they can afford to live in New York City, then they select the public schools in their neighborhoods, Aviles-Ramos told the Daily News. Weve done a lot to strengthen programming in our schools. But with (Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdanis) affordability agenda, we should definitely see an increase in student enrollment, and hopefully support around our immigrant families and our undocumented families will make them feel comfortable and safe in New York City. While other considerations, such as declining birth rates and demand for more rigorous academics, are likely factors as well, the stakes are high to stop the bleeding in a system where school budgets are funded per pupil. Principals who serve fewer students, and therefore receive less funding, can struggle to offer a variety of classes and extracurriculars. Advertisement Advertisement Since the pandemic, both Mayor Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio have experimented with funding schools at the same levels if they enroll fewer students, but the policy has only been implemented on an ad hoc basis. Eventually, schools may face mergers with other programs or outright closures if the finances become untenable. Some already have. Affordability Its no secret that New York City is an expensive place to raise a child. But the pace at which families are leaving has become one of the most talked-about issues in New York politics, fueled in no small part by Mamdanis successful campaign focus on affordability concerns. Research suggests the exodus is driven by the parents of young children, though some families with school-aged kids appear to be moving out as well. The number of students discharged to schools outside the city spiked in 2021-22, the same school year as the last major citywide enrollment decline. Students in poverty were more likely to move to more affordable states and regions Pennsylvania and the South than within New York state, the data showed at the time. The chancellors spokesperson did not provide the latest data in time for publication. Advertisement Advertisement That said, large shares of former public school parents have self-reported leaving the city. In a new survey of families who pulled their kids out of school, 40% said they moved out of the city altogether citing housing needs as often as educational concerns. Immigration But as some families were leaving, a new group of students were enrolling in local schools, keeping systemwide enrollment afloat. At the height of the migrant crisis, while Mayor Eric Adams warned the financial strain could destroy New York City, the chancellors predecessor David Banks struck a different tone: He called their arrival a godsend at a critical moment when enrollment losses threatened to shutter a number of beloved schools. Since then, the national and local contexts have changed. Advertisement Advertisement The pace of migration has slowed as entry at the southern border was tightened up during President Trumps second term. Meanwhile, as part of the presidents broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants, federal officials have arrested at least 140 children in the New York City area through mid-October, according to federal data obtained by the Deportation Data Project at the University of California, Berkeley. Anecdotally, other immigrant families have self-deported or moved out of New York, according to Aviles-Ramos, who before serving as chancellor was the point-person at the public schools on the migrant crisis. Local shelters limited their stays, then closed altogether, sometimes driving families beyond the city limits. The increase that we had a couple years after COVID was due to an influx of families seeking asylum, and we know that many of those families are leaving New York City, Aviles-Ramos said. So, theres no surprise that were seeing a decline in enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Public schools dont ask or track immigration status, but the limited data supports her reasoning: Enrollment plunged by 11% this year at dozens of schools that were more likely to receive migrant students, compared to 2% citywide, according to a recent Chalkbeat analysis. While schools cant change federal policy, Aviles-Ramos said teachers and school staff are going the extra mile to keep immigrant families in school: Checking for ICE, escorting students, or otherwise easing their anxieties. A spokeswoman for the chancellor pointed to several initiatives a buddy system between immigrant students and their classmates, staff teams known as Dream Squads, and public school alumni known as Immigrant Ambassadors that are all focused on supporting migrants. They are going outside the building and in the surrounding blocks and seeing if ICE is outside, Aviles-Ramos said. Some schools have walking school buses, which is amazing. If there were an opportunity to expand things like that, she added, we would probably see an increase in attendance. _____ The deterioration of the Paul E. Werner mausoleum at Glendale Cemetery, as reported in the Beacon Journal on Nov. 2, is one more sad blow to the memory of this industrial pioneer who contributed so much to late 19th- and early 20th-century Akron. Another is the failure to act on Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akrons petition to name the new state Route 8 bridge the Paul E. Werner Memorial Bridge (Beacon Journal, May 5, 2023). Werner Office Building The Werner Publishing Co. was located on Perkins Street at the southbound exit ramp. Its production facilities were demolished some years ago. The office building at the northeast corner of Perkins and Union streets survived until it was summarily razed in early September 2020 despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Advertisement Advertisement It is not too late to provide for a memorial plaque at the entrance to the new bridge or to raise funds for restoration of the mausoleum. I have written my Ohio legislators, Sen. Casey Weinstein and Rep. Veronica Sims, asking that they introduce legislation for the bridge naming so that the Ohio Department of Transportation will act. Robert A. Dill, Stow This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron should honor memory of industrialist, publisher Werner | Letter FAIRHOPE, Pa. A Washington, D.C.-based animal rights group thats engaged in an ongoing legal battle with the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has filed a petition in Somerset County court, alleging that two elephants are being kept unlawfully. The Nonhuman Rights Project filed the habeas corpus writ this week, arguing the African elephants, named Victoria and Zuri, are being inhumanely confined and forced to breed at the zoos International Conservation Center in Somerset County. Victoria and Zuri now face not only the profound physical and psychological harms inherent in confinement under the ICCs unnatural conditions, but also the trauma associated with forced breeding, the organization wrote in the 100-page document. Advertisement Advertisement Pittsburgh Zoo communications officials responded Friday in a statement noting that the zoo earned accreditation in 2024 from the nationally recognized Association of Zoos & Aquariums and follows all AZA standards for the care of resident animals. The Nonhuman Rights Project has been active across the U.S. at the state court level in recent years, arguing that animals are beings with constitutional rights. The organization drew headlines in 2022 when it challenged the confinement of a Bronx Zoo elephant named Happy. After a lower court ruled against the organization, New Yorks Supreme Court affirmed the ruling, writing that while animals deserve proper care, habeas corpus rights apply to human beings and not to animals. The Pittsburgh Zoos International Conservation Center is located near Fairhope in rural southeastern Somerset County. The site spans nearly 1,000 acres, supporting a mission aimed at protecting African elephants and repopulating the endangered animals numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Our contributions to breeding have had a major positive impact on the North American population our male, Jackson, is tied to nearly 50% of the births over the past decade, the zoo wrote on the International Conservation Center website. The center is also used for education, enabling groups to tour the site and see the animals in a natural, open environment. In a statement, Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, defended the Pittsburgh Zoos work and the AZAs own accrediting standards. Accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums is the global gold standard, Ashe said in a statement forwarded by Pittsburgh Zoo officials. As with all AZA-accredited members, animal care and well-being is the hallmark of Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and the elephants there are thriving under the compassionate care of their dedicated and expert professional staff. Advertisement Advertisement The zoo announced plans to add two more elephants, Victoria and Zuri, to the center in mid-October, saying it would add additional companionship and enable further growth of the Somerset County-based herd. The Nonhuman Rights Projects filing objects to what it describes as invasive, controlled birthing procedures. The organization is asking the Somerset County courts to compel Pittsburgh Zoo officials to appear in court for a hearing to show cause to justify the unlawful confinement of the elephants. Its also asking the court to take action and have the elephants released into the wild or transferred to a Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries-accredited location. No decisions had been issued on the matter as of this week. Dec. 13The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals has ordered the Morgan County Circuit Court to rule by Tuesday on a motion from attorneys for a Hartselle man convicted of attempting to murder his wife by poisoning. The defense is seeking to supplement and correct the record on appeal, according to an order issued Tuesday by Presiding Judge Mary B. Windom. Brian Thomas Mann, 37, was convicted in June of attempted murder for allegedly poisoning his wife, Hannah Pettey Mann, over a five-month period, investigators said. He was sentenced in August to life in prison and remained in the Morgan County Jail as of Thursday morning. Advertisement Advertisement According to a motion filed Dec. 1 by Mann's attorneys, two defense exhibits were omitted from the certified record on appeal. The defense argues the missing items must be included for the appellate court to fully review the case. The motion also asks that the clerk's record be supplemented with all trial exhibits and that two exhibits introduced by the state be removed from the record. Windom wrote that failure by the trial court to rule on the motion by Tuesday will constitute a denial under the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure. The appellate court also stayed the briefing schedule while the motion is pending. If the trial court grants the request, the supplemental record which would not include a trial transcript must be filed with the Court of Criminal Appeals within 21 days of the order, the court said. At Mann's sentencing, Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said Mann will eventually be transferred to Kilby Correctional Facility in Montgomery, the state's intake and evaluation center for male inmates, before being assigned to a long-term state prison. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said Mann poisoned his wife over several months by secretly placing lead into vitamin capsules he gave her. Doctors at UAB Hospital later diagnosed her with severe lead poisoning, concluding the substance could only have entered her body through ingestion, according to trial testimony. She was hospitalized there from Jan. 18, 2022, to March 3, 2022, according to her neurologist at the hospital. Authorities said Mann had taken out multiple life insurance policies on his wife while she was ill and attempted to conceal her worsening condition. He was arrested in September 2022 and charged with attempted murder following an investigation by the Hartselle Police Department. Mann was released on a $500,000 bond later that month, but the bond was revoked after his conviction. wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442. A suspect has reportedly been arrested, according to Arab media. Armed Gazans killed a member of Hamas's security forces in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, Israel public broadcaster KAN News reported on Sunday, citing Arabic media sources. A suspect has reportedly been arrested, according to Arab media. Ghassan Duhine (center) with members of the anti-Hamas Abu Shabab militia in the Gaza Strip, September 2025. (credit: Screenshot/Facebook/Ghassan Duhine) Anti-Hamas Abu Shabab militia will continue fighting Hamas Last week, Ghassan al-Duhaini, the new leader of the anti-Hamas Abu Shabab militia, told N12 News that his militia would continue to fight Hamas in southern Gaza with greater intensity. Advertisement Advertisement "Why would I be afraid of Hamas when I am fighting Hamas? Dahini told N12. I fight them, arrest their people, confiscate their equipment, and push them away. I do what they deserve in the name of the people and the free individuals. Footage of Dahini greeting members of his militia circulated on Telegram after the announcement. "The purpose of the video that was published is simple and clear: to show that the Popular Forces continue to operate, he told N12. It was meant to show readiness, to check the status of the forces and the guys there with high morale." BEIRUT (AP) A man who carried out an attack in Syria that killed three U.S. citizens had joined Syrias internal security forces as a base security guard two months earlier and was recently reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with the Islamic State group, a Syrian official told The Associated Press Sunday. The attack Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra killed two U.S. service members and one American civilian and wounded three others. It also wounded three members of the Syrian security forces who clashed with the gunman, interior ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba said. Al-Baba said that Syrias new authorities had faced shortages in security personnel and had to recruit rapidly after the unexpected success of a rebel offensive last year that intended to capture the northern city of Aleppo but ended up overthrowing the government of former President Bashar Assad. Advertisement Advertisement We were shocked that in 11 days we took all of Syria and that put a huge responsibility in front of us from the security and administration sides, he said. The attacker was among 5,000 members who recently joined a new division in the internal security forces formed in the desert region known as the Badiya, one of the places where remnants of the Islamic State extremist group have remained active. Attacker had raised suspicions Al-Baba said the internal security forces leadership had recently become suspicious that there was an infiltrator leaking information to IS and began evaluating all members in the Badiya area. Advertisement Advertisement The probe raised suspicions last week about the man who later carried out the attack, but officials decided to continue monitoring him for a few days to try to determine if he was an active member of IS and to identify the network he was communicating with if so, al-Baba said. He did not name the attacker. At the same time, as a precautionary measure, he said, the man was reassigned to guard equipment at the base at a location where he would be farther from the leadership and from any patrols by U.S.-led coalition forces. On Saturday, the man stormed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards, al-Baba said. The attacker was shot and killed at the scene. Al-Baba acknowledged that the incident was a major security breach but said that in the year since Assads fall there have been many more successes than failures by security forces. Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of the shooting, he said, the Syrian army and internal security forces launched wide-ranging sweeps of the Badiya region and broke up a number of alleged IS cells. The interior ministry said in a statement later that five suspects were arrested in the city of Palmyra. A delicate partnership The incident comes at a delicate time as the U.S. military is expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces. The U.S. has had forces on the ground in Syria for over a decade, with a stated mission of fighting IS, with about 900 troops present there today. Before Assads ouster, Washington had no diplomatic relations with Damascus and the U.S. military did not work directly with the Syrian army. Its main partner at the time was the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the countrys northeast. Advertisement Advertisement That has changed over the past year. Ties have warmed between the administrations of U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the former leader of an Islamist insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that used to be listed by Washington as a terrorist organization. In November, al-Sharaa became the first Syrian president to visit Washington since the countrys independence in 1946. During his visit, Syria announced its entry into the global coalition against the Islamic State, joining 89 other countries that have committed to combating the group. U.S. officials have vowed retaliation against IS for the attack but have not publicly commented on the fact that the shooter was a member of the Syrian security forces. Critics of the new Syrian authorities have pointed to Saturdays attack as evidence that the security forces are deeply infiltrated by IS and are an unreliable partner. Advertisement Advertisement Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, an advocacy group that seeks to build closer relations between Washington and Damascus, said that is unfair. Despite both having Islamist roots, HTS and IS were enemies and often clashed over the past decade. Among former members of HTS and allied groups, Moustafa, said, Its a fact that even those who carry the most fundamentalist of beliefs, the most conservative within the fighters, have a vehement hatred of ISIS. The coalition between the United States and Syria is the most important partnership in the global fight against ISIS because only Syria has the expertise and experience to deal with this, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Later Sunday, Syria's state-run news agency SANA reported that four members of the internal security forces were killed and a fifth was wounded after gunmen opened fire on them in the city of Maarat al-Numan in Idlib province. It was not immediately clear who the gunmen were or whether the attack was linked to the Saturday's shooting. At least 15 people have been killed in a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, with one of the gunmen also dead, Australian authorities confirmed. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denounced the attack as "an act of pure evil" and "evil antisemitism" that targeted the Jewish community on the first night of Hanukkah. Two gunmen opened fire on around 1,000 people attending a Chabad-organised event called "Chanukah by the Sea" at the famous beach on Sunday evening. One shooter, aged 50, was killed by police at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement A second suspect, 24, is in critical condition in hospital. The two were later identified as a father and son. At least 40 people were injured, including two police officers who were shot while responding to the attack. Among the victims killed are a 12-year-old girl, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who helped organise the event, Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, and French citizen Dan Elkayam. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon declared the shooting a terrorist incident and said the attack was "designed to target" the Jewish community. Police confirmed the two suspects were father and son. Advertisement Advertisement Video footage verified by news outlets showed a bystander tackling one of the gunmen and wrestling his weapon away. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns praised fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, as a "genuine hero." Al-Ahmed was shot twice during the struggle and underwent surgery. Police found improvised explosive devices in a vehicle linked to one of the attackers and later removed them. Authorities are investigating whether a third person was involved. World leaders condemned the attack. French President Emmanuel Macron called it "an antisemitic terrorist attack." Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the country's "hearts go out to our Jewish sisters and brothers in Sydney." Witnesses described scenes of panic as hundreds of people fled along the beach and into nearby streets. Advertisement Advertisement The attack is the deadliest mass shooting in Australia since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, which killed 35 people and led to sweeping gun control reforms. Australia has experienced a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since October 2023, with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry documenting 1,654 anti-Jewish incidents between October 2024 and September this year. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass formally began her campaign for re-election Saturday with a rally in downtown Los Angeles, promising to make the city safer and more affordable while positioning herself as a candidate who will take on the Trump administration. Two days after the third anniversary of her swearing-in, Bass launched her campaign surrounded by family, friends and allies at the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College Culinary Arts event space. "This is just overwhelming. I have to tell you my heart is so full," she said. "This is so powerful and means so much to me because this has been a hell of a year. Advertisement Advertisement "They say we can't come together. Labor can't come together with business, and business can't come together with community, and the faith community can't come together. But we all come together always," Bass added. "And I'm proud to say that the relationships in this room aren't relationships because of the campaign. ... They are relationships because we all believe in justice." While not directly naming President Donald Trump, Bass' speech focused on her ability to stand up against the Trump administration, noting "Who would have imagined that we would have to defend ourselves from our very government?" Bass recounted the challenges Los Angeles continues to face -- the recovery from January's Palisades Fire, the ongoing housing affordability and homelessness crises, and the federal government's crackdown on illegal immigration in the city. Advertisement Advertisement The incumbent touted what she described as her accomplishments in addressing affordability through her Executive Order No. 1, codified into an ordinance earlier this month by the City Council to permanently streamline affordable housing projects; two-year reductions in street homelessness, in part, due to her signature program Inside Safe, and bringing back business to the downtown area via a permanent al fresco initiative and boosting union jobs. Bass also said the city had made progress in reducing crime and working toward its zero-emissions goal. "The city I've been in my whole life, the city that I love, I feel we have accomplished a lot, but we're not done," Bass said. "Until every Palisadian is back home. I will not rest until L.A. is affordable, until one paycheck is enough and families don't have to double up or triple up. And I will not rest until there are no Angelenos on our streets." Allies present at Bass' rally included City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, council members Hugo Soto-Martinez, Curren Price, Heather Hutt and Adrin Nazarian, as well as Assembly members Sade Elhawary, D-South L.A., Isaac Bryan, D-L.A., Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, Mike Fong, D-Alhambra, state Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas, D-South L.A., and former state Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Inglewood. Advertisement Advertisement Roxanne Hoge, chair of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, offered a different view on Bass' tenure so far. "Karen Bass should be embarrassed to ask voters to give her the keys to a car she's run into a ditch repeatedly," Hoge said in a statement. "Whether it's watching poor, mentally-ill, drug-addicted souls dying on the streets or presiding over corruption and filth in the city of Los Angeles, nothing the current mayor has done suggests she deserves a second term in office -- especially with the upcoming Olympics and World Cup about to put her dysfunction on the world stage." Three people have formally announced campaigns against Bass -- Austin Beutner, former superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District; Rae Huang, a deputy director of Housing Now California; and Asaad Alnajjar, a Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council member and longtime city employee. Advertisement Advertisement Billionaire developer Rick Caruso, who lost to Bass in the 2022 general election, has yet to announce whether he will again run for mayor or possibly run for governor instead. The election will be held June 2. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will be held Nov. 3 among the top two finishers. Beutner has questioned Bass' record on crime and development issues, and criticized the response to January's devastating Palisades Fire, telling the Los Angeles Times that the city showed a "failure of leadership" as historically strong winds spread flames through the expensive coastal enclave, gutting thousands of homes and businesses, and killing 12 people. When the fire broke out, Bass was in Ghana as part of the four-member presidential delegation attending the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as president. Advertisement Advertisement A poll of 5,184 registered voters in Los Angeles County conducted Feb. 17-26 by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found that 30% said Bass did a "very poor job" in responding to the fire, with another 14% saying she did a poor job, 18% a fair job, 12% a good job and 6% an excellent job, while 20% had no opinion. Huang has pledged "to make housing affordable for all ... make transit free, safe and fast" and "make sure that wages and work are dignified." "Mayor Bass campaigned as a pro-housing mayor but in office, she's been anti-housing. She has gone out of her way to block housing progress, allowing affordable housing projects like Venice Dell to stagnate and attempting to dismantle Measure ULA behind closed doors," Huang said in a statement. "Angelenos deserve more than this administration's halfhearted attempts to solve the housing crisis -- they deserve a mayor who will fight for residents who are struggling to survive." Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Alnajjar has said he would: --- "Resolve homelessness by going to the roots of the issues facing families that are unhoused such as drug addiction/alcoholism, loss of income due to job loss, and providing housing at a reasonable costs to the city"; -- "Fast-track affordable housing approvals and disaster rebuilding permits, cutting through bureaucracy"; and -- "Strengthen wildfire prevention and disaster readiness with modernized systems and well planned effective community-based response plans." Copyright 2025, City News Service, Inc. The premier of Bavaria, who is also the leader of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), has called on his party and democratic parties as a whole to unite in a common fight against threats from both domestic and foreign sources. In a speech that was both serious and combative at the CSU party conference in Munich on Friday, Markus Soder specifically attacked the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and once again categorically ruled out any cooperation with the anti-immigrant party. "We are being attacked like never before. Our prosperity model, our welfare state model, our democracy model. It is time to defend ourselves," Soder said in his approximately 75-minute keynote speech. "Many things stand on shaky ground. What was once indisputable is now wavering." Advertisement Advertisement He said that politics must take people's fears of decline, old-age poverty and an uncertain future seriously and protect the country from threats from both domestic and foreign sources "differently than before." The CSU - which at federal level is in a coalition with its sister party the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) - is not prepared to leave the country to the radicals, he asserted. Soder: AfD wants a different country "The AfD wants a different country, a different society," Soder said, adding that the AfD has a different understanding of the state and freedom. "They want to leave NATO and preferably fall into the arms of Russia." Advertisement Advertisement He described the AfD as Russian President Vladimir Putin's sycophants and court jesters. There must never be cooperation: "We must not become a helper, we must not become a stepping stone." Soder continued to reject a ban for the AfD: "That will bring nothing." He argued that the AfD must be challenged on content instead. Soder pointed to the successes of the CSU in Berlin in his assessment: "We are delivering continuously." Regarding the limitation of migration or the reform of welfare payments, he said: "Promises made [promises] kept." At several points, Soder demonstratively stood behind German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. "If Friedrich Merz did not exist, Europe would have no voice at all," said Soder. Advertisement Advertisement He defended controversial statements made by the chancellor in the debate about urban migration in Germany: "I think Friedrich Merz is right when he talks about how our cities look." He said much has changed in parks, main train stations, swimming pools and Christmas markets, and not for the better. "Those who deny the truth, even though citizens see it every day that is how you promote radicals," warned Soder. Economy challenged by the US and China With regard to the German economy, Soder lamented the poor situation with a recession that feels increasingly serious. He said the German export model is challenged by tariffs in the United States, a country on whose friendship Germany could once rely. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, he said China is exploiting its raw material power and turning the "old game of economic relations around." "It is not us exporting more and more to China, but China more and more to us," he said. Regarding the Ukraine war, Soder spoke out against a peace treaty at the expense of Ukraine. He argued that a capitulation of Ukraine, a second Munich Agreement, would not lead to peace. in the 1938 Munich Agreement, Czechoslovakia was forced to cede its German-speaking Sudetenland to Nazi Germany in what is seen as a failed effort by the United Kingdom, France and Italy to appease Adolf Hitler at Czechoslovakia's expense. Advertisement Advertisement Soder was reconfirmed as head of the party at the conference with 83.6% of the votes cast - his worst result to date in an election without an opponent. For the 58-year-old, it is his fifth term as party leader. It was a warm end to the weekend, but significant changes are ahead to start the work week. A strong cold front will leave the area this evening. Behind it, cooler air moves in thanks to strong northerly winds. Morning lows will be in the low 50s, with 40s possible northwest of Orlando. Cooler air moves into Central Florida to start the work week on December 14, 2025. The winds will remain strong overnight, with wind gusts of up to 45 mph possible along the coast. Cooler air moves into Central Florida to start the work week on December 14, 2025. Monday will feature sharply cooler conditions. Well see a blend of sun and clouds, gusty winds, and temperatures struggling to climb into the mid-60s. Cooler air moves into Central Florida to start the work week on December 14, 2025. The coolest temperatures will be Tuesday morning, with lows in the upper 40s, and some upper 30s possible in northwest areas. Advertisement Advertisement The cool spell wont last long as temperatures quickly warm up midweek. Highs on Tuesday are expected to be in the low 70s, with mid-70s temperatures returning by Wednesday. Cooler air moves into Central Florida to start the work week on December 14, 2025. Late in the week looks warm, with highs reaching into the upper 70s and a chance of a stray sprinkle on both Thursday and Friday. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Naveed Akrams mother said she could not believe he would carry out a terror attack The two gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach shooting were a father and son, police have revealed. Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram have been identified as the attackers who opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, which killed 15 people. The 50-year-old father, who owned a fruit shop, died after being shot by police. His son remains in hospital under police guard. Their home in Bonnyrigg, 35kms west of Bondi, was raided by police hours after the massacre, Australias worst terror attack since the Port Arthur mass shooting in 1996. Advertisement Advertisement Speaking as officers surrounded their home, Naveeds mother, Verena, insisted her son is a good boy. Police searched the home of the two suspects in Bonnyrigg, Sydney, on Sunday night - JEREMY PIPER/EPA/Shutterstock She told the Sydney Morning Herald: He doesnt have a firearm. He doesnt even go out. He doesnt mix around with friends. He doesnt drink, he doesnt smoke, he doesnt go to bad places he goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise, and thats it. Anyone would wish to have a son like my son ... hes a good boy. The father and son told their family they were away on a fishing trip in Jervis Bay over the weekend, 200km south of Sydney. Ms Akram said she last spoke with Naveed on Sunday morning, hours before the attack. Advertisement Advertisement She said: He rings me up [on Sunday] and said, Mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving. Were going ... to eat now, and then this morning, and were going to stay home now because its very hot. Social media posts from an Islamic centre in Australia show Naveed completed religious studies in 2022, raising questions about possible radicalisation and extremist networks operating in the country. Adam Ismail, the head of the Al-Murad Islamic Institute, where Naveed studied, declined to comment when contacted by The Telegraph. Naveed was laid off as a bricklayer when his company became insolvent and was looking for work in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement His mother said he had many friends as a teenager at Cabramatta High School, but was not especially social, preferring to spend his time fishing, scuba diving and swimming. Ms Akram is a carer for her elderly mother and a stay-at-home mother for Naveed and his younger sister, 22, and brother, 20. The suburb of Bonnyrigg is home to a large migrant population, with significant Chinese and Vietnamese communities. On Sunday night, chaos erupted near the home as police descended on the Sydney suburb. The street was cordoned off and a helicopter buzzed overhead as dozens of officers swarmed the house. Residents pleaded to get past the cordon to return home, but were kept away as investigators tried to gather information about the gunmen. Advertisement Advertisement After being told to move, a group of men became aggressive towards the officers, threatening a policewoman and placing their hands on her handcuffs, the Daily Mail reported. Credit: Sky News The attack is being treated as a terrorist incident and is one of the deadliest acts of anti-Semitic violence in Australian history. Video footage from the scene shows two men dressed in black firing rifles toward the beach from a bridge above a nearby car park at around 6:40pm on Sunday. Police have maintained a heavy presence at the site. Mal Lanyon, the New South Wales Police Commissioner, urged calm, saying investigators were working through multiple lines of inquiry. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities in Israel said they were examining responsibility for the attack amid concerns it may have been orchestrated by a foreign state or militant organisations. The shooting occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Australia and Iran, following a series of suspected Iranian-directed attacks on Jewish targets in the country. Australian officials have not publicly confirmed any foreign involvement. However, Israeli officials cited Iran as a primary suspect if a state actor was involved, while also examining possible links to groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, according to media reports in Israel. b' 1512 Bondi shooting ' Advertisement Advertisement A senior Israeli security official told Israel Hayom, a Hebrew-language newspaper, that there had been increased activity by Iran in recent months to orchestrate attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, adding that investigators believed the direction and infrastructure of the Bondi Beach attack originated in Tehran. An Israeli intelligence source cited by the newspaper said activity by Iran and its allies had markedly increased in recent months. Another Israeli official said Australia had been among the countries affected, noting that the Australian government had previously taken action against the Iranian embassy following specific intelligence warnings. There is no doubt that the direction and infrastructure for the attack originated in Tehran, the official said. The two suspects seen on a bridge overlooking Bondi Beach Isaac Herzog, Israels president, condemned the shooting as a cruel attack on Jews. Advertisement Advertisement At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney have been attacked by vile terrorists, he said. We are utterly shocked and bereaved. Meanwhile, some supporters of Irans regime celebrated the attack on social media. One post praised Naveed Akram as the most diligent member of the 2000s generation to date. Iranian state media reported the shooting using derogatory language, with Tasnim news agency describing the victims in terms similar to those used during recent hostilities between Israel and Iran. Australia formally listed Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation last month. Anthony Albanese, the prime minister, expelled Irans ambassador in August and suspended Australias embassy operations in Tehran, accusing the Islamic Republic of recruiting criminals to carry out anti-Semitic attacks on Australian soil. Paramedics and emergency services treat the injured amid chaos after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach Australias spy chief, Mike Burgess, said in August that Iran had lit the matches and fanned the flames of anti-Semitism in Australia. Advertisement Advertisement He said Tehran had directed at least two arson attacks in the past year, including incidents targeting a Melbourne synagogue and a Sydney Jewish restaurant. Iran and its proxies are directing, through a series of cut-outs, people in Australia to undertake these crimes, Mr Burgess said. Lewiss Continental Kitchen, a kosher cafe in Bondi, was targeted in an arson attack in October last year. An Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbournes south east, was also attacked in December. No injuries were reported. Mr Albanese said it was likely the Iranian government had directed further attacks on Jewish targets. Advertisement Advertisement These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil, he said. They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. Credit: Instagram/mian.ores - X The expulsion of ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi marked the most severe diplomatic crisis between Australia and Iran since the two countries established relations in 1968. Australia has also ordered embassy staff to leave Iran and advised citizens to depart if possible. An Israeli citizen was among those killed in the Bondi Beach attack, Israels foreign ministry confirmed. Gideon Saar, the Israeli foreign minister, urged Canberra to act against what he described as a surge in anti-Semitism during a phone call with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong. Since October 7 there has been a surge in anti-Semitism in Australia, he said, calling on the government to take stronger action against violent incitement. The Iranian foreign ministry on Sunday denounced a violent attack in Sydney. We condemn the violent attack in Sydney, Australia. Terror and killing of human beings, wherever committed, is rejected and condemned, Esmail Baghaei the foreign ministry spokesman, wrote on X. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. Hours after a gunman entered Brown University's Barus and Holley Engineering Building in Providence, Rhode Island on Dec. 13 and opened fire, the Providence Police Department has confirmed that a person of interest in connection with the mass shooting at Brown University on Dec. 13 is in police custody. "The people of Providence can breathe a little easier this morning," Mayor Brett Smiley said Sunday morning, Dec. 14, a a news conference. Brown University President Christina Paxson confirmed that all of the victims who were killed or injured were Brown University students. Advertisement Advertisement While the mass shooting incident is still fluid, and information about what exactly happened, as well as the identity of the shooter, is still unknown, here's what we know and what we don't. Brown University mass shooting: What we know so far The initial call came in at about 4:05 p.m. Final exams were being held in the building from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and because of that, there was a lot of traffic in the building The shooting happened in a classroom on the first floor of the Barus and Holley engineering building. That building, and surrounding complex, is boxed in by Hope Street, Waterman Street, George Street and Brook Street. Two victims were "dead on arrival" Another eight victims were then located and transported to Rhode Island Hospital (which is owned by Brown University Health). A ninth victim fled the scene without realizing they had been wounded by shrapnel, and was then located and brought to the hospital. As of late Saturday night, six of the victims are in critical, but stable condition, according to Rhode Island Hospital. One victim is in critical condition and two victims are in stable condition. Their conditions have not degraded. Police initially described the suspect as male, wearing all black and possibly in his 30's. Perez later confirmed that the person of interest is in his 20's. The suspect was seen leaving the building and exiting onto Hope Street Law enforcement worked well into the night to clear and evacuate Brown University buildings and bring students to the established reunification center. The Coventry Police Department confirmed that the person of interest in the Brown University mass shooting was taken into custody at a hotel on Center of New England Boulevard. Law enforcement are continuing to gather evidence near Brown University buildings. Brown University mass shooting: What we don't know The type of firearm used in the shooting. Law enforcement have not commented on the type of firearm used, but they confirmed in a press conference that they have collected shell casings from the scene How the gunman entered the building. Law enforcement have only commented on how the gunman exited out onto Hope Street but not how he entered The identity of the gunman or the motive This story has been updated with new information. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Brown University shooting: What we know, and what we don't PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Police in Rhode Island said early Sunday that they had a person of interest in custody after a shooting that rocked the Brown University campus during final exams, leaving two people dead and nine others wounded. Col. Oscar Perez, chief of the Providence police, confirmed at a news conference that the detained person was in their 30s and that authorities are not currently searching for anyone else. He declined to say whether the person was connected to the university. Separately, an FBI agent said that the arrest occurred at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Providence. Officers remained on the scene there, with police tape blocking off a hallway. Advertisement Advertisement The shooting erupted Saturday afternoon in the engineering building of the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, during final exams. Hundreds of police officers had scoured the Brown University campus along with nearby neighborhoods and pored over video in pursuit of a shooter who opened fire in a classroom. Armed with a handgun, the shooter fired more than 40 9mm rounds, according to a law enforcement official. Authorities as of Sunday morning hadnt recovered a gun but did recover two loaded 30-round magazines, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation. University officials on Sunday canceled all classes, exams, papers and projects for the remainder of the fall semester and said students were free to leave. Those who remain on campus will have access to services and support, Provost Francis Doyle said in a statement. At this time, it is essential that we focus our efforts on providing care and support to the members of our community as we grapple with the sorrow, fear and anxiety that is impacting all of us right now, Doyle wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Providence leaders warned that residents will notice a heavier police presence on Sunday. Many local businesses announced they would remain closed and expressed shock and heartbreak as the community continued to process the news of the shooting. Everybodys reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us, Brown University President Christina Paxson said at the news conference. Our communitys strong and well get through it, but its devastating. Surveillance video released by police showed a suspect, dressed in black, calmly walking away from the scene. Earlier, Paxson said she was told 10 people who were shot were students. Another person was injured by fragments from the shooting but it was not clear if the victim was a student, she said. Advertisement Advertisement The search for the shooter paralyzed the campus, the nearby neighborhoods filled with stately brick homes and the downtown in Rhode Islands capital city until a shelter-in-place order was lifted early Sunday. Streets normally bustling with activity on weekends were eerily quiet. Officers in tactical gear led students out of some campus buildings and into a fitness center where they waited. Others arrived at the shelter on buses without jackets or any belongings. Mayor advised people to stay home Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom. Outer doors of the building were unlocked but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said. Smiley was emotional as he discussed the citys efforts to prepare for a mass shooting. We all, intellectually, knew it could happen anywhere, including here, but thats not the same as it happening in our community, and so this is an incredibly upsetting and emotional time for Providence, for Brown, for all of us, he said. Its not something that we should have to train for, but we have. Advertisement Advertisement Nine people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was in critical condition. Six required intensive care but were not getting worse and two were stable, hospital spokesperson Kelly Brennan said. Exams were underway during shooting Engineering design exams were underway when the shooting occurred in the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department. The building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices, according to the universitys website. Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the 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 sheltered for several hours. Former Survivor contestant just left the building Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate who was the runner-up earlier this year on the CBS reality competition show Survivor, said she left her lab in the engineering building 15 minutes before shots rang out. Advertisement Advertisement The engineering and thermal science student shared candid moments on Survivor as the shows first openly autistic contestant. She was locked down in the campus gym following the shooting and shared on social media that the only other member of her lab who was present was safely evacuated. 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. Im just in here shaking, he said, watching through the window as armed officers surrounded his dorm. Students hid under desks Students in a nearby lab turned off the lights and hid under desks after receiving an alert about the shooting, said Chiangheng Chien, a doctoral student in engineering who was about a block away from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Everyone is the same as me, shocked and terrified that something like this happened, she said. Brown, the seventh oldest higher education institution in the U.S., is one of the nations most prestigious colleges with roughly 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. Brown University Shooting, Dec. 13, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement ___ Associated Press journalists Alanna Durkin Richer, Mike Balsamo and Seung Min Kim in Washington, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City, Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota, Martha Bellisle in Seattle and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A Brown University student said surviving Saturdays mass shooting at the college made her feel like she was 12 years old again in Parkland, Florida, surviving that mass shooting in 2018. Mentally, I feel like Im 12 again, Zoe Weissman, a sophomore at Brown University, told MS NOW. This just feels exactly like how I felt in 2018. But honestly, Im really angry. Im really angry that this is happening to me all over again. And Im just in shock. Also Read: We Met With Ted Cruz In 2022 About Stopping Mass Shootings. His Response Was Disgusting. Weissman was a 12-year-old middle schooler at Westglades Middle School, just down the road from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, where in 2018, a gunman killed 17 people and injured 18 others. Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, a person with a gun opened fire in Browns engineering building, killing two people and injuring nine others. A person of interest was taken into custody Sunday morning. Weissman told MS NOW she was in her dorm about to study for finals when her friend called to tell her about the mass shooting. My experience is so important because it shows that no one is safe from this, Weissman said. Until our Congresspeople actually decide to do something and care about children, care about their constituents, care about people in this country, this will continue to happen, and there will be more people like me who have survived several school shootings. After Browns shooting, Vice President JD Vance wrote on social media that he was thinking of and praying for the victims. Politics: Multiple HBCUs Receive Campus Threats In One Day Weissman called Vances words laughable. Advertisement Advertisement If they actually cared about us, and they were actually praying for us and they actually wanted us to do well, they would do something to end the gun violence problem in this country, she said. She added: Were fed up with the current administration and Congress inaction. Weissman said she has PTSD from Parkland, and is hypervigilant about security and has always felt safe on Browns campus. She said she picked Brown in part because she felt safe there, as well as in Rhode Island, citing a law the state passed in June banning the sale of military-style weapons, which doesnt go into effect until July. Politics: Trump Says 'Things Can Happen' While Paying His 'Respects' To Brown Shooting Victims I think that goes to show that no matter how many security measures you implement, no matter how safe you feel, until we actually solve the issue of gun violence, everyone is vulnerable, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Mia Tretta, another student at Brown University, told NBC News that she was shot during the 2019 mass shooting at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. No one in this country even assumes its going to happen to them, said Tretta. Once it happens to you, you assume or are told it will never happen again, and obviously that is not the case. She continued: I have not been the same person I was that day ever again, and I assume it wont be any different for the students at Brown. Politics: A Parkland And FSU Mass Shooting Survivor: 'This Is America' Weissman said people surviving multiple mass shootings is not a new phenomenon. Emma Riddle was a freshman at Michigan State University during the colleges mass shooting in 2023, and in 2021, she was a senior during Oxford High Schools mass shooting. Jacquelyn Matthews, another MSU survivor, was a student at Reed Intermediate School, which went into lockdown, at the time of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. Advertisement Advertisement I am 21 years old, and this is the second mass shooting that I have now lived through, Matthews said in a 2023 TikTok video. Related... Read the original on HuffPost A Chicago firefighter was hurt while battling a fire on the city's Northwest Side, CFD officials said. The fire happened overnight into Sunday near Lawndale and Division in Humboldt Park, officials said. CFD said the firefighter was hit with debris and was taken to the hospital. He was expected to be okay. Another person was also taken to the hospital but was not seriously hurt. The cause of the fire is under investigation. King Charles will be able to work five full days a week again in the new year. King Charles is ready to up his work schedule The 77-year-old monarch revealed in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, and after he announced on Friday (12.12.25) the "good news" that his treatment is being reduced, he is ready to step up his hectic work schedule as a result. According to the Telegraph, the king is now expected to go ahead with planned overseas travel, with engagements likely to include a springtime visit to the US to mark the country's 250th anniversary and to Antigua and Barbados later int he year for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting. Although the monarch's treatment schedule hasn't had a major impact on his public engagements, it has meant he has needed to take around five hours a week away from his preferred full working diary. But the king's plans for both work and treatment will be designed around "protecting and prioritising" his recovery. The monarch shared the news his treatment plan is set to be reduced in a video message for Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer broadcast, in which he also highlighted the importance of early diagnosis. The royal - who, said that during his own journey, he has been "profoundly moved" by the "community of care" for every cancer patient - said: "Early diagnosis quite simply saves lives. "Now, I've heard this message repeatedly during my visits to cancer centres across the country. I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading an active life, even while undergoing treatment. "Indeed, today, I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctor's orders, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year. "This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years. "Testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50 per cent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives." However, the monarch is concerned that "at least nine million people in our country are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them". The king noted a cancer diagnosis "can feel overwhelming", and has heard that some people avoid screening because "they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable". However, he said that once people "finally take up their invitation, they are glad they took part". He added: "A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are either told they don't need further tests or for some are given the chance to enable early detection with the lifesaving intervention that can follow." The royal was "encouraged" to learn about a new national screening checker, which was launched earlier this month and tells people who are currently eligible for breast, bowel, or cervical cancer screening programmes. He said: "It demystifies the process, answers your questions, and guides you towards taking that crucial step, as I have observed before, the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion, but compassion must be paired with action." He concluded his message by encouraging people to help catch cancer early. The monarch said: "This December, as we gather to reflect on the year past, I pray that we can each pledge as part of our resolutions for the year ahead to play our part in helping to catch cancer early in your life, for all the life of someone you love may depend upon it." A nightclub located on Aurora Avenue North was declared a chronic nuisance property after a Seattle Police investigation. In a blotter post on Friday, Police Chief Son Barnes said the investigation found several instances of illegal activity at Club Dollhouse. The city sent the club a chronic nuisance declaration letter to the business and property owners on Dec. 8. An investigation was started after SPD received numerous complaints. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the complaints mentioned underage dancers at the club, sexual exploitation, prostitution, and illegal alcohol sales. During their investigation, they found not only illegal sales of alcohol and sexual exploitation but also two guns sitting out in the open on a couch. A chronic nuisance declaration requires the business to address public safety issues; otherwise, the city will fine them $500 per day. The property owner could also be fined $25,000. Business owners who turn a blind eye to criminal activity and human trafficking are not welcome in Seattle, Chief Barnes said. By declaring this business a chronic nuisance, we are sending a clear message to this and other businesses that they face real consequences. Abandoned in 2020 and condemned by the City of Hornell earlier this year, the former St. James Mercy Hospital land and building is going to auction again. An online auction by Crexi opens at noon on Monday, Dec. 15, with a required starting bid of $100,000, according to the bid page. The auction will remain open for 30 days, with the listing noting that a $10,000 participation deposit is required. Advertisement Advertisement Located at 411 Canisteo St. the old hospital includes 216,329 square feet of space on a nearly seven-acre parcel. The property is located in an Opportunity Zone, providing tax incentives for qualified investments. Biotek LLC bought the property at auction in 2021 The former St. James Mercy Hospital at 411 Canisteo Street in the City of Hornell has been vacant since early 2020. St James Mercy Hospital began as a farmhouse in 1890, and grew over many decades. A north wing was added in 1931, followed by an east wing addition in 1950 and a west wing in 1968. The final addition was a 55,000 square foot expansion in 1989. The facility closed in March 2020 when St. James merged with UR Medicine and relocated to a new $62 million facility on Seneca Road North in Hornellsville. Biotek LLC purchased the old hospital for $818,000 from Trinity Health at auction in October 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Since that time, the California-based owners have allowed the old hospital to deteriorate, according to city officials, by ignoring property maintenance issues inside and outside the building while piling up thousands of dollars in unpaid fines and fees. They stopped paying their taxes long ago. I think they are north of $400,000," Mayor John Buckley told the Board of Public Safety on Thursday, Dec. 11. The former St. James Mercy Hospital at 411 Canisteo Street in the City of Hornell has been vacant since early 2020. Steuben County records show $340,000 in unpaid back taxes since 2023 at the primary hospital site at 411 Canisteo St. Numerous other parcels were also acquired by Biotek in 2021. The property at 411 Canisteo St. has a total assessment of $3 million. A vision to turn the property into an assisted living facility was pitched in 2021. Buckley said the city went the extra mile to work with Biotek on a development plan for the site, but nothing has come from those efforts. Advertisement Advertisement "We have tried to bring every resource to bear to get a project off the ground to redevelop that building," Buckley said. "Unfortunately, the current owners just never took any concrete steps to do anything. "They did a lot of talking but when it came right down to it they never put any money up. More: Hornell, Bath, Fillmore girls soccer stars named all-state. See list City condemns, secures old St. James Mercy Hospital The building was condemned by the City of Hornell last month and all points of entry were secured. The Hornell Codes Department noted it mailed off five tickets to the building owner last week alone for neglecting snow removal. Advertisement Advertisement City officials will be watching the auction closely, knowing that whether the building is leveled or somehow rehabbed, the cost to the investor will be in the millions. The former St. James Mercy Hospital at 411 Canisteo Street in the City of Hornell has been vacant since early 2020. I dont know what will become of the auction or if anyone will bid on it or not. It has been and continues to be a high priority (for the city)," Buckley said. The issue with the city is we do not have site control. "We can go into a building and say, 'You do not have adequate fire suppression, you do not have these five other things, whatever they may be,' and condemn it. We have done what we can with it." Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Auction for old Hornell St. James Mercy Hospital starts Dec. 15 At the sixth-ranked American public university, UC San Diego, a quarter of students taking a remedial math course placement exam couldnt solve for x in this equation: 7 + 2 = x + 6. A third couldnt subtract 1/3 from 3/4, and fewer than half could round a six-digit number to the nearest hundred, according to the schools recent viral report . The remedial course Math 2 was designed for less than 1% of freshmen. Five years ago, enrollment stood at 32. By 2025, that number had reached almost a thousand. The number of first-year students at UCSD performing below the middle school math level increased thirtyfold in that period, to 1 in 8 freshmen. Every UC campus is seeing the same trend, if not always at this scale. Over the last few weeks, outlets far and wide agreed that the UC system brought the disastrous numbers upon itself by eliminating standardized test requirements from the admissions process a step many universities took early in the pandemic and by refusing to reinstate them as many other universities have , because as it turns out those tests provide valuable insights about preparedness and likelihood to succeed in college. Even UCSDs Workgroup on Admissions, which produced the report, suggested the university should at least examine restoring the exams. Advertisement Advertisement As a high school junior who sees UC San Diego as a terrific school, I was stunned by the findings about how many students are so ill-prepared for college. I have to wonder: After most other elite colleges admissions departments have reinstated testing requirements, why is the University of California system still test-blind? You might think a college applicant like me would welcome that. Plenty of teens see the SAT and ACT as an ordeal. Maybe a test score would hurt my shot at admission or maybe not, but either way: The UC system should bring back those test requirements to help admit a freshman cohort thats ready for college and likely to graduate. This cant possibly have been the first time someone at UC crunched the numbers and saw trouble coming. The whole test-blind experiment was built on a bold assumption: that standardized tests were screening out too many promising students, especially those from underresourced schools, and that UC could admit a stronger, more diverse class by ignoring scores altogether a moneyball bet that better predictors of success than the SAT and ACT were waiting to be found. The new data show the bet failed. In an age of grade inflation and extreme disparities in grading systems from one district to the next, uniform tests are the only dependable way for schools to tell which applicants actually meet the baseline for college-level work. I dont dispute that disadvantaged students often score lower; however, standardized tests remain one of the least distorted parts of the holistic application. Essays, extracurriculars, travel sports, the high school you attend those can all be sculpted by money and privilege. So can test scores, because affluent students often benefit from expensive test preparation services. But in the end these scores do provide an objective data point, even if not a fair one. Advertisement Advertisement Standardized test results remain one of the strongest predictors for success at elite institutions, while high school grades have almost no correlation with college performance. We find this in the UCSD report: 42% of those who couldnt demonstrate middle-school-level skills had completed at least precalculus in high school. The average high-school-math GPA among students in that remedial course was 3.7, and more than a quarter had a 4.0. The institution should be embarrassed by this situation, which ought to prompt a systemwide return to standardized testing. And yet I suspect inertia will prevail, given how reflexively UC defends its admissions philosophy against the constant barrage of criticism. That may be the systems biggest foible. In doubling and tripling down swatting away every critic of their equity agenda, many times for good reason the UC universities let ideology carry the conversation, setting up a crisis of unpreparedness. The whole point of going test-blind was to reach talented students from struggling schools and low-income, diverse backgrounds. UC leaders believed low SAT scores were discouraging many of them from applying or that admissions offices would overlook applications with middling or low test scores. A noble goal, but the data now show the policy is hurting the very students it aimed to help. Advertisement Advertisement After dropping test requirements, UC did enroll more students from those communities. Yet those are precisely the students now far more likely to require remedial courses. Students who arrive unprepared for college-level work have significantly lower graduation rates . If a freshman cannot solve 7 + 2 = x + 6, they are nowhere near an admissions-level SAT score. Pretending otherwise is a disservice to the unprepared students who are being admitted. If the existing admissions process is diversifying the student body, then it is also disproportionately hurting some minorities: Hispanic, Black and Native students are more likely than white and Asian American students to attend college without completing a degree , and four years after entering repayment on student loans, such non-completers are more likely to owe more than they borrowed , unlike graduates. The UC systems experiment with ignoring standardized tests was worthwhile. Now the results are in. Leaders have a responsibility to make a course correction and resume considering SAT and ACT results. William Liang is a high school junior in the Bay Area and a political columnist for the Hill. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A 30-year-old woman has died following a head-on, wrong-way crash in Wethersfield late Saturday night, according to Connecticut State Police. State police said a Honda Prologue Tour was heading southbound Route 5/15 near Exit 85 when the driver of a Toyota Camry, was being driven the wrong way. The driver of the Toyota was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes and crashed head-on with the Honda, causing major damage to both cars. Advertisement Advertisement The driver and passenger of the Honda suffered minor injuries and were transported to the hospital. The driver of the Toyota, identified by police as Wendy Lara of Manchester, suffered life-threatening injuries and later died at the hospital, according to Connecticut State Police. The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information about the crash are asked to contact Troop H-Hartford at (860) 534-1000. Republicans on Capitol Hill who have championed the tech industry's race to dominate artificial intelligence are confronting a growing political obstacle: voters angry over the soaring energy demands and utility costs tied to the data centers. The politics of data centers are still very much in flux, but GOP politicians may be particularly vulnerable to a voter backlash because of their pro-development views and President Donald Trump's all-in support for AI including blocking states from setting their own rules. Some are starting to seek distance from the White House. Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis floated new limits on data centers as part of an AI bill of rights." Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley have also questioned Trump's state preemption drive. Advertisement Advertisement Increasingly, congressional lawmakers from states at the center of the data center boom such as Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia are feeling the heat and looking to adjust. I think people have very legitimate concerns, and that is: Who is going to pay the bill for the additional energy thats demanded from this?" said Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.). "They go, My power bills gone up because somebody down the road is building a data center.'" In Virginia's recent election, Democrats won the governor's mansion and made big gains in the Legislature by running on affordability. The state is home to the largest concentration of data centers. And around the country, grassroots "not-in-my-backyard" groups are emerging, including in the district of Rep. Jim Baird (R-Ind.), where a local Facebook group is mobilizing against two proposed facilities. In Wittman's district, multiple proposals for data centers have been shelved after local pushback. Advertisement Advertisement Still, most Republicans remain supporters of the tech industry and the rapid infrastructure build-out. They see accelerating AI development as both an economic imperative and a geopolitical necessity in the race against China. AI is either going to be won by us or China, whos going to control the data that flows around the world, said Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.). "Industry has the money, they have the capital to invest what they dont have is access to energy." That leaves Republicans walking an increasingly narrow tightrope: championing rapid AI build-out while insisting that state and local governments retain the ability to regulate where and how data centers are constructed. We know the value of data centers, Baird said. We know its going to increase the energy needs, and so I have great faith in our local people to take care of that. Advertisement Advertisement After legislation to block states from regulating AI failed to ride on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the National Defense Authorization Act, Trump decided to pursue an executive order to prevent states from regulating AI. The order doesnt explicitly seek to override local scrutiny of data centers. Indeed, part of it excludes data center infrastructure other than generally applicable permitting reforms from potential federal legislative recommendations. But critics say the impacts of the Trump order and legality remain unknown. Also, an earlier order looks to speed up any federal approvals needed for data centers. "One of the versions of the big, beautiful bill had something very troubling in there that said it would override even local zoning decisions for data centers," said Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.). "It's a state and local issue, and I think if we try to override their ability to regulate that stuff, it's very dangerous." 'Pay their own way' A few Republican outliers have gone further than their colleagues in raising alarms about the potential energy and water impacts of large-scale data-center expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Greene, who is retiring after clashes with Trump, warned on the social media site X that "rushed AI expansion and data centers being built all over the country with no plan has massive future implications." Hawley echoed those concerns. "What I do not want to have happen is what has happened in Virginia, where they come in and everybodys prices go way, way, way up," Hawley said. "That is a bad deal, and I do not want to see that happen in Missouri." But the vast majority of Republicans interviewed, even those usually tempted to question the party line, said the country cannot slow data-center construction. "We are in a race for AI with China, so data centers are a part of that," said former House Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry (R-Pa.). "We simply cant afford to slow down the build-out." Advertisement Advertisement Hill Republicans see two main tools for protecting ratepayers: advancing broad changes to permitting laws and backing state efforts to ensure companies "pay their own way" and secure local buy-in. The proposed permitting changes seek to accelerate approval of new energy projects, especially natural gas, coal and nuclear. Republicans say increasing production of reliable, baseload energy would mitigate price increases. Legislation on the House floor this month reflects that push, though whether Congress can reach a bipartisan deal that could get the president's signature remains in doubt. Members of both parties are also discussing bolstering the grid, but Republicans are divided over cost, land use and states' rights issues. Hawley recently lobbied against federal support for a transmission line that would cross his state. Advertisement Advertisement GOP lawmakers say they want state and local regulators, particularly utility commissions, to ensure tech companies shoulder the cost of serving massive new loads. "In Ohio, there's a ruling that 85 percent of the energy cost is on the data center," said Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committees energy subcommittee. "Basically, if you're putting them in, then those expenses will be borne by that company that's investing into it." The rule requires data-center customers to pay for 85 percent of the power they subscribe to even if actual use falls below that level to prevent other ratepayers from subsidizing costly grid upgrades. Perry said data center developers "should have an eye" on bringing their own independent generation to supply their power, a concept known as co-location. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is moving to clarify rules for the practice. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans also argue that local governments should retain the authority to reject data centers that dont fit community needs. This is why we have these planning and zoning processes, Baird said. The local people have a chance to put in their say. Democrats see an opening National Republicans largely hands-off approach reflects their belief that states and localities not Congress should take the lead on data centers and AI. In Ohio, were in great shape, said Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) when asked whether data-center growth should be slowed. The state just passed a law that allows these data centers to account for their own grid power, so were in great shape." Advertisement Advertisement But some experts and watchdog groups warn that state-level policies may be insufficient to manage the massive grid costs associated with data centers. Federal lawmakers should not assume at face value that these state regulators have solved these problems on their own, even if thats what they tell them, said Kent Chandler, a resident senior fellow at the center-right think tank R Street Institute. One watchdog recently urged PJM Interconnection the regional grid operator serving 13 mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia to pause new data-center additions until reliability concerns are addressed. The independent monitor also asked federal regulators to issue a ruling directing PJM to add new data centers only when it has the infrastructure in place to serve those new customers. Advertisement Advertisement A group of senators including Democrat Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont accused the Trump administration of cozying up to the tech industry by accelerating data-center development. Since his second inauguration, President Trump has cozied up to Meta, Google, Oracle, OpenAI, and other Big Tech companies, fast-tracking and pushing for the buildout of power-hungry data centers across the country, they wrote in a letter to the administration. In Pennsylvanias 7th District, Democratic primary candidate and former energy engineer Carol Obando-Derstine is attacking first-term Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) for not doing enough to properly prepare for the energy and water impacts of a proposed data center in the district. "Mackenzie and Republicans are taking us in the wrong direction. Its not innovation its irresponsible, she said in an interview. "We might have water and power outages, and we might have our communities and our local taxpayers paying decades into the future for billion-dollar industries." That doesn't mean Democrats are universally hostile to data centers. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has been an AI and data center champion. Also, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and California Gov. Gavin Newsom a potential Democratic presidential candidate have vetoed bills to increase data center scrutiny. And in response to environmentalists calling for a national moratorium on data centers, many Democrats said they didn't think that was the solution. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said of the green groups, They should call for an above-all energy plan that allows for the construction of renewables to play into that demand for the future." But the new Trump executive order seeking to limit state power could give Democrats a powerful talking point. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said he expects data centers to become a major front in Democrats affordability messaging. Schiff is drafting legislation that would encourage developers to bring their own electricity generation and include other provisions designed to protect ratepayers. Utility bills are going to be the next third rail, he said. As we saw in the governors race in New Jersey, its a potent issue already. Its going to become even more so, and anyone seen as forcing consumers to pay more will likely pay the price themselves. ABC13 viewers are invited to celebrate the life of Anchor Emeritus Dave Ward, who died Saturday at the age of 86. ABC13 will carry the funeral live on television and streaming platforms. A slate of services are being held to give the public the opportunity to say farewell. Funeral plans: Wednesday, Dec. 17: Dave will lie in repose from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Crimestoppers of Houston Dave Ward Building, 3001 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002. Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Dec. 18: Public visitation open to all at George H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors at 1010 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19: Funeral service open to the public at 12 p.m. at St. Martin's Episcopal Church at 717 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056. For more than 50 years, Dave was Houston's anchorman. He began each newscast with his signature line, "Good evening, friends." That's how the legendary newsman felt about the viewers who shared his love for the city he was so proud to call his home. ABC13 Special: "Good Evening Friends, I'm Dave Ward ABC13 is remembering the life and honoring the legacy of Dave Ward, who served as Houston's anchorman for 50 years. Advertisement Advertisement His name was David Henry Ward, but he was known to thousands of Eyewitness News viewers simply as "Dave." Born in Dallas in 1939, Dave grew up in Huntsville and began his radio career with KGKB Radio in Tyler while attending college. Three years later, he joined the staff of WACO Radio as a staff announcer and quickly climbed to Program Director the following year. Dave moved to Houston in 1962 where he worked for KNUZ Radio as a News Reporter and News Director for four years. He made the move to Channel 13 in 1966 as the station's only on-the-street news reporter and photographer, coming "inside" in early 1967 to anchor Channel 13's weekday 7 a.m. newscast. Later that year, he became the first host of the wildly popular "Dialing for Dollars" program, which later evolved into "Good Morning Houston." Houston viewers flocked to see him and hear him, and by January 1968, Dave became the anchor of Eyewitness News at 6 and 10 p.m. Dave hit a historic milestone when he celebrated his 50th year at KTRK-TV. His long tenure at the station was acknowledged in June 2016 when he was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records by breaking the record as the longest-running local TV news anchor in the world at the same station, in the same market. After signing off from his role anchoring ABC13 Eyewitness News in May 2017, Dave continued to tell the legendary stories of Houston, as only he could. "Dave Ward's Houston" celebrated the iconic places, people and moments that help weave the unique fabric of the Bayou City. LOOKING BACK: Celebrating Dave Ward's 50th anniversary with ABC13 Over five decades, Dave covered topics from space walks and the Vietnam peace talks to natural disasters and politics, including a one-to-one interview with President Obama. Advertisement Advertisement Getting the facts right, consistently -- that's what defined Dave Ward. A true Texas original, Dave has made his mark as one of the nation's most respected news anchors for the past five decades. In his trademark down-to-earth style, he began every newscast with "Good evening, friends." It was that candor and dedication to getting every side of the story that helped him become the most trusted newsman in Houston. From fires, explosions, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes throughout Texas and the South, Dave covered it all. He has covered national political conventions and reported on the space program from the Florida launch site for Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and all shuttle flights. During his career, he interviewed people from all walks of life, from presidents to drug dealers. His interviews with five U.S. Presidents and U.S. Vice President Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller have achieved much acclaim. He traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, and Colombia to report on numerous stories with a Houston connection. Dave was equally devoted to community service. He held office of president of Houston Easter Seals Society and hosted several Easter Seals telethons. He was a member of the Public Affairs Advisory Board of the Houston Business Council, Public Information Committee of the American Cancer Society, the Board of Directors of the Leukemia Society and the Press Club of Houston. Dave was a Lifetime Member of Crime Stoppers and the 100 Club of Houston, Endowed Lifetime Member of the Partnership for Baylor College of Medicine, and a Lifetime Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Dave served on the board of the Houston Police Foundation and on the Advisory Board of Houston Children's Charity. Some of Dave's most productive work was with the Crime Stoppers of Houston organization. At the time of the program's inception in 1981, Dave was instrumental in establishing Crime Stoppers in Houston and throughout the world. His creation of crime reenactments has become the model for similar programs across the country and throughout the world. He became Crime Stoppers' first on-air reporter with his unwavering passion and commitment to stop crimes in Houston. ABC13 employees talk about watching Dave Ward when they were young, and then getting the chance to work with him ABC13 staff talk about getting to work with the legendary Dave Ward Dave won a number of awards over his long career. In 1973, Houston Mayor Louis Welch presented Dave with the City of Houston Public Service Award for his work on the Managua earthquake. In 2002, Dave received the prestigious Leon Goldstein Award for Outstanding Service in Fighting Crime from Houston Crime Stoppers. In 2007, he proudly accepted a regional Emmy for Art/Entertainment Special Programs for his interviews with his friend, singer-songwriter, Steve Tyrell. In 2011, the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences inducted Dave into their Silver Circle for his 25 years of contributions to the Television Broadcast Community. In 2016, Dave was honored by the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas and also inducted into the esteemed Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Also, in 2017, Dave will be inducted into the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Hall of Fame. In 2024, the Lone Star Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences inducted Dave into their Gold Circle for his 50 years in the industry. A mass shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, left two students dead and nine others injured Saturday afternoon, sending the campus into lockdown as authorities launched a large-scale investigation. The attack occurred around 4:05 p.m. EST in the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building, a space crowded with students preparing for final exams. Providence police and university officials immediately ordered a shelter-in-place, which was lifted early Sunday morning as authorities continued to search the campus and surrounding area. A person of interest was taken into custody overnight, though police have not confirmed whether that individual is a suspect. Authorities continue to review security footage, interview witnesses and gather evidence to determine the motive and timeline of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Most of the victims were students. Several were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where officials described multiple patients as being in critical but stable condition. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as students ran from classrooms and hallways while law enforcement secured the area. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. President Trump condemned the incident as a terrible thing, expressing support for victims and their families. University officials and city leaders pledged continued resources to assist with the investigation and provide counseling for the community. The shooting has renewed discussions on campus safety and emergency preparedness amid ongoing concerns about gun violence nationwide. Brown has canceled all remaining classes, exams and events for the rest of the semester. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have asked anyone with video footage or eyewitness accounts to come forward to aid the investigation, emphasizing that the probe remains active and ongoing. The post Deadly shooting at Brown University prompts campus lockdown appeared first on Salon.com. Brown Universitys President, Christina Paxson, has issued a statement on Saturday following a shooting on campus that killed 2 people and critically injured 8 others, calling it a deeply tragic day for Brown. There are truly no words that can express the deep sorrow we are feeling for the victims of the shooting that took place today at the Barus & Holley engineering and physics building, Paxson continued. We lost two community members today who were fatal victims of the shooting, and at this point, we know there are at least eight additional victims who were transported to the hospital. In this moment, they are in critical but stable condition, but this is an evolving situation. Our hearts are with their families, Paxson added. Advertisement Advertisement Paxson also said that the Universitys Department of Public Safety is working closely with authorities. At this time, the shooter has not been apprehended, and Paxson advises students and faculty to remain sheltered in place. Paxson also advised people to read updates using their RAVE alert system and the Brown.edu website. As we have shared in the alerts, law enforcement is actively working to identify the community members who lost their lives, and we are working with local hospitals to identify those transported for care, Paxson said. Even when we have that information, we may not be able to release it to our campus immediately. Whether or not you spend any time in Barus & Holley, I ask all students, faculty, and staff to please be in touch directly with your families to let them know you are safe. They are worried about you. This is a day that we hoped never would come to our community, Paxson continued. It is deeply devastating for all of us. We are grateful to law enforcement for their immediate response and their ongoing work to ensure the safety of our community. Please continue to take all steps to be safe. Advertisement Advertisement 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 Genesis HealthCare reached a $650,000 settlement with Nellie Betancourts widower, Gabe Betancourt, and their daughter, Vanessa, in April after medical examiners said an injury Nellie sustained at a Genesis home in New Mexico led to her death. The family agreed to give Genesis a year to start the payments, only for the company to declare bankruptcy in July. (Photo by Adria Malcolm /KFF Health News) Nancy Hunt arrived at an emergency room from a Genesis HealthCare nursing home in Pennsylvania in such dreadful shape, including maggots infesting her gangrened foot, that the hospital called an elder abuse hotline and then the police, her son alleged in a lawsuit. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Advertisement Advertisement Hunt died five days later. Her death certificate said the foot injury was a significant factor. Genesis denied wrongdoing but agreed to pay $3.5 million in a settlement Hunts son signed in August 2024. Yet Genesis hasnt paid most of that debt, court records show. It may never have to. Once the nations largest nursing home chain, Genesis says it was spending $8 million a month defending and settling lawsuits over resident injuries and deaths in recent years. But the company is now poised to wipe the liability slate clean by seeking refuge in the most protective corner of the legal system for the nursing home industry: bankruptcy court. The Genesis case, one of 11 large senior care bankruptcies this year, illustrates how health care companies can dodge public and financial accountability for alleged negligence through delays, confidentiality clauses, and bankruptcy maneuvers, a KFF Health News investigation found. Advertisement Advertisement When it filed for bankruptcy in Dallas in July, Genesis estimated its total liability for nearly a thousand settled and pending lawsuits at $259 million. A KFF Health News review of the terms of 155 settlement agreements and corporate financial statements shows Genesis officials knew insolvency was possible yet included provisions in its settlement agreements allowing it to defer payment, often for a year or more. As a result, Genesis paid nothing in 85 cases and only a portion in the other 70, according to civil court records and bankruptcy claims made available through people with access to them. It still owes $41 million of the $58 million it had agreed to pay in those cases, the records show. It just feels like they killed my mom and got away with it, said Vanessa Betancourt, whose mother, Nellie Betancourt, a retired nurse, fractured her hip at a Genesis home in Albuquerque, New Mexico an injury the medical examiners report said led to her death. Genesis agreed to a $650,000 settlement with Betancourts family in April under the condition it would not need to pay the first of seven installments for another year, according to the settlement document. Nellie Betancourt, shown in a photo with her husband, Gabe, had planned a trip to Las Vegas before she fractured her hip at a Genesis HealthCare rehabilitation center an injury the medical examiners report said led to her death. When she went into that place, I said, Well, shes going to be taken care of for a few more days and Ill take her home, Gabe says. (Adria Malcolm for KFF Health News) Genesis denied wrongdoing in all lawsuits and settlements. In a written statement, the company did not answer questions about individual personal injury cases. The statement said Genesis remained focused on delivering high-quality, compassionate care to our patients and residents without disruption during bankruptcy. Advertisement Advertisement One lawsuit Genesis settled for nearly $1 million alleged nursing home managers ignored repeated warnings about a male residents behavior before he sexually assaulted a female Alzheimers patient, according to court records. In a case the company resolved for $500,000, a Genesis nursing home was accused of delaying the hospitalization of a resident who had vomited brown mucus. He died of a bowel obstruction. Genesis has paid nothing for either settlement, according to bankruptcy claims. Creditors, including families of the deceased, are expected to salvage a fraction of what they were promised, if anything. On Dec. 10, the companys owners were scheduled to seek approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas to sell its nursing homes and other assets to its largest investor, a private equity firm. In court papers, lawyers for residents and other creditors say the complex plan will prevent them from pursuing Genesis new ownership and other companies they blame for the companys collapse. John Anthony, a bankruptcy attorney representing 340 personal injury claims against Genesis, said, They never had any intention to honor these deals. Low ratings and fines During years of financial turmoil, Genesis has frequently struggled to provide top-notch care, federal records show. Using its five-star system, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rated 58% of homes affiliated with Genesis as below average or much below average. CMS has fined Genesis homes $10 million for violating federal health standards over the past three years. Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Connecticut health regulators shuttered a Genesis home after two deaths and multiple violations. The company closed another Connecticut nursing home this year after residents twice were evacuated over safety concerns. In its Chapter 11 filing, Genesis said it cared for about 15,000 residents in 165 nursing homes and 10 assisted living facilities in 18 states. They are centered in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, Alabama, Maryland, and North Carolina, according to the bankruptcy filing. The company said it owed $709 million in secured debt to lenders and the IRS. Under bankruptcy rules, those debts, backed by Genesis collateral, take precedence over the $1.6 billion in unsecured debt Genesis said it owes. Unsecured creditors include a pension fund; contractors that provided health services and equipment; Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and West Virginia for unpaid provider taxes; and former residents and their families who sued. Dangers in memory care Sandia Ridge Center, a Genesis home in Albuquerque, was repeatedly faulted by health regulators for not preventing sexual misbehavior in its memory care unit. In November 2021, CMS cited the home for lacking enough nurses to prevent sexual abuse among residents. An inspection report the following August identified more inappropriate sexual contact. Police were called to investigate sexual assault allegations in February and March of 2023, police reports show; neither resulted in criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Then in April 2023, a 61-year-old male resident with alcohol-related dementia sexually assaulted a female resident with Alzheimers in the dining room, according to a police report and an inspection report. When the resident screamed for him to stop and that he was hurting her, he responded shut up bitch I know you like this, according to a lawsuit brought on behalf of the woman, identified in court papers as R.S. Sandia Ridge management had been aware of the male residents behavioral issues for months, according to employee depositions in the case. Police had investigated a prior sexual assault allegation against him the previous year without bringing charges. In one deposition, a former activities assistant testified he hit her and twice pushed her into a bathroom while announcing, I want to have sex with you. When she reported him to a senior Genesis manager, she said in the deposition, the manager put his finger over his lips and said, Shhh. The activities worker testified that R.S. used to happily sing along with Elvis Presley songs. After the assault, the worker said, R.S. dont sing anymore. Inspectors cited the home for failing to protect R.S. The same report said the home didnt provide a therapist for another female resident who was being sexually harassed. Medicare fined Sandia Ridge Center $91,247. Genesis denied liability but settled R.S. lawsuit for $925,000 in May, according to the bankruptcy claim. Advertisement Advertisement We just felt we have to hold them accountable, R.S. daughter said in an interview, speaking on the condition that she and her mother not be identified, because of the nature of the assault. Maybe Im wrong, maybe Im naive, but the only way to do that is to sue someone, right? Genesis has not paid any of the settlement, according to the familys claim filing. Uptown Rehabilitation Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of 165 nursing homes Genesis HealthCare owns in the U.S. (Adria Malcolm for KFF Health News) Growth and debt Genesis downfall can be traced to 2007, when affiliates of two private equity firms acquired the company in a $1.5 billion leveraged buyout, taking on substantial debt, according to its bankruptcy filing. Private equity also has been involved in other health care bankruptcies, including those of the HCR ManorCare nursing home chain, the prison health care contractor Corizon Health, and two for-profit hospital systems, Steward Health Care and Prospect Medical Holdings. In 2011, Genesis raised $2.4 billion by transferring substantially all its nursing home buildings and other real estate to Welltower, a publicly traded real estate investment trust, according to Genesis bankruptcy filing. Genesis then rented the buildings back from Welltower, which made leasing costs a significant expense. Advertisement Advertisement Genesis went on a nationwide buying spree. At its peak in 2016, it had grown to more than 500 nursing homes. In a court declaration, Louis Robichaux IV, a consultant overseeing Genesis bankruptcy restructuring, wrote that as the company expanded, it became harder to manage and mired in corporate inefficiencies. Robichaux wrote that Genesis financial woes were exacerbated by rapidly increasing labor costs and lawsuits, including some predating the covid pandemic. Starting in 2021, Genesis avoided bankruptcy after receiving $100 million in loans from a private equity firm founded by Joel Landau, the owner of a Brooklyn-based nursing home chain, according to Robichauxs filing. But Genesis continued to teeter on the edge of insolvency. In audited financial statements for 2022 and 2023 submitted to a California oversight agency, management and auditors said rent and debt obligations raised substantial doubt about the companys ability to continue as a going concern. In a court filing, a committee appointed by the U.S. Trustees Office to represent the unsecured creditors in the bankruptcy accused Landau and Welltower of orchestrating a covert plan that allowed Welltower to keep getting its rents while Landau could run the company and siphon value to himself. The committee alleged their efforts forced the company into insolvency while staffing levels and patient care declined precipitously. Landau and Welltower did not respond to requests for comment. Drawn-out lawsuits Erin Pearson sued Genesis over the death of her father, James Sanderson, a retired mining company executive who died in 2018 after spending less than a month at Bear Canyon Rehabilitation Center in Albuquerque. In the memory care unit, Sanderson fell repeatedly, suffered medication errors made by nursing home staff, and developed a bowel obstruction and sepsis, according to the lawsuit, filed in 2019. Pearsons lawyers said he was not hospitalized until eight days after nurses noticed he was vomiting brown mucus. Advertisement Advertisement After the judge rejected Genesis request to force Pearson into arbitration, Genesis appealed. It took 2 years before an appeals court affirmed the original decision to let the case go forward in court, records show. This past May, more than five years after suing, Pearson reached a $500,000 settlement, with the first payment required by November, according to a copy of the agreement. Nothing was paid, according to the bankruptcy claim. It was so drawn out and for so long, Pearson said in an interview, calling Genesis bankruptcy despicable. Payouts postponed Jennifer Foote, an Albuquerque attorney who represents clients in multiple lawsuits against Genesis, including Pearsons, said the company frequently filed appeals. They did not usually win them on these issues, she said, and our sense was that they were doing it as a delay tactic. Advertisement Advertisement Genesis started using installment payments around 2018, said Dusti Harvey, Footes law partner. The payments wouldnt start for several months out, Harvey said. Foote said Genesis lawyers often wanted to time the payments to start the month the trial in the case was scheduled to occur. Families had to wait even when comparatively small amounts of money were involved, settlement agreements show. Genesis settlement agreements also included a confidentiality clause prohibiting discussion of the incidents. Genesis agreed to pay $42,000 in a November 2024 settlement, but the first payment was not due until nine months later. It was not paid, according to the bankruptcy claim. A $250,000 settlement signed in October 2023 did not start paying out until the following September. When Genesis declared bankruptcy 21 months after the case was resolved it still owed $100,000, according to the familys claim. We never found out the truth Settling cases allowed Genesis to avoid the expense and publicity of a trial, at which details of how its nursing homes functioned might have been revealed. In October 2020, Margarett Johnson, a retired school bus driver, fell out of her wheelchair at a Genesis nursing home in Waldorf, Maryland, fracturing her jawbone, nose, and neck, according to a lawsuit brought by her family. Johnson was sent to a trauma center and placed on a ventilator. She died three months later, at age 76, from ventilator-associated pneumonia, the lawsuit said. It looked like she was hit by a truck, Angelina Harley, one of her daughters, said in an interview. I knew my mom was not going to come home. I knew the Lord was not going to punish her more. The company denied negligence and blamed the accident on Johnsons jacket getting tangled in the wheel of her wheelchair, according to the lawsuit. Harley and her sister Angela Swann were dubious. We never found out the truth, Harley said. They wanted to settle out of court. The company denied liability but agreed to a $950,000 settlement in October 2024. It never paid the final $112,500 installment, according to a letter Johnsons five children sent to the bankruptcy judge. If you settle out of court, you know doggone well you did something wrong, Harley said. Maddening judges By summer 2025, judges in some civil cases had run out of patience. Alma Brown, a retired day care manager and accordion teacher living in a Genesis nursing home in Clovis, New Mexico, suffered falls, infections, bedsores, and other neglect that hastened her death in 2023, according to her estates lawsuit. In Santa Fe District Court, Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood castigated Genesis after it failed to pay $2 million of the $3 million settlement to Browns estate or explain the delay. Genesis obviously benefited by not having to go to trial, McGarry Ellenwood said in one hearing, according to a court transcript. They assure me that theyre not trying to renege on their contract, but it certainly seems like they havent lived up to what the bargain was. Genesis declared bankruptcy the day McGarry Ellenwood announced she would impose more than $100,000 in fines, plus $10,000 more each day until the settlement was paid. In Pennsylvania, Greg Hunt petitioned a judge to punish Genesis after it stopped payments of the $3.5 million settlement after the death of his mother, Nancy, the resident with the gangrenous foot. She had spent eight months in 2019 at Brandywine Hall, a Genesis facility in West Chester that was later sold and renamed. In a filing with the Common Pleas Court of Montgomery County, Genesis admitted it was in arrears but asked the judge for more time, citing unforeseen and exigent financial challenges. Genesis said care for patients at its nursing homes would suffer if it had to pay immediately. Unswayed, Judge Richard Haaz in June ordered Genesis to pay up, along with punitive interest. But the bankruptcy court stayed that order. Genesis still owes $1.4 million of the $2 million it was supposed to pay, according to Hunts claim. (The rest of the $3.5 million settlement is supposed to be paid by an insurer in January 2026.) Ian Norris, Hunts lawyer, declined to comment, citing confidentiality provisions in the settlement. Court records indicate Genesis lawyers never disclosed in either case that it was preparing to declare bankruptcy. Bankruptcy as a tool In the first nine months of 2025, 10 other senior living companies with liabilities over $10 million entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Gibbins Advisors, a consulting firm. Hamid Rafatjoo, a bankruptcy lawyer representing nursing homes who is not involved in the Genesis bankruptcy case, said filings may increase as the industry has become costlier to run and class action lawsuits have become a fixture. Nursing homes get sued all the time for everything, Rafatjoo said. A lot of operators wait too long to use bankruptcy as a tool. On Dec. 1, Genesis announced the results of its auction, saying it had elected to sell its assets to a private equity firm controlled by Landau. In a court filing, Anthony, the attorney for the personal injury claimants, alleged the auction was stacked in Landaus favor despite an objectively better and higher competing bid from another private equity investor that would have provided more money to creditors. Genesis said in its statement that Landaus group had increased its bid during the auction. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and two other senators last month asked the U.S. Trustees Office to intervene in the case, out of concern that individuals who already own or control Genesis are trying to sell it to themselves, wiping away legal and other creditor debts in the process. Lawyers representing those in charge of the auction did not respond to a request for comment. Families of former Genesis residents said they fear the capacity to purge lawsuits through bankruptcy emboldens nursing home owners who provide deficient care. They can file bankruptcy again, said Gabe Betancourt, whose wife, Nellie, died after her stay at Uptown Rehabilitation Center in Albuquerque. And were the ones that will pay for it, with our memories, our lives. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. Subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing. CNN OutFront anchor Erin Burnett discussed newly released photos from the estate of late *** trafficker Jeffrey Epstein on Friday and took a moment to express her disbelief over what she found herself describing. A batch of photos released that day by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee included a few that featured President Donald Trump, in one form or another. One showed Trump posing with six unidentified women, or possibly girls, whose faces are redacted, while another showed Epstein and Trump standing next to each other at a Victorias Secret Angels party in 1997. Politics: Gov. Newsom Mocks Trump For Making An Easily Debunked Claim About California But it was another image that prompted Burnetts aside. Advertisement Advertisement As she put it, And then there was a photo that Epstein kept as well, a bowl of novelty condoms with a caricature of Trumps face on the wrapper and the words, quote, cant believe I have to read this Im huuuuge. An undated photo released by House Democrats on the Oversight Committee shows a bowl of condoms bearing Trump's likeness. House Oversight Committee Burnett continued, And even as you laugh, to think about the fact that this was Jeffrey Epsteins possession, its disgusting. The condoms seen in the undated image appear to be a product from the housewares company Fishs Eddy, sold during Trumps first presidential campaign. Ina 2016 interview, Fishs Eddy owner Julie Gaines noted that she was a supporter of then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, and that the Trump-themed gag gift had become a runaway hit. Politics: Donald Trump Predicts What Don Jr. Will Do When I Kick The Bucket Trump brushed off his appearances in the latest photo trove on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement He has photos with everybody, he said of Epstein. I mean, almost there are hundreds and hundreds of people that have photos with him. So thats no big deal. I know nothing about it. Burnett addressed his reaction on her show on Friday. But the thing about it is, is that Trump was not just one of hundreds of people that Epstein took photos with, right? They knew each other, and they knew each other well, and they knew each other over a long period of time. Related... Read the original on HuffPost A driver for the popular food delivery platform DoorDash has been arrested after allegations that she showered an order with pepper spray in plain view of a doorbell camera, sickening a customer and his wife, according to authorities in Indiana. Kourtney Stevenson faces counts of felony battery and consumer product tampering, the Vanderburgh county sheriffs office said in a statement on Friday, addressing a case that is bound to be of significant interest to DoorDashs 42 million or so users. Stevenson, 29, allegedly told investigators that she used the pepper spray in question to try to kill a spider that had frightened her, but they did not believe her, saying it was too cold at the time of the delivery for that kind of creature to be out. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Saturday, a spokesperson for DoorDash said Stevensons access to the platform has been permanently removed. We have absolutely zero tolerance for this type of appalling behavior and our team is supporting law enforcement with the investigation, the spokespersons statement added. The Vanderburgh sheriffs office said the complaint that led to Stevensons arrest arrived at the agency on 7 December. A man recounted that he and his wife had ordered food through DoorDash shortly after midnight. After ingesting their meal, they vomited while also enduring burning in their mouths, noses, throats and stomachs. The couple reviewed their doorbell camera footage and saw a DoorDash courier later identified as Stevenson place their food on the porch. Before leaving, the woman took a small aerosol can attached to a key chain and sprayed a substance in the direction of the food, the footage showed. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators learned Stevensons identity in part through records that they subpoenaed from DoorDash. After detectives reached her by phone, she acknowledged using pepper spray during the delivery that was reported to the sheriffs office, the agency said. But, according to the agency, Stevenson maintained she didnt mean to spray the food and had instead aimed at a spider because she is terrified of such creatures. Detectives noted that the low temperature on the night of the delivery was 35F (1.7C). At that temperature, outdoor spiders in Indiana are not active and would not be capable of crawling on exposed surfaces, the sheriffs office said in its statement on Friday. Stevenson initially agreed to meet with the sheriffs office, though the agency later said she backed out. Detectives subsequently obtained a warrant to arrest her. Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Stevenson was reportedly taken into custody by authorities in her home community of McCracken county, Kentucky, which is about two hours away from Vanderburgh. She was being held without bail pending extradition to Vanderburgh county, which includes the Indiana city of Evansville. The sheriffs office said Stevenson was visiting her father in Evansville on the night of the order that she was suspected of tainting. Sheriffs investigators did not identify the man who reported Stevenson to them or say where the delivered food came from. The KCBD news channel, however, did identify him, saying he was Mark Cardin, who told the outlet that he had ordered from the fast-food restaurant chain Arbys for him and his wife. Cardin said to KCBD that its horrific to think about all the other ways their food couldve been messed with in this day and age. Advertisement Advertisement It couldve been rat poison it couldve been fentanyl, Cardin told the outlet. My wife couldve been dead. Vanderburgh countys sheriff, Noah Robinson, said his agency pursued Stevenson urgently because residents should be able to trust that the food they order for their families is safe. When someone violates that trust and endangers others, we will respond and we will pursue charges, Robinson added. (This story has been updated with new information. The ULA Atlas V rocket launch and SpaceX rocket launch were postponed to Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.) Who's up for potential doubleheader rocket launches? Two rockets from Cape Canaveral, Florida, are scheduled to lift off on the same day. United Launch Alliances Atlas V rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral at 3:28 a.m. ET Tuesday with a window till 3:57 a.m. A previous attempt was overnight Sunday, Dec. 14, with a window opening at 3:49 a.m. ET Monday, Dec. 15. A visibility map from ULA shows the trajectory and flight path (see below). Then, a SpaceX Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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 next rocket launch from Florida and suggestions on where to watch it in person (or virtually via the USA TODAY Networks Space Team). Advertisement Advertisement Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, ULA launch schedule in Florida 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. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket may be visible beyond Cape Canaveral, Florida, overnight Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. This launch visibility map shows when and where your best chances are to see the rocket as it lifts off at 3:49 a.m. EST and heads northeasterly into space. When is the next SpaceX rocket launch in Florida? Tuesday, December 16: ULA Amazon Leo 4 Mission: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will lift the next batch of Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. Launch window: 3:28 a.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. The 29-minute launch window will last 3:57 a.m. A previous attempt was between 3:49 a.m. and 4:18 a.m. ET Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Launch trajectory: Northeast Launch location: Launch Complex 41 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. Tuesday, December 16: SpaceX Starlink 6-99 Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Launch window : 7:45 a.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 (a previous launch window was 8:11 a.m. to 12:11 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 Launch trajectory: Southeast Launch location: launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida Sonic booms: No Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space. 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 watch SpaceX rocket launch from Space Coast of Florida Pretty much anywhere in Brevard, you'll get a view of the rocket launch in certain areas, you can get an amazing view of SpaceX rocket boosters returning to the pads. The best view to watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast is along the beach. However, visibility will depend on weather conditions and people should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches. Advertisement Advertisement If you are viewing the launch along the Indian River in Titusville from Space View Park or Parrish Park, look east directly across the river. If you are farther south along the Indian River, look northeast. Playalinda Beach or Canaveral National Seashore is the closest spot to view liftoff because it is almost parallel to Launch Pad 39A. On the beach, look south along the coastline, (you can even see the pad from some spots). Some hotspots to check out: Jetty Park Beach and Pier , 400 Jetty Park Road, Port Canaveral. Note, there's a charge to park. Playalinda Beach , 1000 Playalinda Beach Road, Canaveral National Seashore. Note, there's a charge to park, and access to Canaveral National Seashore isn't always granted depending on capacity and time of day. Max Brewer Bridge and Parrish Park , 1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, Titusville. Note, parking is available on both sides of Max Brewer Bridge. Space View Park , 8 Broad St., Titusville Sand Point Park , 10 E. Max Brewer Causeway, Titusville Rotary Riverfront Park , 4141 S. Washington Ave., Titusville Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village , 401 Riveredge Blvd., Cocoa (just before State Road 520 Causeway) Cocoa Village , near the parks and shops or near the docks Various parks on Merritt Island Rotary Park , 1899 S. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island Kiwanis Park on Kiwanis Island Park Road on Merritt Island Port Canaveral , with ships from Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean at port Alan Shepard Park , 299 E. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs. Cocoa Beach Pier , 401 Meade Ave. Parking fee varies. Lori Wilson Park , 1400 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Lori Wilson Park has a dog park, by the way. Sidney Fischer Park , 2200 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach. Note, there could be parking costs. Downtown Cocoa Beach , along Minutemen Causeway Tables Beach , 197 SR A1A, Satellite Beach The Tides on SR A1A in Satellite Beach Various parks, including the Pelican Beach Clubhouse, in Satellite Beach Pineda Causeway Eau Gallie Causeway Front Street Park near Melbourne (U.S. 192) Causeway and U.S. 1 in Melbourne Indialantic boardwalk at Melbourne Causeway and SR A1A Paradise Beach Park , aka Howard Futch Park, 2301 SR A1A, Melbourne (this is a beachside park) Sebastian Inlet Park, 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter) Where to watch a rocket launch in Indian River County, Florida Sebastian Inlet State Park , 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida (cost to enter) Wabasso Beach Park , 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso, Florida Ambersands Beach Park , 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking) South Beach Park , 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking) Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida Where to watch a rocket launch in St. Lucie County, Florida Fort Pierce Inlet State Park , 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Blind Creek Beachside North and South, 5460 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Blue Heron Beach , 2101 Blue Heron Blvd., Fort Pierce, Florida Frederick Douglass Memorial Park , 3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Dollman Park Beachside , 9200 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida Herman's Bay Beach , 7880 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida John Brooks Park Beachside , 3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Middle Cove Beach , 4600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Normandy Beach in Jensen Beach, Florida Pepper Park Beachside , 3302 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce, Florida Walton Rocks Beach , 6700 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida (dog park) Waveland Beach, 10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida Where to watch a rocket launch in Martin County, Florida State Road A1A causeway in Stuart, Florida House of Refuge and beach, 301 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart, Florida Where to see Florida rocket launch in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach area In Volusia County, immediately north of Brevard County home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station you can get a great view of a SpaceX, NASA or United Launch Alliance rocket launch. The best views to watch a rocket launch from here are along the beach. Look due south. Recommended spots: Advertisement Advertisement South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park, 6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach. Bethune Beach is 3.5 miles south of New Smyrna Beach and one mile north of the Apollo Beach entrance to Canaveral National Seashore Park. Apollo Beach at Canaveral National Seashore (south of New Smyrna Beach). Canaveral National Seashore runs along Florida's East Coast in Volusia County and Brevard County. To access Apollo Beach, take Interstate 95 to exit 249, then travel east until it turns into State Road A1A. Follow SR A1A south to the park entrance. Oak Hill riverfront is the southernmost city in South Volusia County. Advertisement Advertisement Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House back deck, 253 River Road, Oak Hill Seminole Rest national historic site, 211 River Road, Oak Hill Riverbreeze Park, 250 H.H. Burch Road, Oak Hill Mary Dewees Park, 178 N. Gaines St., Oak Hill Nancy Cummings Park, 232 Cummings St., Oak Hill Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park, 275 River Road, Oak Hill A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier, 243 River Road, Oak Hill Bird Observation Pier on River Road across from A.C. Delbert Municipal Pier (see above) Rose Bay in Port Orange, Florida Advertisement Advertisement beaches along New Smyrna Beach, Florida New Smyrna Beach Inlet, New Smyrna Beach lifeguard station Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach, Florida Ormond-by-the-Sea in Ormond Beach, Florida George R. Kennedy Memorial Park in Edgewater, Florida This article originally appeared on Florida Today: SpaceX, ULA Atlas V rocket launches from Florida. What time is liftoff? (This story has been updated with new information. The ULA Atlas V rocket launch and SpaceX rocket launch were postponed to Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.) Who's up for potential doubleheader rocket launches? Two rockets from Cape Canaveral, Florida, are scheduled to lift off on the same day. United Launch Alliances Atlas V rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral at 3:28 a.m. ET Tuesday with a window till 3:57 a.m. A previous attempt was overnight Sunday, Dec. 14, with a window opening at 3:49 a.m. ET Monday, Dec. 15. A visibility map from ULA shows the trajectory and flight path (see below). Then, a SpaceX Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Though rockets here launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, people from Volusia County can sometimes see this phenomenon. Weather permitting and depending on cloud cover and trajectory, a rocket launch from Floridas Space Coast could be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and as far south as Fort Pierce or West Palm Beach. When theres a launch window in the middle of the night 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 next rocket launch from Florida and suggestions on where to watch it from the Treasure Coast. Advertisement Advertisement Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, ULA launch schedule in Florida 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. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket may be visible beyond Cape Canaveral, Florida, overnight Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. This launch visibility map shows when and where your best chances are to see the rocket as it lifts off at 3:49 a.m. EST and heads northeasterly into space. When is the next SpaceX rocket launch in Florida? Tuesday, December 16: ULA Amazon Leo 4 Mission: A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will lift the next batch of Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. Launch window: 3:28 a.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. The 29-minute launch window will last 3:57 a.m. A previous attempt was between 3:49 a.m. and 4:18 a.m. ET Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Launch trajectory: Northeast Launch location: Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida Sonic booms: No Live coverage starts two hours 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 two hours 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. Tuesday, December 16: SpaceX Starlink 6-99 Mission: A SpaceX Falcon 9 will launch 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Launch window : 7:45 a.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 16. 2025 (a previous launch window was 8:11 a.m. to 12:11 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 15, 2025) Launch trajectory: Southeast Launch location: Launch pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Florida Sonic booms: No Live coverage: Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space. Where to watch a rocket launch in Indian River County, Florida Sebastian Inlet State Park , 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach, Florida (cost to enter) Wabasso Beach Park , 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso, Florida Ambersands Beach Park , 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking) South Beach Park , 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, Florida (free parking) Merrill Barber Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida Alma Lee Loy Bridge in Vero Beach, Florida Where to watch a rocket launch in St. Lucie County, Florida Fort Pierce Inlet State Park , 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Blind Creek Beachside North and South, 5460 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Blue Heron Beach , 2101 Blue Heron Blvd., Fort Pierce, Florida Frederick Douglass Memorial Park , 3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Dollman Park Beachside , 9200 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida Herman's Bay Beach , 7880 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida John Brooks Park Beachside , 3300 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Middle Cove Beach , 4600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida Normandy Beach in Jensen Beach, Florida Pepper Park Beachside , 3302 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce, Florida Walton Rocks Beach , 6700 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida (dog park) Waveland Beach, 10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida Where to watch a rocket launch in Martin County, Florida State Road A1A causeway in Stuart, Florida House of Refuge and beach, 301 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart, Florida This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: SpaceX, ULA Atlas V rocket launches from Florida. What time is liftoff? Horrific scenes unfolded on Sunday at the world-famous Bondi Beach in Australia's bustling metropolis of Sydney. It was supposed to be the first day of the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, a day of reflection and religious observance, instead people ran in panic across the beach, screaming in fear. Videos on social media showed two armed men running across a car park, shooting indiscriminately. A passer-by became the hero of the hour after footage showed him temporarily overpowering one of the attackers and taking his rifle. Advertisement Advertisement The authorities ultimately described the attack as a terrorist act directed against the Jewish community. Crime scene was 'everywhere' At 6:47 pm (0747 GMT), the attackers began shooting at families, according to the police. Twelve people died, and 29 were taken to hospital. One of the suspected attackers was killed, according to the police, while the other was taken into custody. By late evening, the beach promenade was deserted, fluttering police tape flickering in the blue light of patrol cars, as the world-famous Bondi Beach was transformed from a dream destination into a nightmare crime scene. Advertisement Advertisement Flip-flops left behind in haste lay next to overturned bicycles, a shoe was stuck in the sand, its owner presumably ran for their life. On the tables of the beachside restaurants, there were full beer bottles and half-eaten pizzas. A trampled smartphone lay at the edge of the pavement. Wrapped in warming blankets, a young surfer sought comfort in the arms of his friend. The swim shorts were long dry, the cheeks were not. Neither wanted to talk about what happened here a few hours ago. Where exactly was the crime scene? "Fuck, mate, everywhere! They were shooting everywhere!" Sydney home to descendants of Holocaust survivors Most Jews in Sydney - and elsewhere in Australia - are descendants of Holocaust survivors, although some did come before World War II broke out because Australian opened its doors to a limited number of German and Austrian Jews. Advertisement Advertisement "When I think of how we lived - a charmed childhood open about our Judaism - so free and part of Australia, " said Annette Rosen, a 73-year-old Sydney resident whose parents were lucky enough to get an Australian visa in the lottery system that was set up in 1937. They arrived in Australia in 1938 when her brother was just 3 months old. She was born there. Her family's roots can be traced back centuries to what is now Wrocaw in Poland. "My parents were so grateful they were able to leave Germany on time in 1938," she said. "My father always used to say: 'You'll never find another country as good as Australia.'" Advertisement Advertisement But he also warned that anti-Semitism would eventually rear its ugly head. "It always does," she said. "We just didn't think it would be so soon." Rosen said the father of one of her daughter's friends was killed in the shooting. "He brought his family to Australia in the 1980s to escape anti-Semitism in Ukraine," she said. "Oh the irony." Jewish association: "We warned so many times that this was coming?" The shock over the crime is immense. Leaders worldwide expressed their solidarity with the victims and their families. "Its the responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australias Jewish community, to help them get through this period," New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. Advertisement Advertisement However, the mourning is mixed with serious accusations. The Australian Jewish Association posted on X: "We warned so many times that this was coming. We never once felt the Government took the warnings seriously." Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on Australia to provide more protection for the Jewish community. Albanese: Australia takes anti-Semitism seriously Questions from journalists about whether his country is doing enough to tackle growing anti-Semitism were dismissed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He said his country takes the issue seriously. Shortly after the attack, he spoke of shocking and distressing scenes in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement The debate about anti-Semitism had already reignited in October - following a severe attack on Jews in the northern English city of Manchester. Since the start of the Gaza War in October 2023, a worldwide wave of anti-Semitism has been observed, including attacks on Jews and synagogues, where criticism of Israel sometimes turns into hatred directed against Jews. BELLEVILLE, Ill. New technology is transforming how police and fire departments operate across Southern Illinois, giving first responders a powerful tool in times of crisis. The drone task force is helping emergency crews respond faster, smarter, and saferby putting extra eyes in the sky. Its kind of evolved from fighting fires to helping law enforcement, said the president of the Drone task force, as well as Signal Hill fire chief, Tom Eliff. What began as a resource for fire departments has expanded into a regional support system that now plays a critical role in search-and-rescue missions and criminal investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Using advanced drone technology equipped with thermal cameras, the task force can spot hot spots in structure fires and quickly locate missing people who may have wandered from home. The thermal imaging allows responders to detect heat signatures that stand out against cooler surroundings, even in complete darkness. Everything that is warmer than the air starts giving different signals, said OFallon fire chief and lead for the task force, Brad White. It gives us a more dynamic way of looking for an individual instead of being on the ground. The team has already covered a wide area, responding to calls in communities such as Pocahontas and Marissa, and assisting the Illinois State Police and the Major Case Squad in the St. Louis metro area. Last Sunday, the task force was called in to help St. Clair County authorities locate a missing 15-year-old. The search took place late at night, in the dark and coldan environment where drones provide a crucial advantage. Advertisement Advertisement A drone can cover an area in 20 minutes, White said, and for some folks searching on the ground can take an hour. When responding, the group can send three to four drones to a scene. The group has seven drones total and tries to break them up evenly in responding. Although the teen ultimately returned home safely, Eliff and White said the mission underscored the value of the technology and the teamwork behind it. The drone task force continues to grow, now consisting of seven fire departments and counting. As more agencies join, the capabilities of the group expand. The task force is made up of the Signal Hill fire department, the OFallon Illinois, fire department, the Swansea, the Smithton fire department , the Columbia, Illinois fire department, the Mehlville, Missouri fire department, and the Freeburg fire department. They will soon expand to police departments as well. Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen the benefits of it, Eliff said, and we are hopefully going to continue seeing the benefits of it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. EAST LANSING Police are investigating a homicide they said happened in the early hours of Dec. 14 at Arbor Glen Apartments, killing a man in his late 30s. They said in a release they have identified a person of interest, who is being interviewed. Officers were dispatched to Arbor Glen, near the intersection of Lake Lansing and Abbot roads, around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. East Lansing paramedics pronounced the victim only described as a male born in approximately 1988 - dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement The preliminary investigation suggests that this was not a random incident," the release said. "ELPD does not believe there is an ongoing risk to public safety. More: Greater Lansing homicide tracker 2025 The Michigan State Police Lansing Crime Scene Response Team is participating in the investigation at the request of the East Lansing Police Department. Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact Detective Katey Harrison at kharris@cityofeastlansing.com or Detective Andy Ferguson at afergus@cityofeastlansing.com. Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: East Lansing police investigating homicide at Arbor Glen Apartments At least 15 people were killed on Sunday in an attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia, in what authorities described as a targeted terror attack on the Jewish community. The event was hosted by Chabad of Bondi, a neighborhood with a major Jewish community in Sydney. Two gunmen opened fire with long rifles from outside the gated-off event, killing at least 15, and injuring 40. Among the victims were Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the Chabad emissary to Bondi, Holocaust survivor and immigrant from the Former Soviet Union Alex Kleytman, 87, and a 10-year-old girl identified by the Australian press only as Matilda. The terrorists were Naveed Akram, an unemployed bricklayer and his father, Sajid, a grocer, who was killed at the scene. Naveed was shot, as well, and was in critical condition in the hospital on Monday. They were known to Australian Federal Police, which were investigating their possible ties to the ISIS offshoot the Islamic State of East Asia. Police also found unexploded bombs in the area, near Sydneys most popular beach, as well as additional weapons in the Akrams car. Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, the province in which Sydney is located, said that the shooting was a targeted attack on the Sydney Jewish community. NSW Police declared the attack a terrorist incident. One of the two assailants was identified by authorities as Naveed Akram, and was killed at the scene. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said following the attack that his government would implement parts of its special envoy on antisemitisms recommendations, including additional funding for security. This senseless attack is one which is an act of terror. It is aimed at creating fear. But we will stand with the Jewish community and Jewish Australians at this time, Albanese said in a statement to the press. Kobi Farkash, an Israeli tourist in Sydney and an eyewitness to the attack, told Jewish Insider that he went to the beach and happened upon the Chabad event. It was surrounded by a simple fence. There were four or five Jewish security guards without weapons, and maybe two police officers there before the attack, he recalled. Someone from Chabad, a man with a kippah and tzitzit, invited me in he told the security guard to let me in because Im Israeli. I put on tefillin, ate a sufganiya [jelly doughnut]. There were activities for kids, like at any community event. After spending some time at the event, Farkash said, I heard gunshots I saw people running and someone on the floor, bleeding. I started running away with everyone else. People were running in all directions, like the Nova, Farkash said, referring to the Hamas massacre of revelers at a rave in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Its an event where people are celebrating and happy, and you cant believe this happened a moment later. It felt like the Nova. When things seemed quieter, Farkash returned to the scene and found that first responders were working very slowly. In Israel, were used to this and things work much faster. The ambulances, police, news reports, come sooner. My sense was that [Australian authorities] dont know how to deal with mass casualty events. I didnt see anything on the news for almost an hour, and when I asked locals why they werent calling news hotlines or reporting on news apps, they said Australia doesnt have that. In Israel, it would be in the news three minutes later. I have never been in a terrorist attack in Israel, Farkash, who grew up in Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, said. Its crazy that I went to the end of the world and experienced a terror attack here. Lissy Abrahams was walking with her adult daughter to a Bar Mitzvah party being held nearby and parked by where the Chabad party was being held. As they were walking, she and her daughter heard gunshots. We looked at each other and said run, Abrahams recounted to JI. I was wearing high heels that were strapped on and couldnt just flick them off. My daughter was wearing flat shoes, and she kept coming back for me, but I told her to go. She looked at me and made a decision that she couldnt. Abrahams and her daughter saw a storage area, where lifeguards keep their equipment, and ran down to the beach to take shelter with beachgoers, including parents holding babies. People were standing in the doorway and didnt know what to do, but as Jews, we understood what was going on, she said. I said this is a terrorist attack. We need to be very careful and we need to pull this [garage] door down. We needed a barrier. I had to be very firm with them, because they didnt understand, but I had Oct. 7 footage in my mind. Time was distorted, it was moving fast and slow, so I have no idea how long it took, but someone from the [local] council came and said we can go. We decided to trust that advice and go out My daughter and I just ran. We hitchhiked; we jumped into a strangers van. We were so lucky, she said. Abrahams said she kept thinking about the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel: It really struck me how many decisions I had to make and I had no idea where they would lead me. I didnt know how many terrorists there were. I was making decisions that could have ended my life. Jews on Oct. 7, they just had to make decisions, too. Abrahams was part of a group of Sydney residents who would meet weekly to read the names of the hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attacks, and she said she was very moved to see the letter written by the Hostage Families Forum to the community. On Saturday [the group] met for lunch. We were happy; we could breathe; we were proud of our commitment. And there we were the next day, with our community suffering, she said. We are feeling the love from Israel and around the world. We are one big Jewish family. Abrahams spoke to JI on Monday, after returning to Bondi Beach to retrieve her car, and said she saw Chabad rabbis had set up a booth at the site to help people put on Tefilin: These are the cousins, the brothers-in-law and the best friends of people killed. Prominent pro-Israel activist Arsen Ostrovsky, who recently moved back to Australia after living in Israel for 13 years to head the advocacy group Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council, was injured by a bullet that grazed his head during the attack. His wife and two daughters also attended the event, but were not injured. I was here with my family, it was a Hanukkah event, there were hundreds of people, there were children, families, elderly, enjoying themselves, Ostrovsky told Australias News 9. All of a sudden, theres absolute chaos, theres gunfire, people ducking. I saw blood gush in front of me, I saw people hit. My only concern was where are my kids? Where is my wife? I survived Oct. 7, I lived in Israel 13 years. We came here only two weeks ago to work with the Jewish community, to fight antisemitism, to fight this bloodthirsty ravaging hatred. Weve lived through worse. Were going to get through this and were going to get the bastards that did this. It was an absolute bloodbath, blood gushing everywhere. Oct. 7, thats the last time I saw this. I never thought Id see this in Australia, not in my lifetime, Ostrovsky added. Ostrovskys brother-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Creditor, founder of Rabbis Against Gun Violence, posted a photo of Ostrovsky being evacuated, writing, Antisemitism is blasphemy against life, and I know this will not slow my brave brother Arsen down. It will fuel his work with AIJAC on behalf of the Jewish community in Sydney All Jews are family and are responsible for one another. In this case, that hit even closer to home. We will not be quiet. We will not hide. We are Jews. We are proud. We are strong. And we have work to do in the world, and this will not slow us down. Am Yisrael Chai! There has been a sharp increase in antisemitic attacks in Australia since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war. In the decade before October 2023, there was an average of 342 anti-Jewish incidents a year in Australia; since then, the average has risen to 1,858. Two days after the Oct. 7 attacks, thousands gathered outside the Sydney Opera House to protest Israel and chanted f*ck the Jews. Incidents since October 2024, the period that the latest antisemitism report from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry measures, included an arson attack on a kosher caterer, burning of cars and vandalizing buildings in a Sydney suburb, and the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne. Australia expelled the Iranian ambassador earlier this year and designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, after intelligence services found that Iran was linked to the arson attacks. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said, The heart of the entire nation of Israel skips a beat at this very moment, as we pray for the recovery of the wounded and we pray for those who lost their lives. Herzog and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar noted that Israel had warned Australia that it needs to do more against antisemitism. We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society, Herzog stated. Saar posted that the attack is the results of the antisemitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the antisemitic and inciting calls of globalize the Intifada The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses! On New Year's Day 2021, investigators responded to a home invasion call from a residence in Canton, Georgia. At the scene, Morgan Metzer was found with her wrists zip tied, and bruising on her face. Morgan Metzer following the attack at her home. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Morgan Metzer said the intruder had a mask on to hide his identity. Her ex-husband, Rod Metzer, told investigators he found her on the back porch and called 911. A revealing search warrant The zip ties that were used by the assailant to bind Morgan Metzer's wrists. / Credit: Cherokee County District Attorney's Office When questioned, Morgan Metzer told investigators she suspected the intruder was, in fact, her ex-husband. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators executed a search warrant of Rod Metzer's apartment and found a bag of zip ties along with a portion of a zip tie. A perfect match In the crime lab, a portion of a zip tie essentially a tail found in Rod Metzer's apartment, lined up with one of the extra heads on Morgan Metzer's restraints. / Credit: Cherokee County District Attorney's Office Investigators hoped to find out if the portion of the zip tie found in Rod Metzer's apartment lined up with the zip ties on Morgan Metzer's wrists. At the crime lab, they were able to confirm a match. "7 Ways To Be Her Hero" The book In Rod Metzer's apartment, investigators also found the book "7 Ways To Be Her Hero." Investigators believe this spoke to Rod Metzer's motive. Morgan Metzer had told investigators he had been trying to win her back. Advertisement Advertisement Rod Metzer's incriminating browsing history A screenshot from Rod Metzer's internet search history. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Rod Metzer's internet searches stood out to investigators, among them: "How to change the sound of your voice" and "How to get sympathy from your ex." A fake diagnosis In his internet history was another alarming search: "Cancer letter from hospital." Rod Metzer, right, being questioned by Cherokee County investigators. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Rod Metzer had told Morgan Metzer the week before the attack that he had pancreatic cancer. Investigators found that Rod Metzer created a fake email account to create the cancer diagnosis letter he showed Morgan. Det. Dakota Lyvers confronted Rod Metzer about this. Rod Metzer did not answer Lyvers, instead he responded, "I don't know if I should talk to you guys anymore. I'm starting to get a really bad feeling ..." Advertisement Advertisement A revealing barcode A bag of zip ties found during a search of Rod Metzer's apartment. / Credit: Cherokee County District Attorney's Office Rod Metzer denied having zip ties in his home. Using a Lowe's app on his phone, Sgt. Robert Haugh scanned the UPC code located on the zip tie bag and discovered they were carried by Lowe's. After searching local transactions, investigators discovered Rod Metzer purchased the type of zip ties used to restrain Morgan Metzer with his debit card. Lowe's surveillance footage Rod Metzer, right, is seen in an image from security video purchasing zip ties at a Lowe's store on Dec. 30, 2020. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Investigators obtained surveillance footage from Lowe's which showed Rod Metzer purchasing the zip ties on Dec. 30 about 36 hours before the attack. "Overwhelming" evidence against Rod Metzer Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe said her team had more than enough evidence to prove Rod Metzer's guilt. In her interview with "48 Hours," she said, "This is a prosecutor's dream" because the evidence was "overwhelming." On Aug. 4, 2021, Rod Metzer pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts related to the attack on his ex-wife and the photos found on his phone. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Rod Metzer pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to Morgan Metzer's attack and photos found on his phone that were considered an invasion of privacy. He was given a 70-year sentence 25 years in prison followed by 45 years of probation. A survivor's story Morgan Metzer shares her story with Morgan Metzer says she is dedicated to helping women who find themselves in situations similar to her own. She is also focused on raising her children. CBS News Presents: A Town Hall with Erika Kirk Raul Malo's musical legacy Actor, showman Dick Van Dyke celebrates 100th birthday Nancy Pelosi isn't given to regrets, but she now finds herself preparing to return to California while President Donald Trump remains in power in Washington. And there still hasn't been a woman elected president. "I always thought that a woman would be president of the United States long before a woman would be speaker of the House," Pelosi told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview after announcing her retirement, the end of nearly 40 years in Congress. The men who ran things "poor babies," she called them weren't exactly welcoming when she tried to join their ranks. Advertisement Advertisement "It's not a glass ceiling, it's a marble ceiling," she recalled. "I thought certainly the American people are far ahead of the Congress in terms of their acceptance or their enthusiasm for a woman to be president of the United States." Since she was elected the first female speaker nearly two decades ago, though, the two women nominated for president, Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024, have both been defeated, both by Trump. Indeed, his unexpected victory over Clinton prompted Pelosi to set aside her tentative plans to retire then. All that has tempered Pelosi's optimism, or at least her timetable, for seeing a woman in the Oval Office. "I think it's probably maybe not in my lifetime, but within this next generation, there'll be a woman," she said. Advertisement Advertisement More: 'We ain't ready.' Michelle Obama says the country doesn't want a woman president. At age 85, Pelosi's gait has slowed, but her posture remained ramrod straight during an hour-long conversation with Page. She wore a fire-engine red pantsuit and her signature stiletto heels, back after recovering from a fall and hip replacement surgery a year ago. After nearly 40 Years, Pelosi closes a historic chapter in Washington At age 85, Pelosi's gait has slowed, but her posture remained ramrod straight during an hour-long conversation with Page. She wore a fire-engine red pantsuit and her signature stiletto heels, back after recovering from a fall and hip replacement surgery a year ago. Was former first lady Michelle Obama right when she said last month that America wasn't ready for that idea? "I don't know," Pelosi mused, then acknowledged, "I respect what she said, and I see the evidence of the two campaigns." Even though Clinton carried the popular vote, winning the Electoral College has proven to be "a tall order." After decades of friendship, a breach with Biden Democrats nominated Harris for president after President Joe Biden withdrew just 107 days before the election amid concerns about his age and mental acuity. Pelosi played an important role in that decision, meeting with Biden and citing polls that challenged his belief he could win in November. Advertisement Advertisement He heeded her counsel, but despite decades of political friendship, the two have never spoken again. "I'm saddened by it because I love him and I respect him, but I respect his decision in that regard," Pelosi said. She added, "He did make a lovely statement when I announced my future plans, and I am grateful to him for that." Biden's written statement called Pelosi "the best Speaker of the House in American history." U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) applaud as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 1, 2022. Meanwhile, Trump told reporters she was "an evil woman" who "did the country a great service by retiring." In the end, Pelosi said, the decision to retire from Congress after 20 terms 20 TERMS wasn't hard to reach. Advertisement Advertisement "It was time," she said in the Dec. 11 interview. "I mean, I've been ready for a while." While she kept her decision secret until dramatically revealing it in a video last month, "I thought that I probably wouldn't run again" for some time. There was a reason she kept that quiet, she added, as though stating the most obvious thing in the world: "You can't make yourself a lame duck." Not if you're Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi, the daughter of a three-term Baltimore mayor who became the most powerful woman in the history of the United States. She negotiated passage of historic legislation with Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Biden, and she was the nemesis of Republican ones, of President George W. Bush over the Iraq war and of Trump over, well, everything. But if Democrats regain control of the House in next year's midterms a prospect Pelosi describes as a certainty, given the president's sagging approval ratings she doesn't think impeaching Trump should be on the agenda. She led two impeachments against him during his first presidential term. Advertisement Advertisement "No," she said. "That's not an incidental thing, to say we're going to do that. No, there has to be cause; there has to be reason." Instead, what congressional Democrats should do during the last two years of Trump's second term is hold the line and pave the path for regaining the White House in 2028. "We won't be able to get his signature on things, maybe," she said of Trump, "but we'll be able to slow down the terror that he is inflicting on the country." A slower gait, a less glorious view She is 85 now. "I'm old!" she exclaims at one point, sounding slightly surprised. Her gait is a bit more uncertain these days, but her posture during an hour-long conversation was as ramrod straight as when she arrived in town in 1987. She wore a fire-engine red pantsuit and her signature stiletto heels, back after recovering from a fall and hip replacement surgery a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement Being "speaker emerita," the honorific she devised for her unique status, lacks the power and perks that came with being speaker or Democratic minority leader. She had led the party in one post or the other for two decades, from 2003 to 2023. Consider: The speaker's suite, steps off the House floor, commands the best view in Washington, a sweeping vista of the National Mall. Now her quarters in the Longworth House Office Building, as the representative of the 11th district of California, offer a view of the wall of the Rayburn House Office Building next door. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, rips up President Donald Trump's speech following his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in 2020. The first thing visitors see is a framed poster that then-Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy gave her, showing a smiling Pelosi surrounded by pictures of the 51 male House speakers who preceded her. Advertisement Advertisement In the hallway outside is a large bronze plaque honoring the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the ceremonial counting of Electoral College votes that would affirm Biden's victory over Trump. "Their heroism will never be forgotten," it reads. Pelosi's contempt for Trump, on public display when she stood behind him and shredded his speech text after the 2020 State of the Union, hasn't cooled. She calls his administration "corrupt, incoherent, chaotic, cruel" and his political priorities "sick." As for her legacy, she calls the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 her proudest achievement, and the failure to enact gun legislation to curb mass shootings at schools and elsewhere her biggest disappointment. 'Not so fast on the epitaph' She acknowledges that her days of wielding power are over. Advertisement Advertisement "I have, shall we say, no power right now, nor would I I'll have even less when I'm not in Congress," she said. "But that doesn't mean I'm without influence." She will continue to press the issues she cares most about, and she'll be ready to offer "advice, if people want it." She doesn't dismiss speculation that she is likely to endorse Connie Chan, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and a candidate in a crowded field to succeed Pelosi in Congress. "I don't plan to do anything right now," she replied. The state Democratic convention is in February, "and we'll see how that goes." Pelosi expressed confidence that her daughter, Christine, will win her bid for a California state senate seat in November and that Democrats will regain control of the U.S. House. "We only need three seats for Hakeem [Jeffries, the Democratic leader] to be speaker," she said. "I want more like 30." President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House in 2010. But her agenda ahead sounds more personal than political. Her husband, Paul, is "doing OK" but still dealing with the trauma from the brutal assault at their San Francisco home by a hammer-wielding assailant, now sentenced to life in prison. "I feel terrible because they were looking for me; they get him," she said. "He pays the physical price; our children pay it in trauma." Advertisement Advertisement She also wants to be more available to friends who are having "ups and downs." People "say, well, what are you going to do next?" she said with an edge of exasperation. "And how about, would you consider this or that? And I said, 'I don't have to do anything; I'm old! I don't have to do anything else.'" Years from now, what epitaph would she like on her tombstone? "Not so fast on the epitaph," she replied crisply. But she noted that on Veterans Day, she had placed flowers on the gravesite of her friends and predecessors, Phil Burton and Sala Burton, and admired the messages they had chosen. "His life was service; his love was the people," his epitaph read. Hers: "She cared." Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief of USA TODAY, is the author of "Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nancy Pelosi on impeaching Trump, electing a woman president Two members of large drug-trafficking organizations that shipped methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin into Hawaii were sentenced to federal prison terms in separate cases last week. Faith Michelle Nelson, 52, of Kauai, was sentenced Wednesday to 12-1 /2 years behind bars followed by five years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi in Honolulu federal court. Nelson pleaded guilty July 14 to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute as part of a plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. She was originally charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and attempted possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in a 39-page indictment. Nelson has been at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu since her arrest April 10, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement This individual has an extensive history of harming our community and putting countless families at risk, said Kauai Police Chief Kalani Ke in a news release Wednesday. Todays sentence holds her accountable for her actions and demonstrates that such destructive behavior will not be tolerated. We commend our federal partners for helping end this operation, and we remain committed to keeping Kauai safe from those who bring dangerous drugs into our communities. Nelson was part of a conspiracy that was shipping fentanyl and methamphetamine into Hawaii through the U.S. mail and selling methamphetamine on Kauai, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Hawaii District. She was personally responsible for moving more than 18 pounds of methamphetamine as part of the drug ring, officials said. Nelson is one of 11 people charged in three separate indictments for crimes related to the operation of the trans-Pacific drug trafficking network, nine of whom have pleaded guilty, with the remaining two defendants awaiting trial. The investigation seized more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine, several kilograms of fentanyl and carfentanil, an extremely potent synthetic opioid, along with eight firearms, ammunition and more than $150, 000 in cash. Advertisement Advertisement (The ) sentence represents a significant step in bringing to justice the trans-Pacific criminal enterprise that Nelson and her co-conspirators used to flood communities in Hawaii, Alaska, and beyond with deadly drugs, said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson in a news release. We credit our tremendous law enforcement partners with helping to expose and dismantle this dangerous drug operation. The case was investigated by the FBI, the Kauai, Maui and Honolulu police departments, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. THURSDAY SAW the sentencing of a member of a heavily armed drug-trafficking organization from Michigan that moved fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine to Hawaii from Los Angeles and Philadelphia. U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake imposed a six-year prison term on Lynden David Lightburn, 52, of Los Angeles, followed by five years of supervised release. Advertisement Advertisement Lightburn was a member of a group that included people from Hawaii, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California and Florida who were found with rifles, handguns and more than $250, 000 in cash hidden in cars and storage units on Oahu. The group sold fentanyl in mixtures with heroin and in counterfeit oxycodone tablets. This sentencing, and the overall resolution of the related investigation, represents years of collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies to dismantle one of Hawaiis most dangerous drug trafficking organizations, said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter in a news release. The FBIin coordination with our partnerswill continue to use every available resource to protect our communities by taking these violent offenders off the board and bringing them to justice. During the multiagency investigation, law enforcement agents made dozens of controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine from the conspirators and executed 15 search warrants on residences, rental storage units and parcels. Advertisement Advertisement On June 30 and July 1, 2021, Honolulu police and DEA agents seized $121, 131 from a storage unit on Waialae Avenue, $102, 919 from a storage unit on Hila Place in Pearl City, $24, 327 from a bag stashed in a black Mercedes-Benz vehicle and $4, 857 from a Young Street residence, according to court documents. Also on June 30, investigators searched a storage unit on Kawa Street in Kaneohe, the Young Street residence and the Mercedes, uncovering a cache of rifles, handguns and ammunition. More than 15 kilograms of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine also were seized during the investigation. BETWEEN 2021 and June 2024, 1, 018 people have died of drug overdoses in Hawaii, including 660 from methamphetamine and 140 from fentanyl, according to the state Department of Health. Advertisement Advertisement The vast majority of illegal drugs make their way into the islands through an array of avenues, according to law enforcement officials, including shipments by mail and cargo containers, in airline luggage and personally carried by couriers, before they are sold through local supply chains. On the street in Hawaii, M30 fentanyl pills retail for between $2 and $3 each and from $3, 000 and $3, 500 a kilogram, according to market intelligence in June from DEA. Drug-trafficking organizations are marketing cocaine in Hawaii starting at $25, 000 a kilogram and as high as $30, 000 a kilogram. Four ounces of crystal methamphetamine sells for about $700 an ounce and between $5, 600 and $6, 000 a kilogram, the report said. Two major commercial airlines are returning to a small, public airport in Southern California, including one that gives Bay Area travelers another option for visiting the state's "best of the best" theme park from San Francisco International Airport. After a 10-year hiatus, United Airlines is reviving service at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, a single-runway airfield owned by San Diego County. The airport, which has primarily served private flights and public charters such as JSX and Advanced Air, is slated to welcome United Airlines again beginning March 30. It's now the second major airline coming to McClellan-Palomar Airport. Advertisement Advertisement "The last airline, United Express, left Palomar in 2015, so there's been a pause in commercial activity," Airport Director Jamie Abbott told SFGATE. "But just earlier this year, American started service to Phoenix. And then, United is on the coattails of American, and they're gonna start service to San Francisco and Denver. It's a resurgence." In the past, United operated routes from Los Angeles International Airport to Carlsbad on United Express, but the airline ended that schedule a decade ago. Now, for the first time, United is introducing nonstop, twice-daily routes to SFO and Denver International Airport. United is now set to operate in 18 California cities, including Carlsbad, marking a statewide record. "With the addition of Carlsbad, United now serves more cities in California than any other airline," Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, told SFGATE in an email. "... I hope these new commercial routes will continue to inspire the next generation as they think of all the places United can take them with a direct connection to a hub like San Francisco." Airplane and airport made of Lego bricks on Aug. 6, 2011, at Legoland Park in Billund, Denmark. (Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images) Palomar Airport is only 4 miles from Legoland, making it the closest California airport to the theme park, which Tripadvisor named the "best of the best" in the state earlier this year. The theme park plans to open a new land, Lego Galaxy, in early 2026. The new land is set to have the park's first new roller coaster in 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement "Legoland is just a couple miles down the road, and so it couldn't be more convenient for people to fly directly into Palomar Airport and then visit Legoland or the beautiful beaches at Carlsbad, and really make it a tourist destination for travelers that typically would have to go down to San Diego International or up to Orange County," Abbott said. Palomar Airport also began servicing American Airlines in February 2025, with a single route to Phoenix International Airport. BEST OF SFGATE Local | 'Heartbreaking': San Francisco tradition comes to an unexpected halt after 80 years California| Century-old Calif. community has no power, and a waitlist you can't join Central Coast| 'Heartbreaking': Once thriving Calif. downtown is on the brink Culture | He was a janitor. Then, his 2000s California rock band made an immortal hit. Advertisement Advertisement Get SFGATE's top stories sent to your inbox by signing up for The Daily newsletter here. This article originally published at New flight from SFO lands miles from gate into major Calif. theme park. A fruit shop owner who risked his life to disarm one of the gunmen during an antisemitic terror attack in Australia's Bondi Beach is being hailed a hero for his actions. Authorities said two gunmen, a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son, killed at least 15 people and wounded many more during a Hanukkah celebration at the famous Sydney beach. The 50-year-old gunman was also killed and the 24-year-old was hospitalized in "serious condition," New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said. Following the deadly shooting on Sunday, videos emerged on social media that showed a man crouched behind a parked car along Campbell Parade, a main street that runs parallel to Bondi Beach. One video shows him jump up and tackle one of the suspects, who had just fired his weapon toward something out of view. Advertisement Advertisement The man, who local Australian media identified as 43-year-old fruit seller Ahmed al Ahmed, then wrestles the gun away and points it at the gunman, who backs away. Local outlet 7News reported that al Ahmed suffered two gunshot wounds. The outlet spoke to a man called Mustapha, who said he was his cousin. "He's in hospital and we don't know exactly what's going on inside," he said. "We do hope he will be fine. He's a hero 100%," he said. Police officers stand guard at a cordoned zone following the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. / Credit: Brent Lewin / Bloomberg via Getty Images (Brent Lewin / Bloomberg via Getty Images) The startling footage of the encounter has gone viral, and Ahmed was feted online for his bravery and lifesaving quick thinking, with many people saying he likely saved several lives. Advertisement Advertisement New South Wales Premier Chris Minns hailed al Ahmed a "genuine hero." "In all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger," Minns told a press briefing late Sunday. U.S. President Trump, during an event at the White House on Sunday, said the man's actions "saved a lot of lives." "It's been a very, very brave person, actually, who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters, and saved a lot of lives," Mr. Trump said, adding the man "is right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded." Advertisement Advertisement A guide to "Made in America" holiday gifts, state by state Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, arrested, jail records show Indiana Hoosiers eye college football championship after years of struggle | 60 Minutes (WLNS) Gary Peters is not done yet. The U.S. Senator from Michigan is retiring from the Senate after his term ends in 2026, but he says hes not going away. Peters built a career on working across the aisle. He authored and signed into law 19 bills during the 117th Congress, more than any U.S. Senator in 40 years. He is often noticed for his effectiveness by nonpartisan evaluators. Some of Peters most significant accomplishments include regulations on forever chemicals and protections for the Great Lakes. WASHINGTON, DC OCTOBER 03: U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) leaves a Senate Democratic meeting at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 3, 2025 in Washington, DC. The federal government shut down early Wednesday after Congress and the White House failed to reach a funding deal. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) On this weeks episode of The Moment, Peters discussed health care, his retirement and bipartisanship. Advertisement Advertisement Now is a good time to step back, take on other challenges and let someone else serve their community and their state, Peters said, noting that turnover is good for democracy. When asked if finding common ground is more difficult now, given todays polarizing political climate, Peters said it is. Folks expect people to dig into that partisan foxhole, Peters said, adding that voters should demand more bipartisanship from their representatives and senators. Thats not how democracy is designed to work. It cant function if were all in our little silo. We have to reach outside of that. Also in this episode: Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, discusses vaccine policy. Advertisement Advertisement The interview with Gary Peters originally aired in this past weeks episode of Capital Rundown. 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 WLNS 6 News. By Hussein Waaile and Sarah Marsh NEW YORK/BERLIN, Dec 14 (Reuters) - A senior German far-right lawmaker called for an alliance between U.S. and German nationalist parties at a MAGA gala on Saturday where he was being honored, buoyed by a new U.S. security strategy praising Europe's patriotic parties. Markus Frohnmaier was among some 20 state, federal and EU lawmakers from the Alternative for Germany to attend the annual black-tie gala hosted by the New York Young Republican Club. Advertisement Advertisement The showpiece gala has become a gathering point for MAGA-aligned Republicans and international far-right figures in recent years, with U.S. President Donald Trump himself headlining it two years ago. Many European leaders fear the Trump administration's growing backing for the continent's far right parties could lend them greater legitimacy and help propel them to power. The anti-migrant AfD is already polling first in nationwide German surveys ahead of five state elections in 2026. The U.S. strategy document published last week frames Europe as stifling free speech and political opposition, and says Washington should focus on "cultivating resistance to Europe's current trajectory". "The alliance between American and German patriots is the nightmare of the liberal elites and it is the hope of the free world," Frohnmaier said in a speech at the gala. Advertisement Advertisement "Let us reclaim our culture, let us reclaim our nations, and let us make the West whole again." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking earlier on Saturday, acknowledged Europe had to brace for a fundamental shift in its relations with the United States, adding the era of "Pax Americana" was largely over. Frohnmaier, the foreign policy spokesperson of the AfD's federal parliamentary group, met with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers prior to the gala. Rogers last week published a video criticising alleged incidents of censorship throughout Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Politicians from mainstream German parties have accused the AfD of "anti-German diplomacy", for railing against what it calls political oppression. The AfD was classified earlier this year by Germany's domestic intelligence agency as a right wing extremist organisation. Germany's other parties refuse to work with its lawmakers - a pact the AfD says is undemocratic. Ties between the New York Young Republican Club and the AfD stretch back several years, but they have deepened and drawn increasing attention in recent months. The tenor who sang the U.S. national anthem at the gala sung the taboo first stanza of Germany's national anthem - used by the Nazis to assert German superiority - at a reception the club held for two visiting AfD lawmakers in October. Advertisement Advertisement Frohnmaier said he had invited U.S. State Department Officials and lawmakers to attend a congress in Germany in February, the same month leaders usually descend on the country for the Munich Security Conference. The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment. (Reporting by Hussein Waaile in New York and Sarah Marsh in Berlin; Additional Reporting by Friederike Heine; Editing by Christina Fincher) Moscow has labelled Germany's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) an "undesirable organization," effectively banning its activities in the country. The move follows a recommendation by the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, DW reported on Sunday. A government statement posted on Telegram on Saturday said the General Prosecutor's Office now considers DW to be "at the forefront of hostile anti-Russian propaganda." The prosecutor's office has not issued a separate statement. Advertisement Advertisement DW Director General Barbara Massing criticized the tightening of the crackdown on free media by the Russian judiciary. "Russia may label us an undesirable organization, but that won't deter us. This latest attempt to silence free media highlights the Russian regime's blatant disregard for press freedom and exposes its fear of independent information," Massing said in a statement. "Despite censorship and blocking of our services by the Russian government, DW's Russian-language service now reaches more people than ever before. "We will continue to report independently on the war of aggression against Ukraine and other topics about which little information is available in Russia. So that people can form their own opinions," Massing said. Advertisement Advertisement Russia has targeted DW for years, revoking accreditations and banning its broadcasts in February 2022. The broadcaster's website has been blocked, and DW was labelled a "foreign agent" in March 2022. The new designation further tightens restrictions, as cooperation with an "undesirable organization" can lead to fines or prison sentences. "This means that Russian employees of DW are particularly affected," Massing added. Moscow has labelled Germany's international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) an "undesirable organization," effectively banning its activities in the country. The move follows a recommendation by the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, DW reported on Sunday. A government statement posted on Telegram on Saturday said the General Prosecutor's Office now considers DW to be "at the forefront of hostile anti-Russian propaganda." The prosecutor's office has not issued a separate statement. Advertisement Advertisement DW Director General Barbara Massing criticized the tightening of the crackdown on free media by the Russian judiciary. "Russia may label us an undesirable organization, but that won't deter us. This latest attempt to silence free media highlights the Russian regime's blatant disregard for press freedom and exposes its fear of independent information," Massing said in a statement. "Despite censorship and blocking of our services by the Russian government, DW's Russian-language service now reaches more people than ever before. "We will continue to report independently on the war of aggression against Ukraine and other topics about which little information is available in Russia. So that people can form their own opinions," Massing said. Advertisement Advertisement Russia has targeted DW for years, revoking accreditations and banning its broadcasts in February 2022. The broadcaster's website has been blocked, and DW was labelled a "foreign agent" in March 2022. The new designation further tightens restrictions, as cooperation with an "undesirable organization" can lead to fines or prison sentences. "This means that Russian employees of DW are particularly affected," Massing added. Russian lawmaker Vasily Piskaryov said that cooperation with DW would now be punished as a violation of the law. He is chairman of the State Duma commission that investigates alleged foreign interference in Russia's internal affairs. Advertisement Advertisement DW has yet to receive formal notification from the General Prosecutor's Office, Massing said. However, there are measures to circumvent censorship in order to continue to reach Russians in their home country. In addition to the media, the Russian judiciary has also classified non-governmental organizations and foundations as "undesirable." The list of those affected is getting longer and longer. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov once described the censorship measures in Russia as unprecedented and justified them as necessary in view of the "information war" accompanying Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) will invite US State Department representatives, members of Congress and US lobby organizations to a conference it is holding in Berlin in February in a drive to boost its relations with the Republican Party. Deputy AfD parliamentary head Markus Frohnmaier made the announcement as he received an award at a gala held by the influential New York Young Republican Club. The AfD conference is taking place at the same time as the annual Munich Security Conference. In his speech Frohnmaier, highlighted what he termed an "alliance" of "patriots" in the US and Germany. Advertisement Advertisement A number of AfD legislators have recently travelled to the US to boost relations with the President Donald Trump's party, drawing criticism from other German parties. They said the AfD was generating anti-German sentiment and questioned the costs of the trip. Frohnmaier said he had met US administration officials on Friday, without identifying them. The New York gala event on Saturday evening revealed clear similarities between the AfD line on immigration and that of the Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. In a speech praising Frohnmaier, Dovid Holtzman, speaking for the club, called out "Germany First!" channelling Trump's "America First" agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Addressing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he called on Merz to tear down the firewall that other German parties have erected to keep the AfD out of government. "Tear down this Brandmauer (firewall)!" he said. Republican president Ronald Reagan made a similar call to Soviet leaders to tear down the Berlin Wall while on a visit to Berlin in 1987. When Indiana adopted new U.S. House districts four years ago, Republican legislative leaders lauded them as fair maps that reflected the state's communities. But when Gov. Mike Braun recently tried to redraw the lines to help Republicans gain more power, he implored lawmakers to "vote for fair maps. What changed? The definition of fair. As states undertake mid-decade redistricting instigated by President Donald Trump, Republicans and Democrats are using a tit-for-tat definition of fairness to justify districts that split communities in an attempt to send politically lopsided delegations to Congress. It is fair, they argue, because other states have done the same. And it is necessary, they claim, to maintain a partisan balance in the House of Representatives that resembles the national political divide. Advertisement Advertisement This new vision for drawing congressional maps is creating a winner-take-all scenario that treats the House, traditionally a more diverse patchwork of politicians, like the Senate, where members reflect a state's majority party. The result could be reduced power for minority communities, less attention to certain issues and fewer distinct voices heard in Washington. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky fears that unconstrained gerrymandering would put the United States on a perilous path, if Democrats in states such as Texas and Republicans in states like California feel shut out of electoral politics. I think that its going to lead to more civil tension and possibly more violence in our country, he said Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. Although Indiana state senators rejected a new map backed by Trump and Braun that could have helped Republicans win all nine of the states congressional seats, districts have already been redrawn in Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Other states could consider changes before the 2026 midterms that will determine control of Congress. Its a fundamental undermining of a key democratic condition, said Wayne Fields, a retired English professor from Washington University in St. Louis who is an expert on political rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement The House is supposed to represent the people, Fields added. We gain an awful lot by having particular parts of the population heard. Redistricting is diluting community representation Under the Constitution, the Senate has two members from each state. The House has 435 seats divided among states based on population, with each state guaranteed at least one representative. In the current Congress, California has the most at 52, followed by Texas with 38. Because senators are elected statewide, they are almost always political pairs of one party or another. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are the only states now with both a Democrat and Republican in the Senate. Maine and Vermont each have one independent and one senator affiliated with a political party. Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, most states elect a mixture of Democrats and Republicans to the House. That is because House districts, with an average of 761,000 residents, based on the 2020 census, are more likely to reflect the varying partisan preferences of urban or rural voters, as well as different racial, ethnic and economic groups. This year's redistricting is diminishing those locally unique districts. In California, voters in several rural counties that backed Trump were separated from similar rural areas and attached to a reshaped congressional district containing liberal coastal communities. In Missouri, Democratic-leaning voters in Kansas City were split from one main congressional district into three, with each revised district stretching deep into rural Republican areas. Some residents complained their voices are getting drowned out. But Govs. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., and Mike Kehoe, R-Mo., defended the gerrymandering as a means of countering other states and amplifying the voices of those aligned with the state's majority. Advertisement Advertisement All is `fair' in redistricting Indiana's delegation in the U.S. House consists of seven Republicans and two Democrats one representing Indianapolis and the other a suburban Chicago district in the state's northwestern corner. Dueling definitions of fairness were on display at the Indiana Capitol as lawmakers considered a Trump-backed redistricting plan that would have split Indianapolis among four Republican-leaning districts and merged the Chicago suburbs with rural Republican areas. Opponents walked the halls in protest, carrying signs such as I stand for fair maps! Ethan Hatcher, a talk radio host who said he votes for Republicans and Libertarians, denounced the redistricting plan as a blatant power grab" that "compromises the principles of our Founding Fathers" by fracturing Democratic strongholds to dilute the voices of urban voters. Advertisement Advertisement Its a calculated assault on fair representation," Hatcher told a state Senate committee. But others asserted it would be fair for Indiana Republicans to hold all of those House seats, because Trump won the solidly Republican state by nearly three-fifths of the vote. Our current 7-2 congressional delegation doesnt fully capture that strength, resident Tracy Kissel said at a committee hearing. "We can create fairer, more competitive districts that align with how Hoosiers vote. When senators defeated a map designed to deliver a 9-0 congressional delegation for Republicans, Braun bemoaned that they had missed an opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps. Advertisement Advertisement Disrupting an equilibrium By some national measurements, the U.S. House already is politically fair. The 220-215 majority that Republicans won over Democrats in the 2024 elections almost perfectly aligns with the share of the vote the two parties received in districts across the country, according to an Associated Press analysis. But that overall balance belies an imbalance that exists in many states. Even before this year's redistricting, the number of states with congressional districts tilted toward one party or another was higher than at any point in at least a decade, the AP analysis found. The partisan divisions have contributed to a cutthroat political environment that drives the parties to extreme measures," said Kent Syler, a political science professor at Middle Tennessee State University. He noted that Republicans hold 88% of congressional seats in Tennessee, and Democrats have an equivalent in Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Fairer redistricting would give people more of a feeling that they have a voice," Syler said. Rebekah Caruthers, who leads the Fair Elections Center, a nonprofit voting rights group, said there should be compact districts that allow communities of interest to elect the representatives of their choice, regardless of how that affects the national political balance. Gerrymandering districts to be dominated by a single party results in an unfair disenfranchisement" of some voters, she said. Ultimately, this isnt going to be good for democracy," Caruthers said. "We need some type of detente. The shooter who ambushed U.S. and Syrian troops, killing two American soldiers and one civilian who was serving as an interpreter, is believed to have been an Islamic State infiltrator working as part of a local security force, multiple sources told CBS News. The shooting happened during a mission by U.S. and Syrian forces in a historic central town near Palmyra on Saturday. President Trump and U.S. military officials attributed the attack to ISIS. Two members of Syria's security force were wounded. Sources told CBS News that the local security force was in the Badia, which falls under the control of the Syrian government. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Saturday that the "gunman was engaged and killed." Mr. Trump on Saturday vowed that the U.S. would retaliate. "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," Mr. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation." On Sunday, Mr. Trump said, "We had three great patriots terminated by bad people, and not the Syrian government." Mr. Trump also vowed, "There will be a lot of damage done to the people that did it." Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on the phone with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Sunday, the State Department said. According to a statement, al-Shaibani "offered condolences and reiterated the commitment of the Syrian government to degrade and destroy the shared threat of ISIS." Advertisement Advertisement No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba alleged that the name of the attacker is Tarek Satouf al-Hamd, he told CBS News. Al-Baba also said he had been identified by the Syrian government last Wednesday as a risk and was working inside the local base where the Saturday attack took place. Al-Baba told state television on Sunday that Syrian authorities "had decided to fire him" from the security forces before the attack for holding "extremist Islamist ideas" and had planned to do so on Sunday. A Syrian security official told Agence France-Presse on Sunday that "11 members of the general security forces were arrested and brought in for questioning after the attack." Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent called the shooting "an insider terrorist attack." Saturday's attack was the first with fatalities since the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has hundreds of troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting the Islamic State group and to hinder Iranian influence. Currently, about 900 troops are stationed there. They are mainly posted in the Kurdish-controlled northeast and at the al-Tanf base in the southeastern desert near the borders with Iraq and Jordan. Palmyra, home to UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, was controlled by ISIS at the height of its territorial expansion in Syria. The U.S. 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 Mr. Trump. A guide to "Made in America" holiday gifts, state by state CBS News Presents: A Town Hall with Erika Kirk Indiana Hoosiers eye college football championship after years of struggle | 60 Minutes An IDF infographic showing the letter from al-Qarara municipality demanding rent payments from displaced Gazans, December 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON Hamas is forcing displaced residents in al-Qarara to pay rent for tent spaces on the Gaza coast after their homes were destroyed, according to the IDFs Arabic spokesperson. After their homes had been destroyed in the war, Hamas is forcing displaced Gazans in al-Qarara to pay rent to live in tents on the beach, the IDF's Arabic spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee revealed last week. "Hamas demands that residents pay huge amounts due to renting a space on the beach," Adraee wrote in the post, which included an image obtained by the military of a Hamas message outlining the terror group's demand. Advertisement Advertisement According to Adraee, the residents were given a week to complete the necessary procedures and pay their dues in al-Qarara, a municipality located to the north of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. "The Hamas that caused a flood of destruction in the Gaza Strip, and seized homes, lands, and entire neighborhoods for its terrorist purposes, is the same Hamas that now demands that residents pay large sums in compensation for the damages that it caused," Adraee stated. "It's a simple story. Hamas caused the destruction of homes and the displacement of people, and now it demands that those harmed by its actions pay money for the privilege." "Hamas terrorists operate inside displacement camps and on the coast, forcibly demanding that residents pay rent," he added. Accusations came amid Storm Byron flooding Adraee's comments came during Storm Byron and its associated flooding last week. He condemned the terror group's leadership, which "continues to drench the Gazans' path with corruption and exploitation, and to impose unreasonable payment demands." Another senior member of the Palestinian militant group Hamas has been killed in an attack in the Gaza Strip. Ahmad Zamzam, an officer in Hamass internal security service, was killed in the Al-Maghasi refugee area in central Gaza, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry said on Sunday. Hamas blamed Israeli agents for the attack, but an Israeli army spokeswoman said the military was "unaware" of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Speculation swirled in Gaza that Zamzam may have been killed by Palestinian assailants. Hamas also confirmed the death of senior commander Raed Saad in Gaza. Khalil al-Hayya, Hamass most senior official abroad, announced Saads death in a televised address. Israels military said it killed Saad on Saturday. Palestinian media reported that he died when a drone struck a car in Gaza City.. According to Israel, Saad was one of the masterminds behind the October 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were taken into Gaza. The Israeli military said Saad had been working in recent months to restore Hamass military capabilities and weapons production, and was considered one of the last remaining senior Hamas commanders in the Gaza Strip. An old nemesis, the flu virus, is set to rear its ugly head this holiday season with a new and particularly contagious strain. What's happening? National Geographic reported on the worrisome genetic changes in this year's flu virus that could lead to a significant outbreak. "We will have a significant flu season this year, and we have a lot of concern that it's going to be more severe than typical," Richard Martinello, an infectious diseases specialist at Yale Medicine, said. Advertisement Advertisement Danuta Skowronski, a flu researcher at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, picked up on the concerning aspects of this year's flu strain as part of a study. The significant genetic changes are making it harder for antibodies to recognize it and easier for it to infect and spread among people. Evidence of its contagiousness exists in the Southern Hemisphere, where winter (and flu season) occurs in our summer. Australia and Brazil have already seen record case numbers or major increases in severe flu diagnoses from last year. This version of the virus, known as subclade K, has spread rapidly and is expected to dominate during the holidays. Already, it's hit the United Kingdom months ahead of schedule and is creeping upward in the U.S. when measured by doctor visits. Making matters worse, the current vaccine edition is a mismatch of the circulating strain. Considering the vaccine is set almost a year in advance, that is always a possibility. Still, it bodes poorly given the virus's changes. Why is the concerning news about the flu season important? The flu can pose severe risks, especially for children, pregnant women, and those 65 and older. As its threat looms, global travel accelerates how diseases spread and is magnified in peak times like the holiday season, when people gather in close proximity. Advertisement Advertisement Even with the vaccine mismatch, experts speaking to National Geographic stressed the importance of vaccination. Recipients of the flu shot in the Southern Hemisphere were just under 50% less likely to face hospitalization, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analysis. That illustrates that imperfect vaccines can still help. Despite that, a significant portion of Americans, including children and those over 65, remain unvaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation could specifically be a culprit. Just 36% of U.S. children have gotten the shot, which is a 23% drop from rates in the 1970s. That still tops the 13% uptake rate of adults over 65. Do you ever worry about the air quality in your home? All the time Often Very rarely Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's being done about the resurgent flu virus? Getting the vaccine is the first thing you can do to stem the severity of the flu. Preventive actions, such as staying home when sick or wearing a mask, can also help. Martinello noted that many sick people assume that the flu is just a cold. It's better not to make that assumption and instead get clarity. Flu mutations do not affect the effectiveness of antiviral drugs, so consulting a doctor early can be beneficial. 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. Massachusetts top leaders offered condolences to the state of Rhode Island, condemning the act of violence at Brown University that left at least two people dead and eight others injured on Saturday afternoon. Investigators announced at an evening news conference that a shooter dressed in black opened fire during final exams on the Ivy League campus in Providence, prompting a massive manhunt for the suspect. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said a shelter-in-place was in effect for the area and encouraged people living near the campus to stay inside and not to return home until it is lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey was quick to react to news of the deadly shooting. She said Bay State law enforcement officials were in contact with authorities in the Ocean State. My heart is with Brown University and the City of Providence, and Im praying for everyone impacted by this tragic act of violence, Healey said in a post on X. Mass. State Police are in close contact with Rhode Island officials, and Ive been in touch with Gov. Dan McKee to offer our full support and assistance. My heart is with @BrownUniversity and the City of Providence, and Im praying for everyone impacted by this tragic act of violence. @MassStatePolice are in close contact with Rhode Island officials and Ive been in touch with @GovDanMcKee to offer our full support and assistance. Governor Maura Healey (@MassGovernor) December 13, 2025 Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey called the shooting horrific, pleading for immediate action to end gun violence in America. Im heartbroken by the news of a horrific mass shooting at Brown University and sending love and prayers for the victims, their families, and the entire Providence community, Markey wrote on X. We must act now to end this painful epidemic of gun violence. Our children should be safe at school. Im heartbroken by the news of a horrific mass shooting at Brown University and sending love and prayers for the victims, their families, and the entire Providence community. We must act now to end this painful epidemic of gun violence. Our children should be safe at school. Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) December 14, 2025 Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren echoed Markeys statement. Advertisement Advertisement The deadly shooting at Brown University is horrific. Students should be able to learn in peace, not fear gun violence. My heart goes out to the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Providence community, Warren added on X. The deadly shooting at Brown University is horrific. Students should be able to learn in peace, not fear gun violence. My heart goes out to the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Providence community. Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 14, 2025 University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case As of 9 p.m. Saturday, the Brown campus was still in a lockdown as authorities worked to track down photos and video of the suspected shooter. It is imperative that all members of our community remain sheltered in place. This means keeping all doors locked and ensuring no movement across campus. The law enforcement response remains ongoing. Safety is the utmost and essential priority, a University alert said. Advertisement Advertisement 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 bystander who tackled and disarmed one of the gunmen in a terror attack in which 12 people were killed at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach on Sunday has been identified by local media as 43-year-old father of two, Ahmed al Ahmed. A video of the incident that has been broadcast repeatedly across Australian television channels and viewed millions of times on social media shows a man grabbing one of the gunmen as he fired on a crowd, before taking the gun from him and pointing it at him. He then carefully lays the firearm against a tree while a second gunman opens fire towards him from a bridge. The mans cousin, identified only as Mustafa, told Australias 7News that Ahmed took on the gunman and later suffered bullet wounds to his arm and hand. Advertisement Advertisement Hes in hospital, and we dont know exactly whats going on inside, Mustafa told the news outlet. We do hope he will be fine. Hes a hero 100 per cent. Read more: Bondi Beach Terror Attack: At Least 12 Killed as Gunmen Target Jewish Holiday Event 7News reported that Ahmed is from Sydneys Sutherland Shire and owns a fruit business. He was visiting Bondi Beach when the shooting occurred. TIME could not independently confirm the identity of the bystander in the video. A Reuters verification confirmed the video of the intervention by corroborating footage showing the same men. Reuters also verified that the armed men in the video are the same as the individuals seen surrounded by the police by corroborating separate visuals of their clothing. Photograph by James D. MorganGetty Images President Donald Trump, speaking at a White House Christmas reception, mourned the attack in Australia and a separate shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, that left two dead, calling both terrible. Advertisement Advertisement Trump said he had great respect for the man who tackled one of the Bondi Beach gunmen, calling him a very, very brave person who saved a lot of lives. Trump described the Bondi Beach attack as antisemitic and said the events underscored the need to honor the victims of both tragedies. Were here to celebrate Christmas and I think today, we can first say, loudly, we celebrate Hanukkah because that was such a horrible attack, that was a purely antisemitic attack, he told the crowd gathered at the White House. Australian authorities have not confirmed the identity of the bystander, but they were quick to praise the persons actions as heroic. Advertisement Advertisement Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, described the video as the "most unbelievable scene I've ever seen". "A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people." "That man is a genuine hero, and I've got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," he said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also praised the actions of Australians who had "run towards danger in order to help others". "These Australians are heroes and their bravery has saved lives," he told a press conference. Contact us at letters@time.com. A bystander is being hailed as a national hero after a shocking mass shooting at an iconic beach in Sydney, Australia, that was hosting a Jewish event. Graphic scenes have emerged from Bondi Beach after at least 16 people were shot dead and 38 others were injured, local police confirmed. Among the casualties was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the assistant rabbi at the Chabad of Bondi, a Chabad official told the New York Times. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He added: An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. Advertisement Advertisement The two shooters were a 50-year-old man who was fatally shot by police and a 24-year-old man who suffered critical injuries, police said. Gunfire was heard on the popular beachfront around 6:47 p.m. local time Sunday, authorities said. Witnesses told the Daily Mail that they saw two men exit a vehicle close to the waterfront and begin firing dozens of rounds at beachgoers. Two suspected shooters can be seen firing from a pedestrian bridge toward the park that surrounds Bondi Beach. / X Armed police work at the scene after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025. / DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said that more than 1,000 people were at the Hannukkah event at Archer Park on the northern end of the beach when the shooting took place. As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight, at 9:36 p.m. this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident, Lanyon said. Footage widely shared on social media shows a bystander tackling one of the gunmen, wrestling the weapon from his hands, and then turning it back on him, forcing the attacker to retreat. Advertisement Advertisement Its the most unbelievable scene Ive ever seen, NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a late-night press conference. Walking to a gunman and singlehandedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk... that man is a genuine hero and Ive got no doubt there are many, many people alive due to his bravery." Extraordinary vision reportedly taken from the scene of the Bondi Beach shooting appears to a show a man heroically tackling and disarming one of the shooters. Vision circulating social media shows an unidentified bystander approaching the gunman, who had just discharged his pic.twitter.com/GJIRYJcD0W 10 News (@10NewsAU) December 14, 2025 The hero bystander was identified by relatives as 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed. His cousin told 7News that the dad of two was shot twice and will undergo surgery. Hes in hospital and we dont know exactly whats going on inside, said the cousin, identified by the outlet only as Mustafa. We do hope he will be fine. Hes a hero 100 percent. Advertisement Advertisement In separate footage, two men can be seen standing on a passenger bridge while firing multiple shots into the parkland that surrounds the beach. This cowardly act of terrifying violence is shocking and painful to see and represents some of our worst fears about terrorism in Sydney, Minns added. This attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying, evil attack. Bondi is an area of the city with a large Jewish population, and Sunday marks the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Advertisement Advertisement A Chanukah by the Sea event, planned for Sunday, began at 5 p.m. local time on the beach where community members were set to light the first candle on a giant Menorah, enjoy a petting farm, and receive free face painting. Join Chabad of Bondi for our Annual Chanukah Festival as We Celebrate Jewish Life by lighting up the Iconic Bondi Beach, the event information page reads. A police officer walks along cordon tapeline at the scene of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. / Getty Images This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added at the press conference. This is an act of evil antisemitism terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation. Every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated over this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it. Advertisement Advertisement Tension between community groups has been increasingly strained in Australia following the outbreak of the war in Gaza in 2023. Sydney has been the site of numerous pro-Palestine protests, including one demonstration in August that saw an estimated 90-300,000 people march across the famous Harbour Bridge. The events at Bondi Beach are an absolute atrocity. A horror for the victims and a massive escalation of the hatred directed at Australias Jewish community, former conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbot said on X. There should be no place in Australia for the kind of evil weve seen this evening, he added. Thank God one bystander heroically intervened showing the good side of our country. Police at the scene after a shooting at Bondi Beach. / George Chan / Getty Images Police set up a cordon line at the scene of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach . / George Chan / Getty Images Bondi Beach is one of the worlds most iconic beaches and a central hub of Sydney life. With close proximity to the CBD, a vibrant community, and world-class surf, this waterfront neighbourhood is known for its luxury properties and upper-class living. Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday evening, the beach was packed with holidaymakers and locals cooling off in the water from the 90-degree heat when the shooting began. Video footage of the incident shows hundreds of people sprinting across the white sand for cover as shots ring out in the background. A health worker moves a stretcher after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach. / SAEED KHAN / AFP via Getty Images Witnesses say dozens of shots were fired, while other imagery shows bullets and casings from high-powered rifle weaponry on the floor. For twenty minutes, they shoot, shoot. Change magazines and just shoot, one Israeli eyewitness told a 7 News journalist who was on the scene. Its terrible. In the middle of Bondi. Its terrible. Advertisement Advertisement This community is no stranger to tragedy. The Bondi neighborhood was the subject of a mass stabbing incident in April of last year, with six people stabbed to death and 12 people injured at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre. That incident was not considered a terror attack. Mass shootings are rare in Australia following the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania in 1996 in which 35 people were shot dead and a further 23 wounded. In the immediate aftermath of that event, then Prime Minister John Howard implemented a mandatory firearm buyback scheme which saw 650,000 newly prohibited firearms removed from circulation in Australia. President Isaac Herzog paused a ceremony honoring lone immigrants to condemn the Hanukkah attack in Sydney and urge Australia to take stronger action against rising antisemitism. President Isaac Herzog on Sunday disrupted an awards ceremony for outstanding lone immigrants at the Presidents Residence to notify all present of the terrorist attack on a Chabad Hanukkah candle-lighting event at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia. Herzog urged the Australian government to take greater action against the huge wave of antisemitism sweeping across the island continent. Bondi is a suburb with a large Jewish population and several synagogues and other Jewish religious and secular institutions. At the time that Herzog was speaking, the total number of fatalities and wounded had not yet been released. Advertisement Advertisement Other speakers who joined Herzog in condemning the scurrilous attack were Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer and WZO chairman Yaakov Hagoel. Sofer, who was in Australia last month, said that even though the Australian Jewish community is geographically far away, it is very close to Israel in its Zionist ideology, and there is a strong desire among many to make aliyah. Hagoel said that Jews should have the same rights as other people to live wherever they want, though he would encourage them to come to Israel. Minister of Immigration and Absorption Ofir Sofer holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) The Lone Immigrants Prize The Lone Immigrants Prize is awarded annually by the aliyah and integration minister to young people who have taken the courageous step to leave their families and countries of origin to link their futures with that of the State of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement They join the Israel Defense Forces, on both the battlefront and the home front, or sign up for civilian National Service. They continue to contribute to Israel on completion of their service by engaging in volunteer activities. They also join the workforce, and many become university students. Of those who joined the IDF, several unfortunately fell in battle. Prizes were also awarded to NGOs that care for lone immigrants to provide them with a social environment and to ensure that they are not alone. One NGO also helps new immigrants with professional backgrounds in technology. Herzog, as a former chairman of the Jewish Agency, said that he is always emotionally moved when he sees a new immigrant alight from a plane and bend to kiss the ground. Advertisement Advertisement He compared immigrants to the hanukkiah: One candle is lit, and then each night, another, and another. He referred to immigrants as the menorah of Israel. (The menorah is Israels symbol of state). We have immigrants from all over the world who add to the menorah of Israel, he said. Relating specifically to lone soldiers, Sofer emphasized the importance of honoring them on the festival of the Maccabees. He had met many lone soldiers over the past two years, he said, and regretfully noted that he had met parents of those who had paid the supreme sacrifice only after the soldiers death. Some of those parents, he added, subsequently made aliyah. Advertisement Advertisement The committee that had examined all the nominations was headed by Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz, who is known as the Mother of the Soldiers. Peretz, who lost two of her soldier sons, has for years been visiting soldiers on army bases to bring them food, comfort, and pep talks. Usually a dramatic and compelling orator, Peretz on this occasion lowered her tone so as not to distract from the stories of the immigrants. She has chaired many committees, she said, but when invited by Sofer to chair this one, it was the highlight of the various positions she has held because she herself came to Israel with her family, in 1964, as an eight-year-old child. Advertisement Advertisement Born to illiterate parents in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, she recalled that every night before she went to sleep, her father would talk about going to Jerusalem, where one could find milk and honey beneath the trees. One day, he said that everyone must get ready because the Messiah had come. The children had expected him to come dressed in white robes and riding a white horse. But he wasnt riding anything. He was wearing a tricot T-shirt and shorts. He was the emissary from the Jewish Agency who had come to take them and others to Israel. They did not initially go to Jerusalem, nor did they find the milk and honey. They were sent to a transit camp where they lived from 1964 to 1969. They faced many hardships, but what was important was that we were in Israel. Peretz acknowledged that her family paid a heavy price for living in this land and said that she knew that latter-day immigrants have struggled and continue to struggle with an uneasy reality, yet so many put out a helping hand to others to ensure that they do not feel alone. You are a light in the tower of the state, she told the award recipients. In a world dictated more and more by ease and convenience, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta reports that 72% of American consumers have adopted some form of online payment method to avoid the "hassles" of cash. And even though some say you may want to think twice before paying over the phone for security reasons, the biggest blow that a transition to a cashless economy inflicts falls in a completely different realm: Cash serves as a huge portion of vendors', street performers', and the houseless population's primary means of currency, and the tap-to-pay age is leaving them behind. As the world approaches a future of digital payment where cash could be completely replaced, it's getting harder for community members without a digital footprint to participate. While cash is considered by many to be the lifeblood of businesses, it is also vital to the entire survival of the unhoused population. Many individuals collect donations on the street, usually relying on the good will of passers-by and the ease of handy paper bills to fund their day-to-day life. For those without the means or documentation to start a bank account let alone the technological know-how to set up online payment systems financial assistance via an Apple Pay wallet or similar digital payment method is essentially useless. As cultural anthropologist Ursula Dalinghaus put it to The New York Times, cashless payment creates "enclosed, gated communities" with every transaction by requiring every expenditure or donation to have some tie to a larger corporation or system. Read more: Here's How Much It Costs To Make Every Major US Coin A cashless society harms more people than you might expect Street seller taking cash from customer - Lordhenrivoton/Getty Images In addition to houseless populations, the street vending and street performing industries are also largely cash-driven. Street vendors, in particular, can easily get overwhelmed arranging different payment methods to satisfy each customer's preference. Apart from the hassle, vendors are also constrained due to lack of time. Running daily operations for juice or fruit stalls can often take up the majority of their day, leaving little time to go through all the banking requirements for installing these applications. Most of the time, vendors without these options end up losing out on customers. Advertisement Advertisement Having said that, even if the energy and time needed to get up to date with these developments are accounted for, certain demographics still find themselves at an inherent disadvantage. 96% of New York street vendors who haven't served in the military are immigrants, per Immigration Research Initiative, many of whom face loads of problems opening up bank accounts or setting up digital wallets especially if they're undocumented. Elderly people too can get secluded from the cashless age. Without the technological acumen to keep pace with the changing financial systems, this class of citizen also struggles without the freedom of cash. Then, there are those who simply don't trust in the banking systems, want to avoid paying fees for transferring money, or do not have enough funds to open up an account in the first place. With tap-to-pay on the rise, many people won't have another choice but to go against their instincts if they want to keep up with the world around them. Unlock your financial potential. Add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights! Read the original article on Money Digest. KIRO 7 is keeping a close eye on the communities impacted by record flooding as Washington is under a state of emergency. As of 10 p.m. on December 15, here is a look at the evacuations, displacements, and cleanup efforts in King County, according to King County Emergency Management: Evacuations As of Saturday evening, December 13, residents in the Kent/Auburn border area on the Green River were advised to evacuate and GO NOW due to ongoing flooding of the Green River from the storms. Advertisement Advertisement The river is at levels that have not been seen before. If you need extra assistance, please call 911. This includes areas of: City of Kent from Green River to South 277th Street, and SR 167 to Union Pacific railroad; some areas West of SR 167, and 68 Ave South or West Valley Hwy Unincorporated King County north of 277th Street, south of Green River, and east of SR 167. City of Auburn areas south of South 277th Street, east of SR 167, west of the Green River, and north of 42nd Street NE, including the Trail Run Community, Copper Gate Apartments, and surrounding neighborhoods. Shelters Auburn Community and Event Center , 910 9th St. SE, Auburn, WA, 98002 Ray of Hope Shelter, 2806 Auburn Way N., Auburn, WA, 98002 Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE., Monroe, WA 98272 (Open 24 hours) Pets welcomed Resources As efforts turn from response to recovery after this weeks heavy rain and historic floods, King County Emergency Management offers tips and information for residents dealing with the aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement To check road and transit conditions, learn more about staying healthy and assessing building damage after a flood, and to find information on solid waste, hazardous waste, and debris management, click here. For help with mold cleanup, visit: flood recovery resources. If you were affected by recent weather events, please complete the appropriate survey: For more information on how to document and file a home damage claim after a flood, click here. For Auburn residents, visit auburnwa.gov/flood for maps, shelter information, and the latest updates. For more information from the county, visit kcemergency.com. Check flood.kingcounty.gov for the most up-to-date information on the flood status of each King County river. A homeless veteran is speaking out months after a violent road rage attack, he said left him fearing for his life. The incident happened in August and comes as road rage violence continues to spike across Northeast Florida this year. Robert Wilson, a 65-year-old homeless veteran, says the encounter has changed him and that he wants accountability. Surveillance video reviewed by police supports his account, showing a confrontation investigators say crossed the line into violence. You know Im 66 years old, I dont need no guys 6 foot four or 230 pounds took me to death, Wilson said. Wilson said the incident happened as he was pulling into Veterans Village in St. Augustine, where he was working to rebuild his life through the Home Again program. According to a St. Augustine Police Department report, the confrontation occurred on August 6 around 9:46 a.m. along Anastasia Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement As soon as I slow down, a truck pull behind me and starts blowing his horn, Wilson said. Surveillance video shows Wilson slowing down to make a right turn into the property. The video then shows a semi-truck stopping traffic. The driver gets out of the truck and approaches Wilsons car, accusing him of cutting him off. Police say the video shows Wilson simply making a turn into the property. Before I knew it, he reached out of my car, put both hands around my neck, and told me so hard, and Ill start seeing dots on where I was gonna pass out, Wilson said. In the police report, the suspect admitted to putting his hands inside the vehicle and grabbing Wilson. Officers arrested the driver on charges of burglary with battery and battery by strangulation. Advertisement Advertisement Months later, Wilson says the incident still weighs heavily on him and that he does not want it ignored. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Im not going to let him get away with this. This is just wrong, he said. Wilsons case is one of at least five road rage incidents reported in Northeast Florida this year alone, including shootings and deadly confrontations. One of the most recent cases involved a local musician, underscoring how unpredictable and dangerous road rage encounters can be. Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Steven Coppola urges drivers to step away if emotions are running high. Advertisement Advertisement If youre in a mood or your emotional, take a break, dont get in that car and be in a hurry to get across town, Coppola said. Nationally, experts said road rage violence continues to rise, with hundreds of people shot in these incidents each year. Wilson said by sharing his story, he hopes others will think twice before letting anger take control behind the wheel. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] A homicide investigation is underway after a woman was found dead and a man seriously injured at an apartment complex in Quincy. According to Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey, Quincy Police were dispatched to 500 Falls Boulevard around 11 p.m. on Saturday following a 911 call. Once on scene, officers found a 26-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man with serious injuries. The woman was pronounced dead on the scene. Her identity is being withheld at this time pending notification of kin. The man was identified as Guiovani Garcia of Quincy. He was transported to a Boston Hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts State Police detectives are investigating, and Quincy Police are being assisted by the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section and chemists assigned to the MSP Crime Lab. Garcia is facing murder charges and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow at an unspecified time. The investigation remains ongoing. 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 I've covered Indiana politics for almost a decade and can usually predict how a vote is going to turn out. But this past week, as I holed up in the IndyStar's press "shack" in the Statehouse basement waiting for the redistricting fight to unfold, I could only guess. On Thursday, the Republican-dominated Senate voted down Trump's plea for the state to redraw its congressional map. The one approved by the House would have given Republicans the advantage in every district across the state, splitting Indianapolis into four districts in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most surprising part of the vote was the margin: More than half of Senate Republicans broke with Trump and joined Democrats in rejecting the mid-decade redistricting bill. Notably, Indiana has been the only red state so far to take such a vote. Redistricting is usually a wonky topic that only political insiders pay attention to. But this time the state and even people from around the country were watching closely as Indiana Republicans decided whether to help Trump's push to maintain control of the U.S. House. Money from advocacy groups started to pour in and Trump turned his attention to our state on social media. The press galleries in the Senate chamber were full Dec. 11 as national media parachuted in and Hoosier reporters flocked to the Statehouse. It was more packed than it was during the debate over Indiana's near-total abortion ban in 2022. In fact, IndyStar reporter Kayla Dwyer had to watch the action from seats usually reserved for staff. Advertisement Advertisement IndyStar alone had four reporters, one editor, three photographers and a videographer on site at the Statehouse for the Senate vote. IndyStar politics reporters Hayleigh Colombo (from left), Marissa Meador and Kayla Dwyer and politics editor Kaitlin Lange covered the Senate's redistricting vote Dec. 11. They're pictured Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis. And a lot of you watched live as we streamed the debate on Facebook, YouTube and our website (something we plan to do more of, by the way). Even my husband, who would admit to getting most of his news from TikTok, saw the videos from our reporters. Another factor that made this debate so interesting was how public much of it was. Oftentimes, most Republicans in the Indiana Statehouse are on the same page, and lawmakers have their messiest debates when they meet as a caucus behind closed doors. Legislators aren't allowed to spill what happens in those meetings, and when they come out for a vote, few dissenters speak. And typically, Republicans only call their bills for a vote if they're confident they have the support to pass it. I've watched a Republican bill fail maybe one other time during my career. Advertisement Advertisement Because Senate Republicans were almost evenly split and some lawmakers said they were undecided until the end the debate played out on the Senate floor and on social media. Even Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray admitted to reporters early in the week that he wasn't positive how the votes would fall. "We'll all find out on Thursday," he said. IndyStar will be covering the fallout in the weeks to come as lawmakers return to the Statehouse to finish up the 2026 legislative session. Republican Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funding. One senator who was a redistricting proponent quit her leadership position in protest of the vote's outcome. And Republican Gov. Mike Braun has threatened to help primary senators from his party who voted against redistricting. But the bottom line from all of this: Nothing is guaranteed in politics even when the legislature is run by a Republican super-majority that has orders from a Republican president. Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar government and politics editor Kaitlin Lange at Kaitlin.Lange@indystar.com or follow her on X @Kaitlin_Lange. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana's redistricting debate was unlike any I've covered. Here's why Dec. 13WILKES-BARRE Jill Avery-Stoss, President of The Institute, this week said a township is considered the lowest level of municipal government in Pennsylvania. Avery-Stoss said all of Pennsylvania's communities aside from incorporated cities, boroughs, and one town have been incorporated into individual townships that serve as the legal entities providing local government functions. "Over the last six weeks, we've covered the major functions of municipalities found in NEPA and throughout the Commonwealth," Avery-Stoss said. "The Institute's Guide to Local Government contains a detailed breakdown of the elected positions that may exist at each level of government and highlight why voting in local elections is so important." Advertisement Advertisement Avery-Stoss said local government offices are essential to the daily functioning of every community, yet they are often the least understood level of government in the United States. In Pennsylvania, in addition to county level government, every Pennsylvanian lives in a governed municipality. She said municipalities include cities, boroughs, and townships. These offices deliver critical services that directly impact residents' quality of life, including infrastructure maintenance, sanitation, education, transportation, housing, and public safety. Avery-Stoss said Pennsylvania contains two types of townships first-class and second-class. "A first-class township has a population of at least 300 people per square mile and is typically located in the 'urban ring' around Pennsylvania's cities," notes Avery-Stoss. "They follow the First-Class Township Code, and they are required to provide specific services to residents such as a police department, sanitation, and fire response. Commissioners typically govern first class townships, and supervisors generally govern second class townships." First-Class Townships Advertisement Advertisement A board of commissioners is elected for four-year terms in first-class townships and serves as the legislative body of the townships. The board sets policy, enacts ordinances and resolutions, adopts a budget, and levies taxes. The board may also perform executive functions because there is no elected executive. Avery-Stoss said township Commissioners have a responsibility to listen and provide for the population within the township. They also appoint individuals for the various departments within the township that work to keep the municipality clean, safe, and sustainable. Avery-Stoss said the elected auditors or controller conduct the annual audit of township finances. There is an exception when an independent auditor is appointed, and the majority of first-class townships have independent auditors. The other elected role in first-class townships, the tax collector, has the responsibility to collect all taxes for the township, Avery-Stoss said. Advertisement Advertisement Second-Class Townships In second-class townships, Avery-Stoss said supervisors, elected for six-year terms, are tasked with the general governance of the township and have legislative and executive powers. Each member of the board of supervisors combines roles found in the separate branches of the state and federal government. Avery-Stoss said the board sets policy, enacts and enforces ordinances, formulates and adopts a budget, approves expenses, hires and oversees employees, and levies taxes. Avery-Stoss said the three elected auditors conduct the annual audit of township finances and set the compensation, including paid time off, of any supervisors employed by the township. Second-class township supervisors could appoint a certified public accountant to perform the audit in place of elected auditors. Advertisement Advertisement Finally, Avery-Stoss said the treasurer collects school, county, and township real estate taxes. They also collect select garbage taxes and assessments for streetlights and fire hydrants. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. Israeli intelligence has warned that Tehran has been targeting Jewish communities abroad, reportedly smuggling weapons and using social media cells to incite violence. Israeli authorities are investigating whether state actors, chiefly Iran, were involved in the mass shooting attack against Sydneys Jewish community at Bondi Beach on Sunday. A senior US official told Fox News that if the Islamic Republic ordered the attack, then the US would fully recognize Israel's right to strike Iran in response. Advertisement Advertisement Officials were also probing links to Hezbollah, Hamas, and Pakistani-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is connected to al-Qaeda. Iranian Foreign Minister Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the violent attack. Terror violence and mass killing shall be condemned, wherever theyre committed, he wrote in a post on X/Twitter, without mentioning Jews, Judaism, or antisemitism. Israeli intelligence warned that Tehran has been targeting Jewish communities abroad, reportedly smuggling weapons and using social-media cells to incite violence. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference following a shooting at Bondi Beach, at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, December 14, 2025 (credit: AAP/LUKAS COCH/VIA REUTERS) At least 11 people were murdered, including Chabad shliach Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and several more were wounded, after a mass shooting targeted a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach, in southeastern Australia. Iran's previous attempts to launch attacks on Jews in Australia In August, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and law-enforcement officials said the Islamic regime of Iran was the mastermind behind at least two major antisemitic arson attacks in Australia and is likely responsible for more incidents. Advertisement Advertisement The Australian Security Intelligence Organization had gathered enough intelligence to determine that the Islamic regime directed the December 6 Adass Israel arson attack in Melbourne and the October 20 Lewis Continental Kitchen arson attack in Sydney, he said. These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil, Albanese said at the time. They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. Last month, Australia listed Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a state sponsor of terrorism following the intelligence assessment. Michael Starr, Mathilda Heller, and James Genn contributed to this report. The Israeli military said on Saturday it killed Ra'ad Sa'ad, a senior Hamas commander, by striking a car in Gaza City. Gaza health authorities said the attack on the car killed five people and wounded at least 25 others. In a joint statement on X, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said they directed Sa'ad be killed after a Hamas explosive device detonated and wounded Israeli soldiers. Sa'ad, according to Israel, held several senior positions in Hamas and was a central figure in its military leadership. Hamas, in its own statement, did not confirm Sa'ad's death, but called the car strike a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that was agreed to in October. Advertisement Advertisement "This crime reaffirms that the [Israeli] occupation is deliberately seeking to undermine and sabotage the ceasefire agreement through its escalating and continuous violations," Hamas reportedly said. The ceasefire agreement was announced on Oct. 10, two years after Hamas militants killed 1,200 and took 251 hostage in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, most of whom were returned in previous negotiations. Since then, Israeli troops have killed more than 70,700 Palestinians in Gaza, many of them women and children, and have displaced most of the enclave's population. Health authorities in Palestine say Israel has violated the ceasefire multiple times, even daily, and at least 386 people have been killed in strikes by its military since Oct. 10. Israel, meanwhile, says three of its soldiers have died since the ceasefire began, and that it is responding to ceasefire violations by Hamas. Multiple die after heavy rain hits Gaza Nearly 795,000 displaced Palestinians are at "heightened risk" because of rainfall triggered by Storm Byron this week, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration said. Storm Byron hit Greece and Cyprus before making landfall in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Heavy rain has been falling across "hundreds of displacement sites, overwhelming areas where even moderate rainfall can quickly become dangerous," the IOM said. "Despite the ceasefire, displaced Palestinians continue to live in overcrowded areas with little protection against rising water levels," according to the organization. This comes as much of Gaza's infrastructure has already been destroyed in Israeli strikes. Sana Abu Harad, 38, spoke to NBC News as she and her child, who the outlet said was shivering, sat inside her drenched tent. "Everything is underwater," said said in an interview with NBC. "Why must this little child sleep in floodwater? I struggled so much just to get this tent, and now nothing protects us. Where will I live with my children now?" Advertisement Advertisement Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said in a post on X Saturday that WHO is continuing to face challenges in bringing "vital supplies," including laboratory reagents and diagnostic equipment, into Gaza as being they were classified as "dual-use." Israel has restricted items it deems can be used for military purposes. Aid organizations said, and an Associated Press analysis of data from COGAT showed, that aid deliveries to Gaza are falling far short of the amount ordered by the ceasefire agreement. COGAT, the Israeli military body in charge of coordinating aid entry, insisted to the AP that it is complying with the agreements call for it to allow 600 aid trucks into Gaza, even though its own figures showed an average of only 459 trucks a day have entering since Oct. 12. In Gaza, Tedros said Saturday, at least 10 people died in the last 24 hours because of heavy rains. On Friday, NBC News reported that the Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza said fourteen people had died within 24 hours. "Thousands of families are sheltering in tents with scant protection from the harsh winter," Tedros said. "Combined with poor water and sanitation, a surge in acute respiratory infections, such as flu, as well as hepatitis, and diarrhoeal diseases is expected." Advertisement Advertisement He called for the "urgent entry" of resources to Gaza "to enable timely detection, response, and treatment of people facing these diseases." The post Israel strikes car in Gaza City, says it killed senior Hamas commander appeared first on Straight Arrow News. Related Links Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar sharply criticized the Australian government following the shooting at a Hanukkah event in Sydney on Sunday. "I'm appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia," Saar wrote in a post on social media platform X. He said the Jewish community had been targeted and that Sunday's shooting was the result of "the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years." Advertisement Advertisement "The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses!" he wrote. Australian authorities have yet to comment on possible motives, saying only that two people were in custody following the shooting on Sydney's Bondi Beach. Australian media reported that dozens of shots were fired and that there were multiple casualties. The Australian Jewish Association said that the shooting took place at a public Hanukkah event. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday amounted to an attack on the Jewish community. "At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach," Herzog said, according to a statement from his office in Jerusalem. "Our hearts go out to them," Herzog said. "The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment, as we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives." Advertisement Advertisement The president said Israel had repeatedly called for action to confront what he described as a "enormous wave" of anti-Semitism affecting Australian society. According to initial reports, a Jewish Hanukkah event was the target of the evening attack on the iconic beach in eastern Sydeny. Sunday marks the first day of Hanukkah. Australian media reported that dozens of shots were fired and that there were multiple casualties. Law enforcement officials have said that two people are in custody but have not given any further details on the nature of the attack, the suspects or the victims. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, a global surge in anti-Semitism has been observed, including attacks on Jews and synagogues, with criticism of Israel in some cases spilling over into hatred of Jews. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at Australias leader on Sunday while nations expressed shock and sympathy over a mass shooting at a Jewish holiday event, saying he had warned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. Netanyahu during the war in Gaza has repeatedly sought to link widespread calls for a Palestinian state, and criticism of Israels military offensive in the territory following Hamas' 2023 attack, to growing incidents of antisemitism worldwide. While others in Israels government on Sunday also urged Australia to do more against a sharp rise in antisemitic attacks, Netanyahu went further in attempting to link the attack in Sydney that killed at least 11 people, including an Israeli, to support for a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Australia was among several countries formally recognizing a Palestinian state in September during the United Nations gathering of world leaders. According to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, 159 countries have recognized Palestine. The vast majority of the international community believes that a two-state solution is the only way to end decades of conflict. Netanyahu's government has said the international push for a Palestinian state rewards Hamas. Here are some global reactions to the Australia shooting: Iran Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that terrorism and the killing of people, wherever they occur, are unacceptable and must be condemned. Australia in August cut off diplomatic relations with Iran and accused it of masterminding antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne. Advertisement Advertisement United States President Donald Trump called the shooting a purely antisemitic attack, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that antisemitism has no place in this world. Britain King Charles III said he was appalled and saddened. He also leads the Commonwealth, and the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday said Herzog had reached out to the king in September warning of an epidemic of antisemitism in three Commonwealth countries: Britain, Canada and Australia. Meanwhile, police in London said they would step up security at Jewish sites. Germany German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the attack has left me speechless and added that this is an attack on our shared values. We must stop this antisemitism, here in Germany and worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was horrified and that My heart is with the Jewish community worldwide on this first day of Hannukah, a festival celebrating the miracle of peace and light vanquishing darkness. India Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the ghastly terrorist attack and said that we stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. World Jewish Congress The organization's president, Ronald Lauder, said that No community should ever fear coming together to celebrate its faith, traditions, or identity, adding: Make no mistake, this will not break us." Advertisement Advertisement Australia "Im surrounded by antisemitic graffiti constantly. I think for our community in the east (of Sydney), and as a Christian, I just want to declare I stand with the people of Israel, Anglican pastor Matt Graham told Australian Broadcasting Corp. He said he had been conducting a service at the nearby Bondi Anglican Church when panicked people began entering to take shelter. The City of Jacksonville Beach Police Department needs the publics help in identifying two suspects who stole $1,225 worth of merchandise from ULTA Beauty on November 29. According to police, the theft occurred at ULTA Beauty, located at 3928 3rd Street South in Jacksonville Beach, when the suspects used a black purse to conceal the stolen items. The suspects left the store without paying for the items, and the vehicle they used has not yet been identified, says police. Advertisement Advertisement The police department encourages anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspects to contact Det. L. Lyon at (904) 889-6330 or email at llyon@jaxbchfl.net. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] A man was arrested and faces two murder charges. He is accused of killing a man and a woman in November, says the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office. 37-year-old Curtis Asberry was arrested on November 17, a day after 35-year-old Tiffany Felton was killed and two days after 27-year-old Maurice Soloman was found dead on East 15th Street near Phoenix Avenue. Both deaths were ruled as homicides by the Medical Examiners Office. According to JSO, Felton was found dead under a bridge along Blanding Boulevard. Her death was one of the cases where online outlets falsely claimed there was a serial killer in Jacksonville. JSO says her case is not related to the other women who were killed. On Friday, Asberry was charged with the murders of both Solomon and Felton. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Well, because I see, you know, people are doing, being anti Semitic just openly, and there doesnt seem to be a whole heck of a lot of pushback. There seems to be a lot of excuses for it. If Jews-, anti-Semitic attacks, whatever, Jews deserved it. If Jews retaliate, its the Jews fault. No matter what it is, its the Jews fault. So that is the world we live in right now, and people want to make excuses or say, you know, minimize it. It-, Ive seen it increase over the last couple of years, and Ive been a victim, if you want to call it. I have pretty thick skin. Ive said it over and over, but no matter what the Jews do right now, its their fault. Colleges, what other-, you see colleges where Jews are openly being intimidated on campus and administrators do nothing, and just allow it and it just increases, and increases, increases. Weve got a guy, one of the biggest scumbags of all all time, this kid Mo Khan, who went into a bar I owned and had a sign, F the Jews, and people make like a hero out of them. The kid whos, who threw pennies at me and screamed at me anti-Semitic stuff, got forty, fifty thousand dollars in a fundraiser. Theres online bloggers, people who are openly saying radically, like anti-Semitic stuff and being accepted as part of the mainstream. So does this shock me? No, its inevitable. You have a governor or excuse me, a mayor now in New York City who refuses to, you know, say that globalized intifada is bad. So, I mean, if it just keeps building, and building, and building, things like this happen. So, no, it doesnt surprise me. What has to happen in my mind is normal, rational-thinking people all have to show support and be like enough. Like if youre going around praising Hitler like some UFC fighter and the crowd is cheering them, you have a real problem. So the normal people, who I still think theres a lot of them, have to loudly, just like if it was a different race or gender, be like, What are we doing? Youre a jerk, youre a piece of crap, were gonna alienate you and punish you for these views and push it back into the corners where it belongs. CHEYENNE During a budget presentation to the Wyoming Legislatures Joint Appropriations Committee on Thursday, lawmakers and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder began to unpack the complex issue of managing charter schools in the state. As Degenfelder was presenting several exemption requests in the WDE budget for the upcoming session, legislators kept returning to concerns about charter schools. Specifically, several lawmakers wanted to address the Wyoming Charter School Authorizing Board (WCSAB) and an ongoing conversation about how to manage charter schools. Advertisement Advertisement Degenfelder presented a request from the board to introduce a net-to-zero position and budget transfer so that the WCSAB could establish its own separate budget unit, similar to that of the State Board of Education. Both boards currently operate under the Wyoming Department of Education, though the WDE has no authority over their decisions and primarily provides administrative support. Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson (2025) Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, broached the topic of potentially removing the charter schools board from the purview of the WDE and establishing a separate department, as opposed to establishing a budget unit, but Degenfelder said that would become an unnecessary cost. Advertisement Advertisement I am just of the opinion that we shouldnt be increasing government, and I think when you add more agencies, you are adding more government, Degenfelder said. And at the end of the day, there will be additional expenses that occur with that. There is some argument that creating a separate agency would allow the charter school board to be independent of political influence, though legislators did not specify how it currently is impacted by politics. WDE officials also expect charter schools to see some growth across the state. Agency staff referred to three approved, state-authorized charter schools that are currently operating in Cheyenne, Casper and Chugwater, and an additional charter school approved, but not yet operating, in Alpine. Advertisement Advertisement The states application window opens again in March, and WDE Chief Operating Officer Trent Carroll said its likely the department will see multiple applications. We dont know for sure who will apply, but we do know that there are several communities that expressed interest to the charter board leadership and our staff looking at submitting an application, Carroll said. Up to three or four that have expressed some interest at this point. So when that window opens on March 1, we could reasonably see multiple applications coming in for new state charters. Degenfelder said this increase in applications supports the need to increase the operating budget. It also supports the need for an executive director position, which was recently established by Gov. Mark Gordon and is currently held by John Wahler, according to the WDE website. That role, however, has not been properly assessed by the Legislature, and there is some debate around how the newly established WCSAB executive director should be paid. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette The executive director, we didnt really create a position for that, Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, said. The governor did that on his own, and in the last budget, we let that go, and now here we are funding that position. Within the proposed budget, Gordon made a recommendation of additional budget authority, which would increase fees paid by the charter schools to support the executive director position and the boards operating budget. Depending on the increase of charter schools, with the cap now removed, that increased operating budget for the board could be necessary, Degenfelder said. However, I do remain opposed to the executive director salary being far higher than comparable state positions. Advertisement Advertisement Degenfelder said that should the JAC decide to follow the governors recommendation, lawmakers should reduce the special revenue allotted for the executive director so that it would be in line with comparable positions. Degenfelder and legislators discussed an $80,000 reduction to the salary, but did not specify what the final salary is before or would be after the reduction. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle could not find any reference to the position in meeting materials, or the state budget submitted for the upcoming session. I do think we need to make sure that we have the infrastructure in place to support the board, Degenfelder said. Thats something that they can direct, an individual that is under their supervision. Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, noted that he struggled to see how Degenfelder could maintain that the WDE wouldnt interfere with the WCSAB, then look to cut the salary of the boards executive director. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower (2025) Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower I think its really important that charters really be allowed to spend their own money the way they would like to see it, not have someone intervene and do it, Driskill said. And I think salaries are only the start of it, as they go on down the path. This is exactly the politicization we have problems with. Degenfelder noted that Driskill made a fair point and said that she, like all officials presenting draft budgets, was ultimately making a recommendation that was subject to the final approval of the Legislature. She said she wasnt looking to have the final say on the salary of a government employee, but rather looking to ensure that comparable positions see similar compensation. Residents in Glen Rose are opposing a proposed Oncor transmission line project that could place towering power lines near Dinosaur Valley State Park, known for its world-class ancient dinosaur tracks. The footprints, preserved in limestone along the Paluxy River, draw thousands of visitors each year and help define the small towns identity. This is limestone the dinosaurs actually walked on, Mayor Joe Boles said, CBS 11 reported. You can see the claw marks. You can see the footprints. Advertisement Advertisement Boles emphasized the tracks significance to the community. You dont have dinosaur prints [elsewhere] in Texas, he said. Thats why Glen Rose is known as the dinosaur capital of Texas. One potential route for the DinosaurLongshore Project would bring 200-foot towers close enough to be visible from areas near the park. And I try to tell people, visualize as youre driving to the park these 200-ft towers on both sides of the road, Boles said during a tour. The project calls for 765-kilovolt lines stretching from Somervell County to Howard County to handle rising electricity demands in Texas, with three potential routes under review. Advertisement Advertisement Oncor said in a statement: Oncor recognizes the cultural, educational, and ecological importance of Dinosaur Valley State Park. We appreciate the engagement weve seen from local community members on this project. None of the preliminary routes under consideration enter or cross the park. All routes are still preliminary, and Oncor must present a geographically diverse set of routes in our application as part of regulatory requirements. We are reviewing these preliminary routes alongside our ongoing environmental assessment. Feedback from the local community is an important part of this process, and residents can continue to contact our team at transmissionprojects@oncor.com. Local officials maintain that any nearby lines would harm the areas natural beauty, ecosystem, and tourism-dependent economy, insisting the landscape deserves complete protection. The Public Utility Commission has filed numerous letters from residents opposing the erection of the giant towers near the park. The person of interest who was detained Sunday in the deadly shooting at Brown University is now set to be released by authorities. The shocking development was announced late Sunday by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and other officials during news conference on Sunday night. A little over 12 hours earlier, a man identified as 24-year-old Benjamin Erickson, was taken into custody. Brown University was on lockdown for several hours on Saturday night following the shooting, as campus and Providence, Rhode Island, police looked for the suspect. The university was still filled with students, with finals scheduled for this upcoming week. Advertisement Advertisement FBI Director Kash Patel said Erickson was detained at a Hampton Inn in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles away from Browns campus, based on a tip provided to Providence PD. President Donald Trump, earlier on Sunday, said he was sending his deepest regards and respect to the families of the two people killed at Brown, and told the nine survivors to get well fast. All victims of the attack are believed to be students. Watch above via CNN. The post Person of Interest in Brown University Shooting to Be RELEASED first appeared on Mediaite. The U.S. Justice Department is suing four more states as part of its effort to collect detailed voting data and other election information across the country. The department filed federal lawsuits against Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Nevada on Thursday for "failing to produce statewide voter registration lists upon request." So far, 18 states have been sued, along with Fulton County in Georgia, which was sued for records related to the 2020 election. The Trump administration has characterized the lawsuits as part of an effort to ensure the security of elections, and the Justice Department says the states are violating federal law by refusing to provide the voter lists and information about ineligible voters. The lawsuits have raised concerns among some Democratic officials and others who question exactly how the data will be used, and whether the department will follow privacy laws to protect the information. Some of the data sought includes names, dates of birth, residential addresses, driver's license numbers and partial Social Security numbers. Advertisement Advertisement States have the statutory duty to preserve and protect their constituents from vote dilution, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in a press release. At this Department of Justice, we will not permit states to jeopardize the integrity and effectiveness of elections by refusing to abide by our federal elections laws. If states will not fulfill their duty to protect the integrity of the ballot, we will. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, said her office declined to provide unredacted voter data. We will not hand over Coloradans sensitive voting information to Donald Trump. He does not have a legal right to the information, Griswold said Thursday after the lawsuit was filed. I will continue to protect our elections and democracy, and look forward to winning this case. Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, a Democrat, said the Justice Department hasnt provided clear answers about how the data will be used, and he has a duty to follow state law and protect voters sensitive information and access to the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement 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 in a press release. The Constitution makes it clear: elections are run by the states." In a Sept. 22 letter to the Justice Department, Hawaii Deputy Solicitor General Thomas Hughes said state law requires that all personal information required on a voter registration district other than a voter's full name, voting district or precinct and voter status, must be kept confidential. Hughes also said the federal law cited by the Justice Department doesn't require states to turn over electronic registration lists, nor does it require states to turn over uniquely or highly sensitive personal information about voters. An Associated Press tally found that the Justice Department has asked at least 26 states for voter registration rolls in recent months, and in many cases asked states for information on how they maintain their voter rolls. Other states being sued by the Justice Department include California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission voted 5-1 on Thursday against turning over unredacted voter information to the Trump administration. The lone dissenter was Republican commissioner Robert Spindell, who warned that rejecting the request would invite a lawsuit. But other commissioners said it would be illegal under Wisconsin law to provide the voter roll information which includes the full names, dates of birth, residential addresses and drivers license numbers of voters. _____ Associated Press reporter Scott Bauer contributed from Madison, Wisconsin. More than two years into the rebuilding of the picturesque community that once served as the seat of the Hawaiian Kingdom, this weeks soft opening of Lahaina Harbor will mark a significant milestone in the towns recovery from the deadly August 2023 wildfire. The reopening comes as Maui continues to grapple with a housing crisis, debate over short-term vacation rentals and the broader question of what a rebuilt Lahaina should look like. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation announced that limited commercial operations at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor will resume Monday. DOBOR Administrator Meghan Statts said in a news release that the reopening is intended to revitalize Mauis economy and help the Maui Nui community move forward together, while remaining respectful to those affected by the disaster. Advertisement Advertisement Lahaina Small Boat Harbor sustained $30 million worth of damage in the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire that killed 102 people. Four businesses are expected to return for the soft opening, with more anticipated in early 2026. In a sign of the challenges to a full reopening, commercial ocean operations will be allowed only during daytime hours8 a.m. to 6 p.m.due to electricity still being offline. But DOBOR said restroom facilities should be fully operational. Most vessel traffic will be limited to active loading and unloading, with mooring inside the harbor still prohibited. The county will reopen select roadways and parking areas while keeping damaged zones closed. Advertisement Advertisement Daytime access to several streets near Lahaina Small Boat Harbor will resume during those same hours starting Monday, in coordination with the states phased harbor updates, the Maui County Office of Recovery announced. Closed since the 2023 wildfire, Canal, Wharf and Hotel streets will reopen to pedestrians and motorists but remain no parking zones. Drivers are asked to follow new signage, and the area will continue to close nightly at 6 p.m. as electrical and other infrastructure repairs progress. Businesses and historic sites, including Banyan Tree Park, remain closed. Parking will be managed by Park Maui, with barricades at key intersections opening during daytime hours. Free three hour parking will be available in two county lots off Front Street, while street parking on Front Street remains prohibited. Advertisement Advertisement Wharf Street will allow 15 minute active loading and unloading, and ADA compliant pathways will connect pedestrians to the loading dock and ferry terminal. Accessible amenities include select sidewalks, the fueling station, loading dock, ferry terminal, harbor-front seating areas and restrooms. AMONG THE companies preparing to return is Atlantis Submarines, whose Lahaina operation once accounted for 37 % of its statewide revenue. President and CEO Ron Williams said the company received notice of the reopening only two weeks ago and hopes to resume tours around Dec. 25 or 26. The limited hours pose some operational challenges for commercial operators, and there are ongoing infrastructure gaps, including the lack of lighting that at least in the beginning will prevent popular sunset cruises from sailing. Before the fire, Atlantis ran 24 /7, charging its battery-powered submarine overnight and conducting tours during the day. Now, charging must happen during daylight hours. Advertisement Advertisement Because mooring inside the harbor is prohibited, Atlantis will keep its submarine at Puamana, about a mile down the coast. On charging days, the company will not be able to run tours at all. Williams expects to open four days a week, possibly five, depending on how operations stabilize. Atlantis currently has one employee on staff in Lahaina. The company plans to bring back furloughed workers, though some have since taken other jobs. Williams expects to start with about a dozen employees, eventually scaling up to 30 once the harbor is fully restored. Because the closure stretched out beyond two years, it was hard to invest in anything to move forward, he said. For Williams, the reopening carries symbolic weight beyond business operations. Advertisement Advertisement The harbor is the heart of Lahainas circle of life, he said. He hopes the reopening will give other shuttered Lahaina businesses confidence to return. INDUSTRY leaders say the reopening is an important signal for the broader visitor economy. Jerry Gibson, president of the Hawai i Hotel Alliance, said expanding activities in areas such as Kaanapali and Kapalua will help strengthen the destination as new housing and hotel projects come online. Kaanapali is already tracking slightly ahead of expectations, he said, citing Gov. Josh Greens $6.4 million allocation for a Maui tourism recovery campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Keith Vieira, principal of KV & Associates, said the harbors reopening helps shift the narrative toward recovery. Its important for the community to see that some areas are getting back to business, he said. Thats a more hopeful message for Lahaina as it continues to heal. Toni Marie Davis, executive director of the Activities & Attractions Association of Hawaii, said announcement of the harbor reopening has brought a noticeable emotional shift. Early community meetings were filled with raw grief, she said, but the most recent gathering felt 180 degrees different, with a sense of ease and gratitude toward federal, county and state partners. It feels like Lahaina is beginning to come back as a place people can visit and make joyful memories again, Davis said. Some community members say the reopening must be handled carefully. Longtime organizer Kai Nishiki supports the phased return of small-scale commercial activity but emphasized the need for clear rules and respectful behavior. Advertisement Advertisement There are a lot of folks who have concerns about commercial activity at the harbor right now, she said. But if issues like parking, loitering and people going into restricted areas are addressedand if people are respectfulit should be a smooth transition. Nishiki said concerns remain about tourists entering restricted areas and stressed that the state and county must communicate expectations clearly. Cruise ships, she added, remain a line in the sand for her and some other residents who worry about their scale. As Lahaina continues its long recovery, residents say the harbors reopening should balance economic need with community well-being. People want Lahaina to be a community first, Nishiki said. But our families also need to survive. Williams echoed that hope. Its been super tough on everyone, he said. Im hoping this is the start of some really great progress. A lake-effect snow warning remains in place for Erie and Crawford counties until Monday, Dec. 15, at 7 a.m. The National Weather Service in Cleveland projects at least 4 inches of snow for the region, and more in some areas. Low temperatures are forecast to be in the teens the nights of Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, with morning wind chill values in the single digits to below zero. More: Take a webcam tour of Erie-area weather conditions Advertisement Advertisement Here's everything to know about the weather service outlook. Lake-effect snow warning in Erie, Crawford counties Heavy lake-effect snow will fall around Erie for a second straight day, accumulating 4 inches to 8 inches, according to the weather service. Accumulation will be greatest in the higher terrain of southern Erie and northern Crawford counties. Edinboro could see 3 inches to 5 inches during the day and 2 inches to 4 inches more at night, for instance. Snowfall rates of an inch to 2 inches per hour are expected at times through the evening of Dec. 14. Wind chills around zero to minus 10 degrees are possible the morning of Dec. 14, and 5 to minus 5 the morning of Dec. 15. Advertisement Advertisement More: Brace for bitter cold. Arctic blast will reach from Montana to Florida Warren, Venango and Mercer counties also are under lake-effect snow warnings, as are Chautauqua County, New York, and Ashtabula County, Ohio. Forest County is under a winter weather advisory. See all Pennsylvania and nearby severe weather alerts on GoErie.com's Weather Alerts map. Weather forecast for Erie area The weather service in Cleveland forecast for Erie on Dec. 14 calls for snow, mainly before 5 p.m., accumulating an inch to 2 inches. The high will be around 23, and west winds will gust as high as 29 mph. Snow is expected the night of Dec. 14, mainly after 10 p.m. An additional inch of snow is possible. The low will be near 16. Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 15, snow is likely, mainly before 1 p.m. and accumulating an inch to 2 inches. The high will be around 27. Southwest winds could gust as high as 29 mph. An additional inch of snow is possible the night of Dec. 15, when the low will be around 16. Southwest winds could gust to 26 mph. Stay informed about Erie-area weather Return to GoErie.com for updates. Get the latest AccuWeather forecast details and radar images for your ZIP code at goerie.com/weather. Download the GoErie app for iOS or Android for mobile-friendly forecasts. Track power outages at GoErie.com's Power Outage Tracker. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA weather forecast calls for lake-effect snow, low wind chills Cooperation between the US and Syria must be based on professional operations, without letting extremists infiltrate, and with the objective of stopping reliance on former militias. An attack on US forces in Syria is a deadly reminder of the dangers that extremist groups continue to pose in Syria and the Middle East. As details continue to emerge regarding the perpetrator and how the attack transpired, it is important to draw several initial lessons from this attack. The attack illustrates the need to make sure that security forces in Syria, especially those being recruited and trained by the new government in Damascus, are vetted for extremists and that the force is professionalized. The new Syrian government faces immense challenges in securing the country, and the US and partner countries all want Damascus to be stable and the security forces to continue to grow. For that to happen, safeguards, professional training, and vetting must happen. Another important issue is the integration of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in eastern Syria with the new Damascus-led security forces in western Syria. The attack on US forces illustrates the threats that can happen when integrating forces. Advertisement Advertisement The SDF has been an exemplary partner to the US in eastern Syria. The hurdle in western Syria is that some extremist outliers may oppose the SDF and seek to exploit this incident. Making sure extremists do not infiltrate Syrias forces or derail Syrias development is important. To understand the challenges, its worth reviewing a few details of the attack. US Central Command said two U.S. 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. US President Donald Trump has pledged retaliation after two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in Syria. We will retaliatethe loss of the three great American patriots, Trump said. US Envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, who is also the US Ambassador to Turkey wrote that todays cowardly terrorist ambush on U.S. personnel in Syria, which claimed the lives of two brave American soldiers and a dedicated civilian interpreter, is a stark and outrageous reminder that terrorism remains a vicious and persistent threat, capable of striking even as we work to eradicate it. A Coalition convoy of US-led international coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) stops to test fire their M2 machine guns and MK19 grenade launcher in the Middle Euphrates River Valley in the Deir ez-Zor province, Syria, November 22, 2018 (credit: COURTESY MATTHEW CRANE/US ARMY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) Kurdish media network Rudaw noted that the US soldiers were killed in an ambush in Syrias western Homs province. The American civilian killed in the ambush was a Christian from the Kurdistan Region, a US military source in Syria told Rudaw on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Advertisement Advertisement The Rudaw report also said that the US team that was attacked was based in the Tanf base in southern Syria near the Jordanian and Iraqi borders. This base has served as a garrison to train Syrians for a decade. The Syrian Free Army unit was the main partner force of the Americans there. It was made up of local Syrian Arabs. It later became part of the new Syrian security forces' 70th Division and was doing security work. CNN notes that a Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson said Syrian forces had issued intelligence warnings to US-led forces and that the assailant was known to authorities ahead of the deadly attack. Syrian state media SANA noted a joint Syrian and US military patrol came under fire on Tuesday near the ancient city of Palmyra, wounding several personnel, a security source said. Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour Eddin al-Baba has said that Syria is investigating if the perpetrator had direct ties to ISIS or merely adopted extremist ideology. US wants Syria to join fight against ISIS The details are concerning. The US-led Coalition against ISIS has been seeking to partner more with the new Syrian security forces over the last months. This is a result of Syria joining the coalition against ISIS in the wake of the meeting between Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in November. It is in the US's interests and Syrias interests to continue to work together. It is also in the US interests that the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces integrate with the Damascus-backed security forces. For that to happen, ISIS and other extremists need to be guarded against. Advertisement Advertisement ISIS or others can take advantage of the power vacuum to try to infiltrate and derail various developments in Syria. Another problem is the existence of extremist groups among Turkish-backed forces in northern Syria. Some of these groups were sanctioned by the US for abuses. For instance, in October, Kurdistan24 pointed out that the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has sounded the alarm over the growing influence of former militia commanders who have re-emerged as powerful military and political figures within Syrias reshaped power structure. Among them is the controversial figure Mohammed Hussein al-Jassem, widely known as Abu Amsha, whose rise from a militia leader in Afrin to commander of the 25th Division in Hama has reignited fears of renewed militia dominance and the erosion of civilian governance. Damascus has leaned on some of these types of commanders and forces because of its close partnership with Turkey, and also because it needs manpower. However, as Damascus builds capacity in its forces, it needs to grow beyond relying on former militias. This means that commanders who previously were involved in abuses either need to reform themselves and be de-radicalized, or they need to be vetted better. The attack on US forces should not derail US-Syria security cooperation. It should not derail the integration of the SDF. However, it should make it deadly clear that cooperation must be based on professional operations and not letting extremists infiltrate. A membership list for a committee within the Oklahoma State Department of Education to which former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters added the woman behind the conservative Libs of TikTok social media account is not accessible, even after Walters departure, the agency says. The only publicly known member of the agencys Library Media Advisory Committee, the formation of which Walters disclosed during a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education in January 2024, is Chaya Raichik, who runs the Libs of TikTok account. Walters and Raichik often trade congratulatory social media posts, and a video of her praising Walters for the library committees formation was shown during that state board meeting. The Oklahoman, along with multiple other media outlets, made requests under the Oklahoma Open Records Act seeking a copy of the committees membership list. In July 2024, the state agency partially filled The Oklahomans open-records request seeking information about the committee, but it didnt include a list of its members. Advertisement Advertisement The partial response by the Department of Education did show that former state Board of Education member Kendra Wesson of Norman appeared to play some role with the committee, sending emails to committee members, but those members names were hidden in the email header. Victoria Dion, whos now the open-records request program manager for the agency, said its not possible to unhide those names in the email header. The state Office of Management and Enterprise Services, or OMES, is the one that has access to the emails and provides them to us, Dion said. The way the document was received is what OMES sees as well so there aren't hidden emails. Any communication regarding LMAC with Kendra would've been provided in those documents given. Wesson, whom Gov. Kevin Stitt removed from the state Board of Education in February, didnt respond to a text message sent Dec. 9 asking for a copy of the committee membership list. The membership of former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters' Library Media Advisory Committee might never be available to the public. After Walters resigned on Sept. 30 and Stitt appointed Lindel Fields two days later to fill out the remainder of Walters term, members of Fields turnaround team at the agency promised a renewed effort to clear a deep backlog of records requests. The Oklahoman reminded them about the still-unfilled request for the membership list for the Library Media Advisory Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Agency officials who now work with open-records requests say if the list existed, it would have been on devices used by now-departed employees and that it would be exceptionally difficult to try and retrieve such information from the devices, which they say likely were wiped after being returned to the OMES. Dion reiterated on Tuesday, Dec. 9 that the agency would have no access to such a list. She said the list of committee members never was included on an agency email, saying those involved clearly were very careful about concealing the identities of the members. When asked in October by The Oklahoman about the committee, Fields said he was unaware of it. A lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County District Court over the state agencys refusal to release records connected with the committee, filed in April by the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, remains pending. It names Walters, Raichik, former members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, the state agency, the state board and the committee as defendants. Advertisement Advertisement After an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling in a case involving Edmond Public Schools in which the court ruled local school boards, and not Walters nor the state board, had the right to determine the content of school libraries the committee faded from public view. According to a filing made by current state Department of Education interim General Counsel Jacquelyne Phelps in April in the Oklahoma Appleseed lawsuit, the Library Media Advisory Committee no longer exists. In the filing, Phelps maintained the committee was exempt from the Oklahoma Open Records Act, because it was purely advisory, informational, or recommendatory in nature and did not possess decision making authority. Phelps also said in her filing the committee was exempt from the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act because it was not a public body. Former state Board of Education member Kendra Wesson served some role with the Library Media Advisory Committee. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Membership list for Library Media Advisory Committee isn't accessible Electric motor scooters and bikes have become a popular way of transportation. But that popularity has created concern for Fresno Police. "We are seeing an emerging trend that there's more collision involving e-bikes than before," Fresno Police lieutenant Anthony Dewall said. Authorities want to urge the importance of safety when riding an E-bike or scooter. Law enforcement says wearing a helmet is required by law in California for people under 18 and highly recommended for adults. Advertisement Advertisement Ron Chakov says the type of electric bikes range, making the electric transportation an in-demand commodity. Chakov has noticed the popularity with E-Bikes and young teens. "Parents with the younger generation, in general, you know, they just have to teach them to kid of be aware of their surroundings and not just think one-sided," he said. Electric scooters are also popular. Clovis Police say just last week, a car and e-scooter rider collided. "Unfortunately, there was a rear end collision that occurred in the south bound lanes of Clovis Avenue. The vehicle was pushed into the cross walk, east bound onto Santa Ana and collided with the e-scooter rider," said Clovis Police officer Nicolas Carrillo. Advertisement Advertisement Officer Carrillo says the rider on the scooter was sent to the hospital with serious injuries but is expected to be ok. Clovis Police say they've seen a rise in collisions with electric bikes and scooters. "You have to follow all the rules of the roadway. Including stopping at stop signs, stopping for red lights and most importantly is following the flow of traffic," Officer Carrillo said. These e-bikes and scooters can exceed speeds that's not legally permitted. Officials say before getting on an e-bike or scooter, you'll want to check with what the DMV has permitted being safe. For news updates, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson is touting a new, unfounded health theoryand this time he says its a treatment for everything from autism to cancer. Johnson is pushing a new book titled The War on Chlorine Dioxide: The Medicine that Could End Medicine by Dr. Pierre Kory, who in 2024 lost his board certifications for continuing to promote ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medication, to treat long COVID. This time around, Kory is pushing the use of chlorine dioxide, a chemical used in bleach and disinfectants, as a treatment for everything from cancer and malaria to autism and COVID. He goes as far as to say that there is a worldwide campaign by global public health officials, the pharmaceutical industry, and the news media to suppress information about what chlorine dioxide can be used to treat. Advertisement Advertisement In his endorsement blurb, Johnson calls the book a gripping tale of corruption and courage that will open eyes and prompt serious questions. Sen. Ron Johnson is endorsing a wacky new medical treatment. / Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound primarily used as a disinfectant, but it also has other applicationsnone of which involve medical use in humans. The chemical is used in many areas of public life, including for sterilizing hospitals and laboratories. Those working with the chemical are advised to use it only in well-ventilated areas and to wear gloves while handling it. Other doctors have already denounced Korys theory. It is all lunacy. Absolutely, its 100 percent nonsense, Dr. Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill Universitys Office for Science and Society in Montreal, told ProPublica, which first reported Johnsons endorsement. Advertisement Advertisement Schwarcz said that at high concentrations, chlorine dioxide is not a cure for anything, it is a poison. The senator confirmed to ProPublica that he did endorse the book. After reading the entire book, yes I provided and approved that blurb, he told the outlet. Have you read the book? The Daily Beast has reached out to Johnson for comment. Sen. Ron Johnson spread lies during the COVID-19 pandemic, including claiming athletes were dropping dead on the field from the vaccine. / Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag For years, Johnson has relied on Kory for shoddy medical advice. He has twice called him as a witness to appear before the Senate: in one of these instances, the doctor claimed ivermectin could be used to treat COVID-19. Several clinical trials have found no evidence to support that claim, and the FDA warns against taking the drug for that purpose, noting that the agency has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the pair wrote an op-ed for Fox News where they voiced their opposition to a bill in California that would strip doctors of their licenses for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Johnson himself is no stranger to promoting unfounded health theories. During the COVID pandemic, the Wisconsin Republican claimed without evidence that athletes were dropping dead on the field after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. He also claimed that the pandemic was a master plan by an elite group of people that want to take total control over our lives. Similar to Johnsons latest medical endorsement, President Donald Trump, in his first term, infamously suggested injecting bleach to combat COVID-19. A Chicago man accused of breaking into Downers Grove North High School has been arrested and was ordered detained on Saturday. Deon McLaughlin allegedly broke in Wednesday morning and forced an overnight worker to search the school for money. He is charged with Burglary in a School, Attempted Robbery and Aggravated Battery to a School Employee. The state's attorney said he was on pre-trial release for other violent crimes at the time. A judge granted the state's motion to detain him, citing the severity of the charges and his criminal history. McLaughlin is due back in court on Jan. 5. A person of interest arrested in connection with the shooting at Brown University over the weekend will be released, officials said during a Sunday evening news conference. "There was some degree of evidence that pointed to this individual, but that evidence needed to be corroborated" and it was not, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said on Dec. 14. At least two people were killed and nine others were wounded. Advertisement Advertisement "We have not yet solved this case but I'm confidence we're gonna do that and we're gonna' do that in the very near future," Neronha said. Earlier in the day, federal agents and other law enforcement descended upon a home in Cedarburg, a suburb of Milwaukee, as they investigated a person of interest connected to a mass shooting at Brown University. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is no longer naming the person, as they were neither named a suspect in the shooting nor charged. About 4 p.m. Dec. 14, FBI agents sat in parked black SUVs outside a residence that was linked to the 24-year-old man detained in the shooting that killed at least two people and injured nine others. Advertisement Advertisement Multiple media outlets, including the Washington Post, CNN and NBC News identified the person of interest, citing unnamed law enforcement officials. That individual has been released from custody. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has not independently verified those reports, but a Journal Sentinel reporter and photographer observed the large law enforcement presence on Dec. 14 at a home linked to the person of interest's family. FBI agents at the scene told media not to approach the house. Cedarburg Police Department vehicles were also at the scene at the Cedarburg residence. In a social media post at 7 p.m., the law enforcement agency offered its condolences and thoughts to those killed and injured in the incident at Brown University. The agency also confirmed the presence of the FBI and said the federal bureau is conducting interviews in the area. Law enforcement descended on a neighborhood in Cedarburg, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee, on Dec. 14 as they investigated a person of interest connected to a mass shooting at Brown University. The shooting at the Ivy League University happened about 4 p.m. Dec. 13 inside an engineering building with unlocked doors as final exams were underway. Advertisement Advertisement Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said during an afternoon news conference on Dec. 14 that officials had not yet notified the families of all victims. Live coverage: Brown University shooting live updates: 2 dead, person of interest in custody This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Person of interest in Brown University shooting will be released from custody An Ohio man recently learned his punishment for operating a $1.5 million chop shop conspiracy in Dayton, according to a spokesperson with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kahrese Tracey Scott Lee, 28, of Cincinnati, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison. As previously reported by News Center 7, Lee previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen vehicles in interstate commerce and to knowingly operating a chop shop. Advertisement Advertisement Lee operated an interstate stolen car ring from October 2023 to October 2024. TRENDING STORIES: He had a garage in Dayton, where he received dozens of stolen cars. The spokesperson said in May 2024, Lees Dayton chop shop housed more than half a million dollars in stolen cars and parts. Lee often disassembled stolen cars and removed the parts for resale or to place in another vehicle, according to court records. He also received, traded, and sold cars out of state, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes Lee stole cars himself or worked with other people to do so. Court documents indicate that during one planned theft, Lee and others went to Indiana and stole three cars valued at more than $200,000 from an auto lot. Authorities eventually found Lee and other individuals with the stolen vehicles in Alabama, where they planned to create a new garage. The spokesperson said officers returned the cars to the Indiana dealership; however, they tracked one of the stolen cars back to Indiana with a tracking device. Lee went back to Indiana to try to steal the car, but law enforcement arrested him. Six other people were federally charged alongside Lee in November 2024. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A man has been arrested after allegedly using bad checks to steal trucks from two dealerships in Cobb County, police say. Drew Lofstad is accused of purchasing vehicles with checks tied to closed accounts at Days Chevrolet and Auto Nation USA in Kennesaw, according to police. Police told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell that they were able to tie Lofstad to at least three cases. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The checks were for $42,900 and $51,500, fraud specialist Barry Bannister, who is assisting with the investigation, said. Advertisement Advertisement He builds the confidence up around him to where you feel comfortable right before he gets you, Bannister said. Investigators were able to track down the stolen vehicles in Kennesaw. Bannister has a folder full of documents related to the crimes Lofstad is accused of committing at the two dealerships. TRENDING STORIES: Lofstad and his attorney claim this is all a misunderstanding and that criminal charges shouldnt have been filed. Advertisement Advertisement The owner of Days Chevrolet has made significant changes to procedures and policies to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Despite Lofstads claims that the checks were post-dated and the money was taken out too early, the owner of Days Chevrolet disputes this, asserting the checks were tied to closed accounts. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Politicians should calm down and stop approaching one another in attack mode amid the USs climate of political violence, former US senator Joe Manchin said on Sunday. The West Virginia independent who generally caucused with Senate Democrats echoed similar comments made at a town hall Saturday by Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot to death in September. Weve got to calm down a little bit, Manchin said on WABC 770 AMs Cats Roundtable. Weve just got to calm it down. Everyone should want your elected leaders to do well and you dont have to be scathing against him and saying: I hate this person, hate that person. Just say: Listen, I disagree. I wish they would consider something else. Advertisement Advertisement He said that too many lawmakers remain in attack mode, adding: You are not the enemy. And the American people arent stupid. Related: Extremists exploit political trigger events to recruit people online, says study Manchin had long been a Democrat but left the party in 2024 to register as an independent shortly before retiring from the Senate after 15 years in office. A wealthy coal industry executive, Manchin argued that the party had grown intolerant and heavy-handed toward ordinary citizens, placing the blame on progressive activists. In his Sunday remarks, Manchin urged both Democrats and Republicans to free themselves from the influence of the far left and far right and focus instead on forming a sensible majority capable of advancing policy. Advertisement Advertisement Im fiscally responsible and socially compassionate, Manchin said. I think most Democrats and Republicans feel that way. They might have different ideas of how to solve the problem, but they all are Americans. They feel strongly about our country. Manchins comments illustrated how members of both political parties have recently called for a reduction in heated political discourse, particularly following Charlie Kirks killing in Utah on 10 September. Authorities who investigated Kirks killing allege that the man charged with murdering the Turning Point USA co-founder did so after becoming sick of what he perceived to be Kirks hatred. On Saturday, during a town hall hosted by CBS, Erika Kirk said that everyone has a responsibility to tone things down. Advertisement Advertisement Im doing my part, Kirk said in response to a question from an audience member. Im not in control of other people. The question came from Utah Valley University student Hunter Kozak, who had asked Charlie Kirk about political violence moments before Kirk was fatally shot. Kozak referenced tensions around political extremism and mentioned Donald Trumps recent comments accusing six Democratic lawmakers of treason for telling US military members to resist unlawful commands. On Truth Social, the president accused the lawmakers of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR that was punishable by DEATH! Will you condemn the violent rhetoric of Donald Trump, the most powerful and influential person on Earth? Kozak asked. Advertisement Advertisement Kirk replied that the problem was so much more deeper than just one person. Related: Charlie Kirks death raises fears of beginning of a darker chapter for US violence Rand Paul, a Republican senator from Kentucky, also warned on Sunday of a potential rise in political violence spurred by the recent bipartisan push to draw new redistricting maps meant to favor their parties. I think that its going to lead to more civil tension and possibly more violence in our country, he said on NBC Newss Meet the Press, saying the move is a mistake by both parties to boost their prospects in the 2026 midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement I think there is the potential that when people have no representation, that they feel disenfranchised, that it can lead and might lead to violence in our country, he added. Sundays commentary came after Trump survived two assassination attempts while successfully running for a second presidency in 2024. Then, in the months before Kirks killing, there was the firebombing of the official residence of Pennsylvanias governor, Josh Shapiro, as well as the fatal shooting of the former Minnesota state house speaker Melissa Hortman. Shapiro is a Democrat like Hortman was. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remains confident, despite legal setbacks, that the deportation facilities in Albania, promoted by her right-wing government, will function as planned. "It's going exactly as I always told you: The centres in Albania will work," Meloni told supporters at an event of her Brothers of Italy party in Rome on Sunday. Meloni pointed to an agreement within the EU on a tougher stance on migration. The EU states recently agreed in Brussels to increase pressure on rejected asylum seekers and deport them more efficiently. Advertisement Advertisement Return centres in countries outside the EU should also be possible in the future, including in Albania. However, the plans still need to be finally approved. Several courts have stopped plans so far The Italian government's plan to return rejected asylum seekers on a large scale, even before they set foot on Italian soil, has not progressed at all so far. The outsourcing of decisions on asylum applications to Albania has been prohibited by several court rulings from Italian and European authorities. Meloni once again complained about "politicized judgements by the judiciary." The project will only work "thanks to the judges" with a delay of one and a half years, said Meloni. Facilities largely empty Specifically, the project involves a reception centre opened at the end of 2024 in the Albanian port city of Shengjin and the associated deportation camp in Gjader. Advertisement Advertisement So far, the facilities are largely empty. The costs are currently estimated at about 130 million per year ($152 million). The Albania model is a prestige project of Meloni's three-party coalition of far-right and conservative parties. The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at Dec. 13, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing Midday: 9-3-0 Evening: 6-9-7 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing Midday: 1-1-8-6 Evening: 0-4-7-2 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing 12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from Dec. 13 drawing KC-6C-9C-8D-2S Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing 02-08-16-18-24 Advertisement Advertisement 09-11-20-23-39 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from Dec. 13 drawing 02-03-05-07-13-14-15-16-20-21-24-27-32-35-39-43-45-50-56-58-64-80 Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Classic Lotto 47 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing 02-03-12-15-16-33 Check Classic Lotto 47 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from Dec. 13 drawing 17-26-28-31-32-33 Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices. To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to: Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Lottery Attn: Claim Center 101 E. Hillsdale P.O. Box 30023 Lansing, MI 48909 For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2. If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325 Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325 Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325 Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325 Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325 Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325 For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page. When are Michigan Lottery drawings held? Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m. Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for Dec. 13, 2025 Credit: X A bystander tackled and disarmed one of the shooters at Bondi Beach in a heroic act that may have saved lives during the Hanukkah mass shooting. Video footage shows a man, named by local media as Ahmed al Ahmed, hiding behind a parked car before pouncing on the shooter. He grapples with him and wrestles away what appears to be a rifle. After a brief struggle, the bystander, a father-of-two greengrocer, takes the gun and points it at the shooter, who falls backwards onto the ground and begins crawling away, Advertisement Advertisement Mr Ahmed was shot twice in the struggle and is undergoing surgery in hospital. After hiding behind a car, the man pounced on the shooter and wrestled away a weapon His cousin told Australian news outlet 7News: Hes in hospital and we dont know exactly whats going on inside. We do hope he will be fine. Hes a hero 100 per cent. The hero bystander was identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, a father-of-two greengrocer At least 15 people were killed in a shooting at a Hanukkah party on Bondi Beach, Australia, on Sunday at about 6.40pm local time. The death toll stands at 16, including one of the gunmen. The two shooters have been named as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, father and son. Sajid Akram died exchanging gunfire with officers on Sunday. Naveed Akram, 24, remains in hospital under police guard. Advertisement Advertisement In footage circulated online, Mr Ahmed disarms one of the shooters, raises his hand and places the gun on the ground. The gunman then walks slowly away, while another member of the public throws an object at him. After a struggle, the bystander takes the gun and points it at the alleged shooter Multiple shots are heard, and the camera pans to a second gunman taking aim from a bridge above the car park. People can be heard shouting, Get back, get back, as the second gunman, dressed entirely in black, fires shots from the bridge. At this point, the first gunman is seen joining his accomplice on the bridge, where he picks up another rifle. The pair take cover behind the bridge wall and fire their weapons outward. Credit: X/@AustralianJA Advertisement Advertisement Two members of the public, including Mr Ahmed, attempt to take cover behind a tree. He is later seen with a visible injury to his arm, walking away from the scene, nursing his wound before collapsing. Other members of the public are filmed hiding behind cars and trees. Naveed Akram, one of the shooters Drone footage taken above the bridge shows the gunmen together. One, dressed in white trousers, is lying down and is presumed dead. His partner continues firing in multiple directions before also lying down. Another video taken on the bridge shows the two gunmen lying face down on the ground, with red cartridges, firearms, and backpacks scattered around them, as police officers rush in and stand over one of the suspects. Videos show two men dressed in black firing rifles toward the beach from a bridge above a nearby car park A separate bystander is seen sitting on the back of the second gunman before a shirtless man runs over and stamps on his head. He is then pushed away by police. Advertisement Advertisement Footage of the aftermath shows bodies strewn across the park as people gather around. Some are seen administering CPR, while others crouch beside injured victims and bodies. Drone footage shows the gunmen together on the bridge Officers apprehend the shooters on the bridge Antony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, praised the hero bystanders and police who rushed to stop the gunmen and save the wounded. He said: The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyones worst nightmare. We are also thinking of everyone being treated for their injuries, and many of whom are alive right now because of the courage and quick action of the New South Wales Police and the first responders who rushed to their aid, as well as the courage of everyday Australians who, without hesitating, put themselves in danger in order to keep their fellow Australians safe. Advertisement Advertisement We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. Keep the snow shovels and winter coats handy for a couple of more days. The National Weather Service has called for a lake-effect snow warning for several counties in Northeast Ohio, including Summit, Portage, Medina and Cuyahoga, through 7 a.m. Monday. An additional 1 to 3 inches of snow is anticipated in Summit and Medina counties, and 2 to 4 inches in Portage County. Periodic snowfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour are expected through this early evening, according to NWS. The most persistent snow should affect northeastern Lorain, northern Medina, northern and western Portage County, and central Summit counties. Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below a quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow. An additional 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected, with 7 to 8 inches possible where snow bands persist, according to the National Weather Service. National Weather Service, Ohio Department of Transportation, urge caution if going out Persons should consider delaying all travel, stated the National Weather service in its alert. If travel is necessary, motorists should drive with extreme caution and should consider taking a winter storm kit, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help in case of an emergency. Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission strongly encourage motorists to heed all travel restrictions and delay unnecessary travel. Visit www.ohgo.com for the latest travel, roadway and traffic conditions. An additional 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected, with 7 to 8 inches possible where snow bands persist, according to the National Weather Service. How much snow fell in the area? Up to 7 inches already reported in some areas Some areas woke up to a significant blanket of white outside. According to the 9:23 a.m. local storm report from the National Weather Service, the following snowfall reports have been recorded so far: 3.8 inches in North Ridgeville. 3.4 inches in Streetsboro. 2.8 inches in Ravenna. 3.4 inches in Kent. 7 inches in Strongsville. 2.1 inches in Spencer. Wind chills add extra bite to the air Snow squalls are not the only concern for those venturing out. Today's high is expected to be near 20, with wind chill values as low as -3, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts could be as high as 30 mph. Tonight's low is expected to be around 11 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Monday's high is expected to be near 21 degrees, with a 20% chance of precipitation between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tomorrow's low is expected to be around 11 degrees. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Several counties under a lake-effect snow warning through early Monday A cold weather advisory remains in effect Saturday night, Dec. 13, through Wednesday morning, Dec. 17, after a winter storm hit large swaths of the state and shut down part of Interstate 80. Frigid temps are expected to follow the snow, dipping below -10 degrees. Snow totals reached more than half a foot in some areas across the state as the storm started to dissipate by early afternoon. Des Moines police responded to more than 40 crashes Saturday, Dec. 13, by 4:30 p.m., and asked drivers to refrain from driving if it wasn't necessary. Advertisement Advertisement "As road crews continue to work to clear roadways, vehicles have packed snow into ice, creating very slick approaches to controlled intersections and challenges on hilly streets," the department said in a statement. "As temperatures fall dangerously low, refeeze will occur, creating slick roadways in areas that appear wet." Snowplows were scheduled to hit Des Moines residential streets at around 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Police warned residents not to park on snow-route streets and to park only on the odd side of the street on Sunday. Snow-covered roads were expected to remain slick and difficult through the night, and the weather service advised caution. In the Des Moines area, wind chill values are expected to drop to as low as -15 Saturday night. The National Weather Service warned frostbite can happen in minutes in such cold temperatures. Cold Weather Advisory issued for most of central and northern Iowa from 6 PM Saturday through 10 AM Wednesday. Wind chills of -20 to -30 are expected Saturday night into Sunday morning, which can cause frostbite in minutes. #iawx pic.twitter.com/k3chsPMzGf NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) December 12, 2025 More: Cold weather advisory warns of frigid wind chills. These shelters are open Advertisement Advertisement The counties affected by the winter storm included Pocahontas, Sac, Calhoun, Webster, Hamilton, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Boone, Story, Marshall, Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Warren, Marion, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello and Davis. Where did snow fall the most in Iowa? Southern and eastern Iowa felt the brunt of the winter storm, with some areas experiencing six inches of accumulation on Saturday. Here are the highest totals so far in Iowa: More: What happened to Ryan Cooper? Iowa man's murder featured on 'Dateline' Muscatine : 6.3 inches Williamstown : 6 inches Fort Madison : 5.8 inches Ottumwa: 5.4 inches Boone: 4.5 inches Milton : 4.5 inches Parnell : 4.5 inches Polk City: 4.4 inches Norwalk : 3.8 inches Badger : 3.5 inches Bloomfield: 3.3 inches Carroll: 3.2 inches Buffalo : 3.2 inches North English: 3 inches Aaron Ramsey shovels snow in his driveway as snow falls in the metro area on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Des Moines. How much snow has fallen in Des Moines? The Des Moines International Airport reported 3.7 inches of snow as of noon Saturday. Norwalk, just south of Des Moines, reported 3.8 inches of snow by 10:30 a.m. Clive reported 2.7 inches of snow by 10 a.m. Another round of snow blanketed the state of Iowa Saturday morning. Take a look at the latest totals. How much snow did Iowa City get? Iowa City reported 4.5 inches of snow at 12:26 p.m. Roads across the state are covered in snow 10:41 AM Saturday 12/13: TRAVEL NOT ADVISED on I-80 between Newton and Iowa City. Visibility and road conditions are deteriorating rapidly, causing multiple crashes and closing lanes. pic.twitter.com/k2aX9QDuuR Iowa DOT (@iowadot) December 13, 2025 By 11 a.m. Saturday, many of central Iowa's highways and interstates were completely covered with snow, accompanied by "dangerous whiteout conditions." Travel was not advised on I-80 from central Iowa to the Illinois border, the DOT reported. Advertisement Advertisement "Visibility and road conditions are deteriorating rapidly, causing multiple crashes and closing lanes," the DOT said in a social media post. Interstate 80 closed in both directions in eastern Iowa The Iowa DOT closed Interstate 80 in both directions across a 44-mile span in eastern Iowa shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday, from the I-380 interchange (exit 240) in Coralville to exit 284 in Walcott, where the Iowa 80 truck stop is located. DOT officials say the road is "impassable" due to severe winter weather and "numerous" crashes. The stretch of I-80 will remain closed until weather conditions improve. The Iowa State Patrol announced in a social media post around 12:30 p.m. Dec. 13 that I-80 east of West Branch near the Cedar River bridge was closed in both directions, eastbound and westbound. The closure was due to several crashes and vehicles in the ditch, according to the State Patrol. The organization said it would be several hours before the stretch of interstate is open once again. Authorities encouraged vehicles to avoid the area to allow first responders "room to assist" motorists and to clear the scene. Today's storm is snarling traffic on I-80 east of Iowa City. If you're in this lineup and have an emergency, please call 911. Even after the interstate reopens later - check https://t.co/gt4AdbKOoW - frigid temps are creating icy conditions - travel will still be hazardous. pic.twitter.com/2fQzHfNriG Iowa DOT (@iowadot) December 13, 2025 The DOT issued a press release shortly before 3 p.m. with additional closure details. Advertisement Advertisement All entrance ramps to I-80 at each of the intersecting roadways between exit 240 and 284 are closed. Travelers near that area are advised to seek shelter rather than continuing their route. "Travelers already within the closed section will be allowed to exit," the DOT said in a release. "If vehicles are stranded, emergency crews will attempt to assist travelers to safety. However, due to conditions, emergency response could be impossible or significantly delayed." The DOT said the decision to close the interstate means a serious safety condition exists. Drivers should never attempt to enter a closed roadway or go around barricades or gates. The DOT reopened the interstate around 9 p.m. Saturday, though road conditions were expected to remain tricky throughout much of Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement For traveler information anytime, visit www.511ia.org, call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047. (This article has been updated to include new information.) This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How much snow has fallen during Iowa's latest snowstorm? An 18-year-old is now charged with murder after police said a chase with deputies led to a deadly crash in southeast Houston, records show. According to investigators, a passenger in the suspect's car was killed. Charging documents state Ruben Mendoza also faces a weapons charge, after investigators said he was found in a vehicle with a handgun, but jail records state he bonded out a day before the deadly crash. Advertisement Advertisement The Houston Police Department said Mendoza was behind the wheel of a blue Dodge Charger on Saturday morning, leading Harris County Precinct 2 Constable deputies on a chase on and off the Gulf Freeway, ending at the intersection of Almeda, Genoa, and Clearwood. "As they're coming through this intersection - you can see there's a dip -- they're at a high rate of speed, go airborne, they lose control, and end up crashing sideways on the driver's side into a tree," Sgt. Derrick Hall with HPD said. Police said there were two people in the vehicle, and somehow the driver, Mendoza, is still alive. "It's a male passenger. Unfortunately, he's deceased. We had a family member out here; she's been notified. It's just so tragic, so close to Christmas," Sgt. Hall said. Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance video obtained by ABC13 shows just how fast law enforcement said Mendoza was driving, it shows his Dodge Charger zooming through the intersection. It's still unclear if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. For news updates, follow Brianna Willis on Facebook, x and Instagram. Sen. Chris Murphy on Sunday accused President Donald Trump of a deliberate campaign to make violence more common across the country, just hours after a gunman was taken into custody in connection to a shooting at Brown University. Speaking to host Dana Bash on CNNs State of the Union, the Connecticut Democrat highlighted Trump shuttering the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and the administrations cuts to bipartisan gun violence prevention grants. "He has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country, and I think you're unfortunately going to see the results of that on the streets of America," Murphy said. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Sunday, the White House accused Murphy of spreading lies. Before spreading these lies, Chris Murphy should take a look in the mirror," spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told POLITICO. "Chris and his colleagues have regularly used rhetoric meant to incite their followers to violence, including smearing ICE officers as Nazis and calling their political opponents fascists." "Assaults against ICE officers have skyrocketed and Charlie Kirk was tragically assassinated earlier this year, not to mention the other violent riots that leftists have engaged in," she continued. "The Violent Left is a problem whether Chris admits it or not. The deadly shooting at Brown University came just hours ahead of the thirteenth anniversary of the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre. Murphy has become an outspoken advocate for gun control since that shooting, which took place in Murphys home district when he was a representative and saw 20 students and six adults killed. Advertisement Advertisement What I know is that a community never, ever recovers from a shooting like this, Murphy said. The trauma and the cost is not just in the lives lost, obviously we are mourning most deeply for those that were killed and those that were wounded, hoping that there are no more fatalities, but that community in Providence won't recover. On Saturday, a shooter dressed in black killed at least two people and wounded nine others at the Ivy League campus. According to the Associated Press, the shooter fired more than 40 9 mm rounds. Authorities announced early Sunday that a suspect was in custody. Murphy was among several lawmakers on Sunday to speak of ongoing gun violence, both at home and around the world. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) told guest anchor Jacqui Heinrich on "Fox News Sunday" that the shooting was "horrific." He offered "great sympathies" to all those impacted. Advertisement Advertisement "They captured the suspect who's now being held in Providence, but it still doesn't diminish the horror and the pain that this caused to everyone in the state," Reed said. In an interview with NBCs Meet the Press, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) said it was a somber morning. Any nation that tolerates this kind of violence year after year, decade after decade in random places on our college and school campuses without doing all that we can to stop it is broken and in need of moral repair, said Warnock, who is also a preacher. Warnock also extended condolences to Australia, where on Sunday, two gunmen opened fire at Bondi Beach in what authorities are calling a targeted attack against the Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah. At least 12 are dead, including one of the shooters. Advertisement Advertisement We have to be very clear in condemning antisemitism. We are seeing a rise of antisemitism in our own country and across the globe. We have to condemn antisemitism. We have to condemn hatred and violence wherever it rears its ugly head, said Warnock. While many Democrats pointed fingers at Trump, arguing he has spread hate and rolled back restrictions on gun access, Murphy did go a step further with his suggestion that Trump is "engaged in a dizzying campaign to increase violence in this country." "That is just not a reality that we should accept in this nation for our kids, Murphy said. "Unfortunately, right now we don't have the leadership in Washington to do anything, anything to respond to the shooting this weekend." But Sen. Bill Cassidy on Sunday defended the president. Advertisement Advertisement I don't mean to demean what Sen. Murphy said, but I do find that if there's something bad that happens, the checklist is first blame President Trump, the Louisiana Republican told Bash following Murphy's interview. Let's find out what the facts are. Let's see what's actually going on." Murphy said he will continue to work toward bipartisan solutions to end gun violence across the nation even as he accused Trump and Congressional Republicans of being in the pocket of gun lobbyists. I will never stop trying to get bipartisan support but I think it is pretty clear that President Trump and this White House are in the pocket of the gun lobby, said Murphy. I just don't foresee," he said, "that this White House is going to support anything that would cross the gun industry and as we know right now, unfortunately, the Republicans in Congress don't ever meaningfully break from this president. So until they get the OK from President Trump to break from the gun lobby, I think the chances of us getting something done are slim but that doesn't mean I won't try. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images A massive data breach at the credit check company 700Credit could affect at least 5.6 million people. Personal information, including Social Security numbers, addresses, names and dates of birth, were exposed in the leak. 700Credit is a Michigan-based company that runs credit checks and identity verification services for auto dealerships throughout the United States. The company released a statement on its website blaming a bad actor with unauthorized access to its databases. Advertisement Advertisement The company said it is sending letters by mail to individuals whose data was stolen in the breach, and it is offering credit monitoring services. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Products website , this breach affects 5.6 million people. A s tatement from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says the breach occurred between May and October 2025. It apparently wasnt discovered until October 25. It is important that anyone affected by this data breach takes steps as soon as possible to protect their information. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel If you get a letter from 700Credit, dont ignore it, Nessel said. It is important that anyone affected by this data breach takes steps as soon as possible to protect their information. According to CBTNews , an auto-dealership business-to-business publication, the hack was caused when an integrated partner was compromised but failed to notify 700Credit. The malicious actor was then able to infiltrate the companys systems using a vulnerability in 700Credits validation process. Advertisement Advertisement 700Credit told CBTNews that it has strengthened its API inspections, moving to a more secure system and increased its cybersecurity insurance. How to stay safe after a data breach Credit: sdecoret/Shutterstock 700Credit is spending a lot of time urging dealerships to adopt best practices and prioritize education when it comes to cybersecurity. Thats not only good advice for companies, but for customers as well. As always, when it comes to data breaches or data leaks, youll want to take a serious look at your security apparatus. Make sure your passwords are all updated, especially for any accounts involved in the breach. In this 700Credit case, the company performs credit checks for auto dealerships across the country. Youll want to change passwords to sensitive accounts like your email and financial accounts. Using one of the best password managers can help you generate and store new, secure passwords. 700Credit is offering credit monitoring services, but its not a bad idea to utilize one of the best identity theft protection services. These services work best if they can watch out for your personal information before an attack occurs. The statement does assert that there is no indication of any identity theft, fraud, or other misuse of information in relation to this event. Advertisement Advertisement Youll want to keep an eye out for phishing attempts and social engineering attacks. Be on alert for strange texts, emails or phone calls where people attempt to get you to share personal information or pressure you into clicking a link, downloading an attachment, app or going to a website. Letters are going out this week, but if you visited a dealership in the last year and believe 700Credit ran your check, you can reach out to the companys dedicated line (866) 273-0345 if you have questions. Google News Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. On Thursday, the U.S. Navy completed its review into Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly's comments in a Nov. 18 video urging troops not to follow unlawful orders. This investigation was called for by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who accused Kelly and five other Democrats in the video of encouraging insubordination. Hegseth, who calls the group the Seditious Six, says he is now looking at whether Kelly should face court martial or some kind of administrative action. Among the six Democrats, Kelly is the only former service member to reach active-duty retirement, which requires more than 20 years of service. A retired U.S. Navy captain who flew combat missions during Desert Storm, Kelly still receives benefits from the Defense Department, which Hegseth oversees. Advertisement Advertisement Kelly, who also served as an astronaut for NASA, says he hasnt been informed of any action against him. There's no deadline for Hegseth to respond, if he opts to act at all. Its also not clear what the Navys review of Kelly determined exactly. Officials are withholding details of the Navys report, citing privacy laws. MORE: Admiral ousted by Hegseth talks privately to lawmakers In a lengthy statement posted Nov. 24 to the departments official X account, Hegseth accused Kelly of serious allegations of misconduct and threatened to recall Kelly to active duty to face charges. He cited a federal law that prohibits actions that interfere with the loyalty, morale, or good order and discipline of the armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement While that Nov. 24 statement noted that further official comments will be limited, to preserve the integrity of the proceeds, Hegseth continued to address the matter on social media, accusing him of wearing his medals out of order in a photo. When/if you are recalled to active duty, itll start with a uniform inspection, Hegseth posted on X on Nov. 25. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images - PHOTO: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives to the U.S. Capitol for a briefing with Senate leaders, December 9, 2025. While Hegseth could recall Kelly to active duty to charge him in a military court, it's unlikely because of legal hurdles. Legal experts say its not clear that Kelly broke any laws by reminding troops not to follow illegal orders, which is an accurate statement. Experts also say that charging a sitting U.S. senator using court-martial proceedings and for an alleged crime that occurred post-service would face major legal challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Notably, Hegseths personal lawyer, Tim Parlatore, has acknowledged that a court martial -- while possible -- would be legally messy. In a recent interview with far-right activist and Trump supporter Laura Loomer, Parlatore said the Constitution prohibits someone from holding office in two branches at once. In this case, if Kelly were recalled to active-duty service part of the executive branch he wouldnt be able to simultaneously hold office as a senator part of the legislative branch. Parlatore said that invoking that option could potentially cause separation of powers issues, and I could see that being litigated heavily within the district court. Hegseth could try to reduce Kellys rank or change his discharge to Other than Honorable a move that would reduce or eliminate his retirement benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Parlatore also noted in his interview with Loomer that while trying to court-martial Kelly could be tough, he could seek administrative punishments, including a letter of reprimand or a reduction in rank. Doing so would be a nod to Trump supporters who objected to the criminal prosecution of dozens of veterans and active-duty service members connected to the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol in 2021. While some veterans received light punishments, others accused of violence were demoted and discharged from the military. On his first day back in office, Trump offered a full, complete and unconditional pardon to anyone convicted of crimes related to the riots. Haskel, who lived in Australia for six years, said that the mass shooting came after repeated warnings to Canberra about growing antisemitism in the country. The terrorist attack at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday shattered Australias reputation as a safe country for Jewish life, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel. The massacre was deeply shocking yet tragically predictable, she told The Jerusalem Post, citing years of unchecked antisemitism and incitement. Antisemitism is at a record high. Were keeping our eyes on it. Advertisement Advertisement The mass shooting killed 11 people. It shook me, but I cant say I was surprised, Haskel said. The writing was on the wall. For the last two years, weve been warning that if antisemitism is not confronted head-on, it is only a matter of time before blood is spilled. Repeated warnings were delivered to Canberra at the highest levels, she said. Israels prime minister, president, foreign minister, and senior diplomats had raised alarms about rising hostility toward Jewish communities in Australia, but the concerns went largely unheeded, she added. Bondi Beach massacre close to home for Haskel Haskel said she had lived for six years in Sydney, and the terrorist attack carries personal weight. She described the local Jewish community as my home. Advertisement Advertisement Five or 10 years ago, I would have said something like this was impossible in Australia, Haskel said. It used to be one of the safest countries in the world for Jews. Today, that is no longer the case. She cited a dramatic shift over the past two years, with growing numbers of Jewish Australians considering aliyah out of fear. Recent conventions in Sydney and Melbourne promoting immigration to Israel had drawn unprecedented interest, Haskel said. These are numbers weve never seen before, she said. People are not leaving because of ideology alone. They are leaving because they feel unsafe. Advertisement Advertisement At the heart of the problem is a failure to enforce laws against incitement and hate speech, Haskel said. There were mass demonstrations after the October 7 massacre, and protesters chanted, Globalize the intifada, and Gas the Jews, while waving flags of Hamas and Hezbollah, she said. There were no arrests, no prosecutions, no deterrence, she added. Calls for the murder of Jews were excused as being misunderstood. That sends a very dangerous message. Haskel also cited large rallies in which demonstrators marched beneath images of Irans supreme leader and symbols of designated terrorist organizations, as well as a growing pattern of synagogue arson, physical assaults on Jews, workplace harassment, and the marginalization of Jewish students on university campuses. Many words were spoken, but there was no real action no enforcement, no sentencing, no consequences, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Despite diplomatic tensions, Haskel said Israel has maintained close security cooperation with Australia to protect lives, including warnings from Israeli officials to their Australian counterparts about increased extremist activity and the risk of an attack. Australia faces a critical choice, Haskel said. Either the government enforces its own laws against racial hatred, prosecutes those who incite violence and support terrorist organizations, and restores deterrence, or the situation will continue to deteriorate, she said. There is no middle ground. North Carolina schools are seeing positive changes thanks to new cellphone policies aimed at improving student focus and well-being. A report from Governor Josh Stein's Advisory Council for Student Safety and Well-Being highlighted the benefits of cellphone-free classrooms, including better academic performance, increased social interaction, and fewer discipline issues. The shift comes after a new state law, effective January 1, required school districts to establish policies restricting cellphone and communication device use. The law, passed by state lawmakers over the summer, also mandates penalties for violations and allows for social media restrictions if not already in place. Advertisement Advertisement "Getting rid of the distraction of cell phones in classrooms prioritizes our students' well-being and academic achievement and improves their learning environments," Stein said. "I am encouraged to hear that schools are seeing improved academic outcomes, increased social interactions and engagement, and fewer discipline concerns after implementing their local policy." Several districts have already taken action. Wake County Public School System rolled out a revised policy this month to comply with the law, building on a standalone policy approved in June. Johnson County Schools and Cumberland County Schools have also implemented new measures. Students are required to silence and store their phones in backpacks or lockers during designated times. Advertisement Advertisement Teachers report improved outcomes, with students in Orange County acknowledging the benefits of the policy despite initial resistance. North Carolina is now among 31 states with similar legislation. A national survey of over 20,000 public school educators found that stricter cellphone policies lead to less device use during class and higher teacher satisfaction. Dec. 13Another round of prolonged rain is expected to drench much of Northwest Montana as the region recovers from floods that destroyed multiple bridges in Lincoln County last week. The atmospheric river will once again target the Pacific Northwest with heavy precipitation beginning Monday through Wednesday, the National Weather Service in Missoula warned. Four-day totals ending Friday morning will be 1 to 2 inches of liquid for Libby and Troy, with 3 to 4 inches in the Cabinet Mountains and higher terrain along the Idaho-Montana border. Advertisement Advertisement The heaviest rain will fall Tuesday and Tuesday night. "Due to already saturated ground, particularly in Northwest Montana, this rainfall increases the risk of rock and landslides, stream and river rises, and minor flooding," the Weather Service warned. Heavy precipitation is also on tap for the Clearwater, Swan, Mission and Flathead ranges, which could see 1.5 to 3 inches of liquid. Snow levels will top out at around 7,000 feet before crashing to the valley floor by Thursday. The Fisher River near Libby dropped to 5.7 feet on Saturday after cresting above flood stage Dec. 11 at 7.67 feet. The river was projected to crest again Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 6.79 feet, just below minor flood stage. The Yaak River near Troy was at 6.12 feet Saturday after topping out Dec. 11 at above flood stage at 8.3 feet. The river was projected to crest again Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 6.4 feet. PURACE, Colombia (AP) Oliverio Quira often goes to check on his cattle on a plot of land he owns less than a mile from the Purace volcano in southwestern Colombia. There he sits and watches the billowing ash column rising from the crater. Despite a recent alert indicating that an eruption is likely in the coming days or weeks due to increased seismic activity at the volcano and the emission of ash columns reaching up to 900 meters (nearly 3,000 feet), he is not afraid. Ive lived on the volcano, I grew up there so I have no reason to fear it. Ill keep going there, alert or not. I have to look after my animals, Quira, 65, told The Associated Press. He is a member of the Purace Indigenous Reserve, a territory belonging to the Coconuco Indigenous people who have traditionally inhabited the volcanos surroundings. Advertisement Advertisement Still, since the alert issued on Nov. 29, the surrounding community has been on edge. Authorities have sought to prepare for a preventive evacuation of at least 800 people who live on the volcanos periphery, in scattered homes among the mountains. The Purace volcano, standing 4,640 meters (more than 15,000 feet) above sea level, is one of Colombias active volcanoes, with at least 51 eruptive events since the year 1400. Its most recent significant eruption was recorded in 1977, according to the Colombian Geological Service. For the Coconuco people, the volcano is sacred and a protective spirit of their territory. The volcano is our master; we have no reason to fear it, said Alfredo Manquillo, deputy governor of the Purace Indigenous Reserve. Thats why we respect it and perform rituals in its name. Advertisement Advertisement Rituals include offering the crater corn, sweet plants and a traditional alcoholic drink made from fruit known as guarapo. For the Indigenous community, the volcano sends them a message when it emits ash, asking for greater care of nature. The volcano is saying that weve exploited it too much for about 60 years we took money from beneath it by extracting sulfur, and now with tourism were taking money from above it, he said, referring to a sulfur mine that was closed a few years ago and to ecological hikes to the volcano. Its saying: Im the one in charge, Im the one with the power. Elders who have witnessed eruptions of the volcano have sought to reassure the younger members of the community who are seeing the volcano active for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Reinaldo Pizo, 75, was a child when the volcano erupted, hurling rocks. He recalls taking shelter under leafy trees or inside their thatched-roof homes. His home is located in a risk zone, but he says he would only evacuate if the volcano were to emit poisonous gases. Purace lacks the infrastructure and logistics needed for a full evacuation, so authorities are working to set up temporary shelters, according to Mayor Humberto Molano Hoyos. But Manquillo said they also need water storage tanks, food and a solution to protect their livestock and domestic animals, which are vital to the agricultural and ranching community. As some of our companions say: If we have to die here, well die here. But were not going somewhere else just to die of hunger, Pizo said. The UN will close its assistance mission in Iraq after more than two decades, ending a presence launched following the 2003 US invasion, as Baghdad says it is now self-reliant. The UN is ending a historic mission to Iraq that dates from 2003, after the US invasion of the country. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has been a mainstay in Iraq for two decades. Now it is closing its doors, as its mandate ends at the end of this year. Advertisement Advertisement The UN Security Council, at Iraqs request, voted last year to wind down the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) by the end of 2025, Saudi Arabia-based newspaper Arab News reported Sunday. The mission was set up to coordinate post-conflict humanitarian and reconstruction efforts and help restore a representative government in the country. This is an important development in some ways. The mission doesnt necessarily do so much, but it has been a voice in Iraq, condemning attacks by Iranian-backed militias at times and making other statements. UNAMI doesnt single out Iran, but its statements reinforce the international spotlight on Iraqs instability. UN SECRETARY-GENERAL Antonio Guterres attends a press conference this week in Geneva. (credit: Pierre Albouy/Reuters) Decades of dictatorship, wars, and terrorism United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was in Baghdad on Saturday to mark the end of the political mission set up in 2003 following the US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein, Arab News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Iraq recently had elections. Prime Minister Shia Al-Sudani, who will remain in office until a new person is chosen based on the election results, has thanked the UN for its mission. Iraq has suffered for decades from dictatorship, wars, and terrorism, he said in a joint statement with Guterres. Iraq is now self-reliant, Sudani said, adding that it has emerged victorious thanks to the sacrifices and courage of its people. The UN will get a street named after it for its work in Iraq. The ceremony will also commemorate the 22 UN staff members murdered in a terrorist attack in August 2003. Guterres praised the courage, fortitude, and determination of the Iraqi people, Arab News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Iraqis have worked to overcome decades of violence, oppression, war, terrorism, sectarianism, and foreign interference, he said, adding that Iraq is now a normal country, and relations between the UN and Iraq will become normal relations with the end of UNAMI. The news comes as former Iraqi president Barham Salih appears set to be the next UN High Commissioner for Refugees. He has played an important role in Iraq and in the autonomous Kurdistan Region or northern Iraq, where he is from. Salih was also a key academic leader in the Kurdistan Region. He is viewed generally positively in Iraq and for his various past roles. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Dyess Air Force Base is moving forward with preparations to support the future B-21 Raider bomber, becoming the third central operating location in the nation gearing up for the U.S. Air Forces newest long-range aircraft. Local leaders, contractors, and military officials gathered this week for B-21 Industry Day at Dyess to review upcoming construction needs and discuss the projects potential economic impact. During the event, Abilene Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Military Affairs John Nichols suggested the new aircraft could return the base to missions it has handled in the past, a remark he framed as nuclear weapons are coming back to Dyess. Advertisement Advertisement Veterans gather in recognition of 40 years of B-1B Lancer at Dyess Advertisement Advertisement Hear a loud boom? Its just Dyess AFB training! Air Force officials have not announced any change to the bases mission. However, they emphasized that preparing for the B-21 will require extensive infrastructure upgrades and long-term planning. Col. Ryan Stallsworth, Commander of the 7th Bomb Wing, said Dyess will rely heavily on local and regional industry partners as construction accelerates. Dyess is super excited about having the B-21 come here over the coming years; the Abilene community at large should be excited as well, Stallsworth said. What the B-21 is going to do is bring in a significant amount of infrastructure to Dyess Air Force Base and opportunities to the local community. Advertisement Advertisement Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota will be the first installation to receive the bomber, followed by Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Dyess is scheduled to receive aircraft as the program expands. The U.S. Air Force has not announced when the B-21 will arrive at Dyess. A groundbreaking ceremony for new facilities is scheduled for December 15, marking the start of construction for the program. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. NEW YORK The New York Police Department announced Saturday that its deploying extra cops to local universities in response to the deadly mass shooting at Brown University. The Police Department said there was no known threat or connection to the Big Apple from the shooting that occurred shortly after 4 p.m. at the Ivy league colleges campus, killing two people and injuring eight others in Providence, Rhode Island. We are tracking the active shooter incident at Brown University and coordinating with our partners there. At this time, there is no known nexus to NYC, but out of an abundance of caution, we are deploying extra assets to local universities, NYPD said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Asked if the response is for cops to be deployed on college campuses themselves or instead in the streets and areas around them, a police spokesperson said, Were not elaborating exactly what areas were deploying them. The NYPD is coordinating with officials in Rhode Island, according to Mayor Eric Adams. The second day of final exams for the fall semester were underway at the university as the school issued an active shooter alert and urged students and staff to shelter in place. The shooting occurred near the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the universitys School of Engineering and physics department. According to the universitys website, the building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices. A manhunt is currently underway for the shooter, who remains at large. The NYPD will increase its presence at public Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues after a pair of gunmen killed at least 12 people at Australias Bondi Beach, as New York City elected officials condemned the attack Sunday. We are closely monitoring the horrific attack We are in touch with our Australian partners, and at this time we see no nexus to NYC, the NYPD said in a statement Sunday. We are deploying additional resources to public Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues out of an abundance of caution. As always, if you see something, say something. Innocent souls were taken by vile antisemitism and hate, Mayor Eric Adams said on X Sunday. May their memories be a blessing. Advertisement Advertisement Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called Sundays shooting an act of antisemitic terrorism. Police fatally shot one of the gunman, while the second, who was arrested, was in critical condition, Australian authorities said. At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, the police commissioner for New South Wales state. On Sunday, Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani, decried the attack of a vile act of antisemitic terror and vowed to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe. This attack is merely the latest, most horrifying iteration in a growing pattern of violence targeted at Jewish people across the world. Too many no longer feel safe to be themselves, to express their faith publicly, to worship in their synagogues without armed security stationed outside, Mamdani said in a statement posted on social media. What happened at Bondi is what many Jewish people fear will happen in their communities too. Advertisement Advertisement When I am Mayor, I will work every day to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe on our streets, our subways, at shul, in every moment of every day, he added. "Let this be a purpose shared by every New Yorker, and let us banish this horrific violence to the past. Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed extra vigilance by state police after the attack. Horrified by a cowardly terrorist attack against the Jewish community, she posted on X. New York will always stand against the scourge of antisemitism and confront violence head-on. _____ With subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance set to expire, Americans who rely on them will probably switch to plans with lower monthly premiums and high deductibles or decide not to purchase any coverage, which will have a serious and damaging impact on the entire sector, according to healthcare policy experts. The average amount ACA plan enrollees pay annually for premiums is estimated to more than double, from an average of $888 this year to $1,904 in 2026, according to a KFF analysis. That will then have economic downstream effects, including for rural hospitals and people who have employer-sponsored health insurance, according to the experts. Advertisement Advertisement With a significant portion of people dropping their marketplace coverage and being uninsured, it doesnt just impact them, it impacts everyone, said Emma Wager, a senior policy analyst for KFFs program on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Congress passed legislation to extend eligibility for ACA health insurance subsidies and increased the amount of financial assistance available to people who were already eligible for subsidies, which caused a dramatic increase in how many people enrolled in coverage through the healthcare marketplace. Those premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year, despite a push from Democratic lawmakers and a small minority of Republicans to extend them for three years. On Thursday, legislation to preserve the credits failed to clear the 60-vote hurdle needed to pass in the Senate. A Republican plan, which would have expanded health savings accounts and provided payments of up to $1,500 to people to purchase the most basic health insurance plans, also failed. Advertisement Advertisement That anticipated expiration has so far not affected the number of people who purchased ACA health coverage. On 5 December, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported that 5.7 million people had signed up for ACA insurance during the open enrollment period, which was slightly more than at the same time last year. Still, Natasha Murphy, director of health policy at the Center for American Progress, a liberal thinktank, said she thinks the full impact of the subsidies expiring wont become apparent until open enrollment ends Jan. 15. We will see actually who pays that first premium, Murphy said. I think that is really where the rubber is going to meet the road. In a recent survey, KFF found that if the subsidies expire, a third of the 24 million US adults who buy coverage through the ACA marketplace said they were likely going to select a lower-premium plan with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs while a quarter of enrollees said they would be very likely to go uninsured. Advertisement Advertisement When you increase premiums dramatically, the healthy people drop out and therefore the pool is sicker, said Gerard Anderson, a professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins University. It becomes a death spiral, Anderson said. The sicker people are the only ones that stay in the program until it becomes no longer sustainable and the insurance company stops even offering the plan, Anderson said. Those people with high deductibles or no insurance could also struggle to pay medical bills if they become sick or injured. Hospitals would then have to treat more people who do not have means to pay for their care, Wager said. Advertisement Advertisement That would be particularly hard on small and rural hospitals that have very thin margins, Wager said. If they cant make it work financially with the increase in uncompensated care that they are providing, they may have to close. In all likelihood, they will certainly think about raising their prices and charging everybody more, Wager said. That includes people with employer-sponsored insurance. Should the subsidies expire, when people in rural areas decide they still want health insurance, they will also see an even greater premium increase than those in urban areas, according to the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank. Yet those same people who depend on rural hospitals and the ACA also are more likely to support Republicans, most of whom voted against extending the tax credits. More than half of ACA enrollees live in congressional districts represented by a GOP member, according to KFF. Advertisement Advertisement Farmers, ranchers are heavily dependent on the ACA, Wager said. There are a lot of people who are represented by Republicans in Congress who have Affordable Care Act coverage who will bear the brunt of these premium hikes. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. Advertisement Advertisement If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform. Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. A Brown University sophomore shared her harrowing experience of living through two school shootings, including the Parkland, FL, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, during an appearance on MS NOW on Saturday night. Zoe Weisman, 20, spoke from her dorm room Saturday evening as officials continued to scour the campus and city of Providence, RI, for a shooting suspect who killed two people and critically injured eight others. So, around 4:15, my friend called me, Im in my dorm and she asked if I was in Barus and Holley, which is the building where the shooting occurred, and I told her, no, Weisman began. Advertisement Advertisement And Im actually from Parkland, and I survived the shooting there. And, so, I was like, I just thats where my brain immediately went. And I was like, tell me if theres a shooting and they confirmed for me. And so ever since then, Ive just been staying in my room. Ive been on the phone with my family, my friends, and just keeping updated. Weisman added, I think mentally, you know, I feel like Im 12 again. This just feels exactly like how I felt in 2018. But honestly, Im really angry. Im really angry that this is happening to me all over again, and Im just in shock. Weisman said that unless gun policy changes, there will be more double-shooting survivors like her. I think that my experience is so important because it shows that no one is safe from this until our congresspeople actually decide to do something and care about children, care about their constituents, care about people in this country, this will continue to happen, and there will be more people like me who have survived several school shootings. Advertisement Advertisement Weisman continued, Theres already students who survived the school shooting in Oxford in Michigan, and then went to Michigan State and survived another school shooting. This isnt a new phenomenon, and were going to get to a point where theres people like myself who survived two of these. Watch the clip above via MS NOW. The post Parkland Shooting Survivor Describes Living Through a Second School Shooting at Brown University: Im Really Angry first appeared on Mediaite. MERCER COUNTY The Mercer County Sheriffs Office is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian that happened early Saturday morning. According to a media release from the sheriffs office, Mercer County Central Dispatch received a call at 3:14 a.m. regarding a traffic crash on U.S. Route 127 north of Celina in Jefferson Township. The investigation revealed that Brenden McKinney, 28, of Celina was walking on U.S. Route 127 near the middle of the roadway when he was struck by a southbound 2023 International semi-tractor and trailer. The driver, identified as Rodolfo Garcia, 52, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was not injured. McKinney was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash remains under investigation at this time and will be forwarded to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office for review. Kendall Qualls courtesy photo. Kendall Qualls, Army veteran, former health care executive and anti-anti-racist activist, won the Minnesota Republican gubernatorial straw poll on Saturday, beating House Speaker Lisa Demuth, MyPillow guy Mike Lindell and a long list of other names. The poll of the partys State Central Committee offers the first look at how the candidates in the 2026 governors race are positioned among roughly 300 of the partys most engaged activists leading up to precinct caucuses on Feb. 3, which will begin the process of selecting the 2,300 delegates to the partys all-important endorsement convention in May. Advertisement Advertisement Qualls won votes from 93 delegates, followed by Demuth with 90 and Lindell with 49, according to the state party. Much can change before the party convention, and candidates with weak showings in the straw poll have gone to win the MN GOP nomination. Former state Sen. Scott Jensen finished third in the first Republican straw poll but won the party endorsement in 2022. (Jensen, who is running again, finished seventh this year.) Results of the Minnesota Republican Partys State Central Committee gubernatorial straw poll taken on Dec. 13, 2025. (Courtesy MN GOP) Im a unique candidate as a political outsider and business leader who can energize Republicans and attract a sizable share of swing voters enough to win decisively in 2026, Qualls said in a statement celebrating the results of the poll. Qualls, although popular among party activists, has never won a general election. He finished 11-points behind former U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips in 2020 to represent the purplish suburban 3rd Congressional District. In 2022, Qualls finished behind Jensen at the state nominating convention. Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Qualls has led the nonprofit Take Charge Minnesota, which promotes the notion that the promise of America is available to everyone regardless of race or social station, according to its website. Demuth led House Republicans during the 2024 election to win a share of power in the 67-67 House, effectively thwarting the Democrats legislative agenda this year. Both frontrunners are Black, which would be a first for Minnesota if either prevails in the Republican primary and against Democratic Gov. Tim Walz in 2026. Lindell, whos lost a fortune promoting false claims about rigged election machines, announced his campaign for governor on Thursday from his Shakopee pillow factory and livestreamed it on LindellTV with fellow right-wing influencer and former Trump advisor Steve Bannon. Advertisement Advertisement Prominent attorney Chris Madel celebrated his fourth place showing behind Lindell in a news release, saying he was genuinely amazed by the level of support shown by delegates from across our great state. Rep. Kristin Robbins, a suburbanite whose relative moderation might be an asset in a midterm election that usually favors the party not in the White House, finished a distant sixth. She entered the race early and has used her position as chair of the House fraud prevention committee to raise her profile by pummeling Walz over fraud in state-run human services programs. Whats unclear at this point is the role of President Trump in the nominating contest. Lindell has long portrayed himself as a Trump ally, including long-running amplification of Trumps false claims about the 2020 election. Robbins scrubbed her support for Nikki Haley who ran against Trump for the GOP nomination in 2024 from her social media. Trump and the MAGA movement seem to have a particular disdain for Walz and may be calculating who has the best shot at beating the two-term DFL incumbent. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP/Boston 25) A person of interest was in custody Sunday after a shooting during final exams at Brown University that killed two students and wounded nine others, though key questions remained unanswered more than 24 hours after the attack. The attack Saturday afternoon set off hours of chaos across the Ivy League campus and surrounding Providence neighborhoods as hundreds of officers searched for the shooter and urged students and staff to shelter in place. The lockdown, which stretched into the night, was lifted early Sunday, but authorities had not yet released information about a potential motive. The person of interest is a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin, according to two people familiar with the matter. The people were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Advertisement Advertisement Col. Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, said Sunday afternoon that no one has been charged yet. Perez, who also said no one else was being sought, declined to say whether the detained person had any connection to Brown. The person was taken into custody at a Hampton Inn hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from Providence, where police officers and FBI agents remained Sunday, blocking off a hallway with crime scene tape as they searched the area. The shooting erupted in the engineering building of the Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, during final exams. Hundreds of police officers had scoured the Brown University campus along with nearby neighborhoods and pored over video in pursuit of a shooter who opened fire in a classroom. Providence leaders lifted the campus lockdown and warned that residents will notice a heavier police presence on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Providence police have advised the University that the shelter-in-place order has ended for the entire Brown campus. However, police activity continues in areas that are still considered an active crime scene, Brown said in a university alert. Be advised that access to these areas of campus continues to be limited. Within the police perimeter, including Minden Hall and nearby apartment buildings, community members who leave those buildings will be unable to return. It is important to follow instructions from law enforcement at all times. Many local businesses announced they would remain closed and expressed shock and heartbreak as the community continued to process the news of the shooting. Everybodys reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us, said Brown University President Christina Paxson said at the news conference. Surveillance video released by police showed the suspect, dressed in black, calmly walking away from the scene. His face was not visible and investigators said it wasnt clear whether the suspect is a student. The suspect was last seen leaving the engineering building and some witnesses told police the suspect may have been wearing a camouflage mask, Providence Police Deputy Chief Timothy OHara said. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, Paxson said she was told 10 people who were shot were students. Another person was injured by fragments from the shooting but it was not clear if the victim was a student, she said. The search for the shooter paralyzed the campus, the nearby neighborhoods filled with stately brick homes and the downtown in Rhode Islands capital city. Streets normally bustling with activity on weekends were eerily quiet. Students sheltered in place for hours into the night. Officers in tactical gear led students out of some campus buildings and into a fitness center where they waited. Others arrived at the shelter on buses without jackets or any belongings. Law enforcement officials walk near an entrance to Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Police gather outside an entrance to Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) A law enforcement official carries a rifle in a neighborhood near Brown University, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Providence, R.I. during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Ambulances line Hope Street at Brown University in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during reports of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) Advertisement Advertisement A law enforcement official walks past articles of clothing on a sidewalk near an entrance to Brown University, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Providence, R.I., during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Law enforcement officials carry rifles while walking on a street in a neighborhood near Brown University in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025 during the investigation of a shooting. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) Police officers and first responders gather at Waterman St. and Thayer in response to a shooting, in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, . (AP Photo/Jen McDermott) Police vehicles and first responders gather at Waterman St, and Thayer in response to a shooting, in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jen McDermott) Advertisement Advertisement Emergency personnel gather at Hope and Waterman Streets at Brown University in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during reports of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) Emergency personnel gather at Hope and Waterman Streets at Brown University in Providence, R.I., Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, during reports of a shooting. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell) In this image from video, law enforcement officials gather outside the Brown University campus in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) Emergency response at Brown University Advertisement Advertisement In this image from video, law enforcement officials gather outside the Brown University campus in Providence, R.I., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Kimberlee Kruesi) FILE - The logo for Brown University is displayed at the school's campus in Providence, R.I., on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) Mayor advised people to stay home Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom. Outer doors of the building were unlocked but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said. He encouraged people living near the campus to stay inside or not return home until a shelter-in-place order was lifted. The Brown communitys heart is breaking and Providences heart is breaking along with it, Smiley said. Hours before the press conference, authorities said they believed 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. Advertisement Advertisement Rhode Island has some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S. Nine people with gunshot wounds were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where one was in critical condition. Six required intensive care but were not getting worse and two were stable, hospital spokesperson Kelly Brennan said. Exams were underway during shooting Engineering design exams were underway when the shooting occurred in the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department. The building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices, according to the universitys website. Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the 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 sheltered for several hours. Former Survivor contestant just left the building Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate who was the runner-up earlier this year on the CBS reality competition show Survivor, said she left her lab in the engineering building 15 minutes before shots rang out. Advertisement Advertisement The engineering and thermal science student shared candid moments on Survivor as the shows first openly autistic contestant. She was locked down in the campus gym following the shooting and shared on social media that the only other member of her lab who was present was safely evacuated. 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. Im just in here shaking, he said, watching through the window as armed officers surrounded his dorm. Students hid under desks Students in a nearby lab turned off the lights and hid under desks after receiving an alert about the shooting, said Chiangheng Chien, a doctoral student in engineering who was about a block away from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Everyone is the same as me, shocked and terrified that something like this happened, she said. Brown, the seventh oldest higher education institution in the U.S., is one of the nations most prestigious colleges with roughly 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. 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 person of interest detained after a mass shooting at Brown University that killed two students and injured nine has been released after the investigation took law enforcement authorities in a different direction, officials said Sunday night. The disclosure was made at a hastily convened late night news conference to address the killings that have rattled the Ivy League campus. It came more than 12 hours after officials had announced that they had taken a person into custody. The Rhode Island attorney general, Peter Neronha, said authorities had since concluded there is no basis to consider him a person of interest. The release leaves law enforcement without any publicly disclosed suspect, with officials pledging to redouble efforts in the investigation by canvassing for video surveillance that could help pinpoint the killers identity. We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community, said the mayor, Brett Smiley. Advertisement Advertisement Related: Brown University shooting: what we know so far about the attack in Providence, Rhode Island The FBI director, Kash Patel, said on Sunday that the agency activated its cellular analysis survey team to provide critical geolocation capabilities, adding that law enforcement was able to detain the person of interest based off a lead by Providence police. The person of interest had been taken into custody about 17 miles from Providence, at a hotel in Coventry, according to reports. Providence police said at the time that they were not searching for anyone else in connection with the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement often uses the term person of interest to refer to someone whom they consider important to a criminal investigation but whom there is not enough evidence to consider a suspect and accuse of having committed the underlying offense. Saturdays shooting at the Ivy League institution occurred during final exams at the campus. The attack erupted in the engineering building, and the shooter initially managed to flee. Hundreds of police officers scoured Brown as well as nearby neighborhoods while poring over surveillance video in search of the shooter, who opened fire inside a classroom. One of the people wounded in the shooting has been discharged from the hospital, one victim remains in critical but stable condition and seven others remain in stable condition, police said on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in Durham, North Carolina, confirmed that Kendall Turner, a recent graduate now at Brown, was critically wounded. The school said her parents were with her. Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones, and we will continue to offer our full support in the days ahead, the school said. Speaking to Ocean State Media, Brown economics professor Rachel Friedberg said that the attack occurred during a final exam review session for her class. Friedberg, who was not present during the attack, learned of the details from a teaching assistant who was leading the session. The room has stadium seating with doors that enter at the top, Friedberg recounted. He said that the shooter came in the doors, yelled something he couldnt remember what he yelled and started shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Students started to scramble to try to get away from the shooter, trying to get lower down in the stadium seating, and people got shot I dont know if theyre the only ones who got shot or not. Identified by the New York Times as Joseph Oduro, the 21-year old teaching assistant said that upon entering the lecture hall, the gunman shouted something. Oduro said that he and the other witnesses have been trying to piece together what the gunman was saying. The students in the middle were impacted the most, Oduro added. Many of them were lying there and they were not moving. I have no idea how many. Meanwhile, one student, 18-year-old Spencer Yang, described being shot in the leg while helping another student as they stayed hidden. Advertisement Advertisement To keep him conscious, I just started talking to him so he didnt close his eyes and fall asleep, Yang, a first-year student, told the New York Times from a Rhode Island hospital where he is currently recovering from his leg wound. I handed him my water He wasnt able to respond that well. He was just there nodding and making noise, Yang said, adding: Hes stable now, thankfully. Among those at Brown during Saturdays attack was 20-year-old Zoe Weissman, who had survived the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 victims. So my friend called me, Im in my dorm and she asked if I was in Barus and Holley, which is the building where the shooting occurred, and I told her, no, Weisman told MS NOW. Advertisement Advertisement She added: And Im actually from Parkland, and I survived the shooting there. And, so, I was like, I just thats where my brain immediately went. And I was like, tell me if theres a shooting and they confirmed for me. And so ever since then, Ive just been staying in my room. Ive been on the phone with my family, my friends, and just keeping updated. Weissman attended a middle school next to the site of the 2018 Parkland mass murder. I think mentally, you know, I feel like Im 12 again, she said. This just feels exactly like how I felt in 2018. But honestly, Im really angry. Im really angry that this is happening to me all over again, and Im just in shock. Providence leaders on Sunday warned residents there would temporarily be a heavier police presence in the community. And many local businesses announced that they are closed for now, citing the shock and heartbreak caused by news of the deadly shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Everybodys reeling, and we have a lot of recovery ahead of us, Brown president Christina Paxson said at the news conference. A shelter in place order connected to Saturdays shooting was lifted at 5.42am Sunday. However, a message to the university community warned that access to certain areas of campus will remain limited. And the message warned that people who leave certain buildings, including apartments, within a police perimeter would be unable to return. It is important to follow instructions from law enforcement at all times, the alert said. On Sunday morning Paxson announced that all remaining classes, exams, papers and projects were cancelled for the rest of the semester. Advertisement Advertisement In the immediate aftermath of these devastating events, we recognize that learning and assessment are significantly hindered in the short term and that many students and others will wish to depart campus, Paxson wrote. Saturdays violence at Brown brought the number of mass shootings in the US for the year to at least 389, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Saturday was the 347th day of the year. The Gun Violence Archive, a non-partisan resource, defines mass shootings as ones in which four or more victims are wounded or killed. Such bloodshed occurring at Brown reignited the USs ongoing debate on whether the federal government should implement more substantial gun control in response to the perennially high numbers of mass shootings reported in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Chris Murphy, a Democratic senator, drew parallels to the Sandy Hook shooting in his state of Connecticut, which killed 26 people. What I know is that a community never, ever recovers from a shooting like this, he told CNN on Sunday, the 13th anniversary of the elementary school shooting. Related: Two people dead and nine wounded in mass shooting at Brown University, as suspect remains at large He went on to call for stricter gun laws, saying states with them have lower rates of violence than those with lax restrictions. Senator Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat and Baptist minister, echoed similar sentiments to NBC on Sunday. I can tell you that as a pastor who has presided over many funerals, I dont think that theres any pain deeper than when nature is violently reversed and rather than children burying their parents, the parent has to bury the child, Warnock said. And so we pray prayers for these families. But we have to pray not only with our lips but with our action. Any nation that tolerates this kind of violence year after year, decade after decade in random places on our college and school campuses without doing all that we can to stop it is broken and in need of moral repair. Donald Trump also paid his tributes, with the president saying on Sunday: Brown University, great school really one of the greatest schools anywhere in the world. To the nine injured, get well fast and to the families of those two that are no longer with us, I pay my deepest regards and respects. An anticipated Mexican-Italian fusion restaurant planned for the former site of a North Myrtle Beach waterfront cantina will not be coming to the area. The property owners and buyers have different stories on why it didnt work out. The Mexican restaurant Roca Roja Cantina announced in early September that it would cease operations at its 806 Sea Mountain highway location to open a new restaurant closer to Myrtle Beach. Advertisement Advertisement La Perla on the Marsh, a new fusion restaurant concept by the former manager of Roca Roja and one of the hosts of Drag Brunch on the Marsh which was held regularly at the property was set to fill the space, offering creative cuisine and continuing the popular drag shows. But what was meant to be a new beginning became a saga of financial snags and legal action, with continued disagreement from both sides on who is to blame. Now, the former restaurant remains empty, and a long-term home for the Drag Brunch remains uncertain. Competing narratives on why restaurant failed to open Terry Walden, who operated the Roca Roja Cantina at 806 Sea Mountain Highway, claims that the new restaurant ultimately failed because of a funding shortfall on the part of the buyers. The property is owned by Marshfront Holdings LLC, which Walden operates with his wife, Jessica Walden. Advertisement Advertisement Walden claims the operators of La Perla on the Marsh working under the company name Viva Amore LLC defaulted on their lease, leading to their eviction. Court records show that Marshfront Holdings LLC issued a notice to vacate to Viva Amore LLC that was made official on Dec. 2. According to emails obtained by The Sun News, Walden sent a notice of default to Erica Oliden, one of the owners of La Perla and a former manager of Roca Roja, on Oct. 8. Olidens response came later that day, saying that she and her partners were doing everything possible to figure the funds out. Oliden did not respond to messages requesting comment. Nick Fox, Olidens business partner and a Drag Brunch on the Marsh host, paints a different picture. Fox claims that past-due taxes on the property prevented the new business from obtaining necessary licensing. He told The Sun News that La Perla had several investors, and funding wasnt an issue. Advertisement Advertisement Oliden told Jessica Walden that the South Carolina Department of Revenue denied Viva Amores application for retail licensing because of outstanding taxes from the previous business, according to emails obtained by The Sun News. Jessica Walden replied saying that the citys business licensing department and inspector confirmed that outstanding property taxes would not prevent Viva Amore from obtaining a business license. She added that the default on the lease remained in place. Tim Smith, a spokesperson for the Department of Revenue, said that while he was unable to comment on the specifics of this case, delinquent property taxes do not prevent our issuance of a retail license. Taxes cause contention over future of restaurant Fox said that the past-due taxes on the property led to a notice that the space would be put up for auction a threat he said he knew nothing about when he entered into business dealings at the property. Advertisement Advertisement If the property was purchased, there was no guarantee Viva Amores lease would remain valid, he said. Terry Walden confirmed that the unpaid taxes nearly led to an auction on the property, which would have taken place the first week of December. However, he said the taxes were paid off before the auction could take place. The Horry County Delinquent Tax Office confirmed to The Sun News that the taxes on the property were paid prior to auction, and properties listed for the December auction obtained from the county did not include the 806 Sea Mountain Highway property. The Department of Revenue declined to comment on the specifics of the case, such as how much money was owed in past-due taxes. Advertisement Advertisement County tax records show that a real estate property tax payment of just over $40,600 was made by Marshfront Holdings LLC on Nov. 14, 2025, for taxes issued at the end of September 2024. Records also show that Marshfront Holdings LLC has a pending balance of over $35,000, issued on Sept. 26, 2025. Walden said that Foxs claims paint a false narrative, and that not only did the unpaid taxes not impact La Perlas licensing, but that Viva Amores operators knew all about it. Walden claims that the licensing difficulty came from misinformation, which was soon resolved. He stated that Viva Amore represented to the Department of Revenue that it was engaging in a purchase rather than leasing the space for their new business. Because the licensing department thought Mi Casa, the company through which Roca Roja is owned, was party to a transaction, the unpaid taxes presented a snag, Walden said. But La Perla was only leasing the space. The Department of Revenue then sent further questions to Jessica Walden and Oliden on Oct. 15, as seen in an email chain. Future remains uncertain for restaurant, drag performances Fox and Oliden were initially pursuing legal action following the events around the restaurant, Fox said. He claimed that the dealings were shady, and seemed like an effort to scrounge money from himself and his partner. He said that he invested $50,000 in the business, and Oliden invested $20,000 money that they cant get back. Advertisement Advertisement The man knew what he was doing, he said of Walden. Now, the building remains empty, and La Perla no longer plans to open there. The restaurant remains listed for sale online at over $2.5 million. Fox said that the Drag Brunch, which was hosted at the cantina for roughly a year, has been having a hard time finding a new, consistent location to host its events. Police will increase their presence at a Chanukah event in Scottsdale on the evening of Dec. 14, according to a city councilmember. Scottsdale Councilmember Adam Kwasman said extra officers will be on hand for a menorah lighting at the Scottsdale Quarter, near Scottsdale Road just south of Bell Road. "I can confirm there will be an increased police presence at tonights Menorah lighting in Scottsdale," Kwasman wrote in a post on X.com, formerly Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Officer Aaron Bolin, spokesperson for the Scottsdale Police Department, confirmed the increased police presence at the 5 p.m. Menorah lighting event. The Chabad of Scottsdale hosts the Chanukah event. An account run by Rabbi Yossi Levetrov and Dina Levetrov stood in solidarity and ensured the event would continue. "We will stand stronger and prouder than ever before! We must show up and shine brighter," the post read. While most Arizonans were asleep early Dec. 14, a mass shooting during a Chanukah event at Sydney's popular Bondi Beach left at least 16 people killed and 42 injured. New South Wales police said two suspects were taken into custody, one of whom later died. The other suspect was in a critical condition. The attack, on the first day of Chanukah, was declared a terrorist incident. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities and local media reports citing eyewitnesses said the shooting began while about 1,000 people were attending a Chanukah-related party on the beach. Australia has experienced a string of antisemitic attacks on synagogues and sites since the war in Gaza began. In a news conference, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the alleged perpetrators are a father and son. The father, age 50 and a licensed firearm holder under Australian law, is dead, while the son, age 24, was hospitalized. Lanyon said two police officers were also hospitalized and are in critical but stable condition. Arizona authorities increase watch, stand in solidarity The Phoenix Police Department announced Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, that officers would increase patrols and visibility around synagogues and other places of worship. "At this time, there is no known threat to our community," the announcement read, reminding the public to contact police with any concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also released a statement sharing that she stood in solidarity with Jewish families across the world and those affected by the shooting. "My heart aches for the victims of the horrific terrorist attack on Bondi Beach. Im thinking of them and extending my deepest condolences to their loved ones," Hobbs said. California home decorated for Hanukkah attacked A Southern California resident said his family was attacked over the weekend by a drive-by shooter who fired at his house that was decorated for Chanukah, ultimately discharging about 20 rounds, the Desert Sun in Palm Springs reported Dec. 14. Police in Redlands, California, are investigating the report, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise, and said no shell casings were discovered at the house, adding the weapon was likely an "airsoft gun." Advertisement Advertisement "My family and (I) were attacked by an antisemitic shooter tonight (12 Dec.)," Jonpaul Sione Yohanan Cohen said in a social media post. "The group, parked outside my neighbours house, accosted me publicly 3 minutes before the shooting by screaming free Palestine *n-word*." Cohen said his security camera captured footage of the "shooter discharging at least 20 rounds from a yet unidentified projectile weapon at my familys house and Chanukah decorations." The Anti-Defamation League in Los Angeles called the incident "another dangerous and despicable act of violence" impacting the Jewish community in Southern California, in a social media post on X.com. The ADL said it was in contact with those involved. "This cannot be tolerated or accepted as normal," David Englin, senior regional director of the ADL in Los Angeles, said in the post. Advertisement Advertisement (This story was updated to add new information.) USA TODAY reporter Kim Hjelmgaard contributed to this article. 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: Police increase presence at Scottsdale Chanukah event Nearly three decades after JonBenet Ramseys mysterious killing, Colorado police said her cold case is still a top priority. In an annual update, the Boulder Police Department urged anyone with information to come forward about the killing of the 6-year-old child beauty queen in her childhood home in 1996. Ramseys killing has captivated international audiences for decades. In the past year, Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said detectives have conducted several new interviews based on tips received and collected and tested new evidence. They did not release information about what new evidence has been gathered. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, police have reinterviewed people and retested other pieces of evidence using evolving DNA technology. The residence at 749 15th St., where JonBenet Ramsey was killed in December 1996, is pictured on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. It is never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward, Redfearn said in a prerecorded video Dec. 12. And I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us. The morning of Dec. 26, 1996, John and Patsy Ramsey called 911 after they found a ransom note for their daughter, who was missing. John Ramsey later found JonBenet dead in their home's basement. An autopsy ruled her cause of death as strangulation, and she had been sexually assaulted. Her skull was fractured. She had an unknown person's DNA under her fingernails and in her underwear. JonBenet Ramsey Investigative Update 2025 As we approach the tragic anniversary of the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, the Boulder Police Department is providing its annual update about the ongoing homicide investigation. Last year we gave you an update about a lot of the work that pic.twitter.com/7zl45GpSKh Boulder Police Dept. (@boulderpolice) December 12, 2025 Patsy Ramsey died in 2006, a decade after her daughters death. In 2008, the local prosecutor cleared her family, including an older brother, as suspects because of DNA testing. Advertisement Advertisement In his video, Redfearn, who joined the department in 2021 and became chief in 2024, said he had met with JonBenets family and said they shared the same goal of finding the girls killer. Boulder police encouraged anyone with information to contact BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov or the police tip line at 303-441-1974. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Search for JonBenet Ramsey killer still active; new evidence gathered Providence police confirmed early Sunday morning that a person of interest in the deadly shooting that claimed two lives and injured nine others at Brown University on Saturday was in custody. Police did not immediately confirm to Boston 25 News whether the person in custody is believed to be the same individual seen on surveillance video authorities released late Saturday night. Early Sunday morning, Brown University also lifted the shelter-in-place order that had been in place since the shooting on Saturday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Police will remain on campus. Be advised that access to these areas of campus continues to be limited. Within the police perimeter, including Minden Hall and nearby apartment buildings, community members who leave those buildings will be unable to return. It is important to follow instructions from law enforcement at all times. BrownUAlert: Providence police have advised the University that the shelter in place order has ended for the entire Brown campus. However, police activity continues in areas that are still considered an active crime scene. Be advised that access to these areas of campus continues Brown University (@BrownUniversity) December 14, 2025 At least two people and nine others were wounded in the shooting during final exams on the Ivy League campus, authorities said. 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. We have all available resources to find the suspect, Smiley said. In a 9:30 p.m. update, Smiley said the injury total was updated to nine, after a victim realized that they had fragments from the shooting. The latest victims injuries are deemed non-life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement 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 UPDATE: Video of Brown University shooting suspect released after 2 dead, 9 injured Law enforcement is asking for Ring camera footage from residents and businesses near Brown University after 10 people were shot on Saturday. [Those who] have a Ring camera in the area of the shooting should be reviewing that right now and see if theres anything that looks suspicious, sad Providence Police Commander Tim OHara. Advertisement Advertisement The shooter was still at large and a shelter-in-place order was still in effect for Brown University and the surround community as of 6:45 p.m. on Saturday. The suspect was a man wearing all black, police said. Investigators were canvassing the campus and its buildings, speaking to witnesses. OHara spoke during a press conference in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday night, where officials confirmed the shooting left two dead and eight seriously hurt. All eight were in critical but stable condition, officials said. Yes, so the unthinkable has happened we will bring all our resources to the table," Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said during the press conference. He added the state has been in contact with the White House and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. Advertisement Advertisement This is a sad state of our country right now where you have to plan for these things, said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley during the press conference. Hopefully, the community takes some comfort to know that their Providence leadership has planned for this occurrence, Smiley said. The fatal shooting began at around 4:05 p.m. inside the Barus & Holley Engineering building, officials said. A final exam was taking place inside that building between 2 and 5 p.m. It is unclear how the suspect entered the building or whether the shooting happened during the exam, nor the exact individuals who were inside the building at the time of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement A massive law enforcement presence, which included the FBI and multiple partner agencies, could be seen surrounding the university. Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice, read the first emergency alert came from Brown University at 4:22 p.m. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself. Stay tuned for further safety information. University officials initially told students and staff that a suspect was in custody, before later saying that was not the case and that police were still searching for a suspect or suspects, according to alerts issued through Browns emergency notification system. Advertisement Advertisement A family reunification at Brown University will be set up at 7 p.m., Smiley said. Students have been relocated to receive support services at a secure location, the Brown University provost stated. More News Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. President Donald Trump said the United States will retaliate after two U.S. service members and a civilian interpreter were killed Saturday in Syria in an attack by ISIS. U.S. Central Command said in addition to the three who died, three service members were also injured in the attack by a lone ISIS gunman, who was killed. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the killing took place in Palmyra, Syria, and the civilian killed was a U.S. interpreter. Advertisement Advertisement The attack occurred as the soldiers were conducting a key leader engagement. Their mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region, he said on social media. The soldiers names, as well as identifying information about their units, are being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin notification. 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 Trump told reporters Saturday the killing was an ambush, and said the president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was devastated by what happened. 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, Trump said in a social media post. This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria... . There will be very serious retaliation. The federal government's crackdown on commercial driver's licenses for immigrants has found problems in eight states so far in the wake of several deadly crashes. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has publicly threatened to withhold millions in federal money from California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and now New York after investigations found problems such as licenses that remained valid long after an immigrant's legal status expired. But the department quietly also sent letters detailing similar concerns to Texas, South Dakota, Colorado and Washington during the government shutdown after briefly mentioning those states in September. Concerns about immigrant truck drivers gained attention after a tractor-trailer driver who was not authorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn and caused an August crash in Florida that killed three people. A fiery California crash that also killed three people in October and involved a truck driver in the country illegally added to the worries. Advertisement Advertisement Duffy proposed new restrictions in September that would severely limit which noncitizens could get a license to drive a semi or a bus, but a court has put the new rules on hold. In addition, the Trump administration has been seeking to enforce existing English language requirements for truckers since the summer. As of October, about 9,500 truck drivers have been pulled off the road nationwide for failing to demonstrate English proficiency during traffic stops or inspections. Here's a summary of what has happened so far: California The Transportation Department focused first on California because the driver in the Florida crash got a license there. He also went to California after the crash and had to be extradited to face charges. Advertisement Advertisement California fought back after Duffy threatened to pull $160 million from the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom sparred with Duffy in statements and social media posts defending the state's practices by saying California officials had verified the immigration status of all these drivers through federal databases, as required. But after that back-and-forth, California revoked 17,000 commercial driver's licenses last month after confirming problems with them. That number has since grown to 21,000. So the Transportation Department hasn't pulled that funding. But Duffy did revoke a separate $40 million in federal funding because he said California is the only state not enforcing English language requirements for truckers. Pennsylvania Advertisement Advertisement The federal government might withhold nearly $75 million from Pennsylvania if it is not satisfied with the actions the state takes. The Transportation Department said its audit found a couple of licenses out of 150 it reviewed were valid after the driver's lawful presence in the country ended. In four other cases, the federal government said Pennsylvania gave no evidence it had required noncitizens to provide legitimate proof they were legally in the country at the time they got the license. As it has done in all these states, the Transportation Department ordered Pennsylvania to stop issuing commercial driver's licenses to immigrants until it completed a full review to ensure all the licenses it has issued remain valid and revoke any licenses that aren't. The federal government said that approximately 12,400 noncitizen drivers hold an unexpired commercial learners permit or commercial drivers license issued by Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota Duffy threatened to withhold $30.4 million from Minnesota if that state doesnt address shortcomings in its commercial drivers license program and revoke any licenses that never should have been issued. The Transportation Department found some licenses that were valid beyond a drivers work permit and some where the state never verified a drivers immigration status. The head of Minnesota's Department of Driver and Vehicle Services, Pong Xiong, said the state found a number of administrative issues in the 2,117 non-domiciled commercial licenses the state has issued and took action, including cancelling some licenses. Xiong said the federal audit largely just confirmed the issues Minnesota had already found and corrected. Advertisement Advertisement The state planned to work with federal officials to resolve any remaining questions. New York Duffy highlighted concerns about the commercial licenses New York has issued to noncitizens Friday. Federal investigators found that more than half of the 200 licenses they reviewed in New York were issued improperly with many of them defaulting to be valid for eight years regardless of when an immigrants work permit expires. And he said the state could not prove it had verified these drivers immigration status for the 32,000 active non-domiciled commercial licenses it has issued. Plus, investigators found some examples of New York issuing licenses even when applicants work authorizations were already expired. Advertisement Advertisement New York must act immediately to comprehensively audit its CDL program and revoke every single illegally issued licenses, said Derek Barrs, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. State DMV spokesperson Walter McClure defended the states practices and said New York has been following all the federal rules for this kind of commercial license. Texas Nearly half of the 123 licenses investigators reviewed in Texas were flawed, so the Transportation Department threatened to withhold $182 million if the state doesn't reform its licensing programs and invalidate any flawed licenses. Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement that public safety is the Governors top priority, and we must ensure that truckers can navigate Texas roadways safely and efficiently. To support this mission, Governor Abbott directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to strictly enforce English language proficiency requirements and to stop issuing intrastate commercial drivers licenses to drivers who do not meet those standards. South Dakota Investigators found three commercial licenses the state issued that were valid longer than they should have been. South Dakota also issues several licenses to Canadian citizens who aren't eligible to get one. One problematic practice investigators found as they reviewed 51 South Dakota licenses was that the state routinely issues temporary paper licenses that are valid for one year regardless of the immigration status of a driver. Advertisement Advertisement South Dakota officials didn't immediately respond Friday to the concerns. The state could lose $13.25 million. Colorado Roughly 22% of the 99 licenses that were reviewed in Colorado violated federal requirements. That raises questions about the 1,848 active non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses in the state. Investigators discovered a glitch in Colorado's computer system that will revert to a license valid for four years when a worker has to do multiple searches in a federal immigration database. Unless the worker is vigilant, some of those extended licenses sneak through. Eighteen Mexican citizens who weren't eligible were also issued commercial licenses. Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Giambi, a spokesperson for the Colorado DMV, said the state is in the middle of auditing its licensing program to check for any additional problems, and that audit should be done by January. No new licenses are being issued in the program right now. Washington The state could lose $31.35 million if the Transportation Department isn't satisfied with their response. Investigators only found problems in about 10% of the 125 licenses they reviewed in Washington, but they were alarmed to learn that an internal state review discovered 685 immigrant drivers who were issued regular commercial licenses instead of the non-domiciled ones they should have received. The Transportation Department said that state officials often accepted the wrong documents in those cases. Washington officials told the AP they couldn't immediately respond Friday while the state is grappling with widespread flooding. But earlier this week, a state Department of Licensing spokesperson, Nathan Olson, said in an email to the Seattle Times that the errors had been addressed and Washington is working to improve its system and procedures. By Steve Gorman, Maria Alejandra Cardona and Nathan Layne PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The man held as a "person of interest" in the Brown University shooting that left two students dead and nine injured will be released from custody, authorities said on Sunday night. Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said earlier at a midday news conference that a man in his 20s had been taken into custody in connection with Saturday's gun violence but gave no further details. Advertisement Advertisement But at a late-night news conference hours later, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and other state and local officials told reporters the man detained would be released from custody, saying the investigation was going into a "different direction." "We have not yet solved this case, but I am confident we are going to do that in the near future," Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha said. Officials declined to elaborate on why the man who was taken into custody was detained in the first place. "There was a quantum of evidence which justified detaining this person as a person of interest," Neronha said, adding that investigators later determined there was "no basis to believe that he's a person of interest, so ... he's being released." Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said they believed an unidentified person pictured in surveillance footage to be the person they were still looking for. FBI Director Kash Patel said earlier Sunday in a post on X that the person of interest had been detained in a hotel room in the Rhode Island town of Coventry, a 30-minute drive from the Brown campus. An FBI team specializing in cellular data analysis used geolocation information to track the suspect, Patel said. While the killer was presumed to remain at large, authorities said on Sunday night they would not reimpose an initial shelter-in-place order for the campus and surrounding community that had been lifted. The mass shooting the latest of nearly 400 in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive shook the community at the university, one of the oldest in the United States. The school canceled exams, and classes, for the rest of the year and the campus was quiet on Sunday as a light snowfall blanketed the city. Advertisement Advertisement Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said that authorities, as of midday on Sunday, had not yet contacted all of the victims' family members because some were traveling. He invited residents to a previously planned event on Sunday to light a Christmas tree and a menorah to mark the first night of Hanukkah. "It is quite clear that if we can come together as a community and shine a little bit of light tonight, I think there's nothing better that we could be doing," Smiley said. AUTHORITIES RELEASE VIDEO OF SUSPECT Seven people injured at Brown University were in stable condition, Smiley said. One remained in critical but stable condition, while another had been discharged, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Shelter-in-place orders at the university and nearby areas were lifted on Sunday. Smiley said earlier in the day that residents should expect a visible police presence across the city. The gunman fled after shooting students in a classroom in Brown's Barus & Holley engineering and physics building, where outer doors had been left unlocked while exams were taking place, officials said on Saturday. Authorities on Saturday released a short video clip of a person of interest dressed in black walking near the engineering building. Providence Deputy Police Chief Timothy O'Hara said on Saturday the individual may have worn a mask, but officials were not certain. Brown President Christina Paxson told reporters that all or nearly all of the victims were students, adding: "This is the day one hopes never happens, and it has." Advertisement Advertisement STUDENTS CAUGHT BY SURPRISE Ref Bari, 22, a graduate student at Brown, said he was inside the Barus & Holley building when he heard a series of loud popping sounds that appeared to be gunfire. Bari ran out of the building and asked another student running in the street if he could hide with her and her friends and she agreed. They returned to her basement apartment and hid in the bathroom. "She trusted me," he said. "The only connection between us is we're both students at Brown but beyond that, we don't know each other." Teaching assistant Joseph Oduro, 21, told CNN he was in a classroom that was attacked. Advertisement Advertisement "The first couple of gunshots went straight to the chalkboard right where I was standing," Oduro said. "Who knows, if I didn't duck, maybe I'm not here today." A student next to him took two bullets to the leg and was due to undergo surgery on Sunday, he said. Jack DiPrimio, another graduate student at Brown, said he was initially not concerned when the university went on lockdown because he had experienced many active-shooter drills. The drills have become more common in the U.S. as attacks targeting students have increased. "I had faced so many lockdowns in high school and even a few at my undergrad, so I wasn't that worried at first," DiPrimio said in a TikTok video after coming out of a five-hour lockdown. "Maybe I was desensitized." (Reporting by Maria Alejandra Cardona in Providence and Nathan Layne in Wilton, Connecticut; Additional reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru, Katharine Jackson, Douglas Gillison and Jason Lange in Washington, Jessica DiNapoli and Chris Prentice in New York, Keval Singh in Singapore and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Writing by Ted Hesson and Steve Gorman; Editing by Sergio Non, Christina Fincher, Bill Berkrot, Diane Craft and Stephen Coates) PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A community is in recovery mode after a massive landslide displaced residents and impacted several homes on Friday morning. The landslide happened on OR 229, near milepost 14, at about the midpoint between the cities of Siletz and Kernville. There is a giant chunk of that mountain gone, said Mindy McCartt, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Its one of the biggest slides ODOT has seen, probably in our history. Advertisement Advertisement Crows flock to waterfront for another roosting season McCartt told KOIN 6 News on Saturday that the road still has a hard closure and that the cleanup process has not yet begun. However, transportation officials are meeting on Monday to formulate a plan moving forward. There is still no firm estimate on when the road might reopen, though officials said on Friday that it could take months or even longer. A landslide has occurred near the Siletz River, taking out a section of OR 229 and impacting nearby homes. December 12, 2025 (courtesy Oregon Department of Transportation). A landslide has occurred near the Siletz River, taking out a section of OR 229 and impacting nearby homes. December 12, 2025 (courtesy Oregon Department of Transportation). A landslide has occurred near the Siletz River, taking out a section of OR 229 and impacting nearby homes. December 12, 2025 (courtesy Oregon Department of Transportation). Debris from the landslide, including fallen trees and structures, fell into the Siletz River. Downstream, a neighbor told KOIN 6 News on Friday night that she witnessed everything from refrigerators to propane tanks floating in the river. Advertisement Advertisement Its pure devastation, said Jenny Nelson, who lives in Lincoln County. I think its going to be a very long road to recovery up there. Atmospheric river to pay PNW a second visit Two people have since gotten temporary shelter from the Red Cross. In total, five homes were impacted, with three of the homes majorly damaged. All the residents of the homes were safely evacuated. Officials say no one is injured and everyone is accounted for. Landslide was preventable, geology expert says Scott Burns, a geology professor at Portland State University, told KOIN 6 News this landslide was preventable and the cost to the state was high. Our highway department has rated all the slopes in Oregon, which are the ones who are the highest priority, he said. Then when money is available, they spend money on those most high priority ones that they have got. This is a high priority one. But it wasnt up at the top of the list. And so it didnt get paid any attention to. Its a road that is not heavily traveled. And so its a little lower priority. Advertisement Advertisement Burns suggested that the prevention of these landslides would require a wall surrounding the highway and planting trees in areas that have been logged. He added the area surrounding the landslide is vulnerable and will continue to crumble. Periods of heavy rain, like the atmospheric river experienced in the Pacific Northwest, commonly lead to more landslides, Burns said. If you live in the Coast Range, youre going to get landslides, period, Burns said. Western Oregon, western Washington, when we get these atmospheric rivers, all highway departments, all the department of Geology, all of the organizations, know that this is a time when the landslides are going to be happening. ODOT said the landslide originated on land owned by the Weyerhaeuser Company. On Friday, the company told KOIN 6 News in a statement that they are working with ODOT and local law enforcement agencies to assess the damage. The company added that no employees had to be evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Transportation officials said to avoid OR 229 and instead travel on US 101. ODOTs TripCheck has more information about road closures and available routes. KOIN 6 has reached out to the local school district to see if bus routes will change or if alternative learning will be available for students cut off because of the landslide. This story will be updated if we hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Sunday that partisan gerrymandering will lead to more civil tension and possibly more violence in our country, urging restraint in the ongoing redistricting wars playing out in more than a dozen states. I think there is the potential that when people have no representation, that they feel disenfranchised, that it can lead, it might lead to violence in our country, Paul said in an interview with Kristen Welker on NBCs Meet the Press. Pauls warning comes as state lawmakers across the country consider redrawing congressional lines at the insistence of President Donald Trump, with Democratic-led states like Virginia and Maryland weighing mid-cycle redistricting to counter GOP gains in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement The Kentucky Republican predicted that eliminating minority seats in Congress could lead to voters feeling disenfranchised and empowering them to resort to other means. I'm concerned if there are no representatives, like no Republican representatives in California or no Democrats in Texas, that it will be so thoroughly one-sided that people will feel like their vote isnt counting, Paul said, adding: "It's a mistake of both parties." State legislators in Indiana delivered a brutal blow to Trumps push to redraw maps in the GOP's favor ahead of next years midterm elections, voting down a new map that would have potentially gerrymandered two additional seats for Republicans despite an immense pressure campaign from the White House and anonymous death threats. Illinois Democrats, who had promised to respond with a tit-for-tat gerrymander if Indiana Republicans moved forward with the effort, momentarily backed off in the wake of the rebuke, signaling that Indianas retreat could lead to a temporary ceasefire in the escalating redistricting wars. Advertisement Advertisement Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker left the door open for redistricting in his state during an interview with Crooked Medias Jon Lovett that aired Sunday on Pod Save America even though he said hes generally opposed to mid-cycle redistricting. I dont want to change the districting mid-decade in Illinois, but we will if we have to, he said. Trump has repeatedly threatened to support primary challengers to Indiana Republicans who rebuffed the gerrymandering push, vowing on Thursday to do everything within my power to have Indiana Senate Republican leader Rodric Bray and others pushed out of the party for their defiance. Speaking to host Jacqui Heinrich on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) called the failure of Indianas redistricting effort a missed opportunity, adding that you don't want to be on the other side of Donald Trump. Those primaries will happen, but it's not about Donald Trump, it's about the country. It's about keeping the Republican majority in the House of Representatives and addressing issues like health care affordability and saving this country from those who want to tear it down, Banks said. Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado confirmed she received help from the United States to escape to Norway to receive the award. "Yes, we did get support from the U.S. government," Machado said during a press conference in Norway. #ULTIMAHORA Maria Corina Machado confirmo que recibio apoyo de Estados Unidos para su salida de Venezuela https://t.co/uVDvuU5nI5 pic.twitter.com/IaP1MMpkmz Monitoreamos (@monitoreamos) December 11, 2025 She said she couldn't go into detail about her escape because people "could be endangered," adding that the Maduro regime didn't know her whereabouts because otherwise they would have "done everything in their power to prevent me from getting there." Another report by the Wall Street Journal detailed that Machado left the country in disguise, including a wig. The escape, it added, began on Monday afternoon. She went from a suburb in Caracas, where she has been in hiding for a year, to a coastal fishing village. To get there, she had to go through 10 military checkpoints before reaching her destination, where a boat awaited to sail her through the Caribbean and to Curacao. Along with two companions, they endured choppy seas that slowed down their wooden fishing skiff. Before setting out, however, her team had to coordinate with the U.S. military to avoid being targeted as part of the military campaign pressure the Trump administration has been conducting against the Maduro regime. "We coordinated that she was going to leave by a specific area so that they would not blow up the boat," a person close to the operation said. Around the same time, two Navy jets spent about 40 minutes flying in tight circles near the route, making it the closest incursion of U.S. aircraft in the Venezuelan airspace since the campaign began in September. Machado reached Curacao and met a private contractor specialized in extractions. After spending a night in the country, Machado boarded an executive jet provided by a Miami associate and made it for Norway. She arrived after the award was given, with her daughter receiving it on her behalf. Machado is set to spend a few days in Norway, then tour European countries to gather support for her cause, and will eventually make it to the U.S., according to a person close to her. Originally published on Latin Times 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: Kano Therapeutics makes circular single stranded DNA (cssDNA) of custom lengths and sequences to improve genetic medicines. Pictured are Kano's vials containing custom genetic constructs for an in vivo CAR-T study. Credit: Courtesy of Kano Therapeutics To our immune system, a potentially lifesaving gene therapy can look a lot like a dangerous infection. That's because most genetic medicine uses viruses or double-stranded DNA to deliver genetic information to target cells. DNA in its traditional double helix form can lead to toxic immune stimulation and be difficult to package into cellular delivery vehicles. As a result, the reach of genetic medicine is limited today. Kano Therapeutics is taking a different approach to genetic therapies. The company is developing gene-editing technologies using circular single-stranded DNA (cssDNA), a biomolecule that is less toxic than double stranded DNA and more stable than RNA, and could be delivered more efficiently to many parts of the body to treat genetic diseases, cancers, and more. The company, which was founded by former MIT postdoc Floris Engelhardt, professor of biological engineering Mark Bathe, and John Vroom MBA '22, is developing a platform for manufacturing cssDNA of customized lengths and sequences, which could deliver genetic material to fix or replace faulty genes. "We can work with CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies," Engelhardt says. "CRISPR finds a location in a genome, binds to it, and cuts at that location. That allows you to edit a gene or stop a gene from functioning. But what if you have a loss-of-function disease where you need to insert a new piece of genetic code? Our approach allows you to replace whole genes or add genetic information." Applications of scalable, isogenic miniphage production. Credit: Scientific Reports (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42665-1 Making DNA flexible Around 2019, Bathe's lab published research describing ways to engineer the sequence and length of cssDNA molecules, which have been used in labs for decades but have increasingly drawn interest in improving gene therapies. Several pharmaceutical companies immediately reached out. "Single-stranded DNA is a little like messenger RNA, which can code for any protein in any cell, tumor, or organ," Bathe says. "It fundamentally encodes a protein, so it can be used across diseases, including rare diseases that may only affect a few people in the country." Engelhardt had also worked on cssDNA as a Ph.D. student in Munich. She met Bathe at a conference. "We were considering collaborating on research," Engelhardt recalls. "Then Mark heard I was finishing my Ph.D. and said, 'Wait a minute. Instead of collaborating, I should hire you.'" Within 48 hours of submitting her Ph.D. thesis, Engelhardt received an email asking her to apply to Bathe's lab as a postdoc. She was drawn to the position because she would be focusing on research that had the potential to help patients. "MIT is very good at creating industry-focused postdocs," Engelhardt says. "I was inspired by the idea of doing postdoc work with the goal of spinning out a company, as opposed to doing solely academic-focused research." Bathe and Engelhardt learned from members of the pharmaceutical industry how single-stranded DNA could help overcome limitations in gene and cell therapies. Although CRISPR-based treatments have recently been approved for a few genetic diseases, CRISPR's effectiveness has been limited by its potential toxicity and inefficient delivery to specific sites in the body. Also, those treatments can only be administered once because CRISPR often gets labeled as foreign by our immune systems and rejected from the body. Engelhardt began exploring MIT's resources to help commercialize her research. She met Vroom through an online "founder speed dating" event at MIT. She also received support from the Venture Mentoring Service, took classes at MIT's Sloan School of Management, and worked with MIT's Industrial Liaison Program. Early on, Bathe suggested Engelhardt work with MIT's Technology License Office, something she says she tells every founder to do the moment they start thinking about commercializing their research. Kano uses fermentation to produce its cssDNA less expensively than approaches based on chemical DNA synthesis. "No one had the ability to access this type of genetic material, and so a lot of our work was around creating the highest-quality, economically scalable process to allow circular single-stranded DNA to be commercially viable," Engelhardt says. Engelhardt and Vroom began meeting with investors as soon as Engelhardt finished her postdoc work in 2021. The founders worked to raise money over the next year while Vroom finished his MBA. Today, Kano's circular ssDNA can be used to insert entire genes, up to 10,000 nucleotides long, into the body. Kano is planning to partner with pharmaceutical companies to make their gene therapies more targeted and potent. For instance, pharmaceutical partners could use Kano's platform to join the CD19 and CD20 genes, which are expressed in certain tumor cells, and stipulate that only if both genes bind to a cell receptor do they enter that cell's genome and make edits. Overall, Engelhardt says working with circular single-stranded DNA makes Kano's approach more flexible than platforms like CRISPR. "We realized working with pharmaceutical companies early on in my postdoc there was a lack of design understanding because of the lack of access to these molecules," Engelhardt says. "When it comes to gene or cell therapies, people just think of the gene itself, not the flanking sequences or anything else that goes around the gene. Now that the DNA isn't stuck in a double helix all the time, I can create small, three-dimensional structuresthink loops or hairpinsthat work, for example, as a binding protein that pulls it into the nucleus. That unlocks a completely new path for DNA because it makes it engineerablenot only on a structural level but also on a sequence level." Partnering for impact To facilitate more partnerships, Kano is signing agreements with partners that give it a smaller percentage of eventual drug royalties but allow it to work with many companies at the same time. In a recent collaboration with Merck KGaA, Kano combined its circular cssDNA platform with the company's lipid nanoparticles solutions for delivering gene therapies. Kano is also in discussions with other large pharmaceutical companies to jointly bring cancer drugs into the clinic over the next two years. "That's exciting because we'll be implementing our DNA into partners' drug system, so when they file their new drug and dose their first patients, our DNA is going to be the therapeutic information carrier for efficacy," Engelhardt says. "As a first-time founder, this is where you want to go. We talk about patient impact all the time, and this is how we're going to get it." Kano is also developing the first databank mapping cssDNA designs to activity, to speed up the development of new treatments. "Right now, there is no understanding of how to design DNA for these therapies," Engelhardt says. "Everyone who wants to differentiate needs to come up with a new editing tool, a new delivery tool, and there's no connecting company that can enable those areas of expertise. When partners come to us, we can say, 'The gene sequence is all yours.' "But often it's not just about the sequence. It's also about the promoter or flanking sequence that allows you to insert your DNA into the genome, or that makes DNA package well into your delivery nanoparticle. At Kano, we're building the best knowledgebase to use DNA material to treat diseases." Clinical categories Clinical genetics This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching. As Brown University remained on lockdown for hours following a mass shooting that left two people dead Saturday, one student relived a nightmare she thought she had left behind. Junior Mia Tretta, speaking with Boston 25 News via FaceTime from her dorm room, described the fear and uncertainty gripping campus feelings she knows all too well. Six years ago, Tretta was wounded in the Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita, California. Its just a really uncertain and terrifying time for everyone here, especially as someone whos been through this before, Tretta said. A painful memory resurfaces Tretta recalled the 2019 tragedy that changed her life: Advertisement Advertisement A boy I didnt know came with his fathers .45-caliber ghost gun and shot me in the stomach as well as four others, killing two of them one of them being my best friend. She chose Brown University partly because it felt safe. That sense of security shattered when shots rang out in the engineering building during a final exam review. I never thought anything like this would happen in the first place, let alone again, she said. Locked down and waiting Tretta remained in lockdown as police, FBI, and SWAT teams swept the campus. Even right now, its still so uncertain. Im still in lockdown in my dorm room. I havent left. Many of my friends are in academic buildings across campus, uncertain of when they will be able to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Officials announced Sunday that the lockdown had been lifted after a person of interest was taken into custody. Turning pain into advocacy Since surviving Saugus, Tretta has fought to regulate ghost guns. Now, her activism will honor two more lives lost. If we dont start taking action against gun violence, its going to touch every single community in America. Every single table will have a chair thats empty, every single family will have to plan a funeral, and every single person will have to fear for their life if they arent already. Families rushed to the universitys reunification center on Hope Street last night, desperate to connect with loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement University officials say support services remain available as the community begins the long process of healing. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Phone calls with former legislators, newsroom conversations and a journalism conference led to this week's examination of Ohio's largest Christian policy group. I'm Victoria Moorwood, a watchdog reporter who normally covers Cincinnati's suburbs. In the spring, I attended a conference about reporting on Christian nationalism and polarizing topics hosted by the Poynter Institute, a nonpartisan journalism training organization. After the conference, I won a grant from Poynter that funded this investigation. This story idea came from conversations about Christian influence on Ohio politics. In The Enquirer newsroom, we narrowed that scope to focus on the biggest group driving that influence: the Center for Christian Virtue. Advertisement Advertisement I first experienced the Center for Christian Virtue at its Prayer at the Statehouse event in August. Over the course of three months, I made the three-hour round trip from Cincinnati to Columbus two more times: to attend CCV's March for Life anti-abortion rally and to interview Aaron Baer, CCV's president, at the nonprofit's downtown headquarters. During these visits, I heard from the people at the forefront of CCV's mission, who lobby on dozens of Ohio bills each year. But I also talked to activists and regular Ohioans, who came in droves to CCV's events and agreed that there should be a major Christian influence on state laws. Along with Jessie Balmert, who covers state government and politics for the Statehouse bureau, we interviewed lawmakers and experts. Some champion CCV's causes, while others see the group's exploding influence as dangerous for Ohio politics and harmful for people whose lives conflict with CCV's beliefs. We listened to CCV videos and podcasts, analyzed the group's tax filings and campaign donations, and read through the hundreds of bills CCV has lobbied on. What did we find? This Cincinnati anti-porn group's evolution into a major Statehouse player is a reflection of the increasingly blurred line between church and state across the country. Jessie Balmert covers state government and politics for the statehouse bureau. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How we reported on Ohio's Center for Christian Virtue Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency staff were notified of the shooting at Brown University and were in the Emergency Operations Center before 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, according to a spokesman, Armand Randolph. The agency activated the Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps to assist with mental health and counseling services, Randolph said. A total of six staff worked in the ops center, and two other staff helped to set up the family reunification center at 225 Hope St. By 7 p.m., members of the community were able to reunite with shooting survivors. By 8 p.m., boxes of Kleenex, for the mental health response, had arrived on the sidewalk outside. Advertisement Advertisement The agency's role is governed by what officials referred to as Rhode Island's "active threat response plan," which was developed with assistance from the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, to guide the state's response to a mass shooting. Rhode Island's 'active threat response plan' In 2024, when the newly created plan was in a "draft" form, RIEMA Director Marc Pappas characterized it as about 160 pages in length. Armand said on Sunday, Dec. 14, that the agency would release a summary of the plan later this week. Pappas had initially commented on the plan at a 2024 event, saying that RIEMA still wouldn't release the plan even after it was complete and no longer in draft form because the plan contained sensitive information related to police tactical operations. At the same event, which was attended by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, the agency distributed medical gear for handling severely bleeding wounds: tourniquets, wound-packing bandages, pressure bandages, chest seals and more. Advertisement Advertisement The potential for a mass shooting in the state, Smiley said at the time, is "sadly, a question of when, not if." This story has been updated to correct inaccurate information. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Emergency Management agency was activated during Brown shooting Ho, ho, ho! SantaCon returns to New York City on Saturday. The annual bar crawl event floods Manhattan streets and subways with festively dressed partygoers. The event kicks off at 39th Street and Broadway at 10 a.m. According to the organization, money raised from tickets purchased for the event is put toward charitable causes. People interested in attending can visit the SantaCon website for more information. Advertisement Advertisement ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New York City news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Amanda Weber met her husband in the halls of Bonneville Elementary School when they were in fourth grade. Now her son is a second grader on the same campus. The east Orange County school, which opened in 1961, is a nostalgic fixture in her familys story. So when she learned at a district meeting last month that the school might close next year, she was angry and sad. She quickly started an online petition to save our beloved Orlando elementary school, which had nearly 900 signatures by Friday afternoon. Theyre choosing what they feel would be the best option for their budget or for themselves. Theyre not choosing us, and theyre not fighting for us, and its really disheartening. she said. Advertisement Advertisement Orange County Public Schools lost 5,539 students this year and district leaders are scrambling to handle the damage, considering the closure of seven schools and hiring an outside firm to try to lure back students whove opted for private school or home school. Besides Bonneville, the district might close Union Park Middle School and Chickasaw, Eccleston, Meadow Woods, McCoy and Orlo Vista elementary schools. The closure news has made the districts dilemma more urgent for parents like Weber and public school advocates, who blame state policies that favor voucher programs to pay for private school education and privately run charter schools over traditional public schools. The Orange County School Board meets Tuesday afternoon to discuss the schools, the impacts of declining enrollment and space optimization strategy. If the schools are closed, they would shut at the end of the current school year with their students assigned to new schools for the 2026-27 school year. Advertisement Advertisement In total, the closures would impact about 3,200 students. Each school enrolls only about half the students it has room for, according to December enrollment counts. Union Park, the emptiest school on the chopping block, teaches about 560 students on a campus meant for more than 1,400. Bonneville has 380 students in a school built for more than 930. OCPS blamed enrollment losses 5,539 fewer students this year and 8,300 fewer over the last three years on demographic changes in established neighborhoods, lower birth rates, expansion of Floridas taxpayer funded vouchers, and changes to federal immigration policy, which the district fears has scared away some families. Public schools in Florida are funded on a per-student basis, and schools that operate at about half capacity or less typically do not generate enough money to be self-supporting, instead draining the districts budget. OCPS says it lost more than $40 million in state funding this year. Advertisement Advertisement Operating schools well below capacity is not sustainable, and it limits the opportunities we can provide to students, the district said in a statement. Our goal is to work collaboratively with families and school communities to make thoughtful and strategic decisions that strengthen educational opportunities for all of our students. The district, in meetings last month with parents, tried to soften the blow, Weber said, framing the potential closure as consolidation and necessary to continue providing opportunities to all students. They had intentions to deliver bad news with a bow on it, she said. OCPS has tried to bolster enrollment by hiring Caissa K12, a Tennessee-based public relations firm, to recruit back students who left the district. The school board first approved the agreement in April. Advertisement Advertisement The firm claims to have brought back 1,932 students this school year, but the district did not provide additional details on how Caissa reached that figure. On Dec. 9, the school board approved an contract extension with Caissa to continue its efforts. None of the things weve done over the last five years has moved the needle as much as you have in one year, board member Angie Gallo said to representatives from Caissa at the meeting. The districts decision to consider shuttering campuses comes as schools of hope charter schools have made pitches to move, rent free, into traditional public schools that arent filled. Such moves are allowed under a new state law, and OCPS this fall received 53 requests. Bonneville Elementary is one of the schools the charter companies want to occupy. If a charter school were to move into a school such as Bonneville, the district would have to pick up the bill for food, transportation and custodians despite receiving no state funding for their students. Advertisement Advertisement By closing campuses, OCPS could preempt charter companies efforts to occupy the space and avoid those expenses. The district likely faced an uncomfortable decision on school closures either way this year, but the threat of charter school operators occupying public schools has prompted the district to expedite these decisions, school board member Stephanie Vanos said. We do want to move quickly, because these notices are out there, she said. If Bonneville closes, Weber said she may have to send her son to nearby East Lake Elementary School next year, a larger school with more than 380 empty seats. Advertisement Advertisement News of the potential closures prompted swift community backlash, with save-our-school petitions started by Weber and others garnering thousands of signatures. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, attended Bonneville in the late 1990s. She signed her classmate Webers petition, and said the closures are an intentional byproduct of the states expansion of vouchers and charter schools. The legislature sabotaged public education, the legislature created this crisis on purpose, she said. Regardless of where someone stands on vouchers, homeschooling or charter schools, Eskamani said the field has been tilted too much in favor of privatization, leaving public schools behind. You cant have school choice without options. So when youre losing public education as an option, then thats less and less choice for families, Eskamani said. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A study published last April found that the likelihood of receiving a dementia diagnosis was 20 percent lower in people who got the shingles vaccine. A new analysis built on this, finding that people were also less likely to have mild cognitive impairmentand that if they did get dementia, they were more likely to live longer with the disease. Still, experts say more research is needed to confirm this link. The shingles vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 and up. People who are 19 and up with weakened immune systems can also get the vaccine. The idea of getting dementia one day is terrifying, and made even more scary by the fact that researchers arent totally clear on what causes the disease or how to prevent it. Advertisement Advertisement But new research suggests that a vaccine designed to protect you from shingles may have an unexpected hidden perk: It could lower your risk of dementiaand slow progression of the disease if you happen to develop it. The latest scientific analysis builds off a Nature study published in April that found people who got the shingles vaccine were less likely to develop dementia over seven years than those who didnt get the shot. The connection between shingles and dementia seems a little out-there, but doctors say it actually makes sense. Heres why. Meet the experts: Pascal Geldsetzer, MD, PhD, MPH, is the study co-author and assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University. Thomas Russo, MD, is a professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. What did the study find? For the original study, researchers analyzed the health records of more than 280,000 older adults in Wales between the ages of 71 and 88 who did not have dementia. Seven years later, one in eight of the participants had developed dementia. But the likelihood of receiving a dementia diagnosis was 20 percent lower in people who got the shingles vaccine compared to those who didnt. Advertisement Advertisement The latest study, which was published in the journal Cell, looked at people in the same database, including those with and without dementia. They discovered that people who received the shingles vaccine were also less likely to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (noticeable changes in memory and thinking that dont interfere with quality of life) over nine years compared to those who werent vaccinated. And in people who did have dementia, those who received the vaccine were much less likely to die from it over the next nine years compared to those didnt get the jab. Specifically, nearly half of the unvaccinated participants who already had dementia died from the disease during the follow-up period, compared to about 30 percent of the vaccinated group who died from dementia. This suggests that the disease may have progressed more slowly in the group that was vaccinated, according to the researchers. However, it's important to note that these studies were observational, so they can't prove that the vaccine itself prevents dementia, only that the two appear linked. Still, this isnt the only study to link the shingles vaccine to a lower risk of dementia. A Nature Medicine study published in 2024 discovered a 17 percent drop in dementia diagnoses in people who got the vaccine for at least six years afterward. Why might the shingles vaccine prevent or slow dementia? Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Even though you can recover from chickenpox, the virus stays in your nerve cells forever, explains Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York. As you get older or if you have a weakened immune system, the varicella-zoster virus can reactivate, leading to shingles. Advertisement Advertisement Where does dementia come in? There are likely two different things going on, according to Pascal Geldsetzer, MD, PhD, MPH, study co-author and assistant professor of medicine at Stanford University. There is a growing body of research showing that viruses that preferentially target your nervous system and hibernate in your nervous system for much of your life may be implicated in the development of dementia, he says. One such virus, of course, is the chickenpox virus, which can cause shingles later in life. But the vaccine helps your body create antibodies so that if the virus reactivates, it can be fought off. The second mechanism may have nothing to do with the chickenpox virus, Dr. Geldsetzer says. There is increasing evidence showing that vaccines can have effects on the immune system that are broader than just eliciting the specific antibody response for which they have been designed, he says. Meaning, even though the shingles vaccine is designed to lower your risk of developing shingles, it may have protective effects that extend to other diseases, like dementia. Who can get the shingles vaccine? The shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is currently recommended for people aged 50 and up. Its given in two doses, spaced two to six months apart. However, people who are 19 and up with weakened immune systems can also get the vaccine, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Ultimately, Dr. Geldsetzer says that more research is neededbut the findings so far are promising for dementia prevention and slowing progression of the disease. If the shingles vaccine really prevents or delays dementia, then this would be a hugely important finding for clinical medicine, population health, and research into the causes of dementia, Dr. Geldsetzer says. You Might Also Like Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a leading gun reform advocate, on Sunday accused President Trump of engaging in a campaign to increase violence in the country since taking office. In an interview on CNNs State of the Union conducted a day after a shooting at Brown University Murphy defended his efforts to pass gun reform legislation in the past but said the president this year has walked back several measures, including the gun violence prevention grants included in a sweeping bipartisan gun reform bill in 2022. Laws do make a difference, Murphy said, pointing to lower rates of gun violence and mass shootings in states with stricter gun control, such as Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement But this is not shocking because, over the last year, President Trump has been engaged in a dizzying campaign to increase violence in this country. He is restoring gun rights to felons and people who have lost their ability to buy guns. He eliminated the White House Office of Gun Violence Protection, and he has stopped funding mental health grants and community anti-gun violence grants that Republicans and Democrats supported in that 2022 bill, Murphy added. So he has been engaged in a pretty deliberate campaign to try to make violence more likely in this country. And I think youre, unfortunately, going to see the results of that on the streets of America, he continued. The White House fiercely pushed back on this characterization, saying the Democratic Party uses rhetoric to incite their followers to violence. Before spreading these lies, Chris Murphy should take a look in the mirror. Chris and his colleagues have regularly used rhetoric meant to incite their followers to violence, including smearing ICE officers as Nazis and calling their political opponents fascists, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement to The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Assaults against ICE officers have skyrocketed and Charlie Kirk was tragically assassinated earlier this year, not to mention the other violent riots that leftists have engaged in, she continued. The Violent Left is a problem whether Chris admits it or not. Murphy stressed the need to pass further gun reform legislation in Congress, saying he will try to have those conversations but is not confident he will succeed. He accused the president and the White House of being in the pocket of gun lobbyists. I will never stop trying to get bipartisan support. But I think it is pretty clear that President Trump and this White House are in the pocket of the gun lobby. I just dont foresee that this White House is going to support anything that would cross the gun industry, Murphy said. And, as we know right now, unfortunately, the Republicans in Congress dont ever meaningfully break from this president, he continued. So until they get the OK from President Trump to break with the gun lobby, I think the chances of us getting something done are slim. That doesnt mean I wont try. 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 The Hill. Shirley Manson of Garbage addressed the attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on Sunday, where two gunmen opened fire, killing at least 15 people. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack an act of evil antisemitism. Garbage played a concert at Sydney Opera House hours after the mass shooting tragedy, which also left nearly 40 people injured. Authorities have confirmed one of the shooters is dead, and the other is in custody in critical condition. More from Rolling Stone This has become an astoundingly frightening, violent, hateful, intolerant world, Manson told the crowd. And I think the only thing we can do really, as people who do not believe in all this separation and all this intolerance, all we can really do is really try and profess our love for one another. Advertisement Advertisement She continued, We have been a band that have always believed that we are one people under one sun. It doesnt matter what god you worship, or color of your skin, or what your gender is, or what your sexual orientation is, what food you like to eat, what clothes you like to wear, how you like to hang your junk, whether you like to wear a bra or not wear a bra. But you get my point, its all so fucking stupid, we have people in power telling us to really hate one another, and destroy one another. The Bondi Beach shooting occurred as more than a thousand people gathered for an event celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. The two gunman began shooting, and an unarmed civilian wrestled with one of them temporarily disarming him, video from the incident showed. (The civilian was also shot in the attack and was transported to the hospital). The gunman then rejoined the other gunman and re-armed. The gunmen then engaged in a shootout with authorities. Garbage also addressed the tragedy on Instagram, where they denounced the horrific incident and revealed that six family members had been at Bondi Beach mere hours before the shooting. What kind of world were living in right now? they posted in a statement on Instagram. Innocent people were targeted while celebrating life and faith. This should never happen to anyone, anywhere. My heart is with the Jewish community in Bondi, with the victims, the injured, and the families whose lives are forever changed. Advertisement Advertisement In the caption, the band added: Our hearts go out to the victims and their surviving families who are now dealing with unfathomable loss and heartbreak. We love you so much Sydney. Fuck all this vile antisemitism. Fuck Islamophobia. The killing has to stop. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Six teenagers were shot and wounded outside a Sweet 16 birthday party at a Brooklyn event space early Sunday, police said. A pair of gunman opened fire on a crowd outside Burbuja Events on Atlantic Ave. near Ashford St. in Cypress Hills about 1:15 a.m., cops said. Mayor Adams told reporters the victms were celebrating somebodys 16th birthday. Some of the guests were just 10 years old, sources told PIX11 News. Advertisement Advertisement A 15-year-old girl was shot in the chest, hip and leg, while a girl the same age was shot in the leg. A 15-year-old boy was shot in the left arm, a 16-year-old boy was shot in the right arm, another 16-year-old boy was blasted in the left foot and a 17-year-old boy was struck in the right leg, cops said. The exact motive is currently unknown but appears to be gang-related, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. All the victims were in stable condition, cops said. Medics rushed four of the victims to Brookdale University Hospital, while the other two victims went to Kings County Hospital. No gunmen ran off and have not been caught. The pair of shooters were dressed all in black, police said. In a quiet hospital room, as monitors beeped and time ran dangerously thin, a familys last hope rested on the resolve of a 17-year-old boy willing to give a part of himself to save the man who had raised him. Arvind Singh was battling acute-on-chronic liver failure. Doctors were blunt: Without a transplant, he would not survive. For nearly a month, the family searched for a donor. Singhs wife, mother, brother and sister all stepped forward, but blood group incompatibilities, health issues and fatty liver disease ruled them out. Extended relatives volunteered too, only to be rejected after evaluation. Then Divyansh Singh, Arvinds nephew, just 17 years and nine months old, offered to donate a part of his liver. For over a decade, Divyansh had lived with his uncle in Goa. Arvind was more than family: He was guardian, guide and anchor. He attended school meetings, insisted on discipline and education, ensured medical care, and stepped in whenever the family faltered. Even as work demands grew, Arvind never stopped checking on his nephew. As Arvinds condition worsened, Divyansh could not bear to watch the man who shaped his life fade away. I was very sure I wanted to do something for my uncle, Divyansh said. Since childhood, he never thought about himself only about our betterment. I couldnt see him lying there. Five or six of us depend on him. He is the pillar of our family. At Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, medical and psychological tests brought good news: Divyansh was fit to donate, with a near-perfect match. But the law intervened. Under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, organ donation by minors is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Divyansh was two months shy of 18. With Arvind deteriorating, the family approached the Bombay High Court. The plea was unequivocal: Any delay could prove fatal. It emphasised that Divyanshs decision was voluntary, driven by love and affection, with no coercion or financial motive. This transplant is not optional, it is the only lifeline left, the petition stated. Recognising the urgency, the court directed the state authorisation committee to convene an emergency meeting. Acting on the courts instructions, the director of health services and the state authorisation committee granted special approval, invoking the laws exceptional-circumstances provision. Only then could doctors proceed. Mr Arvind Singh was referred to us with acute-on-chronic liver failure, where a timely liver transplant was the only definitive life-saving option, said Dr Gaurav Chaubal, Director Liver and Multi-Organ Transplant, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital. None of his family members were clinically fit to donate. We could proceed only after the competent authorities approved his 17-year-old nephew as a donor. During the approval process, the patients condition worsened, but we managed to stabilise him. The surgery was successful. Divyansh was discharged on the fifth day after surgery; Arvind followed nine days later. When Arvind finally walked out of the hospital, emotion overwhelmed him. I have known my nephew since he was a child, he said. He was always brave. I am blessed to have him in my life. Today, Divyansh is back to his routine, schoolbooks in hand. His uncle is recovering steadily. The transplant marks Mumbais first recorded case of a minor being permitted, under court supervision, to donate a portion of his liver to an adult relative a rare convergence of medical science, legal urgency and human emotion. WINOOSKI, Vt. (AP) A small school district in Vermont was hit with racist and threatening calls and messages after a Somali flag was put up a week ago in response to President Donald Trump referring to Minnesotas Somali community as garbage." The Winooski School District began to display the flag Dec. 5 to show solidarity with a student body that includes about 9% people of Somali descent. We invited our students and community to come together for a little moment of normalcy in a sea of racist rhetoric nationally, said Winooski School District Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria, himself a Nicaraguan immigrant. We felt really good about it until the ugliness came knocking Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement The Somali flag was flown alongside the Vermont state flag and beneath the United States flag at a building that includes K-12 classrooms and administrative offices. Somali students cheered and clapped, telling administrators the flag flying meant a great deal to them, he said. What ensued was a deluge of phone calls, voicemails and social media posts aimed at district workers and students. Some school phone lines were shut down along with the district website as a way to shield staff from harassment. Chavarria said videos of the event did not also show the U.S. and Vermont flags were still up and spread through right-wing social media apps, leaving out the important context. Our staff members, our administrators and our community are overwhelmed right now, and they are being viciously attacked. The content of those attacks is extremely, extremely deplorable. I dont know what other word to use, Chavarria said Tuesday. Mukhtar Abdullahi, an immigrant who serves as a multilingual liaison for families in the district who speak Somali and a related dialect, said no one, no human being, regardless of where they come from, is garbage. Students have asked if their immigrant parents are safe, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of what happens, I know we have a strong community, Abdullahi said. And I'm very, very, very thankful to be part of it. The district is helping law enforcement investigate the continued threats, Chavarria said, and additional police officers have been stationed at school buildings as a precaution. Winooski, a former mill town of about 8,000 people, is near Burlington, about 93 miles (150 kilometers) south of Montreal, Canada. Somali refugees came to the area beginning in 2003 as part of a U.S. government approved resettlement plan, according to the Somali Bantu Community Association of Vermont. Advertisement Advertisement White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson called the calls and messages the school received the actions of individuals who have nothing to do with Trump. Aliens who come to our country, complain about how much they hate America, fail to contribute to our economy, and refuse to assimilate into our society should not be here, Jackson said in an email late Thursday. And American schools should fly American flags. Federal authorities last week began an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota to focus on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S. Trump has claimed they contribute nothing and said I don't want them in our country. The Minneapolis mayor has defended the newcomers, saying they have started businesses, created jobs and added to the city's cultural fabric. Most are U.S. citizens and more than half of all Somali people in Minnesota were born in the U.S. At the school district in Vermont, Chavarria said his position as superintendent gave him authority to fly the flag for up to a week without the school boards explicit approval. Advertisement Advertisement The school district also held an event with catered Somali food, and Chavarria plans to continue to find ways to celebrate its diversity. I felt sorrow for the students, the families, the little kids that are my responsibility to keep safe. And its my responsibility to make them feel like they belong and that this is their country and this is their school district. This is what we do, he said. ___ Scolforo reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. An equal justice statue stands outside the doors of the Minnehaha County Courthouse in Sioux Falls. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) South Dakotas success rate for keeping truancy cases out of court is the lowest its been in a decade, according to an annual report presented to a state committee. The Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Oversight Council is a group of representatives from law enforcement, schools, the Legislature, social services and the court system. It is responsible for tracking South Dakotas efforts to reduce the number of children in custody. Advertisement Advertisement The group first came together in 2015, following a set of juvenile justice reforms meant to address South Dakotas status at the time as the state most likely to lock up children. The number of delinquency petitions has decreased from 3,025 in 2014 to 2,489 in 2025. A delinquency petition is a legal document that launches the juvenile court equivalent of an adult criminal case. Diversion programs typically allow children to avoid such a petition. Truancy diversion programs redirect chronically absent students and their families away from the justice system by providing support and services to address the cause of the absenteeism. The success rate of truancy diversions dropped to 63% in fiscal year 2025, which ran from July 2024 through June 2025. That rate has declined from a high of 97% in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Truancy can be more than students not attending school, State Court Administrator Greg Sattizahn said at the meeting, since it can be a reflection of a lot of other things happening in the childs life, including breakdown in a family structure, abuse or neglect, criminal activity or substance abuse. A $100 fine as diversion is not going to address that meaningfully, Sattizahn said, adding, There is just a lot that you have to unpack in those truancy cases, so they continue to be a challenge. Truancy diversion success rates significantly dropped in fiscal year 2023, following a 2021 law making it easier for parents to pull their children from school and place them in alternative instruction, such as online schooling or homeschooling. The law change struck down testing requirements and instruction time requirements, and removed a clause that allowed the states Department of Education to investigate situations where theres concern a child might not be getting the instruction theyre required to under state law. Advertisement Advertisement Committee member Rep. Mike Stevens, R-Yankton, told South Dakota Searchlight that the report overall shows that the 2015 changes have been largely effective. But truancy, he said, is a big area that we have to look at as a state. Truancy diversions have decreased since the 2021 truancy law changes took effect, gradually dropping to 270 in 2024 and 171 in 2025. There were 694 diversions in 2021 and 565 in 2022. Parents can avoid potential truancy charges by signing their kids up for homeschooling without accountability, Stevens said. We dont know where those kids are going to school. Thats a real issue, Stevens said. Advertisement Advertisement Because parents can more easily remove their children from schools, he said, it gives the state less opportunity to intervene. Stevens plans to address truancy this coming session with a proposal to require families who enroll their child in alternative instruction to tell the state each year where their child is receiving their education. I have no problem with someone homeschooling their child or sending them to private school. But there are kids out there that we dont know if theyre going to school or not, Stevens said. Thats a real concern and something that could easily be taken care of. Committee member Sen. Red Dawn Foster, D-Pine Ridge, hopes to better understand the root causes of youth involvement in the justice system and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. Advertisement Advertisement In the case of truancy, she wants to understand the connection between academic achievement, educational opportunities and truancy rates. Foster works with the Boys and Girls Club in Pine Ridge. Foster told South Dakota Searchlight that understanding ways to not only divert children from the justice system but address root causes is more urgent as the Legislature discusses prison construction and rehabilitation reform. As Native people, we understand what is happening in our community, and a lot of times we dont have the resources or data to do something about it, Foster told South Dakota Searchlight. If you have the right resources and access to data, you can support others doing phenomenal work to address these issues. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Zoe Weissman says she was in her dorm when she got a frantic phone call from another student moments after a gunman opened fire on Brown Universitys campus. Two students were killed in Saturdays shooting, nine others were injured. The shooter is now in custody after being detained early Sunday morning. Its not the first time Zoes survived a school shooting. She was 12 years old when another gunman opened fire at a Parkland High School in Florida in 2018. I immediately facetimed my mom and told her and I just felt so bad because it was the same exact reaction she had when everything happened in Parkland. So it was just kind of that feeling all over again, said Weissman. Advertisement Advertisement Ref Barin had just wrapped a meeting with his satellite team inside the physics and engineering building on campus. He says on his way out, he heard the unimaginable. Suddenly theres a series of punctuated pop sounds like pop pop pop pop pop right behind me, said Barin. So I think ok I misheard something. After a very brief pause the pops start again and this time theres no mistaking it I mean you dont need some kind of fact check I start running as fast as I can. Ref screamed the words active shooter to alert others. In the middle of the chaos, he says he bumped into Allie, another student on campus. Allie offered Ref shelter in her apartment. A video shared with Boston 25 shows that very moment. He calls Allies kindness, especially in a moment where distrust was at an ultimate high, very brave. Advertisement Advertisement Allie, I and two of her friends hid in her bathroom for two hours and we locked all the doors, we closed all the blinds, we locked all the windows and we were just in the bathroom like a small bathroom four of us waiting it out for two hours, said Barin. 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 Editors Note: A previous version of this story stated that Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell has taken a public position on the Music City Loop. Mayor OConnell has not taken a public position on the project. This article has been updated with the corrected information. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The state seems to be moving forward with The Boring Company for the proposed Music City Loop, but the Metro Council is pushing back. While Tennessees governor has shown support for the Music City Loop, several members of Nashvilles Metro Council are making their opposition official. Metro Councilmember At-Large Delishia Porterfield requested a resolution be filed on Tuesday, Dec. 9, allowing the council to formally oppose The Boring Companys plans for a Nashville tunnel. Advertisement Advertisement One organization said it is a step in the right direction but believes more can still be done. PREVIOUS | Beyond the Music City Loop: The Boring Companys latest blog post mentions more tunnels along Broadway Were fighting against this tunnel for public transportation, said Nick Goodell, one of the organizers for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which has arranged several rallies against the Music City Loop. We need our leaders to take action on this issue and not bow down to billionaire interests, added Mary Ana Boatenreiter, another organizer for the group. After learning about the Metro resolution, which cites a lack of transparency and concerns over labor and safety practices, Goodell said this measure does not go far enough. Advertisement Advertisement [Metro] Council has the power to stop this and invest in real public transportation, and they need to take more action, he said. This resolution is not enough. SEE ALSO | As the Music City Loop advances, The Boring Company floats more plans in Nashville Porterfield said that if passed, this resolution would not stop the tunnel, adding that Metro Council does not have that authority. What it would do is acknowledge residents concerns, which Goodell has also heard. In conversations with Nashville residents, we talk about the Vegas tunnel and how it floods all the time; its not used; when there are emergencies down there, its the city that has to foot the bill, and thats what will come to Nashville, Goodell explained. They say that its privately funded, but in the long term, our city, itll be you, me, and our tax dollars footing the bill for this tunnel. Advertisement Advertisement The organization worries this tunnel might not be safe because the foundation of the city is built on limestone. Meanwhile, the project has cleared a major state-level milestone. According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, The Boring Company has filed a lease to dig under state right-of-way land. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com I would say, from our standpoint, our office is looking at The Boring Company proposal as a standard predevelopment or development scenario, Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell said. We are engaged in them in permitting and planning scenarios, and well take a look at what the Metro Council final language is and what that vote is, but we also know this is principally a state-led initiative, and our focus is on successful implementation of Choose How You Move. Advertisement Advertisement According to OConnell, Nashville officials are focused on the states broader transportation plan while they review the impacts the Music City Loop would have. However, opponents said they are not backing down. We want to invite folks to join us this Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 5:30 at the Historic Metro Courthouse downtown, Boatenreiter said. Were going to have a rally and then go into the townhouse meeting to stop this tunnel together. Were fighting the richest man in the world, so we need to come together, Goodell added. 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 WKRN News 2. Security camera footage showing the entrance to Moshav Ein Habesor during the October 7, 2023, massacre. (photo credit: SCREENSHOT/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT) In a letter, the groups demanded truth, justice, and accountability, saying only a state commission has the legal authority to investigate decision-making before and after the attack. More than 200 former hostages and their family members on Sunday said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should immediately establish a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the October 7 massacre and the handling of the hostages, or resign. In a letter also signed by the October Council, which represents families affected by the Hamas terrorist attacks, they demanded truth, justice, and accountability. Only a state commission has the legal authority to investigate decision-making before and after the attack, the letter said. Advertisement Advertisement The organizers said the appeal marked the 800th day since the October 7 massacre, and that the campaign would intensify in the coming days. Signatories include former captives Yarden Bibas, Arbel Yehud, Ariel and Sharon Cunio, Luis Har, Gadi Moses, Amit Sosna, and Ohad Ben Ami. The letter was also signed by family members of slain hostages, including relatives of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, who were murdered in captivity. 'Stop evading, stop delaying, stop whitewashing' A state commission of inquiry must independently examine prewar intelligence and defense failures, the hours-long abandonment of border communities, and decisions throughout the hostage negotiations, including delays and public statements that may have impacted captives lives and health, the letter said. A political committee cannot investigate itself, it said, adding that only a statutory commission can subpoena witnesses and documents. Advertisement Advertisement We call on the government of Israel to stop evading, stop delaying, and stop whitewashing, and to establish a full state commission of inquiry at once, the letter said. We demand truth. We demand justice. We demand responsibility. If you will not take responsibility and establish such a commission as the public demands, step aside and let the people decide. There have been disputes for months over the format and timing of any inquiry. Bereaved families have repeatedly pressed Netanyahu to establish a formal state commission, and the High Court of Justice has required explanations for the governments stance. Netanyahu and cabinet ministers have floated alternatives and criticized potential involvement of former security officials, prompting criticism over credibility. Rallies led by the October Council have urged a statutory probe with subpoena powers. Without investigating the truth, we cannot ensure that October 7 never happens again, the letter said. Without accountability, we cannot honor the memory of those who fell, those who were abducted, and those still held in Gaza. A state commission of inquiry now. A long-standing Provo apartment complex described as an eyesore and an attractive nuisance in city documents is set to become housing for Brigham Young University students after Utah development firm Cole West on Wednesday announced its acquisition of the property. Located at 910 N. 900 East, the site of the abandoned Park Plaza apartments is adjacent to BYUs campus and within easy walking distance. The three-story apartment building was built in 1965 and contains 44 units. This acquisition reflects our disciplined approach to identifying and securing high-value opportunities in dynamic markets, Darlene Carter, CEO of Cole West, said in a statement. We look forward to collaborating with the city of Provo and local stakeholders to advance a project that supports both student life and the broader community. Advertisement Advertisement Provo in September issued a request for proposals for the demolition of the building, but there was a catch. Because Provo city does not own the property, access to the building is not permissible at this time. The contract for this work will be with Provo city upon court approval to remove the building, said the request for proposals. The city didnt immediately respond to KSLs request for comment, but the release from Cole West signals the city was granted that approval and that the complex will soon be demolished for the health and safety of the neighborhood. While the development is still in the early stages, the firm added that it is working with city officials and community representatives to ensure it lines up with municipal goals. Advertisement Advertisement Our focus is on creating long-term value through thoughtful planning, sustainable design and exceptional execution, Walker Wood, vice president of development at Cole West, said. Were confident that this location presents a unique opportunity to set a new standard for student housing in Provo. In October, Cole West received the green light to turn the site of a shuttered OfficeMax located at 410 S. 900 East in Salt Lake City into an off-campus student housing hub that sits between the University of Utah and downtown Salt Lake City. Cole West said further details for the Provo location including design renderings and development timelines will be released following city approval. Around 90 minutes after the Brown University shooting began at 4:05 p.m. on Saturday, I drove alongside yellow crime scene tape stretched across entire blocks near the Barus & Holley building where it took place, and soon after parking nearby, saw four young men run out of it with their hands up, directed by police standing by cars with flashing lights. The four exited at the Brook Street entrance of a wing of the building. They were clearly rattled and continued to run a half block north on Brook, keeping their hands up, then another full block to the intersection of Waterman and Thayer streets. They stopped by an unreal scene. A dozen or so police, many in SWAT gear, stood in the usually spirited and lively Thayer Street shopping intersection holding automatic weapons. But now it had become a refuge and gathering spot, with scores of students and others walking by law enforcement cars at a time 5:40 p.m. when the shooter was still at large. Advertisement Advertisement I approached three of the students I saw run out, while a fourth was interviewed by another reporter. We were standing just outside the In The Pink Acai & Smoothies shop, across from Pokeworks. Three Brown University engineering students from China watch on the street after being evacuated from the Barus & Holley building, where the deadly campus shooting occurred on Dec. 13. The three were shaken and didnt want to give their full names, but all said they were graduate engineering students from China. They had been studying for finals in a small office-lab on the third floor of Barus & Holley when their phones buzzed with text alerts of an active shooter. The alerts told them to shelter, silence phones, stay hidden and remain away from Barus & Holley, but in their case, they were trapped inside it. They kept getting alerts the first saying a suspect was arrested, but soon after, another text said the opposite Police do not have a suspect in custody. Advertisement Advertisement The tallest of the three gave me his nickname, Evans, and said he was a PhD engineering student. It was freezing out, and he only had a light shirt on as we talked. Clearly, he hadn't had his coat in the study room, and there was no time to grab it as the police rushed them out. He told me that as soon as they saw the first alert, the four of them locked the office-lab door and got under desks. They had no idea they would be in that exact situation for around 90 minutes. They were among the last to be evacuated as police went from room to room. Barus & Holley is a large engineering and science building seven stories of classrooms, faculty offices, research labs and student project and study spaces. Soon after the alerts came in, Evans thinks he heard shots but cant be sure, saying it could have been other noises, such as closing doors. Advertisement Advertisement It sounded like shooting, Evans said, but Ive never heard shooting before. The four agreed they needed to stay put. We were just so panicked, said Evans. They continued lying on the floor under desks, reasoning that it was safer down low in case of bullets. But it seemed an endless ordeal as time went from a few minutes to a half hour, then an hour and more. As we stood in the cold and crowd at the Thayer-Waterman intersection, I turned to the student next to Evans he gave his name as Bok. Hes 25 and a computer engineering student. Bok described the room where they sheltered as small with computer stations. He also thought he heard shots but cant be sure. Advertisement Advertisement I turned to the third student, also an engineering student from China. He asked that I use his nickname, RC. That got me pausing to ask why they didnt want their full names used. They said they were still afraid. Maybe he comes back, RC said of the shooter. It was an insight into the mindset of having just survived in the very building where a mass shooting took place. As the police lights bounced off the Thayer Street storefronts, RC showed me the alerts on his phone. Urgent. Report of shots near Governor Street, one said. Hide if evacuation is not possible, said another. And then: FIGHT as a last resort. Advertisement Advertisement RC told me they also turned off the light after locking the door, so they were lying all that time in the near dark. As the minutes went by, the four began to text friends and family, saying they were so far safe. But they remained afraid of what could happen. What if the gunman shot through their door and got in? RC texted his parents, I love you. So did the others. Finally, probably around 5:30 p.m., there was a loud knock on the door, and they heard voices yelling, Police. But the four students didnt open up immediately. We tried to be cautious, said Evans, just to double-check. Bok said they were worried it could be a trick by the shooter. Advertisement Advertisement But with several voices shouting, Police through the locked door, and the sound of security force radios, it became clear it was law enforcement. The four opened the door to see three policemen in regular uniforms and a fourth in tactical gear. Although the students were grateful to be rescued, things were at first tense. The police shouted: Dont move hands up. I said, We are students, we are students, recalled Bok. Still, the police had them face the wall while they searched them to make sure. Once they were cleared, the police were still all business as they escorted the four down three flights of stairs to the Brook Street exit. Advertisement Advertisement As the students at last stepped outside, the police sternly told them to run toward Waterman Street, keeping their hands up. That's because they were on the side of Brook Street cordoned off with yellow tape, where, by now, no one was allowed. Thats when I saw them. I watched as the four ran a block on the sidewalk while I kept up with them on the other side of the street. Police and police cars were stretched all along the block-long route, flashing lights bouncing off the four students as they ran. I was a bit stunned at seeing them dash from the building. When I first arrived at the scene 90 minutes or so after the reports of a shooter, I thought things would be secure. But clearly, the evacuation hadnt yet ended. Advertisement Advertisement The three remained a bit nervous as we talked there at the crowded intersection of Waterman and Thayer, usually an upbeat spot with students going in and out of restaurants and stores. But this moment was different a mass shooting having jarred the safety of the Brown campus and the citys quiet East Side. By now, the shooting was global news, and as I interviewed the three, my phone kept buzzing with texts from my own friends and family asking if I was all right, as I'm sure happened to people throughout Providence. Police are visible at the Brook Street entrance of the Barus & Holley building at 6:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, as they work to clear the building at the center of the Brown University shooting. Evans asked me if they were safe here, with the shooter still at large. I pointed out the police around us, but perhaps that's why Evans was nervous the cops were also tense as they clutched automatic weapons and scanned the area. The three students I interviewed were nice enough to pose for a photo with their backs to the camera, but right after, the police announced they were pushing everyone back from the intersection and expanding the police tape, so we had to move on. Advertisement Advertisement As I headed back to my car, I passed from across the street the very Barus & Holley entrance where Id seen the four students exit running with their hands up. Now, just inside, a half dozen police, many in SWAT gear, were by that same glass door, still continuing to make sure the building was clear. I paused to take a photo of them, as did a nearby team from Channel 10, but one of the cops opened the door and shouted at us to move on. He wasnt polite about it, and I didnt blame him. It was 6:20 p.m. almost 2 hours after it began and they had a job to do, a job that would continue through the night and beyond. With the suspect still not caught, and the horrific incident having become a top story around the world, the area remained an active shooting scene. mpatinki@providencejournal.com This story has been updated with new video. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Brown students share tense lockdown ordeal after campus shooting The tunnel stretched approximately seven to ten kilometers, leading to dozens of living quarters and Hamas command posts. After over a year of dismantling and investigation, the IDF revealed the "White Sparrow" tunnel system under Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, where the remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin had been held since Operation Protective Edge in 2014. Excavation and the search for Goldin's remains were conducted by soldiers of the IDF's elite Shayetet 13 and Yahalom units, and assisted by the military's Engineering Corps. Advertisement Advertisement "We tried to figure out the tunnels length and depth and where it led using multiple tools at our disposal, explained Lt. Col. G, a platoon commander in Shayetet 13. After the initial assessment was completed, the team mapped the tunnel network to create access points for the Engineering Corps. Its almost like a subway, Yahalom commander, Capt. M said, explaining that thetunnel stretched approximately seven to ten km, leading to dozens of living quarters and Hamas command posts. He described the tiles lining the tunnels' walls, each of which had to be removed to search for hidden shafts, and that "behind each tile, we could find Hadar, a command post, or a terrorist hideout." "We were effectively working on two fronts," Lt. Col. R of the Gaza Division's Engineering Corps said. "Special forces, like Yahalom, operated inside the tunnel, actively searching for clues, while the battalion worked above ground." 'Hadar kept us going, even when we couldnt see the light' "We discovered a large command and living area behind one of the tiles," M said, noting that weapons and other equipment were also found during the search for Goldin. "These moments showed us [Hamas's] danger and cunning and reinforced the importance of our mission." Advertisement Advertisement "The work was meticulous and exhausting; it wasnt easy at all. Not a day went by that Hadar wasnt on our minds, always reminding us why we were there." Goldins remains were returned to Israel in November 2025 as part of the US-backed Gaza peace deal. "We were there for a year and a half, facing new challenges every day, and in the end, we helped bring Hadar home," G concluded. "Even when the darkness felt endless, and the narrow walls seemed to close in on us, we knew what we were working toward." "The thought of Hadar kept us going, even when we couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel." Credit: Instagram/mian.ores - X Families were tucking into jelly-filled doughnuts and children clutched balloons when the first gunshots pierced the sound of music in the park behind Bondi Beach. Dressed in black and carrying long-arm rifles, two gunmen opened fire on hundreds, turning Chanukah by the Sea into a war zone. It was 6:47pm, just before sunset, when the white sands and clear waters suddenly emptied. Thousands abandoned towels, surfboards, and beach bags, fleeing in shorts and swimwear. Advertisement Advertisement At the festival, which organisers had hoped would fill Bondi with joy and light, the attackers fired more than 50 shots in less than ten minutes. Where moments earlier families queued for ice cream, witnesses later described bodies all over the floor. Chilling footage shows the assailants walking calmly over a white footbridge from Campbell Parade toward the crowd, firing one by one. Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, were seen aiming black hunting rifles, reloading, and turning to the next target as festival-goers ran for cover. Credit: X/@AustralianJA All of a sudden, its absolute chaos, said Arsen Ostrovsky, a Jewish leader who was struck in the head. Theres guns, fire everywhere, people ducking. We didnt know where the gunfire was coming from. Advertisement Advertisement I saw blood gushing in front of me, people falling to the ground. My only concern was: Where are my kids? Wheres my wife? I saw children falling to the floor. Arsen Ostrovsky, a lawyer who lived in Israel until recently, was left bleeding heavily after the shootings On the beach, witnesses could only watch and run. Mike Ortiz, 30, filmed crowds sprinting toward him. It happened so fast. Children were crying, people screaming, he said. Hundreds of people flee Bondi Beach as two gunmen fire 50 shots on the crowd - AFP Closer to the park, victims hid behind palm trees or cars. Others lay bloodied on the ground as sirens wailed and police raced in. Nearby diners ducked under tables as restaurants went into lockdown, while lifeguards pulled swimmers from the water. b' 1512 Bondi shooting ' Lives were saved by acts of extraordinary bravery. Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old father and fruit shop owner, tackled one of the gunmen. Footage shows him hiding behind a parked car before lunging and wrestling away the firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Credit: X People can be heard shouting, Get back, get back, as the second gunman ducks shots. Mr Al-Ahmed was shot twice in the arm and hand and was later taken for surgery. The hero bystander was identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, a local greengrocer and 43-year-old father of two Others sacrificed themselves to protect loved ones. Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman was shot in the back of the head shielding his wife, Larisa. A festival-goer named Jess took a bullet for a three-year-old girl, Gigi, who had been separated from her family amid the chaos. Naveed Akram, one of the gunmen, on the bridge Around ten minutes after the attack began, police shot the assailants, who were later photographed lying face down on the bridge amid red cartridges, guns, and backpacks. Suspicious items, including an improvised explosive device, were found nearby. One suspect was confirmed dead, the other is in custody. X/@bonusik28 via Reuters Advertisement Advertisement In the aftermath, footage shows bodies strewn across the park. Emergency services desperately attempted resuscitation beside abandoned prams and picnic benches. Survivors held up blood-soaked tallit, ritual prayer garments, as mothers carried children wrapped in foil blankets and injured victims were rushed away on stretchers. A blood-soaked blue-and-white tallit Among the dead was Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, which had opened just over a year ago as a welcoming community centre. Rabbi Schlanger, a father of five, had spoken earlier this year about the resilience, continuity, and enduring spirit of the Jewish people. Emergency services desperately attempted resuscitation beside abandoned prams and picnic benches Kobi Farkash, an Israeli backpacker, described the scene as a sunny day turned to terror. Boom, and in one second, everything is gone. I ran, hearing children crying, people screaming. It reminded me of October 7 at the Nova festival in Israel. The massacre left 16 dead, 38 injured, and Sydneys Jewish community reeling from one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in Australian history. Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays. Ten Tennessee Centennial Bells were removed from the former Tulip Street United Methodist Church for restoration Dec. 13. The Centennial Bells, also known as the 1897 Vanduzen Company bells, originate from the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, a six-month celebration from May 1 to Oct. 30, 1897 commemorating Tennessees first 100 years as a state, according to a news release. Now part of the East End United Methodist Church congregation, the bell removal is the latest step of a comprehensive renovation of the landmark building, 522 Russell St., according to the release. The EEUMC launched a $400,000 fundraising campaign to restore the site. Advertisement Advertisement The more than 100-year-old bells will be trucked to Cincinnati awaiting refurbishing by The Verdin Company. Since a March 2020 tornado splintered its Holly Street building, the East End United Methodist Church has been conducting services at the Warner Elementary Arts Magnet School. Now, the congregation is going back to its roots. In search of its next home, EEUMD, in January 2025, purchased the old Tulip Street United Methodist Church, the congregations original mother church dating back more than 100 years. The first and largest of the 10 bells is removed from the bell tower at the East End United Methodist Church in East Nashville Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. It is 52 inches wide and weighs 2,800 pounds. In 1905 and growing in parishioners, the existing church created the Holly street location to accommodate its increased popularity. Advertisement Advertisement This is where their congregation was born, Metro Nashville Historical Commission board member James Hoobler told The Tennessean. So its like a homecoming for East End (United) Methodist coming back to their birthplace. EEUMD building committee member Jessica Dragonetti told The Tennessean while the congregations fortuitous return to its mother church remains special, the project aligns with their goal to find a church in need of some love and continue serving the East Nashville community. Congregants cheer the removal of the first bell at the East End United Methodist Church in East Nashville Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. Go to restorethebell.com to learn more about the churchs plans for the bells. While the EEUMD has already begun repairs inside the church, the company is hopeful to reopen sometime next year. As East Nashville continues to see renewal in the 21st century, we are excited to bridge its storied past to its hopeful present, East End United Methodist Church Pastor Brandon Baxter said, in a new release. Advertisement Advertisement When East End UMC restores her mother church and returns home to this historic house of worship, her bells will ring out again as a sign of new life and possibility for all who hear them! Don Barnwell of Berry, Ky., straps the first of the 10 bells removed from the bell tower of the East End United Methodist Church to a flatbed truck in East Nashville Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. Go to restorethebell.com to learn more about the churchs plans for the bells. Donations can be made by visiting RestoreTheBells.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: More than 100-year-old bells removed amid church renovations Kavya Santhoshs first job broke her before it taught her. When she fresh out of Jai Hind College from Mumbai moved to Bengaluru this year, after landing a job in account management, it felt like the perfect leg-up. But she had barely prepared herself for what was coming her way. While the contract put her working hours from 10 am to 7 pm, on most days Santhosh, 21, found herself working till 10 pm. And even after I shut my laptop, calls and emails kept coming, she remembers. I tried to reassure myself, saying, this is the hustle. But that availability became a loophole. I would start the day with five tasks and end with nine. This went on quietly for a few months, until the dam finally burst. Santhosh wanted Halloween off a rare chance to catch up with friends. I prepared the documents expected of me in advance. But my manager reviewed the files just a day before, dismissed them, cancelled my leave, and made me redo the work. She then called after 8 pm demanding more changes. When Santhosh refused, the manager threatened to cut three days pay. That night, I broke down. Her salary wasnt deducted, but she quit soon after. She now works for a wellness tech brand. Santhoshs story is emblematic of a broader workplace culture in India, which normalises permanent availability and blurs the boundaries between work and personal time. Last years data from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) only reinforces this. According to the report, India is the worlds second most overworked country, with 51 per cent of its workforce logging over 49 hours weekly, right after Bhutan (61 per cent). The hybrid work model that was implemented in India during COVID has blurred boundaries further. Companies have realised it saves costs but Ive had clients who have had to take calls at odd hours, says corporate lawyer Parshva Shah of RPS Legal. The newly proposed Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025, a private members bill (PMB) introduced by MP Supriya Sule, hopes to address this glaring flaw in Indian work culture. The bill proposes that employees should not be contacted for work-related matters beyond office hours, allowing them to switch off from calls, emails, and digital tasks after their shift ends without fear of punishment. Speaking to Mirror, Sule says, The Bill recognises that for many people, the workday doesnt simply end, it extends into personal responsibilities and the demands of an always-on digital culture. Technology has blurred boundaries, creating expectations that erode the health and well-being of employees across all sectors. For her, this Bill isnt just about switching off devices its about acknowledging that every workers time, labour, and dignity has value...were taking a necessary step toward building workplaces where people can thrive without sacrificing their health, family responsibilities, or personal lives. Unlike government bills, PMBs rarely become law in India only 14 have been passed by both Houses and received the Presidents assent since 1952 often due to limited discussion on the matter, overridden by disruptions or urgent government business, and MPs lack of seriousness in engaging with these issues. Yet, many are hopeful that a discussion of this nature could finally push employers to rethink ways of putting employees first. Learning to draw boundaries Gruelling work hours come with shrinking tolerance. Tess Joss, 38, remembers the demanding hours expected of her when she joined a Mumbai software firm as a story writer some years ago. Most days began at 7 am and ended at 2 am. Weekends disappeared into unofficial work. She quit within two months and returned to her former company, one that respected timing, communication, and boundaries. Though her company is headquartered in Mumbai, Joss, who is a corporate trainer, works remotely from Kochi, in shifts, across three time zones. If I have to work through the night, Im compensated with time off later. This arrangement allows her to prioritise family and her health. She starts work at 11.30 am and shuts her laptop at 8 pm. Her routine keeps the lines clear. The belief that overworking employees yields results doesnt hold up. When the brain never gets a clear-off signal, it enters a state of chaos, says Bengaluru-based counselling psychologist Veena Jain. She has been noticing a rise in cases of burnout, cognitive fatigue, stress, and insomnia among many of her patients. Im seeing insomnia in 50 per cent of adults. If nothing changes, it will soon hit 80 per cent. A 2024 report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Boston Consulting Group also reported that 58 per cent of Indians were experiencing burnout. Old cultures, new pressures For older professionals, the culture hasnt always looked like this. Parel resident Azmat Habibulla, 53, remembers a time before constant connectivity. We didnt have the technology or productivity tools we have today, says the former banker. Long hours existed, but as a signal of commitment. Even then, she drew her own boundaries. Work ended when it ended. Personal time was personal. Late nights, she believes, are acceptable only when they genuinely serve a purpose a launch, a deadline, a crisis. Her mantra remains simple: trust and flexibility. Let people work in ways that respect their time, as long as they deliver. Ronita Sengupta, an HR veteran of 21 years, says implementing the Right to Disconnect Bill would be like breaking a glass ceiling. Many workers, she argues, still tie self-worth to overwork. We have a slave mentality. People think staying late proves commitment. But capability, she insists, should be measured by output during work hours, not availability after 6 pm. Emergencies will happen, but boundaries must hold. And HR, she warns, will face the toughest task if such a bill did become law: They will have to enforce those boundaries while balancing pressure from management. Always on duty There are jobs where its nearly impossible to set these boundaries first responders and emergency workers fall into this category. But Kharghar-based obstetrician Dr Surabhi Siddhartha says the Right to Disconnect is just as crucial for them too. Doctors are rarely able to truly disconnect, even on vacation, she says. The pressure often comes not from patients who expect access at any hour. Indias system makes this harder. We are one of the few countries where patients expect to see the same doctor every time. In the US and UK, group practices allow doctors to rotate responsibilities. It ensures others get proper rest, she explains. Without such structures, individual doctors carry the entire burden, especially in fields like obstetrics, where emergencies dont follow working hours and timely communication can be lifesaving. Cardiologist Dr Rahul Gupta from Parel says the solution lies in distinguishing urgency. What we need is the ability to disconnect from non-emergency communication. Not every query or administrative message needs a consultants immediate attention. The consequences are predictable. Many doctors struggle with depression and extreme burnout because they never get a true break, Siddhartha says. Gupta adds, Requiring adequate rest isnt a luxury; it directly impacts patient safety. Putting yourself first Many employees are now learning to take a stand for themselves. I would choose a firm with clear boundaries over higher pay any day, says Tiana Chawla, 21, who works as a trust and estate planner. For her, the hustle narrative is cautionary. It teaches discipline, sure, but it also glamourises being a workaholic. That doesnt mean she wont step in when required. If theres an extraordinary situation where she is genuinely needed, she would go the distance. Amrita Jhaveri, 22, who works in client servicing at a media agency, recalls a time when she replied to every client message within 20 minutes, even during her commute. Her employers never asked her to do so; it was pure instinct. But it made her resentful. Now, once Im home, my phone goes on silent. It helps reduce anxiety from constant notifications. Psychologist Jain says that constant notifications mimic a stress response, as one cannot be truly at peace. You never know what will pop up next, and you get stuck in a loop of anticipation, which causes anxiety. The tango of equilibrium Some employers are taking crucial steps to improve work-life balance. Mulund-based Monish Bhagnani, who runs MB Creatives, a graphic design startup, has set core working hours. We also communicate that messages sent after work are not urgent unless clearly marked. The 21-year-old also advises employees to use tools like scheduled emails or task boards so people dont feel pressure to reply instantly. He confesses to falling prey to the guilt of switching off, as it may look like a lack of commitment. But in our firm, we are learning that even in start-up culture, short breaks are necessary. Gaurav Batra, founder of Mumbai-based CyberFrat, a cybersecurity awareness company, this week announced a complete digital detox for all his employees from December 25 to January 4. During this time, employees have been given strict instructions to take no call, no emails and no messages from work. In the cybersecurity and tech space, the pressure to stay connected is very high. Over time, this constant digital engagement leads to fatigue, reduced clarity, and in many cases, a quiet sense of burnout that people dont realise theyre carrying, says Batra, I strongly believe that productivity is less about the number of hours we work and more about the quality of those hours, and that clarity comes only when the mind gets space to breathe. A short pause often results in a much bigger long-term gain, both for the individual and the organisation. Dahisar resident Virat Singh, 43, who spent over a decade in journalism before moving into the development sector, strongly values a healthy work environment. He heads communications at Asar, an environmental organisation, which follows a four-day work week. This shift, he says, gives him time he earlier struggled to find. Singh transitioned from journalism at a stage when he was keen to create more space for family, especially his daughter. His current workplace, he says, functions on trust. We plan our work within those four days, and even when it extends beyond that, there is a clear understanding that the weekend is respected. The founders believe in balance, and our managers and colleagues rarely reach out after work hours unless there is a genuine emergency. The way forward In a country as diverse as India, where industries operate with vastly different demands, implementing a universal Right to Disconnect isnt straightforward. Considering the diversity of the corporate scenario in the country from medical and emergency services, and so on each industry has to be viewed through a separate prism, feels lawyer Parshva Shah. Theres a need to club similar sectors together, and then frame laws that suit their specific timings, complexities, and oddities. Given Indias slow litigation process, Shah believes legal safeguards alone wont be enough. There has to be a self-regulating body or an internal mechanism where the employee is kept in mind, and mental health and work-life balance are at the centre, he says. Long before the work-from-home boom, several countries had already drawn a firm line between work and personal time. France took the lead in 2017 by adding the Right to Disconnect to its labour law, requiring companies to work with unions to ensure staff were not pressured to stay online after hours. Portugal went one step further in 2021 with rules that bar employers from contacting workers outside their shifts, with fines that can touch 9,690 euros. And in 2024, Australia also moved to formalise boundaries between work and home. Despite its resonance globally, a law to disconnect wont hold without a major shift in attitudes. For it to truly work, Shah says, accountability must run both ways: managers need to respect boundaries, and employees must deliver within the hours they sign up for. Two gunmen shot at a crowd of beachgoers in Sydney, Australia, killing at least 16 people and wounding at least 40 during a Jewish holiday event at Bondi Beach on Sunday, in what Australian authorities are calling a terrorist attack. The attack, which targeted an event marking the first day of Hanukkah at the popular tourist destination, is the latest and most deadly in a string of antisemitic incidents that have blighted Australia since the onset of the war in Gaza in October 2023. The subsequent sixteen months were sullied by firebombing, arson, graffiti, and hate speech incidents that prompted Mike Burgess, the Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), to proclaim that his top priority in terms of threat to life is antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Bondi Beach Terror Attack: At Least 12 Killed as Gunmen Target Jewish Holiday Event Australia, a country of 28 million people, is home to about 117,000 Jews. Figures from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) show that antisemitic incidents in Australia have reached historically high levels, at almost five times the average annual number before October 7, 2023. The group documented 1,654 antiJewish incidents across Australia between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, in addition to 2,062 incidents nationwide the year before. Photograph by James D. MorganGetty Images Yad Vashem, Israels official Holocaust memorial center, has repeatedly raised concerns about a dangerous rise in antisemitic attacks in Australia, including in personal meetings with the premiers of Victoria and New South Wales. Following an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne in July, the center said that "not enough is being done." It called on Australian authorities to "implement robust educational initiatives to combat hatred and to teach about the dire dangers of unchecked antisemitism." Advertisement Advertisement Jewish leaders from the world's seven largest diaspora communities convened in Sydney earlier this month to call for action against antisemitism in Australia. Speaking in the wake of the deadly attack on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had warned his Australian counterpart that the country's policies were fueling antisemitism. "Three months ago I wrote to the Australian prime minister that your policy is pouring oil on the fire of antisemitism," he said, referring to a letter he sent to Anthony Albanese in August following Canberra's announcement that it would recognise Palestinian statehood. "Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders are silent and do not act," Netanyahu added during a televised public address at an event in southern Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the Bondi Beach attack on Sunday, calling it evil that was beyond comprehension, and convened a meeting of the country's national security council. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, Albanese said, adding, An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. Below is a timeline of antisemitic incidents in Australia over the last two years. May 25, 2024: Antisemitic graffiti at Jewish school Mount Scopus Memorial College, one of Australias largest and oldest Jewish schools in Melbournes east, was targeted in an antisemitic vandalism attack when the phrase Jew die was spraypainted on the exterior fence of the schools Burwood campus. Advertisement Advertisement Police in Victoria launched an investigation and appealed for public assistance, releasing CCTV footage of a person of interest riding a bicycle near the scene. The graffiti was widely condemned by politicians and community leaders as a deeply troubling act of hatred that has no place in Australian society, and raised concerns about rising antisemitism and student safety. Oct. 13, 2024: Jewish-owned bakery defaced A popular Jewishowned bakery in Sydneys innercity suburb of Surry Hills was defaced with antisemitic graffiti and a threatening note, heightening concerns about rising hate incidents. Avners Bakery, owned by local TV chef Ed Halmagyi, had an inverted red trianglea symbol associated with both Nazi persecution and used by some extremists to mark Jewish targets spraypainted on its window. Police said the offensive graffiti was reported at the Bourke Street premises, and a handwritten note reading Be careful was found slipped under the door. Halmagyi shared the note on social media, calling the incident Being Jewish in Sydney, 2024 edition, and NSW Police launched an investigation. Community leaders condemned the attack as a troubling expression of antisemitic intimidation. Oct. 17, 2024: Brewery arson The front door of the Curly Lewis Brewing Company, a popular brewery near Bondi Beach in Sydneys east, was deliberately set on fire in the early hours of the morning. CCTV and court documents show two men poured accelerant underneath the front door and ignited it before fleeing; the blaze selfextinguished after a short time thanks to the buildings sprinkler system, but caused significant damage to the entrance. Advertisement Advertisement Police later linked the arson to a broader investigation into antisemitic attacks in Sydney, although authorities say the brewery was likely mistakenly targeted instead of a nearby kosher deli, Lewis Continental Kitchen. Two men Guy Finnegan and Craig Bantoft later pleaded guilty to the fire charge, with officers investigating whether they were acting on instructions from an unknown figure. Oct. 20, 2024: Kosher deli attack The kosher deli Lewis Continental Kitchen in Sydneys Bondi suburb was deliberately set alight in an antisemitic arson attack, causing extensive damage. As part of a broader task force investigation into a series of antisemitic incidents, police charged former biker gang member Sayed Moosawi in March 2025 with allegedly directing two men to torch both Lewis Continental Kitchen and nearby Curly Lewis Brewing Company to distract police resources; Moosawi denied the charges and was released on bail. Australian authorities later said intelligence from the national security agency found credible evidence that Irans government played a role in the Oct. 20 attack on the kosher deli, a claim that led Canberra to expel Irans ambassador and accuse Tehran of undermining social cohesion through antisemitic violence. Nov. 21, 2024: Rampage in Jewish community In a brazen antisemitic attack in Woollahra, a leafy eastern suburb of Sydney that has a significant Jewish community, a car was set on fire, and multiple vehicles and buildings were vandalised with antiIsrael and antisemitic graffiti in the early hours of the morning. Police said about 10 cars, including one torched vehicle, were spraypainted with slogans such as f*** Israel, while properties and a nearby restaurant were also defaced. Fire crews extinguished the blaze, and authorities estimated more than $100,000 in damage. Advertisement Advertisement The incident drew condemnation from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns and local leaders. Albanese called it a deeply troubling and disgusting act of hate and vowed police would investigate. The attack was investigated under a strike force handling a string of antisemitic incidents in Sydneys eastern suburbs. Dec. 6, 2024: Synagogue arson In the early hours before dawn, masked men broke into the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Ripponlea suburb of Melbourne and firebombed the place of worship, pouring accelerant inside and setting it alight, causing extensive damage to the building and its interior. The blaze, which drew dozens of firefighters, was later treated by police as a suspected terror attack and became a central focus of a Joint CounterTerrorism Team investigation involving Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police, and national security agencies. Community members inside at the time fled as flames spread, and Jewish leaders described the attack as a shocking escalation of antisemitic violence in Australia. Prime Minister Albanese condemned the attack as an outrage and pledged support for the Jewish community. In August 2025, authorities charged two men in connection with the synagogue firebombing as part of the broader terrorismlinked probe. Days later, Albanese said intelligence assessments showed the Iranian government had directed the attack, prompting diplomatic action and highlighting growing concerns about foreign influence behind some antisemitic incidents on Australian soil. Dec. 7, 2024: Netanyahu blames Australian government Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly linked the recent wave of antisemitic attacks in Australia to what he described as the Australian governments antiIsrael stance at the United Nations, including Canberras vote for a resolution critical of Israels policies. Netanyahu said that support for such U.N. positions made it impossible to separate antisemitic violence, such as the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue, from Australias diplomatic position on the IsraelPalestine conflict. His comments drew criticism from Australian officials, who rejected the suggestion that government policy was to blame for the attacks. Dec. 9, 2024: Antisemitism task force launched The Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced the launch of a dedicated antisemitism task force, known as Special Operation Avalite, to investigate a spate of antisemitic threats, violence and hate incidents across the country. The unit, established in the wake of the Dec. 6 firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and other attacks, is staffed with counterterrorism investigators and works with state and territory police to target highharm antisemitism against Jewish communities and public figures. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the task force would enhance national efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. Dec. 11, 2024: Jewish neighborhood attacked again The eastern Sydney suburb of Woollahra, which has a large Jewish community, was attacked for the second time in as many months as police found a car set on fire and multiple homes and buildings vandalised with antisemitic and antiIsrael graffiti, including a misspelled slogan reading Kill Israiel. Officers established a crime scene on Magney Street and were seeking two male suspects seen fleeing the area. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Albanese condemned the attack as a hate crime and outrage, with police pledging increased patrols and investigation under a broader antisemitism task force. Jan. 7, 2025: Worshippers threatened A 20yearold man was charged after allegedly making threatening gestures toward worshippers near the Chabad North Shore synagogue and Kehillat Masada synagogue in Sydneys northwest suburb of St Ives. Police allege the man made a gunlike hand gesture at pedestrians exiting the synagogues on Link Road on Jan. 4, prompting reports to police and a subsequent arrest at a home in North Turramurra. He was charged with stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear of physical harm and was granted conditional bail to appear in Hornsby Local Court later in January. The alleged threat came amid a broader wave of reported antisemitic incidents across Sydney. Jan. 10, 2025: Hitler graffiti The Allawah Synagogue in southern Sydney was vandalised early Friday with multiple swastikas and other antisemitic graffiti, including the words Hitler on top, sprayed on the exterior walls of the place of worship. NSW Police said the incident occurred around 3:55 a.m. and released CCTV footage showing two people in dark clothing near the synagogue. State Premier Chris Minns condemned the act as a monstrous hate crime, and police launched a hatecrime investigation under Operation Shelter. Jewish community leaders called for swift arrests, saying the attack was deeply troubling and had no place in Australias multicultural society. Jan. 11, 2025: Synagogue vandalized Newtown Synagogue in Sydneys inner west was vandalised with red swastikas and other Nazilinked graffiti, and police said vandals attempted to set the building on fire by pouring an accelerant that burned briefly before going out. Officers released CCTV images showing two people of interest and counterterrorism detectives took over the investigation, calling it an escalation in antisemitic crime. On the same day, a house in Sydneys east was also defaced with antisemitic graffiti, prompting a broader police response. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns condemned the incidents as unacceptable and heightened police scrutiny under a broader antisemitism probe. Jan. 16, 2025: Task force makes first arrest The Australian Federal Polices (AFP) Special Operation Avalite made its first arrest in Sydney when a 44yearold man from Blacktown was charged with allegedly posting death threats to members of a Jewish organisation on social media. He was charged with using a carriage service to make a threat to kill and to menace, harass or cause offence offences that carry up to 10 and five years imprisonment, respectively and was granted watchhouse bail ahead of a Downing Centre Local Court appearance later in February. The AFP seized electronic devices and documents during a search of his home as part of the ongoing investigation into highharm antisemitic conduct. Jan. 17, 2025: Cars set alight Two cars were set on fire, and four vehicles in total were damaged, while a house was vandalised with red paint in the Sydney suburb of Dover Heights in an antisemitic attack. The property was formerly owned by Alex Ryvchin, the co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). Jan. 19, 2025: Hate crime laws announced New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced a suite of tougher hatecrime and antiprotest laws aimed at strengthening protections against antisemitism and racial hatred. The legislative package included new offences targeting harassment, intimidation or blocking of people entering or leaving places of worship, penalties for displaying Nazi symbols near sacred sites, and expanded police powers to give moveon directions to protesters in or near places of worship. Minns said the measures were necessary to ensure people of faith can practise their religion free from intimidation and to address a recent spate of antisemitic attacks in the state. Jan. 21, 2025: Childcare center defaced A childcare centre in Sydneys east was set alight and sprayed with antisemitic graffiti early Tuesday, causing extensive damage to the unoccupied building less than 200 metres from the Maroubra Synagogue. The words F*** the Jews were found amid the vandalism, and police established a crime scene as part of an ongoing hatecrime investigation. NSW and federal leaders condemned the attack as despicable and horrifying, and authorities continued efforts to identify and arrest suspects. Police also charged a woman in connection with a Dec. 11 antisemitic vandalism incident in Sydneys east. In response to the escalation of antisemitic attacks, Prime Minister Albanese convened a national cabinet meeting to coordinate a wholeofgovernment response to the rising wave of antisemitism. Jan. 29, 2025: Potential terror threat New South Wales police confirmed that a caravan found in Dural, in Sydneys northwest, containing a significant quantity of explosives and antisemiticlinked material was under investigation as a potential terror threat after it was reported to authorities earlier in January. Officers from state and federal counterterrorism units, including the Australian Federal Police and ASIO, treated the discovery as an escalation amid a wave of antisemitic incidents targeting Jewish sites. Police said the caravan was first noticed on Jan. 19, with the explosive material capable of a large blast radius, and included a note referencing Jewish targets. Authorities later determined the plot was likely a fabricated plan orchestrated by organised crime figures to distract police resources rather than a credible terror attack, with investigators calling it a fake terrorism plot. Feb. 12, 2025: Threats to Jewish patients Two nurses at BankstownLidcombe Hospital in Sydneys west were suspended and their nursing registrations barred nationwide after a video circulating on TikTok and other social platforms appeared to show them threatening to kill Jewish or Israeli patients and saying they would refuse to treat them if they presented for care. The clip, which unfolded during an online conversation with an Israeli social media user, drew widespread condemnation from political and health leaders, with New South Wales officials calling the remarks vile, disgusting and unacceptable. NSW Police and health authorities launched a criminal investigation into possible offences, including using a carriage service to menace, harass or threaten to kill, and both nurses were stood down pending that probe. July 4, 2025: Arson attack on Shabbat About 20 worshippers attending a Shabbat dinner at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation were forced to evacuate through a rear exit after a man poured flammable liquid on the front door and set it alight, prompting firefighters to extinguish the blaze. No one was injured, and police later arrested a 34yearold Sydney man, Angelo Loras, charging him with arson, reckless conduct endangering life, criminal damage by fire, and possession of a controlled weapon; he was remanded in custody. Authorities were also investigating whether the synagogue arson was linked to a separate disturbance that night at an Israeliowned restaurant in the citys central business district, where protesters clashed with patrons and police. The incident was condemned by federal and state leaders as a targeted act of violence amid a broader pattern of antisemitic attacks in Australia. Dec. 14, 2025: Bondi Beach terror attack Sundays attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on the first day of Hanukkah killed at least 12 and injured 30 people, including two police officers. Contact us at letters@time.com. Developments in the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday, Dec. 13, unfolded rapidly over the course of the evening and into the morning. Here is a timeline of key moments: Saturday, Dec. 13 4:05 p.m.: At least two people were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting at Brown University's Barus and Holley Engineering Building, 184 Hope St., Providence. 4:22 p.m.: Brown University issues an urgent alert: There's an active shooter near Barus & Holley Engineering. Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself. Stay tuned for further safety information. Advertisement Advertisement 5:11 p.m.: Brown issues second alert, urging to continue to shelter in place, stay away from Barus and Holley area; police searching for suspect; multiple law enforcement agencies on site; emergency medical on scene. 6:05 p.m.: Brown University releases statement confirming there have been multiple shooting victims and that exams were taking place between 2 and 5 p.m. in the Barus and Holley building. They urged the community to continue to shelter in place. 6:30 p.m.: Mayor Brett Smiley, along with police and fire officials, holds first news briefing about shooting, at the Brook Street fire station, 223 Brook St., just a few blocks from where the shooting took place. 6:33 p.m. 6:33 p.m.: Brown releases a statement that two of the victims have died, and eight others are in critical but stable condition. The suspect is still at large, and the shelter in place order remains in effect. Anyone who was in Barus and Holley is urged to contact police. Advertisement Advertisement 7:30 p.m.: Brown alert says to continue to shelter in place. 7:38 p.m.: Brown President Christina Paxson confirms two from university community are dead. This is a day that we hoped never would come to our community. She urges all to contact family members to let them know they are safe. Confirms suspect still at large. 8:28 p.m.: Brown alert says lockdown still in place. 9:29 p.m.: Brown alert says continue to shelter in place. 9:30 p.m.: Second news briefing is held. Brown University President Christina Paxson confirms that nine of victims, including the two victims who were killed, are Brown University students. Mayor Brett Smiley says that an additional victim had been identified, bringing the total to two dead and nine wounded. That victim fled the scene and only realized later that they had been wounded by shrapnel. Paxson, who had been on a plane to Washington, DC, as the shooting was unfolding and immediately flew back, said that she had been in touch with the families of the deceased. Officials confirmed during the press conference that the shooting occurred inside a classroom on the first floor of the Barus and Holley Building, though Paxson could not speak to what was happening in that classroom. Advertisement Advertisement 10:30 p.m.: Providence Police Department releases a video that they believe shows the shooting suspect leaving the Brown University mass shooting scene, walking down Hope Street, and turning the corner. They say he is in his 30s and hes wearing dark clothing. 10:45 p.m.: Rachel Friedberg, a Brown economics professor, said in an interview with Ocean State Media, that the shooting took place in a review session, led by a teaching assistant, ahead of the final exam of her Principles of Economics course. The room has stadium seating with doors that enter at the top, Friedberg said. [Her teaching assistant] said that the shooter came in the doors, yelled something he couldnt remember what he yelled and started shooting. 11:06 p.m.: Brown University announced in an 11:06 p.m. alert that law enforcement agencies would begin evacuating non-residential buildings on campus. Brown alert outlines the area where law enforcement agencies have established a perimeter around a portion of Browns campus. Individuals in residential buildings within the perimeter are told to continue to shelter in place there. Police will enter all administrative (non-residential) buildings within the perimeter marked by the red boxes on the map to escort all individuals to safe locations outside of the perimeter. 11:15 p.m.: Third news briefing is held. In what he described as the last regular update of the evening, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley emphasized that law enforcement has not received any additional credible information that theres any ongoing threat. He said that while he understands that people may want to cancel their plans, or their events, he said he did not feel it was necessary. Sunday, Dec. 14 3:45 a.m.: Brian Todd, a correspondent for CNN, said that he was not at the hotel the Hampton Inn in Coventry - but a member of his team was there at the time of the detention. It was at roughly 3:45 a.m., he said. The CNN employee just heard this real flurry of activity and saw law-enforcement officers converge on a room. Advertisement Advertisement 5:42 a.m.: Brown University announces that the shelter in place order ended for the entire Brown campus. However, police activity would continue in areas that are still considered an active crime scene. 7:00 a.m.: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley says the order has ended for everyone in the Brown area as well. Providence Police confirms a person of interest is in custody, after being apprehended at the Hampton Inn in Coventry. 8:15 a.m.: Brown President Christina Paxson sends update to Brown community that seven of the students are in critical but stable condition, but one remains in critical condition. She estimates a couple thousand students were transported overnight by law enforcement from areas across campus that were part of the police perimeter, to a place where they could rest and receive any necessary resources. 8:24 a.m.: Brown sends alert that final exams are canceled. Advertisement Advertisement 4:45 p.m. : NBC News and the Washington Post, citing officials briefed on the investigation, named the person of interest. This matches a name the Journal has learned off the record. He has not been charged and has not been named as a suspect in the shooting. His possible connection to Brown University was not immediately clear. 10:45 p.m.: Authorities say that the "person of interest" detained in the Brown University shooting is being released. Mayor Brett Smiley encouraged anyone with information on the shooting to contact the police and acknowledged that the news was likely to cause fresh anxiety. Attorney General Peter Neronha said that tips led to us detaining a person of interest, but that the evidence now points in a different direction. Monday, Dec. 15, 2024 Early morning: A number of private schools in the vicinity of Brown University announce they are closed Monday. Editor's note: Multiple outlets, citing officials briefed on the investigation, reported the person of interest's identity. The Providence Journal is no longer naming the person as they were neither named a suspect in the shooting nor charged. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Timeline shows how the Brown University mass shooting unfolded The following is the transcript of the interview with Sen. Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, tthat aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Dec. 14, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, he joins us this morning from Baton Rouge. Good morning to you, Senator. SEN. BILL CASSIDY: Good morning, Margaret. MARGARET BRENNAN: So your health care bill gives Americans up to $1,500 in tax free accounts to spend on health care rather than extend these expiring ACA subsidies. On Thursday, your proposal failed 51 to 48, as did the Democratic proposal. So that means it looks like those receiving ACA premium subsidies will see their costs go up 114%. Bottom line here, did Republicans simply wait too long to come up with a health care alternative? Advertisement Advertisement SEN. CASSIDY: Well, first Margaret, let's just kind of recast the question. We've got to do something for affordability for the people in the exchanges. And I will say that the only thing the Democrats would accept was something that would decrease the premiums. But if a family has a $6,000 out of pocket before they get into the strength of the insurance plan, then, frankly, the policy is catastrophic. It brings profit to the insurance company, but not benefit to the patient. So I would argue that it actually is- there has to be a meeting of the minds between Democrats and Republicans. Let's acknowledge you've got to put cash in the patient's pocket to pay the out of pocket. I would be willing to do a short-term extension of the premium tax credits for those people with higher premiums, if they will concede that we've got to do something for the $6,000 out of pocket. I think there's a deal to be had here. We need to push for that deal. MARGARET BRENNAN: So you want to make sure that the average deductible is less than $6,000 is what I just heard you say there, and you're open to an-- SEN. CASSIDY: Absolutely. The net deductible, if you will, that $1,500 is per person. Give me a couple- for people over 50. Give me a couple in their 50s with two children, 18 and 19, they would get $5,000 in an account in their purse, pocketbook, you name it, in their pocket to pay the out of pocket for the insurance. Now the insurance plan for that couple would be 6000- $6,000 deductible. So- so you end up decreasing the net deductible by doing this. That makes the policy actually functional for them. If the child has a sprained ankle you bring to the urgent care, you can pay the bill, not kind of come with- come forward- out of your own pocket. By the way, I'm told that about 40% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings account. That kind of puts into relief why you need to have something in their pocket to pay the out of pocket. MARGARET BRENNAN: So I know the President has said that he likes the concept of your plan, but- but why didn't the White House put its shoulder behind this before Thursday? Why didn't they whip votes for you? Four of your Republican colleagues crossed the aisle and voted with Democrats on their proposal. Advertisement Advertisement [CROSSTALK] SEN. CASSIDY: All four of those voted for our proposal too. And I think that shows you that there is- there is interest in finding something which addresses both the critical problem of the out of pocket expense, but also the higher premiums-- MARGARET BRENNAN: --But is the White House behind you on this? Like are they helping you? SEN. CASSIDY: --Well it certainly seems like it. MARGARET BRENNAN: You want this up for another vote. [END CROSSTALK] SEN. CASSIDY: Their initial plan had elements of what I am speaking about, helping people with that deductible. So simply put, yes, the White House is there. But if you notice, our problem was not on the Republican side, our problem was on the Democratic side. So what I'm saying is, let's just meet together. As a physician, I can tell you that deductible- the patient comes, she's stressed. She can't get the procedure, the X ray, the whatever, because of her $6,000 deductible. Let's- let's just meet. Let's address our concerns. And then this Republican would be willing to do something on a short term extension of the premium tax credits, if that's what it takes to get the deal to help those folks with the more expensive premium, but also helping everybody with their deductible. Advertisement Advertisement MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you need more White House help on this? And, sir, you're running out of time here. Do you really think you can get this done before January 1st? SEN. CASSIDY: Our problem is not with Republicans. Our problem has been with Democrats. But of course, they may say that about us. So what I am kind of searching for is a deal in which both have their concerns addressed. If you do that and you put this in place, you really have until the end of, like March to get it done. Because with- with these kind of accounts that people have money in, they just save the receipts, they submit them, and they get reimbursed. It happens- it's what we do in my family, we have a flexible spending account. And so we can get this done, and I think we can meet the concerns both about the out of pocket, but also about the premium. MARGARET BRENNAN: I also want to ask you about what's happening with the FDA right now. CBS has confirmed that there are no ongoing safety studies into the abortion drug Mifepristone. This was despite the Trump administration saying they were going to conduct one and anti-abortion groups want this review to take place. I saw a letter the FDA commissioner sent to you last week claiming they are reviewing the evidence. Do you believe him? And if not, what are you doing about it? SEN. CASSIDY: I had a conversation with the commissioner this past week. It seems as if it's taken a long time to get that study up and going, which suggests to me that it's not a priority. For the pro life community, this should be a priority. And if we're going to make America healthy again, this seems like, my gosh, should be top priority. So there is- I am disappointed as well as others are disappointed. By the way, this is being slow walked. I think- I think it just needs to happen. We need to have the evidence out there. If you want to reassure American people about something which is really top of mind, this is where they should be going. Advertisement Advertisement MARGARET BRENNAN: So the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said that Mifepristone is safe and effective and that there are side effects in less than 1% of patients. I- with that data point in place, why isn't the White House pressing the FDA commissioner to make this happen? There's some suggestion in reporting that it is for political concerns due to impact on the upcoming midterm races. Is this politically motivated- the slow walking you say is happening? SEN. CASSIDY: You're asking me to look into the kind of motivations of folks with whom I've not had a personal conversation-- MARGARET BRENNAN: --Well, did the FDA commissioner say that? SEN. CASSIDY: I can't do that- but the FDA commissioner said that they're trying to get the study together, but they've been in office long enough that it could be and so I think that it's right to be impatient. It's right to demand more. I don't know if the decision starts with the FDA commissioner. You just suggested it starts in the White House. That might be the case. Point being, get it done. Advertisement Advertisement MARGARET BRENNAN: And you have confidence in the FDA commissioner? SEN. CASSIDY: I think the FDA commissioner is working very hard, and I think that in many cases, he's receiving directives from on high. I don't know that for sure, but I suspect that's the case. MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Dr. Cassidy, Senator Cassidy, we thank you for your time. We'll be back in a moment. CBS News Presents: A Town Hall with Erika Kirk Raul Malo's musical legacy Actor, showman Dick Van Dyke celebrates 100th birthday Opinion. Late last Monday afternoon, my daughter sent me a text with a link to a Topeka, Kansas television station story with the headline, Prairie Band lands $30M contract for ICE mega centers." As a tribal citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, I felt as if I had been kicked in the stomach. My mind immediately went to one question: How can this even be true? 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. ICE the acronym for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is on my short list of things I consider un-American. Its near the very top. My opposition to ICE is rooted less in abstract debates about immigration policy and more in how the agency has operated on the ground. Arguably, both political parties have failed to develop effective immigration policies for this nation of immigrants. And ICE is not the answer. ICEs tactics, priorities and lack of accountability have created fear in communities and resemble practices historically associated with secret police forces hence the frequent comparison to Gestapo-type methods. Advertisement Advertisement Native people know oppression. We were forcibly removed from our homelands, locked in Indian boarding schools, confined to reservations. Our history is one of systematic attempts by the federal government to erase our culture, our language, our existence. We cannot we should not profit from the oppression of others. The issue of accountability stems from ICE officers at times conducting arrests without clearly identifying themselves and using unmarked vehicles. Videos of individuals being quickly detained by masked or minimally identified agents have circulated widely, amplifying fears of secret police behavior. This is un-American. Anti-ICE sentiment reflects a deeper question in American politics: Should immigration enforcement prioritize deterrence through fear, or compliance through transparency, proportionality and community trust? As a Native American, I have a problem with anyone being targeted simply because their skin is darker. ICE targets people of color. That is why there have been multiple reports of Native Americans being questioned and detained by ICE. The sister of a young Native woman who was detained asked, Where are you going to deport a Native American? Advertisement Advertisement The inhumane treatment of detainees at Alligator Alcatraz appalls me. The facility is located on the traditional lands of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. These factors contributed to my deep dismay over my tribes business enterprise entering into a contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE. Tribal governance can be complicated, especially when a tribal council the governing body of the tribe is also tasked with growing the tribal economy. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has adopted what is known across Indian Country as the Harvard model, which calls for the separation of tribal government from tribal business enterprises. It is not a single statute or template, but a governance framework many tribes have adopted to protect both sovereignty and economic performance. Advertisement Advertisement The premise is simple: Tribal governments should govern; tribal enterprises should operate like businesses. The model argues that economic success depends on a credible separation between political decision-making and day-to-day business management. That separation apparently kept my tribal council in the dark about a contract that committed KPB Services a subsidiary of Prairie Band, LLC, the nations economic arm to conduct early-phase planning, research, technical assessments and concept designs for secure structures that meet U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operating requirements. Even though the contract does not include building or maintaining an ICE detention facility on tribal land, it would still make the tribe complicit in ICEs intentions and tactics. After I got home on Monday, Prairie Band Potawatomi Chairman Joseph Zeke Rupnick called me. We dont want anything to do with ICE," Rupnick said to me during the call. Advertisement Advertisement He told me the tribal council was just learning about the contract and that its members were not pleased. Within 24 hours, the tribal council and the board of Prairie Band, LLC terminated the two senior executives who were directly responsible for signing the contract. Prairie Band citizens are outraged. The main question is why the tribe and its business enterprise does not simply walk away. As with any contract, an entity cannot just walk away especially from an ICE or Homeland Security contract without serious consequences. Federal procurement rules are strict. Federal contracts, including ICE contracts, are legally binding and enforceable under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Part 49. Walking away unilaterally is treated as a breach of contract or a termination for default, even if the contractor later claims ethical or political reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Simply walking away without consequences is not necessarily an option. In fact, it could jeopardize Prairie Band, LLCs ability to secure future federal contracts. On Friday afternoon, Chairman Rupnick released a YouTube video addressing the ICE contract and possible steps moving forward. Right now, we are working on canceling this contract and fully disassociating the nation from it. We met with legal counsel immediately, and the process is still underway. Federal contracts are complex, and I still dont know all the future ramifications, but we are pushing forward as swiftly and responsibly as possible, Rupnick said. As we wait to learn the next steps in how my tribe will handle this complicated situation, a broader question emerges: How do tribal business enterprises ensure their values align with those of the tribal nation? Advertisement Advertisement Every tribal enterprise board should be fully aware of the values of the tribe it represents. Certain industries must be completely off-limits, such as pornography and even some environmental businesses that pose multigenerational risks to the health and well-being of tribal citizens. Tribal economies have been built on capital for thousands of years, but they also rest on community and collective values. Native people maintain principles that conflict with colonial thinking, especially the notion that everything in business is about making money. Tribal economies depend on capital, but the values upheld by Native people cannot be put at risk for profit. I have always been proud to be a tribal citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. The events of this past week shook that pride. Advertisement Advertisement Chairman Rupnicks Friday statement also included: I am sick to my stomach and frankly heartbroken that members of our nation put economic development though it is sorely needed above our moral obligations to other persecuted people. Chairman Rupnick felt the same gut punch I did on Monday afternoon. His words acknowledge what we've always known: We cannot profit from the oppression of others. Thayek gde nwendemen We are all related. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net President Donald Trump will not let his enemies go without a fight. He wants to punish those who speak out against him, who present cases against him and who, in doing their jobs to the letter of the law, go against his wishes. To an objective observer, they are perceived enemies. To him, they are as real as the crimes they commit against him. But Trumps interim U.S. attorneys are failing one by one. Alina Habba, his embattled top attorney for New Jersey, resigned on Monday. A former lawyer for Trump, she was found to be illegally serving in her interim role after continuing past her 120-day mark. Since Congress never approved her, New Jerseys Democratic senators axed her outright. After losing her appeal, she finally resigned on Dec. 8 to protect the stability and integrity of the position, a rare public defeat for the Trump administration. When Habbas days were numbered, Trump could still count on a tried and true ally: a former insurance lawyer from Florida with absolutely no experience securing grand jury indictments. Advertisement Advertisement Lindsey Halligan, the presidents former personal lawyer, was explicitly picked to indict and prosecute two of Trumps most high-profile enemies: former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. When Erik Seibert, the previous interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, found that prosecuting James would be difficult without sufficient evidence, Trump forced him out of his role in September, just days before Halligan was appointed. Comey is likely to face follow-up strikes from the Trump administration. While a new indictment against him has yet to materialize, he may face charges similar to obstruction of justice and lying to Congress. James was ready to face a new indictment surrounding alleged mortgage fraud. But on Dec. 4, a grand jury declined to indict her. The Justice Department then attempted to indict her for a third time and the second time in one week but they failed again. When the department will follow up with Comey is unclear. For the moment, it is missing a lawfully serving U.S. attorney. Advertisement Advertisement After she was appointed, Halligan quickly secured a grand jury indictment of Comey just before the five-year statute of limitations expired. She obtained one against James later that month. Despite apparent doubts from Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, Halligan appeared to be off to the races. But they were right to be worried. For starters, prosecutors at the Justice Department cautioned against charging Comey due to insufficient evidence. Halligan did it anyway. Besides, an interim U.S. attorney does not have the same legal powers as one who has been confirmed by the Senate. But in true Trumpian fashion, Halligan used her authority as such anyway. Then, the missteps began to come to light. Judges heard challenges from lawyers for Comey and James to the effect that Halligan was politically appointed by a vindictive president. It didnt help matters for the Trump team that Halligan told the grand jury that indicted Comey that relevant evidence would come at trial and suggested that it would be on the former FBI director to prove his innocence, not her to prove his guilt. Worse yet, the grand jury never even voted on his final indictment. Instead, only the foreman signed off on it the legal equivalent of pulling a fast one on the judicial process. Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. In a desperate attempt to give Halligan some cover, Bondi said that she was a special attorney the whole time. This gave Halligan the broad legal standing she needed to continue the case. But there was a problem: Halligan was never supposed to be in the position in the first place. Trump had already got his shot at an interim attorney with Seibert. After that, he needed congressional approval for a full-time attorney. Advertisement Advertisement In November, William Fitzpatrick, a magistrate judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, accused Halligan of profound investigative missteps that could potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding. The prosecutor made statements to the grand jurors that could reasonably form the basis for the defense to challenge whether the grand jury proceedings were infected with constitutional error, Fitzpatrick wrote. Just a week later, Senior District Court Judge Cameron McGowan Currie threw the cases out entirely, finding that Halligan had been unlawfully appointed in what amounted to a political revenge operation. It would mean the government could send any private citizen off the street attorney or not into the grand jury room to secure an indictment so long as the attorney general gives her approval after the fact, Currie wrote. That cannot be the law. Halligan was disqualified from her role in Virginias rocket docket. Now, another federal judge is calling on her to resign. Advertisement Advertisement But theres a problem: Currie did not kill the cases in her dismissal. Despite the wishes of Comeys lawyers, she dismissed the cases without prejudice, which means they can be refiled within six months if the Trump administration wishes to continue the fight. They most certainly do. Bondi wants to appeal Curries decision, but hasnt filed yet, which leaves Comey in legal limbo. But this time, theres a catch: Trump cannot appoint a loyal lawyer to take the case. It will be up to the Eastern District of Virginia to pick a prosecutor for the cases. That may not be a chance Trump wants to take. If he cant oversee the case himself and an attorney with no legal loyalty to him is at the helm, then the entire political nature of the case could fall apart. The Justice Department has no clear prosecutor. Instead, it has questionable cases, indictments made possible only by manipulation that have drawn the ire of federal judges and cast what Trump wanted to be a highly-publicized case of political revenge into a fly-by-night legal circus. This is to say nothing of a lawsuit from a close friend and former lawyer of Comey that could bring it all to a grinding halt. Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Richman, a law professor at Columbia University, said that his personal information was illegally obtained by the government in its investigation of Comey, beginning in 2017 under the first Trump administration. The prosecution claimed that Richman was secretly speaking to the press on Comeys behalf during the investigation, which the former FBI director denied to Congress. After that investigation concluded, the prosecution was supposed to return or dispose of the emails, communications and images obtained from Richman. That apparently didnt happen. Instead, they relied on them for Comeys indictment and ordered an FBI agent to dig through more of Richmans personal files for anything incriminating. It just so happened that this FBI agent was the sole witness in Comeys grand jury indictment. Trumps lawyers would have needed a new search warrant for Richmans information but apparently they didnt get one. A judge agreed with Richman, ruling that his Fourth Amendment rights had likely been violated. But this legal trainwreck involving interim U.S. attorneys is not just confined to the East Coast. It also stretches west. In October, U.S. District Court Judge David Campbell in Nevada found Sigal Chattah, the interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada, to be unlawfully serving. Despite efforts by the administration to keep her in the role, the judge demanded that Chattah be removed from her duties. Advertisement Advertisement That same month, Judge J. Michael Seabright of the Federal District Court in Hawaii, disqualified Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for Los Angeles, from prosecuting cases, ruling that he had continued to serve in his role without congressional approval. The situation provided a real setback to the Trump administration, which had assumed Essayli had a golden opportunity to prosecute immigration protesters in Los Angeles, but he didnt have much success. After a judge gave Essayli the boot, he was quietly shuffled to serve as First Assistant to the U.S. Attorney for the Central District. John Sarcone III, the interim U.S. Attorney for Northern New York, is also the subject of scrutiny for his handling of federal cases. In a full-circle moment, it is none other than James who is arguing for him to be removed. Despite Bondis moves to keep Sarcone on as a special prosecutor and first assistant, which might technically work, James team sees it as more of the same: unlawful. Sarcone exercised power that he did not lawfully possess, a lawyer for James said. Nearly a year into his second term as president, Trump has yet to realize that running a meritocracy requires much more than blind loyalty. His hopes of his legal loyalists having the skills necessary to punish his enemies is a mistake of grave hubris. Four attorneys Habba, Halligan, Chattah, Essayli all appointed to serve Trump in one form or another. With the exception of Sarcone, they have all been found to be doing it illegally. Trump is running out of time. The more times grand juries refuse to indict James, and the more evidence against Comey gets thrown out, the more the laughable legal circus continues. If the indictments dont come, then the presidents handpicked attorneys have failed. Never mind that Trumps cases were bound to fall apart; he picked the attorneys, which means he was wrong. The post Trumps politically motivated prosecutions keep crumbling appeared first on Salon.com. President Donald Trump was flanked by his tech advisers last week as he signed an executive order limiting states power to regulate artificial intelligence, capping weeks of debate that split his supporters and highlighted the growing influence of his Silicon Valley allies over his agenda. Populist forces within the Republican Party mounted an extensive campaign to derail the action after a draft of the order leaked last month, arguing that fears over AIs potential to automate jobs would undermine the partys messaging to workers. A handful of tech leaders neutralized those fears for now, convincing the president, a longtime real estate developer, that burdensome regulation could cripple the industry. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement The episode provided new evidence that a broader power struggle over the future of technology is playing out inside the administration, as officials confront high-stakes decisions that touch everything from national security and jobs to online safety for children, according to more than a dozen White House officials and people familiar with the administrations AI policies. Most spoke on the condition of anonymity to detail private conversations. The debate over Trumps AI policies reflect a simmering rift between the populists and technology businessmen who together helped send Trump to the White House for a second time - discord that was commonplace in the presidents first administration but has been largely absent from this one. The order he signed Thursday marked the second major win in a week for Trumps powerful and wealthy tech allies. On Monday, Trump said he would allow industry titan Nvidia to export H200 chips to China in a setback for China hard-liners who warned the move could accelerate the foreign competitors AI development. The decision also rattled some longtime MAGA loyalists, already uneasy over his plans to expand high-skilled immigration at the urging of tech leaders seeking foreign talent - a split, with midterms less than a year away, that could strain the unusual coalition that helped deliver Trump the White House in 2024. Some Republicans successfully squashed an effort in Congress this summer to implement a 10-year moratorium on state AI laws, and they were primed for a fight when a draft of the executive order - intended to avert a patchwork of laws - leaked. Advertisement Advertisement As Trump signaled support for limits on states abilities to regulate AI, some staff in the White House became frustrated with the approach of Trumps White House AI czar David Sacks and AI adviser Sriram Krishnan, two well-known Silicon Valley investors. Outside groups provided alternative executive orders to staff in key White House offices, sparking confusion among lobbyists and activists, who didnt know which order the White House was actually considering. The draft from Sacks would create a legal task force to challenge state laws that are inconsistent with the Trump administrations goal to sustain global dominance in AI - sparking fears among some conservatives and AI safety advocates that the administration could challenge state laws intended to protect children online or regulate data centers amid concerns about rising energy bills. The alternative proposals included a more narrowly tailored order to specifically challenge state laws that conservatives fear could lead to woke AI. Governors, members of Congress and conservative advocacy groups called the White House to raise their concerns. Publicly, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and conservative commentator Stephen K. Bannon derided the order in posts on X and in podcasts. All of this is viewed as a family intervention of people who actually love the president, said one person who opposed the order, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the private conversations. Advertisement Advertisement The person said many in the GOP base are struggling with the presidents alignment with tech leaders who have given generously to his political operations and White House ballroom project - noting the contrast from his campaign when he shoveled fries at McDonalds. It feels like millions of votes across the country just got traded for thousands of [venture capitalist] and tech rich votes in regions Republicans will never win. White House spokesman Kush Desai said Trump was focused on ensuring America delivers cutting-edge technologies of the future - without compromising on our national security. While the president regularly interacts with business and tech leaders toward this end, the only special interest guiding his ultimate decision-making is the best interest of the American people, he said. Advertisement Advertisement - - - Overcoming the divide Sacks and Krishnan worked overtime to meet the concerns of GOP leaders, messaging to lobbyists, governors and their staffs that the proposal was not an assault on states rights. On a recent call with Republican state executives, including Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who had previously criticized efforts in Congress to preempt state AI laws, Sacks said the effort would avoid a confusing patchwork of different state AI laws. He also raised concerns about existing laws in blue states, particularly a law in Colorado that requires developers to protect against algorithmic bias when using AI to make decisions related to hiring, housing and loans. Advertisement Advertisement Sacks and Krishnan also met with Mike Davis, a conservative political activist who wrote a Fox News op-ed warning that lawmakers needed to stop Big Techs AI amnesty scam amid the growing effort to create policies that would curb states ability to craft their own AI laws. Trump spoke by phone with Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), who pulled her support for the effort to include a 10-year moratorium on state AI laws in Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill. In representing a state with a large music industry, Blackburn has raised concerns about AI systems impact on musicians and copyrighted music. Additionally, Krishnan fielded feedback from Sen. Maria Cantwell (Washington), the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee. Following the discussions, Sacks released a post on X on Monday intended to address the concerns of this coalition. He emphasized that the order would not override legislators ability to address the 4 Cs - child safety, communities (a reference to data centers), creators and censorship. For weeks, Davis had warned in conservative media appearances that legislators needed to maintain their rights to legislate in these areas. The tech advisers ultimately updated the language of their draft to specify that the administration would advocate for federal AI legislation that would not preempt states abilities to pass childrens safety laws or craft local policies governing data centers. Advertisement Advertisement The administration understands the various concerns stakeholders have about federal preemption, and we believe the EO took these concerns into account, Sacks told The Washington Post. Ultimately, this effort appeared to assuage some of the concerns of the orders initial critics. On Friday, Davis told Bannon on his War Room show that the final version was a win for Trump - not the tech bros. Other Republicans who had criticized the initial draft were silent. Sanders said in a statement that she looks forward to working with his administration and other stakeholders to make sure we win the race against China and also protect Americans. A Blackburn spokesperson said in a statement that the senator is leading work on a federal framework that would codify the presidents executive order and protect children, creators and conservatives. The order is almost certain to face legal challenges from state attorneys general and consumer advocacy groups, some of whom questioned whether the order represented trying an end run on Congress. Advertisement Advertisement They are pushing for a legally questionable EO because they know their no-guardrails position is so unpopular that they cant win in Congress, said Nathan Calvin, vice president of state affairs and general counsel at Encode, a group that advocates for AI restrictions. Sacks told The Post that the administration would like to see Congress enact a federal framework, and in the meantime, were going to push back on the most excessive state laws, which this EO does. - - - A rising influence The order and the chip exports announcement last week highlight the immense influence of Jensen Huang, the Nvidia CEO who first met with Trump in late January, amid rising fears that China was growing more competitive in artificial intelligence following the release of the AI app DeepSeek. Huang, at the helm of a company valued at more than a trillion dollars, had never been in the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement The meeting was the first of several attended by the tech CEO, Trump, Sacks and Krishnan. Since then, Huang has become a frequent fixture at the White House, regularly talking to Trump about lifting restrictions on exports of Nvidias chips to China. Huang expressed support for an executive order that would limit a growing patchwork of state AI laws in a meeting last month with Sacks and Krishnan. The meeting was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Huang is one of the many tech executives with whom Trump has built relationships and consulted in his second term, along with Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and other CEOs who surrounded him at his January swearing in. (Bezos is the founder of Amazon and owns The Washington Post.) Democratic lawmakers have criticized the coziness and the donations that many have made to Trumps White House ballroom project, warning the administration is handing the tech industry too much influence and the leeway to write its own rule book. National security experts and lawmakers from both parties have criticized Trumps decision to permit the sale of the H200 chips in China - for which the United States is set to receive 25 percent of sales. A bipartisan groups of lawmakers put forward the GAIN AI Act, which would ensure that U.S. companies get priority to AI chips over companies in China or other countries, and the SAFE Chips Act, which would limit what types of AI chips U.S. companies can sell to China. There has been strong bipartisan pushback on this issue, said Chris McGuire, a National Security Council official during the Biden administration. There certainly are many people in the administration, including people in the Cabinet, who are deeply skeptical about the idea of selling our most advanced technologies to China. Advertisement Advertisement One former Trump Commerce official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the administrations policy, said the lack of semiconductor experts among the White Houses officials has made it easier for Huang and Nvidia to sway Trump to their view on chip exports. There is no chip expert in the White House. Thats why were in the trouble were in, the person said. The person said Trump appears to be making these decisions outside of the usual bureaucratic interagency process for export controls. This was just a conversation with the president, and they just did it. When asked this week about the Nvidia decision, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC that the decision was a deal between Huang and Trump. So its the great American technologist talking to the great businessman president, and they reached what they thought was the right answer for this particular moment, Lutnick said. - - - Will Oremus contributed to this report. Related Content VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs The minority voters who powered Trump to a second term are drifting away To AI-proof exams, professors turn to the oldest technique of all Dec. 14 (UPI) -- A gunman who ambushed U.S. and Syrian soldiers, killing two American troops and a civilian interpreter near Palmyra Saturday, is thought to have been an Islamic State infiltrator working as part of a local security detail, according to multiple reports. The two American troops killed were U.S. National Guard soldiers from Iowa, according to a statement from Gov. Kim Reynolds. Syria strongly condemns the terrorist attack that targeted a joint Syrian-US counterterrorism patrol near Palmyra. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the U.S. government and people, and we wish the injured a swift recovery.#Syria#US SANA English (@SANAEnOfficial) December 13, 2025 The shooting occurred during a mission in a historic central town near Palmyra, according to CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump blamed the attack on ISIS and, in a social media post, threatened retribution, as did other Washington lawmakers. "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," Trump wrote. "The President of Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation." Two members of Syria's security forces were wounded in the attack. Local security forces were monitoring the badia, which is under the control of the Syrian government. U.S. Central Command said the "gunman was engaged and killed," Trump wrote. Advertisement Advertisement "We had three great Patriots terminated by bad people, and not the Syrian government," Trump continued in his Truth Social post. "There will be a lot of damage done to the people that did it." Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by telephone with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on Sunday, according to the State Department. He "offered condolences and reiterated the commitment of the Syrian government to degrade and destroy the shared threat of ISIS." No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. President Donald Trump said his administration has truckloads of evidence to show Democrats rigged the 2020 election on Sunday. We have all the ammunition, all the stuff, and youll see it come out, Trump said. Its coming out in truckloads. The president made the remark while hosting a Christmas reception at the White House. Trump said the Democrats are professionals at cheating, especially when it comes to elections, and said that was obvious in 2020 when he lost as the incumbent to Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Trump said he made sure that was not the case in 2024, when he beat Kamala Harris after Biden dropped out following a brutal debate performance. I said, go out and vote! You gotta go out and vote and make it too big to rig,' Trump recalled about his 2024 game plan. The president, of course, has claimed a number of times the 2020 election was rigged. He was indicted on multiple federal charges in 2023 over his push to overturn the 2020 results; that case as well as another federal case tied to how he handled classified documents was dropped after he Trump the 2024 election, due to longstanding Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Advertisement Advertisement Those probes were spearheaded by special counsel Jack Smith, who just announced he is launching a new law firm with several of his ex-DoJ colleagues. Trumps comments came after he started the event on a more somber note. The president acknowledged the victims of three deadly attacks one in Australia, one at Brown University, and one in Syria that happened over the weekend. Trump said the shooting at Bondi Beach near Sydney, where 11 people were murdered and dozens of others were injured at a Hanukkah celebration, was a purely antisemitic attack. He also shared his deepest regards and respect with the families of the two people killed at Brown University, and vowed big damage will be done to ISIS for the attack in Syria that killed three Americans. Watch above, via C-SPAN. The post Trump Vows Truckloads of Evidence the 2020 Election Was Rigged Is Coming Out first appeared on Mediaite. A United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo was forced to return to Washington Dulles International Airport on Saturday after losing power in one of its engines shortly after takeoff, triggering a brush fire on the ground and prompting a federal investigation. The Boeing 777-200 was carrying 275 passengers when the incident occurred, according to the airline. United Flight 803 departed Dulles around 12:35 p.m. en route to Tokyos Haneda Airport. After the engine issue was detected, the aircraft circled the area for just under an hour before landing safely back at Dulles. United said there were eight crew members aboard and no injuries were reported. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a post on X that a piece of the jets engine cover broke off after takeoff, sparking a brush fire near the runway. He added that the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the incident. I've been briefed on United Flight 803 from Dulles to Japan. Heres what we know: -An engine failed on the Boeing 777-200ER shortly after take-off -275 passengers, 15 crew members on board -A piece of the engine cover separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire on https://t.co/IxkFJU2Fes Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) December 13, 2025 Emily McGee, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, said the fire was quickly extinguished and that airport fire and rescue crews evaluated the aircraft after it returned. Smoke from the brush fire was visible across the tarmac as other flights continued arriving and departing. What Other Travelers Saw The incident briefly disrupted operations at Dulles and drew the attention of passengers across the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Houman David Hemmati, a California-based ophthalmologist, was seated on a separate United flight bound for Los Angeles when his pilot announced a ground stop. We are on a ground stop, the pilot told passengers, Hemmati said. Theres an incident on the runway. Looking out his window, Hemmati said he saw thick smoke rising near the runway, illuminated by flashing emergency vehicles. He took photos and posted on X, writing, Praying its not a crash. Hemmatis flight was later diverted to another runway and allowed to depart around 1 p.m. As the plane climbed, he said smoke was still visible below. This picture provided by Houman David Hemmati shows smoke billowing on a runway at Dulles International Airport in Virginia on December 13, 2025 after a United Airlines flight bound for Tokyo returned to the airport shortly after takeoff following a reported engine fire. (Photo by Houman David Hemmati / @houmanhemmati / AFP via Getty Images) Houman David Hemmati / @houmanhemmati / AFP via Getty Images (Houman David Hemmati / @houmanhemmati / AFP via Getty Images) Why the Plane Was Able to Return Safely Commercial aircraft are designed to fly safely on a single engine, particularly during critical phases like takeoff. Pilots train extensively for engine failures, and standard protocol typically calls for returning to the departure airport when a problem occurs shortly after liftoff. Advertisement Advertisement Key details from the incident include: Flight: United Airlines Flight 803 Aircraft: Boeing 777-200 Passengers: 275 passengers and eight crew members Issue: Loss of power in one engine after takeoff Ground impact: Engine cover debris sparked a brush fire Outcome: Safe return to Dulles with no reported injuries Next step: FAA investigation underway What United and the FAA Are Saying United praised the response of its crews and airport personnel in a statement released Saturday. 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. United added that it is working to rebook passengers on a later flight. Advertisement Advertisement The FAA has not released details on what caused the engine cover to detach or whether the aircraft had any prior maintenance issues. Investigators are expected to examine flight data, maintenance records, and debris from the engine as part of the inquiry. What Happens Next The Boeing 777 remains one of the most widely used wide-body aircraft in international travel, but any engine-related issue shortly after takeoff draws immediate scrutiny from regulators. For passengers aboard Flight 803, the incident ended without injury but with a tense delay to an already long journey. For United and federal investigators, the focus now turns to determining what failed and whether any broader inspections are needed. The FAAs findings will ultimately determine whether the incident was an isolated mechanical failure or part of a larger concern. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Dec 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Conservatives, for decades, built a philosophical foundation on the twin pillars of free markets and limited government. The sermon was simple: competition breeds strength, and government intervention breeds dependency. It was a beautiful, powerful idea that defined Americas highest aspiration. So, please explain to me why the Donald Trump-led Republican Party has chosen to burn this creed to the ground in favor of an economic approach I can only describe as the United Soviet Socialist Republicans. The latest move is less a policy and more a grotesque monument to this ideological betrayal: a fresh $12 billion taxpayer-funded bailout for American farmers. This payment, euphemistically called a "bridge payment" by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, is not disaster relief for an act of God; it is a Band-Aid for a self-inflicted wound caused by the precise tariffs Trump himself imposed. Advertisement Advertisement Let's look at the numbers because facts, unlike political rhetoric, are stubborn things. The cost of protectionism When the Trump administration launched its trade war, primarily against China, it used tariffs to raise the cost of Chinese imports. Beijing, as predictable as the sunrise, retaliated. Their target? American agriculture. China, historically the world's largest buyer of soybeans, immediately slammed punitive duties on U.S. crops, with tariffs on some agricultural goods soaring as high as 145%. The cost to American producers was swift and staggering. In truth, the damage from Trumps penchant for tariffs has been ongoing since his first administration. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, the retaliatory tariffs imposed from mid-2018 through the end of 2019 resulted in an estimated reduction of more than $27 billion in U.S. agricultural exports. Opinion: Conservatives must confront antisemitism in their own ranks Advertisement Advertisement During the 2018 trade war with China, the economic pain was concentrated right in the heart of our competitive farming sector. Soybeans alone accounted for nearly 71% of the total annualized trade loss, totaling an estimated $9.4 billion. Sorghum and pork followed, suffering losses in the hundreds of millions. The primary victims were the competitive, efficient and self-reliant farmers of the Midwest, where states like Iowa and Illinois bore the brunt of the damage. The 2025 tariff battle with China saw soybean exports hit a 13-year low even after sales resumed. The $12 billion handout announced is a direct echo of the $28 billion in taxpayer aid previously funneled to farmers during Trump's first term. In short, the government implemented a policy that cost farmers billions, and then it used taxpayer money, which Trump claims is coming from tariff revenue, to essentially buy their loyalty. Dont give me a line about other countries paying the tariffs. They dont. American businesses and consumers do. The road to laziness and weakness This isn't capitalism; it's a centrally planned command economy with an extra dose of political cynicism. The conservative case for free markets is that they force Americans to be excellent. A farm that can out-compete a Brazilian farm on the global market is one that is innovating, streamlining and driving down costs. This constant pressure to out-compete the rest of the world is what made American enterprise, and the American worker, great. Advertisement Advertisement When a President artificially disrupts a profitable, hard-earned market connectionlike our soybean trade with Chinaand then replaces that lost market with a check from the U.S. Treasury, he is not helping the farmer. He is conditioning the farmer to trade competition for dependency. He is encouraging them to look to Washington, D.C., for a subsidy rather than to Seoul or Shanghai for a sale. The old guard Republicans used to warn that the welfare state corrodes the spirit of the recipient. They were right. But they never imagined their own party would implement a corporate welfare program for their political base, financed by the rest of the nation, while wrapping it in the flag of "America First." The irony is thick enough to spread on a piece of cornbread. The pursuit of protecting" American business from competition makes us weak and lazy. Our ability to compete and win globally is what made us a wealthy nation. Removing that competitive element will, in the long run, only lead to stagnation and decline. Advertisement Advertisement We have traded the principles of James Madison for the centralized economic planning of the old Soviet-style state. The United Soviet Socialist Republicans isnt a title that I relish, but Republicans supporting more government intervention have earned it. Cameron Smith, columnist for The Tennessean and the USA TODAY Network Tennessee USA TODAY Network Tennessee Columnist Cameron Smith is a Memphis-born, Brentwood-raised recovering political attorney raising four boys in Nolensville, Tennessee, with his particularly patient wife, Justine. Direct outrage or agreement to smith.david.cameron@gmail.com or @DCameronSmith on Twitter. Agree or disagree? Send a letter to the editor to letters@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump's tariffs, China's reprisal, and a bailout that costs taxpayers Photographer Chirodeep Chaudhuri is a persistent man. The last time he began documenting public clocks in Mumbai, the project continued for over a quarter of a century. Though his obsession with these clocks is far from over, two years ago Chaudhuri quite accidentally embarked on a new pursuit. I was approached for an anthology on the city, where the editor was looking for fresh voices, he shares. While this excited me, at that particular point, I didnt have an idea I could develop. It was around this time that Chaudhuri, 53, began noticing the enormous transition Mumbai was undergoing at the heart of this makeover were countless bridges, flyovers, and connectors springing up seemingly out of nowhere, creating an almost parallel world several feet above the ground. Despite having lived here all his life, this was a city that with each passing day was becoming more and more unrecognisable to him. I knew I had to document this shift, he says. With hundreds of photographs of close to 21 bridges in progress and 14 under-construction Metro sites, Chaudhuris ongoing project, Bridges to a New City, captures both erosion and transition from the Coastal Road that swallowed the seafront view of Haji Ali to the Thane Elevated Road, which has made its appearance in the form of thick pillars between roads, with the promise of cutting travel time to Mumbai to just 25 minutes. Roads to nowhere Though Chaudhuri has only now begun diligently chasing images of roads above roads, the first time he trained his lens on one was in 1999, when he began photographing Mohammed Ali Road and witnessed, first-hand, the footings and columns emerging for what would eventually become the JJ Flyover. Those photos, he says, are crucial when it comes to remembering a forgotten city. Stressing why such documentation is important, he says: I find these under-construction bridges almost confounding. I cant seem to fathom where in the new and improved city a bridge might drop me off. These bridges, incomplete and hanging in mid-air, seem as though that promise of a better tomorrow is still being debated and might, without warning, just take another unexpected turn. Apart from transforming the way the city looks, these bridges have also changed the way the city breathes. Mumbais air has turned foul. On most days, a grey haze hangs over the city just too much dust, from all this construction, and we are breathing in that dust each day, says Chaudhuri. A broader vision The photographs capture a vast geography: from the south of Mumbai to the central, eastern, and western suburbs, and the sister cities of Thane and Navi Mumbai. Some of these include the Carnac Bridge, the Worli-Sewri connector, of which Elphinstone is a part, the flyovers around Jogeshwari (E), and Metro sites at Chunabhatti, BKC, and Juhu Circle, among others. Chaudhuris idea of bridges is also fluid he sees them more as connectors, which explains why Metro sites, flyovers, and elevated road projects are part of his documentation. One of the more fascinating spots, and one that he keeps returning to, is the under-construction stretch near Versova Beach, where the Versova-Bandra Sea Link (VBSL), part of Mumbais larger Coastal Road project, is coming up. If you walk on the beach during low tide, you see people exercising, and right next to them is the scaffolding around the main pillars. When a friend first sent me a distant photo of it, I found it remarkable. When I went myself, I never imagined Id be able to walk under that structure. It was surreal and eerie in a way, says Chaudhuri. In a few years you wont be able to do this. Does he believe that these bridges will change the city? My friend [activist] Zoru Bhathena recently told me about the fallacy of the flyover, a concept Id never heard of. Essentially, a flyover is often built as a solution to traffic, but if the underlying issues arent addressed signal timing, office timings, other planning the flyover solves nothing. You then build another flyover to solve the problems created by the first. Bombay might be the best example of this. But like any hopeful Mumbaikar, he is willing to give his city time. Maybe well know, perhaps 20 years from now, when we look back at these photographs and ask: Was it all worth it? U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said he is concerned congressional redistricting efforts in Indiana and other states could lead to political violence from constituents who feel unrepresented. "I do think this, and this is all the negative aspect of both parties doing this, I think that it's going to lead to more civil tension and possibly more violence in our country," the Kentucky Republican said in a Dec. 14 interview for NBC's "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker." Paul used Kentucky's congressional delegation in an example, noting how much of Louisville is represented by a Democrat in the House, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, while the rest of the "very Republican state" is represented by a member of the GOP. Advertisement Advertisement "We can carve up Louisville and get rid of that one congressman, but how does that make Democrats feel? I think it makes them feel like they're not represented," Paul said. While Kentucky's congressional district map has not been under a microscope in 2025, neighboring Indiana saw a push from President Donald Trump's administration to redraw lines in favor of the Republican Party. The effort failed after a majority of Indiana Senate Republicans voted against a proposed map. Trump has threatened Republican lawmakers not in favor of the proposal with primary challenges, the Indianapolis Star reported. Paul said he is concerned the latest slate of redistricting proposals will appear so "thoroughly one-sided" that voters will feel they have little-to-no say in elections. "I'm saying it's a mistake for both parties," Paul said. "I know exactly how we deescalate this, because once Texas is done and changed five seats to be more Republican, California's gonna do the same thing. And it's back and forth, and back and forth." Advertisement Advertisement "But I think there is the potential that when people have no representation, that they feel disenfranchised, that it can lead, in my opinion, to violence in our country," Paul continued. During the interview, Paul also spoke about his proposed alternative to the Affordable Care Act, known as the Health Marketplace for All Act. Paul was among the Republican lawmakers who rejected a proposal from Democrats to extend subsidies for Obamacare on Dec. 11. Paul's health care plan would allow large businesses with subscription-based services, like Costco, Sam's Club and Amazon, to offer group health insurance to their members. The members would then have "leverage of size to force premiums lower," Paul previously wrote in an op-ed for The Courier Journal. Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor. Advertisement Advertisement "I just exchanged some messages with the president in the last couple of weeks. He still supports this," Paul said on "Meet the Press." "This is the one thing that can bring (down insurance premiums)." If tax credits expire at the end of 2025, officials have said the average cost for Americans who receive subsidized ACA insurance will more than double beginning Jan. 1, 2026. More Kentucky politics: James Comer helped build Kentucky hemp industry. Now he wants to save it Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@usatodayco.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: US Sen. Rand Paul concerned redistricting efforts will lead to violence A blast of arctic air is sweeping 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 they had experienced before. As the water engulfed their home Thursday afternoon, deputies from the King County Sheriff's Office marine rescue dive unit were able to rescue them and their dog, taking them on a boat the half-mile across their field, which had been transformed into a lake. The rescue was captured on video. An aerial view shows homes surrounded by floodwaters in Snohomish, Washington, on Dec. 11, 2025. / Credit: Stephen Brashear / AP (Stephen Brashear / AP) In Snohomish County, Washington, north of Seattle, emergency officials on Saturday led federal, state and local officials on a tour of the devastation. Advertisement Advertisement "It's obvious that thousands and thousands of Washingtonians and communities all across our state are in the process of digging out, and that's going to be a challenging process," Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said. "It's going to be expensive," he said. "It's going to be time consuming, and it's going to be potentially dangerous at times. So I think we're seeing here in Monroe is what we're going to be seeing all across the state, and that's what's got our focus right now." Bitter cold temperatures arrive in Midwest 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. Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before noon Saturday, it was minus 12 degrees Fahrenheit in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where the wind chill value meant that it felt like minus 33 F, 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, by early Sunday morning. Lows in the Chicago area are projected to be around 1 F 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. To the east, lows in Savannah, Georgia, were expected to drop to around 24 F during the same time period. Advertisement Advertisement Water levels to remain high in Washington state for several days, officials say 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 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. Many animals were also evacuated as waters raged over horse pastures, barns and farmland. At the peak of evacuations, roughly 170 horses, 140 chickens and 90 goats saved from the flood waters were being cared for at a county park north of Seattle, said Kara Underwood, division manager of Snohomish County Parks. Most of those animals were still at the park on Saturday, she said. 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. Advertisement Advertisement A much-needed break in the rain Saturday gave Adrian Zuniga a chance to start the cleanup of his family's flood-soaked home in Burlington, Washington, where more than a foot of water rushed in. "Water started flowing nonstop, I never expected to be like this," Zuniga told CBS News. The Zuniga family worries that more rain forecast next week may only add to the tens of thousands of dollars in damage to their property. "At this point, if it happens again, I'm just going to give up," Zuniga said. "We are finally starting to see it recede out of the neighborhoods," Burlington Mayor Bill Aslett told CBS News. "I've been here 40 years, and this is the most water we've ever had in town." "Survivor" contestant on mission to prove his sister was murdered Woman describes nearby gas explosion in California: "My roof fell in" Raul Malo's musical legacy Whitehall's City Council has scheduled a special meeting for Dec. 16 to consider the ouster of a council member who faces charges of sexually abusing at least eight teenage boys. Gerald Dixon, who was reelected Nov. 4 to a second four-year term, was arrested Dec. 8 and charged with felony counts of gross sexual imposition and compelling prostitution. Whitehall police Chief Michael Crispen said his department began investigating Dixon after receiving an online message in late 2020. Whitehall Mayor Michael Bivens demands Gerald Dixon's resignation in front of a crowd Dec. 10, 2025 at Whitehall City Hall. Dixon, 64, was sworn in for his new term Dec. 9, hours after he was ordered released from jail on his own recognizance by Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Eileen Paley. Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Michael Bivens and community leaders rallied outside City Hall on Dec. 10 to call for Dixon's resignation. Dixon has denied the accusations against him and said he wouldn't resign. He represents the city's 1st Ward. Whitehall City Attorney Bradley Nicodemus previously said City Council members could remove Dixon. According to Nicodemus, the city charter allows council members to remove one of their own under several conditions, including moral turpitude, being absent from city council meetings for 90 consecutive days or more, and gross misconduct, among others. The charter states that six of the seven voting members of council must vote for removal or expulsion of a fellow council member and cannot do so "until the delinquent member shall have been notified of the charge against the member and shall have been given an opportunity to be heard on the charge." Dixon would not be allowed to vote on the question of his removal, according to the charter. His potential removal from office for gross misconduct is the only item on the agenda for the special City Council meeting. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 16 inside the council's chambers at Whitehall City Hall, 360 S. Yearling Road. Advertisement Advertisement The council's regular weekly meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Bob Vitale can be reached at rvitale@dispatch.com. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Whitehall moves to oust council member who faces child sex charges The data centers proposed in our area in Mount Pleasant, Port Washington, and Beaver Dam pose multiple threats to our water, wildlife, and wallets. The centers will require vast amounts of water to cool their equipment. Plus, 70% of the water consumed each year in Wisconsin goes to electric power generation, so the water needed for energy production adds to the millions of gallons these centers will need on peak days. The massive energy infrastructure required to build and operate the data centers is expensive and threatens to burden customers for years with the huge costs. Also, at a time when the impacts of climate change make it clear that we should be transitioning to clean renewable energy sources, utility companies are using data centers as justification for building new fossil gas power plants, thereby keeping us from achieving the zero emissions future that we so desperately need. Take action by backing Data Center Accountability Act The Data Center Accountability Act, bill SB729, was introduced recently in the Wisconsin legislature. If passed, the bill would stipulate that: Advertisement Advertisement Data center must meet labor standards and use at least 70% renewable energy. All data centers must be LEED certified or the equivalent. Data center owners must pay an annual fee that funds renewable energy, energy efficiency, and a low-income energy assistance program. Share your views: Take our survey on Wisconsin data centers We all can take action to prevent the worst impacts from data centers by asking our senators and representatives to vote for SB729. To find your legislators go to https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Elected-Officials. Jenny Abel, Wauwatosa Opinion: Protests over Port Washington data center signal new fears Advertisement Advertisement Letter: History shows players in their prime have left the Bucks Tips for getting your letter to the editor published Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ask WI lawmakers to get onboard with data center act | Letters Mia Tretta was sitting in her Brown University dorm room with friends when she got a text message about an active shooter. She didnt believe it at first despite her own painful experience with school shootings. Tretta was a freshman at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, on Nov. 14, 2019, when a gunman armed with a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun shot and killed two students and injured three others. Trettas best friend died, and she was shot in the stomach. I came to Brown because I wanted to get away from what happened to me in Saugus, and I wanted to be able to kind of live my life without constantly thinking about this, she told USA TODAY. Now its followed me here. Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 13, a gunman burst into a building on Brown's campus and fatally shot two students and injured nine others studying for an economics exam at the Providence, Rhode Island, university. For two students at the Ivy League School, the response to an active shooter on their campus was all too familiar. Police responded to reports of an active shooter on Brown Universitys campus in Providence, Rhode Island on Dec. 13, 2025 Police responded to an active shooter in the engineering building on Brown Universitys campus on Dec. 13, 2025 Providence Police confirmed multiple people have been shot after an active shooter was reported at Brown University. Police responded to an active shooter in the engineering building on Brown Universitys campus on Dec. 13, 2025 An alert on Dec. 13 said to run from the Barus and Holley Building at 184 Hope Street near the university. Here is the building in an undated photograph. Shots fired at Brown University: Photos show the scene 1 of 5 Police responded to reports of an active shooter on Brown Universitys campus in Providence, Rhode Island on Dec. 13, 2025 More: Brown University shooting: What to know about person in custody I was terrified like everyone else, and confused and kind of just disgusted that this could happen, not only once in a lifetime, but twice, Tretta said. A junior at Brown studying international relations and education, Tretta recalled the moment when she learned of the shooting on the college campus. Advertisement Advertisement Fire alarms go off all the time, and theres usually not a fire, she remembered thinking. Then came the flood of text messages and the campus lockdown. Everyday life of a school shooting survivor almost 6 years later (on my 21st birthday) cant find a place in my college dorm to put my walking cane for when my leg randomly acts up. #LastingEffects #ShootingSurvivor #EveryDay #BrownUniversity #Life pic.twitter.com/qGtDXJT4W9 Mia Tretta (@mia_tretta) September 5, 2025 Tretta said she had friends hunkered down in stairwells, basements, and in classrooms unable to do anything for hours. But her mind went to the victims. More: Brown University shooting live updates: 2 dead, person of interest in custody I was one of the people talked about in a press conference six years ago in critical condition, and now theres eight more of those, Tretta said. I understand what its like to be in that place. Advertisement Advertisement The shooting that wounded Tretta in 2019 lasted eight seconds, she said. Her road to recovery has lasted years, and included a two-week hospital stay, multiple surgeries, physical therapy and ongoing struggles. Tretta and her mother, Tiffany Shepis-Tretta, became gun violence activists in the years since the 2019 shooting. When she graduates, Tretta hopes to make activism a full-time job. America is the only country that has accepted gun violence as a fact of life. It does not have to be, she said. And at the end of the day, there shouldnt have been one life lost to gun violence, but as soon as there was one, we should have fixed it. Mia Tretta, a Brown University student and school shooting survivor speaks at a press conference at the Rhode Island State house in February 2025 in support of an assault weapons ban bill. The mayor of Providence became emotional while talking about the frequency of shootings at a news conference. One of the hospitalized university students, he said, told him something that gave him "hope and was so sad." Advertisement Advertisement One of the students that showed tremendous courage literally said to me, You know, that active shooter drill they made me do in high school actually helped me in the moment, Mayor Brett Smiley said. They shouldnt have to do active shooter drills, but it helped. And the reason it helped, and the reason we do these drills, is because its so damn frequent. Policymakers need to be ashamed On Dec. 14, 2012, a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, killing 20 first-grade students and six educators. It was considered one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. In the thirteen years since, hundreds of Americans have died in mass shootings across the country, the latest of which took place at Brown. Brown sophomore Zoe Weissman was sitting outside a middle school in Parkland, Florida, on Valentine's Day in 2018 when a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School next door, killing 17 students and teachers. Advertisement Advertisement "The schools shared a field, and I was outside, so I was the closest you could get to Douglas without actually being on the school's property," Weissman told the Providence Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. Zoe Weissman, (right) a survivor of the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, embraces Zoe Touray, 18, of Pontiac, Michigan, a survivor of the Oxford High School shooting in November 2021, as they met for the first time in Uvalde, Texas on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. She heard the gunshots and saw waves of first responders pull up to the school to treat the wounded. Weissman, now 20, was also in her dorm room at Brown when the shots rang out inside the Barus & Holley building. Weissman said she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the Parkland shooting. Both she and Tretta say they feel like theyre in a position to help their fellow students at Brown process the tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement This is something I've been living with every day for the past seven to eight years," Weissman said. "Because I've been in therapy, I know how to cope with this. And so, I feel privileged that I'm in a position where I can help [my peers] learn how to cope with it the way I have." When I was 11, I told myself Id never go through a school shooting. When I was 12, I told myself it would never happen again. Now Im freshly 20, and Ive once more been proven wrong. First Parkland, now Brown University. My safe haven away from my trauma. Zoe (@zoeeweissman) December 13, 2025 But Weissman said she blames policymakers for putting students in this situation by not having passed more comprehensive gun laws in the seven years since the Parkland shooting. "Policymakers need to be ashamed that they've let this happen to the point where someone like myself can go through this twice," Weissman said. "And I think that if they actually care about their constituents, they'll show that by passing comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation, and if they don't, I refuse to believe that they actually care about the people they were elected to serve." Dinah Voyles Pulver and Karissa Waddick report for USA TODAY and Bailey Allen reports for the Cape Cod Times. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: School shooting survivors face violence again at Brown University The U.S. Senate sent President Donald Trump a bill Thursday that would protect a portion of the Wounded Knee Massacre site on the Pine Ridge Reservation. U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, sponsored the legislation in the House, where it passed in January. Sen. Mike Rounds sponsored the legislation in the Senate, where it passed Thursday, with Majority Leader John Thune as a cosponsor. Both are Republicans from South Dakota. [Editor's Note: This article was originally published by South Dakota Searchlight. Used with permission. All rights reserved.] Advertisement Advertisement Johnson released a statement saying the time is now here to properly memorialize the lost and preserve the land. Please support our year-end campaign. CLICK HERE TO DONATE. 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. I look forward to seeing the president sign this into law to ensure the land remains sacred for generations to come, Johnson said. Rounds also issued a statement, saying the Wounded Knee Massacre was a devastating low point in U.S.-Lakota relations and we will continue to tell the story of this dark day in our nations history. Advertisement Advertisement The legislation would place 40 acres at the massacre site in restricted-fee status, which means it could not be sold, taxed, gifted or leased without approval by Congress and the Oglala Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes, which jointly purchased the land three years ago. The leaders of both tribes praised the bills passage in comments included in a news release from Johnson. Today, we stand to acknowledge the atrocities committed against the Lakota people to continue to heal, to protect, to educate, and most importantly, to ensure that we never forget the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890, said Cheyenne River Tribe Chairman Ryman LeBeau. Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out called the bill an important act that will preserve the memory of the Wounded Knee Massacre and the legacy and sacrifice of our ancestors. Advertisement Advertisement Significantly, Star Comes Out said, it also promotes tribal self-determination and allows us to protect our Wounded Knee site in perpetuity. The bills passage comes a little more than two months after U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced his rejection of calls to rescind medals awarded to soldiers for their participation in the massacre. Bills to revoke the medals have been introduced this congressional session in the House from Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, and in the Senate from Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts. Neither bill has advanced out of its assigned committee, and South Dakotas members of Congress have not signed on as cosponsors. The massacre occurred on Dec. 29, 1890. A large group of Lakota people traveling to the Pine Ridge Agency in southwestern South Dakota made camp near Wounded Knee Creek, where they were surrounded by hundreds of Army soldiers. A shot rang out during a struggle while the soldiers tried to disarm the camp, and the soldiers opened fire. Advertisement Advertisement Fewer than 40 soldiers were killed (some by friendly fire, according to historians), while estimates of Lakota deaths ran from 200 to 300 or more, depending on the source, including men, women and children. After some of the bodies froze on the ground for several days, a military-led burial party placed them in a mass grave. One hundred years later in 1990, Congress passed a resolution expressing deep regret for the massacre. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net CHEYENNE In an opinion published Tuesday, the Wyoming Supreme Court effectively reopened a lawsuit addressing the injury of a child at Meadowlark Elementary School in 2018. The lawsuit was originally filed against Laramie County School District 1 and playground equipment companies by Scott and Heather Hunter after their 11-year-old daughter suffered a fractured spinal vertebrae on the Meadowlark playground in January of 2018. The suit, filed in 2020, alleged that the use of a playground feature and the negligence of LCSD1 caused the injury. Advertisement Advertisement After an amendment to the lawsuit, several discovery delays, deadline extensions and rescheduling orders for a trial date, the trial was set to take place July 15, 2024. The extended timeline was in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The case, however, didnt make it through opening arguments before a mistrial was granted. Later, in part due to the conduct of the Hunters lawyer, Frederick J. Harrison, including inappropriate questioning of the jury, Laramie County District Court Judge Peter Froelicher dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it was permanently dismissed and could not be brought back to court. The Hunters challenged the judges decision and filed an appeal with the Wyoming Supreme Court. On Tuesday, the high courts decision on the matter effectively reopened the case. The appeal questioned whether Froelicher had erred in excluding several of the Hunters experts and granting summary judgment, and whether the district court abused its discretion by dismissing the case with prejudice. Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Courts opinion affirmed Froelichers orders on expert witnesses and summary judgment. The opinion reversed Froelichers dismissal, however, and sent the case back to the district court to consider some other lesser sanction for the violations committed by Harrison. Reversing that decision allows the lawsuit to continue. The lawsuit The lawsuit outlines an incident in 2018 where LHs T5 vertebra was crushed while playing on the Rocks and Ropes play structure. The lawsuit was filed against Universal Precast Concrete and its subsidiary, UPC Parks, Miracle Recreation Equipment Company, Churchich Recreation Equipment and LCSD1 in January of 2020. Advertisement Advertisement The Hunters alleged that the business defendants manufactured, sold and installed a defective product, as there was too much slack in the ropes for multiple users. They also alleged that the school district was negligent in its operation and supervision of the playground, and that the school nurse negligently provided medical care when LH complained of back pain, only providing ibuprofen and sending her back to class. The Hunters said they were never informed of their daughters visit to the nurses office. Three weeks later, because she had back pain, the Hunters took LH to the doctor, where she was diagnosed with a crushed T5 vertebra. On Sept. 28, 2022, Froelicher granted summary judgment to the business defendants, leaving only a remaining claim of negligence against LCSD1 to be resolved. Advertisement Advertisement The case finally went to trial on July 15, 2024, but a mistrial was declared and the lawsuit was dismissed. Experts The Supreme Court reviewed Froelichers decision to exclude four of Hunters experts, finding the proposed experts were either not qualified to offer certain opinions, not reliable or did not fit the facts of the case and thus would not be helpful to the jury. The Supreme Court found that in their appeal, however, the Hunters did not provide a robust analysis of how Froelicher abused his discretion by excluding the expert testimony. We cannot conclude the district courts ruling exceeds the bounds of reason under the circumstances or that the court could not have reasonably concluded as it did, the opinion reads. Thus, we also find no abuse of discretion. Advertisement Advertisement Summary judgment The Hunters also challenged the summary judgment granted to the business defendants in 2022. The fact that an injury occurred during the use of a product is not enough to prove the product defective, the Supreme Court wrote in its decision. The plaintiff must show a defect in the product by presenting evidence of a specific defect or by inference. The Supreme Court found that the Hunters did not satisfy that requirement, and, in fact, the business defendants were able to prove the equipment was safe. The defendants presented the affidavits of Daniel Christensen and Teresa Hendy, both experts in playground safety. According to the opinion, Christensen is one of the founders of UPC and is also a playground safety inspector, certified by the National Certification Board of the National Recreation and Park Association. Among other qualifications, Hendy is the vice chair of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) committee that developed the applicable safety standard. Advertisement Advertisement Once the Business Defendants provided evidence and testimony to show Rocks and Ropes was not defective, the burden shifted to the Hunters to identify disputed facts based on evidence in the record to show Rocks and Ropes was unreasonably dangerous, whether it was by design, manufacture or warning, the opinion read. They did not meet this burden because they relied on their own conclusory and categorical statements and their experts opinions. The district court properly excluded those experts as unreliable and not fit for this case. The Hunters did not meet their burden on any of their product liability claims because they did not show a defect. Ultimately, the court concluded that Froelicher did not err in granting summary judgment for the business defendants. Dismissed with prejudice Advertisement Advertisement Dismissing a case without prejudice is treated as the most severe of penalties, according to the opinion, and should be avoided because it has always been the policy of our law to resolve doubts in favor of permitting parties to have their day in court on the merits of a controversy.Froelichers decision to dismiss the case entirely was made partially due to the mistrial that preceded it. The mistrial followed what the courts described as inappropriate questioning by the Hunters lawyer, Harrison, which conditioned jurors to the facts of the case, and Harrisons direct violation of court orders. We agree that a mistrial was appropriate in these circumstances, the Supreme Court wrote. As noted above, the Hunters counsel violated the rules governing voir dire. Additionally, we agree with the district courts assessment (that) the attempted opening statement was inappropriate because it attempted to impassion the jury and violated the district courts rulings and orders. The Supreme Court did, however, take issue with the district courts decision to dismiss, finding that the already extreme act of the mistrial accounted for the behavior of Harrison. The Supreme Court broke down the district courts argument piece by piece and determined that an error of judgment was committed. Get the day's news. Sign up for our Daily Headlines newsletter delivered to your inbox every morning at 7 a.m. Nachiket Barve, 44, has learned to move between two design languages without losing his centre. In fashion, he has spent almost two decades refining a vocabulary thats classic and craft-led, anchored by comfort whether in felt appliques or pockets in lehengas so clothes work as hard as they look. In cinema, garments hold character, emotion and history. His next project merges both instincts: costumes for a biopic on V Shantaram, the force behind classics like Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Navrang and Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani. Directed by Abhijeet Deshpande, the film is expected to be released towards the end of next year. Reimagining Shantaram Shantaram remains one of cinemas great experimenters. He was ahead of his time, Barve says. Growing up in Vile Parle, he caught Shantaram in passing TV moments, a song here, a burst of colour there. You knew the name, but when you dive in now, you see how prolific and gutsy he really was. For Barve, the story feels timely. Theres so much individuality today, so many people trying to stake their place through talent. That feels close to Shantaram. Revisiting the films has sharpened his sense of Shantarams ambition, especially in the Lakh Lakh Chanderi sequence from Shejari incredibly shot, a nauvari in fluid georgette and sequins, surprisingly European for the era. Dressing Shantaram The biopic reunites Barve with Deshpande, his collaborator from Har Har Mahadev (2022) and Ani Dr Kashinath Ghanekar (2018). Weve done such different subjects together. This sits somewhere else entirely, Barve says. The film follows Shantarams life from the 1910s, mirroring Indian cinemas rise. As it moves from black and white to colour, across decades and genres, Barve treats colour as both a mood and a narrative tool. Deshpande calls him a natural fit for the project he builds character as much as clothing, grounding each period with research from archival photographs and family albums, never heavy-handed. Shantarams journey cuts across worlds: early years in Kolhapur, working-class Bombay, the British era, royalty and shifting class structures. Pre- and post-Independence dress occupies different worlds, and the film must register that shift quietly. Each decade brings its own glamour, and balancing realism, period detail and old-world sheen is the challenge, says Deshpande. One of the first looks on Siddhant Chaturvedi paired a jacket and shirt with a dhotar, a silhouette Barve recognised from his grandfather Sadashivs wardrobe. Arriving in Bombay from Konkan with nothing, his grandfather spent a night on Girgaon Chowpatty before building a stationery business in Fort. Men of that era, including my grandfather, dressed exactly like that a Bombay ease you dont see now, he says. Shantarams style becomes the films spine. He wore suits with the same comfort as he wore a dhotar, Barve says, a mix of East and West that felt unforced. The Nehru topi becomes a quiet timeline. Early ones in cotton, later in felt. The shape shifts as he gets older. Viewers wont analyse it, but theyll feel it. Working on the film returned Barve to familiar questions. Fashion and costume may look similar, but they work on different logics, he says. Fashion is a dialogue with the wearer how people live in clothes. Costume is about who the character is. The thrill is when the audience stops seeing the actor and sees the character. Between film and fashion Barve Nachi to friends approaches each project with an affable steadiness and quiet, unwavering diligence. After NID, Barve studied at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, interned at Celine during Michael Korss final season, then returned to India to teach briefly and prepare his Lakme Fashion Week GenNext debut in 2007. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, just starting out, became his first client. His 2016-17 International Woolmark Prize-winning Merino wool collection reimagined the shawl for contemporary wear. Cinema arrived almost accidentally. His first film, the Marathi musical Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015), led him to Hindi cinema, where his costumes for Tanhaji won the National Award in 2022. He now takes only projects that feel meaningful, including two with Jaya Bachchan, who has quietly championed his work since his debut. In Sadabahar [2024], her saris had to feel like a mothers hug, he says. The new film is contemporary. Everything changes. A Bombay life, full circle Barves story begins modestly. Both parents were scholarship students who built remarkable medical careers: Jayant, his father, is a gastroenterologist and has long been Amitabh Bachchans physician, and Rekha, his mother, is a gold-medal-winning paediatrician. That culture of respect stays with you, he says. We didnt grow up around French chiffon and Basra pearls. We grew up around value, zaniv respect for work and worth. He hopes to pass this outlook to his daughter Aarohi, now five, who sketches on an iPad. The apple has fallen close to the tree, he says, laughing softly. Barve now has a standalone store in Kala Ghoda, steps from where his grandfather once ran a stationery shop. He came to Bombay with nothing, Barve says. To now have a store in the same precinct feels like coming full circle. Its a symmetry he doesnt take for granted. Bangladesh commemorates the 1971 Martyred Intellectuals, whose targeted killings shaped the nations identity. Renewed diplomacy with Pakistan in 2025 risks forgetting these sacrifices, highlighting the need for historical truth and accountability. Senior Indian politician Nitin Nabin, 45, has been elected five times to the Bihar Legislative Assembly and has previously held ministerial positions in the state government. He entered politics at a young age and was first elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 2006 from the Patna West constituency. A NASA-backed study suggests the biblical Star of Bethlehem may not have been a star at all, but a rare comet recorded in ancient Chinese texts. The theory is reigniting debate over what truly guided the Magi on their historic journey. Individuals named Aesctun are typically characterized by deep-rooted stability and practical wisdom. They possess a strong connection to tradition and family heritage, often displaying patience and resilience similar to the ash tree from which their name derives. These individuals tend to be methodical in their approach to life, valuing structure and consistency while maintaining flexibility when circumstances require adaptation. Aesctuns often exhibit a quiet strength and natural leadership qualities, preferring to lead by example rather than through overt authority. They are typically reliable, trustworthy, and deeply committed to their principles and responsibilities. Their connection to the name's agricultural origins often manifests in practical problem-solving skills and an appreciation for nature, combined with the spiritual depth associated with their Christian heritage. In relationships, Aesctuns are known for their loyalty and steadfastness, providing stable foundations for families and communities. They balance earthly pragmatism with spiritual contemplation, making them valued advisors and community pillars who nurture growth in others while remaining firmly grounded in their faith and values. Those named Aethelreda are typically associated with a combination of noble bearing and inner strength that reflects the name's etymological roots. They often possess a quiet determination and moral fortitude that enables them to withstand challenges while maintaining their principles. These individuals tend to be natural leaders who inspire confidence through their consistency and integrity rather than overt authority. There's usually a contemplative quality to their personality, combined with practical wisdom that makes them excellent advisors and problem-solvers. Their strength is typically balanced by compassion and a deep sense of responsibility toward others, creating individuals who are both respected and beloved by those who know them well. The historical weight of the name often seems to impart a sense of purpose and connection to tradition in those who bear it. A shooting near Brown University in Rhode Island on Saturday has left the campus community reeling as police confirm the suspect remains at large and students are being urged to take shelter. The incident, which occurred during the university's final examination period, triggered a massive multi-agency response and a period of significant informational confusion regarding the apprehension of the perpetrator. Shooting Reported During Final Exams The shooting was first reported during mid-afternoon on Saturday in the vicinity of the Barus & Holley buildinga primary hub for the university's engineering and physics departments. According to emergency alerts, students were instructed to lock doors, silence mobile phones, and remain hidden. Conflicting reports from official channels further complicated the situation. University officials initially informed students that a suspect was in custody. However, they later issued a correction, stating that police have not yet apprehended any individual connected to the violence. Multiple Victims and Ongoing Search Police confirmed that multiple people were shot in the incident, although details about casualties and the condition of those affected remain limited as authorities continue to gather information. Preliminary reports from law enforcement sources suggest a significant casualty count. Initial assessments indicate that at least two victims were dead and about 20 others were injured, though officials noted some injuries may have been sustained during the panicked evacuation of the building rather than by gunfire. Emergency services are on high alert, with officers patrolling surrounding streets and residents are urged to avoid areas near the affected buildings. The university has relocated students to secure locations and continues to provide updates through its official communication channels. Police and University Response Providence Police and campus law enforcement stressed that the situation remains fluid. Kristy DosReis, Chief Public Information Officer for Providence, stated that authorities are in the preliminary stages of a complex investigation. The university's emergency alert system has reiterated that the area remains an active scene. Officials have emphasised the need for the public to stay clear of the affected zones to allow tactical teams unhindered access to the campus infrastructure. Community Impact and Messages from Leaders The shooting has sent shockwaves across Providence and the broader academic community. Local officials and political leaders have expressed sorrow and offered support to victims and their families. Rhode Island's governor has advised residents to stay clear of the area and monitor official channels for updates. Meanwhile, community figures acknowledged the deep emotional toll the event has had on students and staff. In the immediate aftermath, many on campus described a scene of confusion and fear, with students sheltering in classrooms and offices as police carried out their search. The disruption of final exams and the uncertainty about the suspect's whereabouts have left many struggling to come to terms with the violence. Ongoing Investigation As night fell, a heavy law enforcement presence remained around the Barus & Holley facility. Detectives are reportedly reviewing high-definition CCTV footage from the engineering complex to identify the shooter and determine a motive. Officials have cautioned that all details are preliminary and have urged the public to rely exclusively on verified updates from the university and the Providence Police Department. Originally published on IBTimes UK Symbolically, Agata represents the enduring human qualities of innate goodness, moral courage, and resilience in the face of adversity. The name evokes the metaphorical light that persists through darkness - the essential goodness that cannot be extinguished by external circumstances. Like its patron saint who maintained her faith despite torture, Agata symbolizes strength through principle and the victory of spiritual integrity over physical suffering. In broader terms, the name represents the intersection of gentleness and fortitude, suggesting that true strength often manifests as compassionate persistence rather than aggressive force. The name also carries connotations of purity of intention and authenticity in relationships. Symbolically, Agata might be associated with elements that combine delicacy and durability - such as fine silver that maintains its luster through use, or ancient olive trees that produce fruit for centuries. In floral symbolism, Agata connects with both the lily (representing purity and renewal) and the oak (representing endurance and protection). The name ultimately symbolizes how fundamental virtues like kindness and integrity can become sources of profound personal power and lasting influence. Women named Akeila are typically characterized by their sharp intellect, analytical thinking, and natural curiosity. They possess a deep-seated wisdom that often makes them sought-after advisors and problem-solvers in both personal and professional contexts. Their bright-minded nature allows them to grasp complex concepts quickly and communicate them effectively to others. Akeilas tend to be lifelong learners who value knowledge and education, often excelling in academic and intellectual pursuits. Beyond their intellectual capabilities, Akeilas often demonstrate emotional intelligence and perceptiveness that complements their analytical skills. They combine their innate intelligence with strong intuition, making them particularly adept at understanding people and situations on multiple levels. Their wisdom is not just academic but practical, enabling them to navigate life's challenges with grace and insight. This combination of intellectual depth and emotional awareness often makes Akeilas natural leaders and mentors, though they typically lead through inspiration and guidance rather than authority or command. Cultural & Historical Significance Alastriona holds a distinctive place in Irish naming traditions as the feminine counterpart to Alastair, which itself evolved from the Greek Alexander through Scottish and Irish adaptations. The name gained cultural significance during Ireland's various cultural revival movements, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when there was renewed interest in preserving and celebrating Gaelic heritage. Families choosing this name often did so to maintain linguistic continuity while embracing a name that conveyed strength and protection. The concept of 'avenging' in the name's meaning should be understood in its historical context - not as promoting violence, but as representing the defense of family, community, and cultural identity against external threats. This resonated deeply with Irish historical experiences of colonization and cultural suppression. In contemporary Irish culture, Alastriona represents a conscious choice to honor traditional naming patterns while selecting a name that remains distinctive and meaningful. It's particularly valued in Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) regions and among families actively engaged in language preservation. The name serves as a marker of cultural pride and continuity, connecting modern bearers to centuries of Irish linguistic and naming traditions. While never achieving widespread popularity, its persistence demonstrates the enduring appeal of names that balance traditional roots with distinctive character in modern Irish society. Individuals named Amista typically exhibit strong characteristics of reliability, emotional intelligence, and deep commitment to their relationships. They are often described as the 'anchors' in their social circles - people who remember important dates, keep confidences, and maintain connections even across distances and time. Their loyalty extends beyond personal relationships to include dedication to their principles, work, and community causes. Amistas tend to be excellent listeners who offer thoughtful advice rather than quick solutions, making them sought-after confidantes. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting bonds and will fiercely protect those they care about. Their consistent nature makes them pillars of stability in both family and professional settings. However, this strong sense of responsibility can sometimes lead to challenges with setting boundaries, as they may take on too many obligations. In professional environments, Amistas excel in roles requiring trustworthiness and long-term commitment, often becoming the institutional memory of organizations through their dedication and attention to detail. The name Anastasius typically evokes associations with resilience, wisdom, and spiritual depth. Individuals bearing this name are often perceived as possessing an innate ability to overcome adversity, reflecting the name's meaning of 'rebirth' or 'resurrection.' This suggests someone who can navigate life's challenges with remarkable fortitude and emerge stronger from difficult experiences. The historical weight of the name contributes to expectations of dignity, traditional values, and intellectual depth, often leading others to view Anastasius-named individuals as natural leaders or wise counselors. Beyond resilience, the name suggests philosophical and spiritual inclinations, with many expecting Anastasius to be contemplative, morally grounded, and interested in deeper questions of existence. The combination of historical prestige and religious symbolism creates an expectation of someone who balances tradition with personal growth, capable of honoring the past while embracing the future. These personality associations, while not deterministic, reflect how name meanings and historical connections can shape social perceptions and self-concept, creating a narrative of strength through transformation that follows those who carry this ancient name. Individuals named Artegal are typically perceived as possessing strong moral character, integrity, and a natural sense of justice. They often exhibit leadership qualities combined with a thoughtful, analytical approach to problem-solving. Their personality tends to reflect the name's meaning of 'high honor,' making them reliable, principled individuals who value truth and fairness above personal gain. They are often seen as natural mediators who can weigh different perspectives before making balanced decisions. Artegal's personality often includes a quiet confidence rather than overt assertiveness, with a deep sense of responsibility toward others. They tend to be protective of those in their care and demonstrate loyalty in relationships. While they can be firm in their convictions, they typically express their views with diplomacy and respect for differing opinions. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them effective leaders who inspire trust and respect through their consistent ethical behavior rather than through force or intimidation. Individuals named Asa are typically characterized by their nurturing disposition and intuitive understanding of others' needs. The name's meaning of 'healer' often manifests in personality traits such as empathy, patience, and a natural inclination toward caregiving. Asas tend to be excellent listeners who create safe spaces for others to share their struggles, and they often possess an innate ability to provide comfort and practical solutions. Their healing nature extends beyond physical care to emotional support, making them valued friends, partners, and community members who instinctively know how to mend relationships and soothe tensions. In addition to their compassionate qualities, Asas often demonstrate quiet strength, resilience, and wisdom beyond their years. They approach challenges with thoughtful consideration rather than impulsivity, and their calm demeanor can have a stabilizing effect on those around them. While they may not seek leadership positions, their reliability and sound judgment often place them in roles where others look to them for guidance. This combination of gentle compassion and inner strength makes Asas particularly effective in crisis situations, where they can provide both emotional support and practical direction. Their personality embodies the idea that true strength includes the capacity for tenderness and understanding. Cultural & Historical Significance Athamas occupies a crucial position in Greek mythology as the tragic king whose story intersects with the epic of the Golden Fleece. As ruler of Boeotia and son of Aeolus, his narrative embodies the complex family dynamics and divine interventions characteristic of Greek myths. His marriages to Nephele (the cloud goddess) and later to Ino created the dramatic circumstances that led to his children Phrixus and Helle's legendary flight on the golden ram. This connection places Athamas at the heart of one of Greek mythology's most enduring tales, making his name synonymous with royal tragedy and paternal conflict. The cultural legacy of Athamas extends beyond mythology into classical literature and art, where his story served as moral instruction about the consequences of broken oaths and divine disfavor. In ancient Greek society, his name would have evoked themes of kingship, sacrifice, and the unpredictable nature of fate. The mythological Athamas represents the archetype of the ruler whose personal decisions have catastrophic consequences for his family and kingdom, serving as a timeless warning about the responsibilities of power and the dangers of yielding to temptation or manipulation. Cultural & Historical Significance Athemar is a name with deep roots in medieval Christian Europe, particularly in Frankish and French regions. The name gained prominence during the Carolingian period and was commonly borne by clergy, nobility, and scholars who played important roles in the development of medieval Christian society. Its association with nobility and fame made it particularly appealing to aristocratic families who wished to convey status and virtue through naming traditions. Throughout the Middle Ages, bearers of the name Athemar were often found in ecclesiastical positions, serving as bishops, abbots, and chroniclers who contributed to the preservation and spread of Christian culture. The name reflects the fusion of Germanic naming traditions with Christian values that characterized much of medieval European society, representing both worldly nobility and spiritual distinction. The name's Christian significance is particularly notable as it was adopted by several prominent church figures who helped shape medieval religious life. These individuals often came from noble families but chose religious vocations, embodying the Christian ideal of serving God while maintaining their aristocratic background. The name thus represents a bridge between secular nobility and spiritual calling, a concept that was central to medieval Christian thought. Historical records show that bearers of the name Athemar were frequently involved in important religious and cultural developments, from establishing monasteries to chronicling religious history, making the name an important part of Christian heritage in Western Europe. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Barre holds significant cultural weight in Christian traditions, particularly within Celtic Christianity where it traces back to early Irish saints. Saint Barre (also known as Finbarr) was a 6th-century bishop who founded monastic schools in Ireland, establishing the name as one associated with spiritual leadership and educational advancement. The name's meaning as 'gateway' carries profound theological significance in Christianity, representing Christ as the gate to salvation and the passage between earthly and divine realms. In medieval Christian Europe, the name became associated with boundary markers and transitional spaces, both physical and spiritual. Churches and monasteries often used the concept of 'barre' in their architecture and liturgy to symbolize the threshold between secular and sacred spaces. This dual significanceboth as a physical barrier and spiritual passagewaymade the name particularly resonant in Christian communities that valued both protection and accessibility in their faith journey. New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the heinous deadly attack on Sunday against Jewish families gathered in Sydney, Australia, to celebrate Hanukkah Individuals named Blair are often perceived as confident, ambitious, and naturally charismatic. They tend to possess strong leadership qualities and excel in positions where they can influence others or drive change. The name carries an air of sophistication and intelligence, with many Blairs demonstrating sharp analytical skills and strategic thinking. They are typically adaptable and resilient, able to navigate challenging situations with grace and determination. While they can be assertive when necessary, they also display a warm, approachable quality that makes them effective communicators and team players. The Scottish origins of the name contribute to perceived traits of practicality, reliability, and strong moral character. Blairs are often seen as grounded individuals who value authenticity and direct communication. Their connection to the name's battlefield origins may manifest as competitive spirit and determination in pursuing goals. At the same time, the association with natural landscapes suggests an appreciation for beauty, tradition, and environmental awareness. The combination of these qualities creates a personality profile that balances ambition with integrity, innovation with respect for tradition, and strength with compassion. Cultural & Historical Significance Branhard is a name with deep roots in medieval Christian Europe, particularly within Germanic regions where it gained prominence during the Carolingian Renaissance. The name combines 'bran' (raven) and 'hard' (bold/strong), reflecting the warrior-Christian ideal of combining intelligence with strength. During the 8th-11th centuries, several notable church leaders and scholars bore this name, contributing to the spread of Christianity throughout Central Europe and the preservation of classical knowledge in monastic centers. The name's association with ravens carries significant Christian symbolism, as ravens were mentioned in both Old and New Testaments, sometimes as messengers of God. In medieval Christian tradition, the raven's intelligence and adaptability were seen as virtues when guided by faith. The 'hard' element emphasized the steadfastness required of Christian leaders facing pagan resistance and political challenges, making Branhard a name that embodied both spiritual wisdom and temporal strength in service to the Church. Individuals named Britto are often perceived as deeply spiritual, principled, and committed to their beliefs. They tend to possess strong moral convictions and a sense of purpose that guides their actions and decisions. These individuals are typically seen as reliable, steadfast, and willing to stand up for their values even in challenging circumstances, reflecting the martyr-like qualities associated with the name's origins. Britto's often exhibit leadership qualities combined with a compassionate nature, making them effective in roles that require both strength and empathy. They are frequently described as thoughtful, introspective, and possessing a quiet determination that enables them to pursue long-term goals with persistence. Their combination of spiritual depth and practical action makes them well-suited for roles in religious leadership, community service, or any field requiring ethical leadership and dedication to higher principles. In social contexts, Britto's are often respected for their integrity and consistency. They tend to form deep, meaningful relationships rather than numerous superficial ones, and they value authenticity in themselves and others. While they may appear reserved initially, they reveal warmth and wisdom to those who earn their trust, creating lasting bonds built on mutual respect and shared values. In contemporary times, Burton maintains steady usage as both a first name and surname, though it's more commonly encountered as a last name. The name experienced peak popularity in the mid-20th century, influenced by famous figures like Richard Burton. Currently, it's considered a classic, somewhat traditional choice that appeals to parents seeking a strong, English-derived name with historical roots. While not among the top 100 names in most English-speaking countries, Burton continues to be used consistently, particularly in the United States and United Kingdom. Its usage reflects a preference for surname-style first names that convey strength and tradition without being overly common. The name has maintained a steady but modest presence in birth records, often chosen by parents who appreciate its solid, professional sound and connection to English heritage. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Camella carries significant cultural weight through its association with the camellia flower, which has been revered across various cultures for centuries. In Christian tradition, the flower's perfect symmetry and delicate beauty are often seen as reflections of divine creation, making it a popular name choice for girls in religious families. The camellia gained particular prominence during the Victorian era when flower language became a sophisticated means of communication, with the white camellia symbolizing admiration and the pink representing longing. In Asian cultures, especially Japan and China, camellias have been celebrated in art and literature for their elegant beauty and association with the divine. The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) holds enormous cultural importance in these regions, further enhancing the name's significance. The name's Christian connection is strengthened by its similarity to biblical names while maintaining a distinctly floral, feminine quality that appeals to modern religious families seeking both tradition and natural beauty in a name. Throughout history, the camellia has been associated with nobility and refinement, making Camella a name that conveys both grace and substance. Individuals named Carmichael are typically perceived as embodying a unique blend of traditional values and modern adaptability. They often exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with a deep sense of responsibility to family and community. The Scottish origins of the name suggest characteristics of resilience, practical wisdom, and quiet determinationtraits historically associated with Scottish clan survival and success. Carmichaels tend to be methodical thinkers who approach challenges with careful planning and strategic insight, making them reliable in crisis situations. Their connection to the 'friend of Saint Michael' meaning often manifests as protective instincts and strong moral compass. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess deep convictions and will defend their principles when necessary. Carmichaels typically value tradition and continuity while being open to innovation that serves practical purposes. They combine emotional depth with pragmatic problem-solving skills, making them excellent in roles requiring both compassion and decisive action. The name suggests someone who balances respect for heritage with forward-thinking vision, creating a personality profile that honors the past while engaging constructively with the present. Individuals named Cein are often perceived as having a strong connection to tradition and history, displaying wisdom beyond their years and a contemplative nature. They tend to be introspective, valuing deep connections over superficial relationships, and often demonstrate loyalty and steadfastness in their commitments. The rarity and ancient quality of their name may contribute to a sense of carrying forward ancestral wisdom and cultural memory. Many Ceins exhibit quiet confidence and a philosophical approach to life's challenges, often serving as stabilizing influences in their communities. Their connection to an archaic name frequently manifests in interests related to history, preservation, and cultural continuity. They typically approach problems with patience and long-term perspective, valuing authenticity and depth in both personal and professional relationships. The name seems to attract individuals who appreciate tradition while thoughtfully navigating modern complexities. Individuals named Chrisanne are often perceived as possessing a warm, golden personality that radiates positivity and grace. They typically exhibit a natural elegance and refined sensibility, combined with a creative spirit that manifests in artistic pursuits or innovative problem-solving. Chrisannes are known for their diplomatic nature, able to navigate complex social situations with charm and tact that puts others at ease while maintaining their own principles. Their inherent warmth makes them excellent communicators and natural peacemakers in both personal and professional settings. These women often demonstrate resilience and inner strength, balancing traditional values with modern perspectives in a way that earns respect from diverse circles. The combination of aesthetic appreciation and practical intelligence characteristic of Chrisannes makes them particularly effective in roles requiring both creativity and strategic thinking, allowing them to excel in fields where beauty and functionality must coexist harmoniously. Individuals named Coltrane are typically perceived as intensely creative, spiritually inclined, and deeply passionate about their pursuits. The name carries expectations of artistic sensitivity and innovative thinking, often suggesting someone who approaches life with both discipline and creative freedom. There's an inherent intensity to the personality associated with Coltrane - a depth of emotion and commitment that drives them toward excellence in whatever field they choose. These individuals often demonstrate strong independent thinking combined with charismatic leadership qualities. They tend to be seekers - whether of artistic truth, spiritual understanding, or intellectual mastery - and often inspire others with their dedication and vision. The legacy of the name suggests someone who balances respect for tradition with bold innovation, capable of both deep introspection and powerful outward expression. There's an expectation of carrying significant creative or spiritual weight while maintaining authenticity and emotional depth in personal relationships. Cultural & Historical Significance Durwyn has deep roots in Celtic Christian traditions, particularly in Wales and the border regions of England. The name emerged during the early Christianization of Britain, when many names incorporated elements from nature to reflect God's creation while maintaining Christian significance. The 'deer' symbolism connects to early Christian hermits and monks who often lived in forested areas and saw deer as symbols of spiritual seeking and gentleness. Throughout medieval times, Durwyn was particularly popular among families living in rural areas where hunting and forestry were common, yet the name carried Christian connotations of stewardship over God's creation rather than dominion. The name saw revival during the 19th century Celtic Christian revival movement, when many ancient British Christian names were rediscovered and given new life in religious communities. In Christian symbolism, the deer represents the soul thirsting for God, as referenced in Psalm 42, making Durwyn a name that embodies spiritual longing and devotion. The combination of natural imagery with Christian values made it appealing to families who saw their faith as interconnected with care for creation. This dual significance helped preserve the name through centuries, particularly in regions where Celtic Christian traditions remained strong. Safe parking lots are emerging as a critical, temporary solution for the growing number of students in the United States without a stable place to live. While colleges and cities grapple with housing shortages and rising costs, these programs offer a secure alternative for students currently sleeping in their vehicles. At Long Beach City College (LBCC) in California, the Safe Parking Program transforms a campus lot into a sanctuary after 10:30 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m. For students like Edgar Rosales Jr., a second-year student who spent over a year living in his sedan, the program provided more than just a parking spot. It offered access to Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and security guards who protected him rather than asking him to move. Addressing Student Homelessness Rosales, who returned to school decades after dropping out of high school, described the program as life-altering. Before finding the safe lot, he parked on city streets where he feared break-ins and police citations, according to the Hechinger Report. The constant stress made it impossible to focus on his nursing studies. Once enrolled in the program, he could sleep soundly and use the lot's electricity and internet to complete his coursework. Read more: Homeless Families in San Francisco Can Now Stay Longer in Shelters Under New Policy The need for such programs is widespread. According to the Hope Center at Temple University, 48 percent of college students experience housing insecurity, and 14 percent have experienced homelessness. The issue affects students at both two-year and four-year institutions, with higher rates among Black students, parenting students, and former foster youth. Similar initiatives are launching across the country to address this specific need. In Cincinnati, the public school system's Project Connect is developing a "Safe Sleep Lot" set to open in March 2026. This program will serve families with children in the district, providing a secure place to park overnight, The Guardian reported. Taking Advantage of Parking Lots Rebeka Beach, the program manager for Project Connect, noted that approximately 300 students in the district sleep outside or in vehicles. The new lot will provide families with security, bathrooms, and access to case workers who can help them transition to permanent housing. Beach emphasized that meeting basic survival needs is a prerequisite for education, stating that students cannot focus on learning when they are in "survival mode". While administrators agree that parking lots are not a permanent fix, they serve as a necessary bridge. LBCC President Mike Munoz, who experienced homelessness as a college student himself, pushed for the program to ensure students could bring their "full selves" to campus without the mental burden of hiding their living situation. Programs like these often act as entry points, connecting students like Rosales to broader support networks, including rapid rehousing services that eventually help them move into apartments, as per WBUR. Individuals named Eberhardt are typically perceived as strong-willed, dependable, and possessing natural leadership qualities. The name's etymology suggests someone with boar-like determinationpersistent in pursuing goals, protective of loved ones, and unyielding in the face of challenges. They often exhibit practical intelligence, grounded decision-making, and a strong sense of responsibility. While sometimes perceived as reserved or traditional, Eberhardts are known for their loyalty and steadfastness once trust is established. Their strength is typically balanced with a deep sense of duty and family commitment, making them pillars in their communities and professional circles. This combination of traits often leads Eberhardts to excel in positions requiring reliability, strategic thinking, and the ability to withstand pressure without compromising their principles or commitments to others. In Arthurian tradition, characters named Frollo typically exhibit a complex blend of authoritative competence and tragic rigidity. As a Roman governor, Frollo demonstrates strong leadership qualities, strategic military thinking, and organizational capabilities that made him an effective administrator. He possesses confidence in his position and training, often displaying the arrogance that comes with established power and Roman military tradition. His personality reflects the disciplined, methodical approach of Roman governance, contrasting with Arthur's more intuitive and revolutionary leadership style. Frollo shows determination and resilience in conflict, refusing to yield his authority easily and maintaining his commitment to Roman supremacy even when facing determined opposition. However, Frollo's personality also reveals significant limitations that contribute to his downfall. His adherence to traditional military tactics and reliance on established power structures shows an inability to adapt to Arthur's unconventional approaches and the changing political landscape. There's a tragic element to his characterhis very competence and confidence become liabilities when facing a opponent who operates outside conventional frameworks. Frollo represents the danger of becoming too invested in maintaining the status quo and failing to recognize when fundamental shifts in power are occurring. His personality ultimately serves as a cautionary example about the limitations of rigid thinking and the importance of adaptability in leadership, particularly during periods of significant cultural and political transition. Cultural & Historical Significance Gunna has deep roots in Scottish and Norse heritage, originally derived from Old Norse names meaning 'battle' or 'war'. In Scottish context, particularly in the Highlands and Islands, the name evolved to carry connotations of fairness and purity. The name appears in various Scottish clan histories and has been particularly prominent in areas with strong Norse settlement influence, such as the Hebrides and Northern Isles. Throughout Scottish history, women named Gunna were often noted in clan records as healers, storytellers, and keepers of traditional knowledge, reflecting the name's association with wisdom and community leadership. The name maintains a connection to Scotland's dual Celtic and Norse heritage, representing the cultural blending that characterizes much of Scottish history. In modern times, the name serves as a link to ancestral traditions while adapting to contemporary Scottish identity. Individuals named Iyioluwa are often perceived as having a strong sense of purpose and spiritual depth. They tend to be principled, honorable, and guided by a moral compass that reflects the name's meaning of 'the honor of the Lord.' These individuals typically exhibit leadership qualities, often taking on roles where they can inspire and guide others through their integrity and commitment to higher principles. Their connection to the name's spiritual significance often makes them reflective, thoughtful, and inclined toward service-oriented professions or community leadership. In social settings, Iyioluwas are usually respected for their reliability and wisdom. They may display a calm demeanor that masks strong inner conviction, and they often become the moral center of their families or communities. The name's association with divine honor can manifest in a personality that balances humility with confidenceknowing their worth comes from spiritual alignment rather than external validation. They typically value tradition while being progressive in their thinking, creating a unique blend of respect for heritage with forward-looking vision. Individuals named Junien are often perceived as having a calm, contemplative nature with deep spiritual inclinations. They tend to be thoughtful and introspective, possessing an innate wisdom that draws others to seek their counsel. Juniens typically exhibit strong moral convictions and a sense of purpose that guides their decisions and actions. Their name meaning 'God will uplift' often manifests in their personality as resilience and optimism, even during challenging circumstances. They are natural leaders in spiritual or community settings, though they may prefer quiet influence rather than overt authority. Juniens often demonstrate patience and perseverance, coupled with a genuine concern for the wellbeing of others, making them reliable friends and trusted advisors in both personal and professional relationships. Their approach to life tends to be methodical and principled, with a tendency to see larger patterns and meanings in everyday experiences. This combination of spiritual depth and practical reliability makes Juniens valued members of their communities who often serve as stabilizing influences during times of change or uncertainty. Cultural & Historical Significance Kawindra holds a distinctive place in Hindu naming traditions as a feminine name that bridges classical and contemporary sensibilities. While its exact etymology remains uncertain, the name carries the melodic quality and spiritual resonance characteristic of many Sanskrit-derived names. It reflects the Hindu tradition of bestowing names that embody positive qualities and aspirations, often drawing from the rich tapestry of Indian mythology, nature, and philosophical concepts. The name's usage spans various regions of India, particularly in northern and western states, where it represents a connection to cultural heritage while maintaining modern appeal. In Hindu communities, names like Kawindra are often chosen for their rhythmic sound and the positive vibrations they're believed to carry, serving as both identity markers and blessings for the child's future path. The name embodies the Hindu belief in the power of sound and vibration (nada) to influence one's destiny and character. Individuals named Kaycie are often perceived as energetic, alert, and vigorousqualities embedded in the name's meaning. They tend to be adaptable and quick-thinking, capable of responding to changing circumstances with enthusiasm and resilience. This vigor often manifests as natural leadership ability and a dynamic presence in social situations. Kaycies are typically seen as approachable and charismatic, with an innate ability to energize those around them. Their alert nature makes them observant and perceptive, often noticing details others miss. In relationships and professional settings, Kaycies are known for their reliability and active engagement. They approach challenges with a can-do attitude and are often the ones to initiate action in group settings. While they can be impulsive at times, their natural vitality and positive energy generally serve them well in both personal and professional contexts. The combination of vigilance and vigor means they're often successful in fields requiring quick thinking and sustained effort. Their personality reflects the modern, adaptable nature of the name itselfable to navigate traditional expectations while embracing contemporary opportunities. Individuals named Lamya often exhibit a distinctive combination of traditional values and contemporary thinking that makes them adaptable in various social contexts. They tend to be excellent communicators with a natural elegance in their speech and mannerisms, living up to their name's association with expressive lips. Many display strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with grace. Their characteristic thoughtfulness often makes them valued friends and confidantes, while their inherent sophistication frequently draws others to them. In professional environments, Lamyas typically demonstrate remarkable resilience and creative problem-solving skills. They often excel in fields requiring both analytical thinking and interpersonal sensitivity, such as education, counseling, arts, or communications. The name's connection to beauty and expression often manifests in their attention to aesthetics and detail, whether in personal style, creative projects, or environmental design. While they may appear reserved initially, Lamyas usually possess deep convictions and strong principles that guide their decisions. Their balanced approach to tradition and innovation allows them to honor their cultural heritage while embracing progressive ideas, making them effective bridges between generations and cultures. Cultural & Historical Significance Larenzo represents a distinctive German adaptation of the classic name Lawrence, which traces its origins to the ancient Roman city of Laurentum. The name carries significant cultural weight in German-speaking regions, where it evolved from the Latin Laurentius through medieval Germanic linguistic traditions. Throughout history, the name has been associated with scholarly pursuits, artistic expression, and civic leadership in German culture, often chosen by families valuing both tradition and individuality. The German form Larenzo maintains the noble connotations of its root name while offering a unique phonetic character that distinguishes it from more common variants like Lorenz or Laurence. In German cultural contexts, the name has been particularly popular among families with artistic or academic backgrounds, reflecting its association with creativity and intellectual achievement. The name's evolution in German-speaking regions demonstrates how classical names were adapted to fit local linguistic patterns while preserving their essential meaning and cultural significance. Cultural & Historical Significance Lauraine has deep roots in Christian tradition, derived from the Latin name Laurentius meaning 'from Laurentum' or 'crowned with laurel.' The laurel wreath was a symbol of victory and honor in ancient Rome, and this symbolism was adopted into Christian iconography where it represented martyrdom and spiritual victory. Saint Lawrence, a 3rd-century deacon martyred in Rome, helped establish the name's Christian significance, with many churches and religious institutions named in his honor across Europe. During the Middle Ages, the name spread throughout Christian Europe, particularly in France where it evolved into various forms including Lauraine. The name carries connotations of perseverance and faith, reflecting the saint's legendary courage and devotion. In Christian communities, the name has been traditionally given to boys with the hope they would embody the virtues of honor, faithfulness, and spiritual strength associated with both the laurel symbolism and the saint's example. Blog Archive: Feb 2026 (15) Jan 2026 (155) Dec 2025 (126) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) Individuals bearing the name Lawler are often characterized by thoughtful communication and measured expression. The name's meaning of 'mumbler' or 'one who speaks indistinctly' suggests not incompetence in communication, but rather a preference for careful consideration before speaking. Lawlers tend to be reflective individuals who value substance over superficial chatter, often surprising others with their depth of insight when they do choose to express themselves. This thoughtful nature typically extends to strong analytical abilities and observational skills. Lawlers are often keen listeners who absorb information and process it thoroughly before forming opinions or taking action. They may appear reserved in social situations but possess strong loyalty to those they trust. Their communication style, while sometimes deliberate or understated, often carries significant weight and wisdom when they do speak, making them valued advisors and confidants in both personal and professional contexts. Individuals named Machara are typically perceived as possessing a strong sense of identity and connection to their heritage, often displaying the resilience and practicality associated with Scottish cultural values. They tend to be grounded and dependable, with a quiet confidence that doesn't require external validation. This practical nature is balanced by a deep appreciation for beauty and tradition, often manifesting in artistic interests or preservation activities. Macharas are frequently seen as the steady center in their social circles, offering reliability and wisdom gained from understanding their place in a larger historical context. Their personality often combines traditional values with independent thinking, creating individuals who respect heritage while forging their own paths. There's typically a strong sense of loyalty to family and community, coupled with the determination to overcome challengesqualities that mirror the historical Scottish experience. While they may appear reserved initially, Macharas often reveal depth of character and thoughtful insight to those who earn their trust. Their strength lies in consistency and authenticity rather than dramatic flair, making them valued friends and community members who contribute meaningfully over the long term. Margerie carries rich symbolic meaning primarily through its connection to the pearl, which in Christian tradition represents the Kingdom of Heaven and the soul's priceless value to God. Like a pearl formed through the gradual layering of nacre around an irritant, the name symbolizes transformation through adversity and the beauty that can emerge from life's challenges. The pearl also represents wisdom gained through experience, purity of heart, and spiritual enlightenment. Symbolically, Margerie embodies the concept of hidden treasuresuggesting depth, value, and qualities that may not be immediately apparent but reveal themselves over time through patience and relationship. The name connects to lunar symbolism through the pearl's iridescent quality, associating it with intuition, femininity, and the cyclical nature of personal growth. It represents the idea that true worth develops gradually through perseverance and that the most valuable aspects of character often form in response to life's difficulties, making it a name rich with metaphorical meaning about personal development and inner beauty. Women named Marjani are often perceived as having a calm, steady presence with deep emotional resilience, much like coral reefs that withstand ocean currents. They tend to be creative, artistic individuals with a strong connection to nature and community, often displaying intuitive understanding of complex social dynamics. Their personality typically combines practical wisdom with aesthetic sensitivity, making them both grounded in reality and capable of appreciating beauty in everyday life. Many Marjanis display protective qualities toward family and friends, embodying the sheltering nature of coral ecosystems that provide habitat for diverse life forms. They are often described as patient builderswhether of relationships, careers, or creative projectsreflecting the slow but steady growth patterns of coral. Their strength lies in their ability to adapt while maintaining core integrity, and they often serve as stabilizing influences in their social circles. The name suggests someone who values deep, meaningful connections over superficial relationships. Women named Molara are often perceived as deeply compassionate and emotionally resilient individuals. The name's connection to the Virgin Mary's sorrows suggests a personality capable of bearing emotional burdens with grace and strength. They tend to be nurturing figures who provide comfort and support to others, often serving as the emotional anchor in their families and communities. Their inherent empathy allows them to understand and share in others' suffering, making them excellent caregivers and confidantes. Beyond their compassionate nature, Molaras typically exhibit strong determination and spiritual depth. They approach challenges with a quiet fortitude that belies their gentle exterior, demonstrating the same endurance associated with their namesake. Many develop strong intuitive abilities and a profound connection to their cultural or religious heritage. Their combination of emotional intelligence and inner strength makes them natural leaders in community and family settings, where they balance tenderness with unwavering resolve when facing adversity. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Nazahah holds profound significance in Islamic culture, deriving from the Arabic root 'n-z-h' which conveys concepts of purity, sincerity, and moral uprightness. In Islamic tradition, nazahah represents one of the highest spiritual virtues - the quality of being free from hypocrisy, deceit, and moral corruption. The concept is frequently mentioned in Islamic texts as an ideal characteristic for believers, particularly in matters of faith, business dealings, and personal relationships. Throughout Islamic history, the virtue of nazahah has been emphasized by scholars and spiritual leaders as essential for achieving true piety and closeness to God. The name embodies the Islamic principle of 'ikhlas' (sincerity) in worship and daily conduct, making it a popular choice for parents wishing to instill these values in their daughters. In many Muslim societies, naming a child Nazahah reflects the parents' aspiration for their daughter to embody moral purity and spiritual integrity throughout her life. Historical records show that the name has been used for centuries, particularly among families with strong religious and scholarly backgrounds. The enduring appeal of Nazahah across different eras and regions demonstrates the timeless value placed on moral integrity within Islamic civilization. Women named Olita are typically perceived as spiritually inclined, compassionate individuals with a strong sense of purpose and moral clarity. They often exhibit natural empathy and intuition, making them excellent counselors and supportive friends who can 'lift others up' much like the winged symbolism suggests. Their gentle yet determined nature allows them to navigate complex emotional landscapes while maintaining their core values and spiritual centeredness. Their personality combines gentle strength with visionary thinking, often pursuing creative or humanitarian paths that allow them to make meaningful contributions to their communities. While they can be idealistic and sometimes sensitive to criticism, their inherent resilience and faith-driven perspective help them navigate challenges with grace and determination. The name's association with wings often manifests in their ability to see situations from higher perspectives and inspire others toward personal growth and spiritual development. The symbolic resonance of Raed extends far beyond its literal meaning of 'leader' to encompass profound metaphorical dimensions. Symbolically, Raed represents the human capacity for vision and direction-setting in both personal and collective journeys. The name evokes the archetype of the pathfinder who illuminates new possibilities and creates roads where none existed before. In psychological terms, Raed symbolizes the integrated self that can navigate complex internal landscapes while guiding others externally. The name carries connotations of reliability and trustworthiness, much like a lighthouse guiding ships through stormy seasa symbol of safety and direction in turbulent times. In spiritual contexts, Raed represents the soul's innate guidance system and the role of enlightened beings who help others find their spiritual path. The symbolic meaning also encompasses concepts of legacy and influence, suggesting that true leadership creates positive ripple effects across generations. Raed symbolizes the bridge between aspiration and actualization, representing the human ability to transform vision into reality through determined action and wise guidance. This rich symbolic tapestry makes the name particularly powerful for those who value depth of meaning in naming choices. The symbolic resonance of Roslin extends far beyond its literal meaning of 'red-haired' to encompass rich layers of cultural, historical, and metaphorical significance. Fire symbolism forms the foundation of its meaning, representing not just the physical trait of red hair but the qualities of transformation, creative energy, and passionate intensity. In the Celtic tradition that influenced its Scottish adoption, red hair was associated with magical abilities, otherworldly connections, and fiery temperament - all qualities that became symbolically embedded in the name. The architectural symbolism connected to Rosslyn Chapel adds dimensions of sacred geometry, mystery, and the intersection of different spiritual traditions, making Roslin symbolic of bridges between cultures and belief systems. Metaphorically, the name represents the idea of cultural preservation and adaptation - much like the name itself traveled from France to Scotland while maintaining its core identity. It symbolizes the protective instinct through its castle guardian associations, representing both physical protection and the safeguarding of traditions and knowledge. The name's dual French-Scottish heritage makes it emblematic of cultural synthesis and the way identities can encompass multiple traditions while remaining coherent. In modern contexts, it has acquired additional symbolic meaning through its association with scientific breakthrough (via the Roslin Institute), representing innovation grounded in tradition. Overall, Roslin symbolizes the powerful combination of passionate energy with protective stability, creative fire with enduring heritage. Women named Rufa are often perceived as possessing fiery, passionate personalities that reflect the name's meaning of 'red-haired.' They tend to be strong-willed individuals with natural leadership qualities and a vibrant energy that draws others to them. Typically, Rufas are known for their loyalty and protective nature toward loved ones, combined with a creative spirit and quick wit. Their temperament is often described as warm and engaging, with a tendency toward expressiveness and emotional honesty. While they can be determined and occasionally stubborn, this is balanced by a generous heart and strong sense of justice. Many Rufas display entrepreneurial spirit and artistic talent, thriving in environments where they can express their individuality and make meaningful connections with others. The name suggests someone who is both grounded in tradition yet unafraid to challenge conventions when necessary. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Saxons carries profound cultural significance rooted in the transformation of a warrior people into Christian civilization builders. Originally referring to the Germanic tribes who settled in England during the 5th-6th centuries, the Saxons underwent a remarkable cultural evolution from pagan warriors to Christian kingdom builders under leaders like Alfred the Great. This transition represents one of history's most significant cultural metamorphoses, where a people known for their seafaring prowess and martial strength embraced Christianity and laid the foundations for English law, literature, and governance. The Christianization of the Saxons, particularly through the efforts of missionaries like Augustine of Canterbury and the influence of royal converts, created a unique synthesis of Germanic tradition and Christian faith. This fusion produced remarkable cultural achievements including the Lindisfarne Gospels, Anglo-Saxon chronicles, and the establishment of monastic centers that preserved classical learning. The Saxon legacy in Christian history is particularly notable for producing saints, scholars, and rulers who shaped medieval European Christianity while maintaining distinct cultural identity. Individuals named Wajeeh are often characterized by their natural dignity and commanding presence. They typically possess an innate sense of self-worth that manifests as confidence without arrogance, making them natural leaders in various settings. Their name meaning influences their psychological development, often creating individuals who are conscious of their reputation and dedicated to maintaining high ethical standards. Wajeeh's tend to be articulate, thoughtful communicators who express themselves with clarity and purpose. They value honesty and integrity above superficial success, and they often serve as moral compasses in their social and professional circles. In interpersonal relationships, Wajeeh's are known for their loyalty and reliability. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, meaningful connections with those who earn their trust. Their combination of intelligence and emotional maturity makes them excellent mediators and problem-solvers. Professionally, they often excel in fields that require both intellectual rigor and social intelligence, such as law, education, management, or community leadership. The weight of their name's meaning can sometimes create pressure to live up to high expectations, but most Wajeeh's transform this into motivation for personal growth and achievement. Their overall personality reflects the balance between traditional values and modern adaptability that their name represents. Individuals named Wamboi are typically associated with expressive, communicative, and emotionally intelligent personalities. They often possess natural musical or rhythmic abilities and excel in situations requiring verbal expression and social interaction. Their namesake connection to singing suggests individuals who are often the 'heart' of social gatherings, capable of lifting spirits and creating harmony in group settings. These traits manifest as strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to understand and respond to emotional cues in others. Beyond social grace, Wambois are frequently described as creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with innovative thinking and adaptability. The musical connotation of their name suggests rhythm and timing in their actionsknowing when to speak and when to listen. They often demonstrate resilience and the ability to 'compose' solutions to life's challenges, much like a singer improvises within a musical structure. Their expressive nature makes them effective communicators in both personal and professional contexts, while their cultural heritage often instills a strong sense of community responsibility and cultural pride that guides their interactions and life choices. Individuals named Wickam typically exhibit a compelling blend of social charm and intellectual depth, often presenting as approachable and engaging while maintaining considerable personal reserve. Their meadow-inspired origins suggest personalities that value both growth and stability - they are often adaptable and open to new experiences while remaining grounded in their principles and relationships. This combination makes them effective in social and professional settings where both rapport-building and strategic thinking are valued. They tend to be perceptive judges of character, sometimes using this insight to navigate complex social dynamics with notable finesse. The village aspect of their name's meaning often manifests as strong community orientation and loyalty to family traditions, while the meadow component contributes to their creative thinking and appreciation for beauty and nature. Wickams are frequently drawn to careers that allow them to bridge different groups or ideas, such as law, diplomacy, education, or arts administration. They may struggle with balancing their desire for social approval with their need for personal authenticity, but when this balance is achieved, they become particularly effective leaders and influencers. Their inherent duality makes them complex individuals who can appear straightforward while possessing considerable depth and strategic capability. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Yazmin holds profound cultural importance in Muslim societies, originating from the Persian 'yasamin' and deeply embedded in Islamic cultural traditions. Jasmine flowers feature prominently in Middle Eastern and South Asian cultures, where they're used in religious ceremonies, weddings, and as symbols of welcome and hospitality. In many Muslim-majority countries, jasmine represents purity of heart and is often associated with paradise in Islamic poetry and literature. The name connects bearers to a rich heritage of floral symbolism that transcends national boundaries, uniting diverse Muslim communities through shared appreciation for natural beauty and spiritual symbolism. Throughout history, the name has been favored for its elegant sound and the positive qualities associated with the jasmine flower - making it a timeless choice that bridges traditional values with contemporary appeal. December 14, 2025: Russia recently sought to suppress some very bad news. This involved Russian soldiers shooting themselves, or each other in non-vital areas. Such injuries result in several hundred thousand dollars in compensation payments per man. Russian anti-corruption investigators found that at least three dozen members of an elite Guards air assault brigade were involved in this scam which could have earned them nearly $2.5 million. The accused blamed it all on low morale. The brigade has been in combat too long and many soldiers were worn out. An increasing number refused to fight. Officers can shoot reluctant soldiers, but the officers are also suffering from poor morale and unwillingness to get their troops involved in heavy combat. The brigade was in bad shape. There were not enough supplies reaching, including basics like food and drinkable water. This was another side effect of drone warfare. Both sides used drones to cut enemy supply lines and often succeeded. The difference is that the Ukrai This is not a unique situation. Last year a Russian deputy defense minister was arrested for corruption. Then the head of the ministrys personnel directorate was hauled into court. Within a few weeks two more senior military officials were detained. All faced charges of corruption, which they denied. The arrests started shortly before President Vladimir Putin began his fifth term after a longtime ally, longtime Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, was demoted to a new job. This immediately raised questions about whether Putin was reasserting control over the Defense Ministry amid the war in Ukraine, whether a turf battle had broken out between the military and the security services, or whether some other scenario was playing out within the government. To many this seemed to be a return to the Russian government long described as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. Corruption scandals are not new and officials and top officials were accused of profiting from their positions for decades. Corruption in Russia functions as both a carrot and stick. Its a way of encouraging loyalty and urging people to conform, as well as a method of control. Putin favors men who have embarrassing secrets when selecting key officials in his government. Trust those who have a secret they want kept secret. The Russian government constantly searches for such secrets so it can threaten to publicize them if the officials do not do as they are told. This hidden secret policy and tolerance for corruption are key elements in running the current Russian government. The war in Ukraine has led to much larger defense spending that has increased opportunities for graft. In April the first official arrested for corruption was a former Deputy Defense Minister who presided over military-related construction projects that had high priority, access to lots of money and few financial controls. One of the projects was the reconstruction of the devastated Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. The Ukrainians held out for a long time and the Russians had to fight hard to capture a city of ruins and unusable factories and port facilities. The recent arrests are not described as part of an anti-corruption campaign, but rather ongoing activities throughout the Russian government. Thats another way of admitting that corruption was everywhere and ongoing as an essential element of making the government work. Key officials make little effort to hide their new wealth. They do this through ostentatious displays ranging from hundred million dollar yachts to new wrist watches that cost several times their official annual salaries. These displays of ill-gotten wealth by senior government and military officials and their family members were so extensive and obvious that it enraged Russians who were suffering economically because of the cost of the war. There were more personal costs because about a million Russians have died, been disabled or deserted in Ukraine since early 2022, and their families and friends blame the Russian government because it was Russia that invaded Ukraine, not the other way around. During World War II, the last time Russia was invaded, there was little corruption in part because 15 percent of Russians died in that war. Most of them were killed by the Germans but many were killed by the Russian government. Prompt obedience to orders in World War II was a matter of life or death for Russian soldiers and civilians because military officers and NKVD secret police personnel could kill any Russian displaying reluctance or refusal to carry out orders. The desperate situation during World War II limited opportunities for corruption. The war in Ukraine is different but, as many corrupt officials are discovering, not different enough to keep them out of prison or an early grave. The recent arrests, prosecutions and imprisonment of senior officials who were corrupt, or too obviously corrupt, sent a message to all senior officials in jobs giving them access to the swollen defense budget that is now about eight percent of GDP. Before the invasion it was 3.6 percent. Putin thought the invasion would quickly overthrow the Ukrainian government. That did not happen and the costs of that war are more than Russia can afford. This is nothing new, it was decades of spending 15 percent of GDP on defense, and tolerating a lot of corruption by senior officials, that caused the Soviet Union to collapse in 1991. Many Russian economists and bankers believe another economic collapse, similar to what destroyed the Soviet Union, is possible unless the increased defense spending is restrained along with the growing corruption. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) recorded strong growth in its sales performance during April-November 2025, according to a Ministry of Steel release on Saturday. The monthly performance for November 2025 also stood out. SAIL said its total sales for the month grew by 27 per cent over November last year. "Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) delivered an excellent performance in Sales in November 2025, achieving 27% growth over the same period last year," the release said. The company also reported that it sold 12.7 million tonnes (MT) of steel in the eight-month period, higher than 11.1 MT in the same stretch last year. This marked a 14 per cent rise and set the tone for a steady demand trend in the domestic market. The biggest push came from the retail segment, which rose to 0.14 MT from 0.084 MT a year ago. This meant a 69 per cent jump, driven by stronger movement of saleable steel through road dispatches and warehouse door deliveries. The company added that it emerged as the highest seller of TMT bars in the country in November, showing the scale of retail-led traction. This resilient performance was possible due to a "strong sales strategy with continuous endeavour by the SAIL team in the marketplace despite many challenges, including global price pressures and demand volatility arising from various global trade policy uncertainties and geopolitical tensions," the release noted. During April-November 2025, retail sales alone touched 0.97 MT, up from 0.86 MT in the corresponding period last year. The company said its ongoing brand promotion campaigns across the country also supported this rise. "The results demonstrate SAIL's customer-centric efforts, market leadership and operational excellence in navigating challenging global conditions while delivering consistent growth across segments. SAIL collective is striving towards achieving further excellence in future," the release said. (ANI) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 108 million results-based loan to support the Government of Mizoram in strengthening its public health care system and achieving universal health coverage. The Supporting Public Health Care System Strengthening to Achieve Universal Health Care for Mizoram Programme aims to improve equitable access to affordable, high-quality health services for the state's 1.38 million residents, particularly women, older people, and persons with disabilities, the ADB added in a release. "This programme will help the state roll out its new Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS), which brings all citizens under one health insurance umbrella consisting of subsidised and contributory mechanisms," said ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka. "By leveraging and augmenting existing Central (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) and state government (Mizoram State Health Care Scheme) programmes under a single, seamless, cashless, and paperless platform, the state ensures poor and vulnerable people get free coverage while improving access to quality care." With ADB support, Mizoram becomes the first State in India to undertake this type of reform in its universal health care system. The scheme offers coverage of up to Rs 500,000 per family annually, with costs for poor and vulnerable households fully borne by the state government. Other households will contribute a premium, while government employees will pay a fixed share of their salary, added the ADB's release. The programme addresses Mizoram's high rates of noncommunicable diseases and cancer--which account for over 50 per cent of the state's disease load--and its heightened vulnerability to health risks linked to extreme weather events. Environmental adaptation measures, including awareness campaigns and disaster preparedness, will be integrated into health services. The programme will link primary health care services with secondary and tertiary levels through MUHCS, ensuring a continuum of care so that people receive timely and comprehensive treatment. The programme will also strengthen the capacities of the state's Department of Health and Family Welfare, primary care units, and the Mizoram State Health Care Society, which are responsible for implementing MUHCS. ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members--50 from the region. (ANI) The Central Government has implemented Quality Control Orders (QCOs) in a manner with exemptions and relaxations for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to ensure no disruption to the domestic production, said Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje in a written reply in Lok Sabha. Minister of State for MSMEs Karandlaje highlighted key relaxations and exemptions for MSMEs, according to a release by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. As part of the relaxations, an additional six-month extension will be provided to the micro enterprises and a three-month extension for small enterprises to ensure the QCOs. Exemption for imports will also be provided to the domestic manufacturers for producing export-oriented products. An exemption for the import of up to 200 units for research & development purposes is also made. The provision for clearance of legacy stock (manufactured or imported before implementation) within six months from the effective date has also been made. She added that based on the feedback on certification processes, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has implemented some financial and technical relaxations for the MSME sector. "To support MSMEs, financial incentives are provided by BIS in annual minimum marking fee with concession of 80% (for Micro Enterprises), 50% (Small enterprises) and 20% (Medium Enterprises). An additional concession of 10% is also provided to enterprises which are either located in north-east areas or women entrepreneur MSME units," the Minister said in her reply. "The requirement of maintaining in-house laboratory has been made optional for MSME units. MSME units are allowed to utilize the services of outside BIS recognized laboratories, NABL accredited labs or even sharing of resources like cluster based labs or laboratories of other manufacturing units. The 'Levels of Control' in the Scheme of Inspection and Testing (SIT) are made recommendatory in nature. The manufacturer has the choice to define their own control unit/batch/lot and their own Levels of Control and inform the BIS," Shobha Karandlaje said. The Union Minister added that the BIS has also made the product certification process guidelines publicly available on the BIS website and is also issuing product-wise manuals as guidance documents for conformity assessment as per various Indian Standards. As per the information provided by the Reserve Bank of India, with a view to improve monetary policy transmission, banks have been advised by the Reserve Bank of India to link loans to MSMEs to an external benchmark," she said. The Minister further highlighted that the reset clause for loans has been reduced to three months under the external benchmark system, adding, "To make the benefit of the external benchmark-based interest regime available to the existing borrowers, banks have been advised to provide a switchover option as per mutually agreed terms. Further, RBI also took various other measures for improving credit flow to the MSME sector." Karandlaje, in her reply, added that the government has announced the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSME), designed to help MSMEs access loans to grow their businesses. She added that specific targets for lending to the MSME sector have been prescribed in the Priority Sector guidelines. "Scheduled commercial banks have been mandated not to accept collateral security in the case of loans up to Rs 10 lakh extended to units in the MSE sector. Computation of working capital requirements of MSE units to be minimum 20% of the projected annual turnover for borrow limits up to Rs 5 crore," she said. (ANI) Speaking about Shammi Kapoor's public image, Ramani said the actor was deeply uncomfortable with his flamboyant on-screen persona. In an interview with ANI, Ramani described Kapoor as a man very different from his public image, as he hated his "Yahoo" image. When asked about the 'Yahoo' image of Shammi Kapoor, "He hated it (Yahoo Image). He said, I am doing this because my producers are making me money. They're making money." According to her, the actor was acutely aware of the gap between who he was and what the industry demanded of him. "He said, 'I'm the only one, this role seems to be fitting, so I have to do it for the audience. And I'm signed one after the other, and they're all roles like this. So I romanced the heroines," she said. Ramani has candidly written about her relationship with legendary actor Shammi Kapoor in her autobiography 'Bird in a Banyan Tree: My Story.' Shammi Kapoor, who made his film debut with Jeewan Jyoti (1953) and starred in hits like Tumsa Nahi Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Junglee, Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), and An Evening in Paris, was known for his flamboyant style and exceptional dancing. Beyond his films, Shammi Kapoor's legacy is woven into the very fabric of Bollywood. His style, charisma, and the memorable songs he popularised have inspired generations of actors and filmmakers. Kapoor's unique blend of humour, romance, and music created a timeless appeal that continues to influence modern cinema. Shammi Kapoor iconic films not only entertained audiences but also set the stage for future generations of actors. Through his vibrant performances and unforgettable music he remains a cherished figure in the hearts of many, proving that true stardom transcends time. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday asserted that alleged vote theft in the Aland Assembly constituency was genuine and said concrete action had been initiated with the filing of a charge sheet against former BJP MLA Subhash Guttedar. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence and later at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said the investigation had established instances of election fraud. "Vote theft in Aland is true. A charge sheet has been filed against BJP leader Subhash Guttedar based on the investigation. Our MLAs will also raise this issue in the Assembly session on Monday," he said, adding that the matter reflected a larger national concern, not just a state-level issue. Referring to the contents of the charge sheet, the Deputy CM said it mentioned the deletion of phone records. "I will speak in detail after receiving a complete report on this aspect," he noted. Shivakumar also said the Congress would strengthen its legal response to alleged electoral malpractice. "As suggested by Rahul Gandhi, we will open legal cells in every Assembly constituency to fight vote theft and protect voters' rights," he said. On the party's proposed mobilisation in the national capital, Shivakumar said the Congress had launched a broader campaign to safeguard democracy. "Our fight for voters' rights began in Karnataka. A massive rally will be held at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi on Sunday to create awareness about vote theft," he said, alleging that the BJP had attempted election manipulation through the Chilume initiative. He added that thousands of Congress workers from Karnataka had already reached Delhi for the rally, with more than 100 MLAs and MLCs set to participate. "The Congress has always remained committed to the Constitution and democratic values. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, we are taking this movement to the national level," Shivakumar said. Responding to a query about his Delhi visit, the Deputy CM confirmed he would reply to a notice issued by Delhi Police in connection with the National Herald case. "I will reach Delhi late Saturday night and submit all required documents in response to the notice," he said. (ANI) Minister Santos Delivers Workshop to Gibraltar College Travel and Tourism Students The Minister for Equality, Employment, Culture & Tourism, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, was invited by Gibraltar College to deliver a specialised workshop to second-year students enrolled in the Travel & Tourism course ahead of the Christmas break. The session focused on how Gibraltar markets itself as a tourism destination and how the tourism industry is evolving in response to global trends. During the workshop, Minister Santos provided students with a comprehensive overview of Gibraltars tourism strategy, its key markets, and the adaptive approaches the destination is taking to enhance visitor experience and sustainability. The Minister outlined the role of effective destination marketing, the importance of digital engagement, and the collaborative efforts between Government and industry stakeholders to position Gibraltar competitively within the region. The session also offered students the opportunity to contact the Gibraltar Tourist Board if they were interested in working with it to expand their experience in this sector. Gibraltar College thanked the Minister for his time and for providing students with valuable first-hand insight into the work of the Ministry and the broader tourism sector. Minister Santos said: It was a pleasure to speak with the Travel and Tourism students at Gibraltar College and to share how we promote Gibraltar on the world stage. I hope this session both informed and inspired them as they continue their studies. The Congress strongly criticised reports suggesting that the Centre is considering renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) as the Pujya Bapu Rural Employment Scheme on Saturday, accusing the government of attempting to rewrite history and undermine Mahatma Gandhi's legacy. Reacting to the reports, Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh said the move reflected a larger pattern. "The Indian government is changing the entire history," he remarked, expressing concern over what he described as a systematic attempt to alter established symbols and narratives. Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP Tariq Anwar said the reported decision was deeply unfortunate and politically motivated. "It seems that they hate the name Gandhi. This decision will hurt the sentiments of those who believe in Mahatma Gandhi and his ideology," he said. Commenting on remarks made earlier by former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Anwar added that leaders who had left the Congress would eventually realise their mistake. "Whatever he said is correct, as the BJP is a two-leader party. One is Narendra Modi, and the other is Amit Shah. There is no third leader," he said. The reported renaming proposal has drawn criticism from several opposition leaders, who argue that the focus should be on strengthening the rural employment scheme rather than altering its name. MGNREGA, launched in 2005, is regarded as one of the flagship welfare programmes aimed at providing guaranteed employment to rural households. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also questioned the rationale behind the reported move, pointing to the financial burden associated with renaming a nationwide scheme. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, she said the exercise would lead to unnecessary expenditure of public money. "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, describing the move as wasteful and avoidable. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the Centre, terming the reported renaming a "distraction" designed to divert public attention from pressing issues. She also said it amounted to disrespect towards the legacy associated with the Gandhi name. While the government has not officially confirmed any decision, the reports have sparked a political debate. (ANI) The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.), called on the Director General of Border Roads (BRO), Lt. General Raghu Srinivasan, at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar, to review and discuss strategic road connectivity and border infrastructure, according to an official release. During the meeting on Saturday, they discussed strengthening road connectivity to remote border areas, ensuring regular maintenance, and establishing mechanisms for rapid restoration in case of road disruptions. The Governor, on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, conveyed gratitude to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for the successful execution of ten strategically vital roads and twenty-two bridges under the Arunank, Udayak, Vartak, and Brahmank Projects. These crucial assets were virtually inaugurated on 7th December 2025 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking an important milestone in the State's infrastructure development. The Governor 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 Director General of Border Roads briefed the Governor on the progress and challenges of ongoing strategic projects and assured him that BRO remains committed to delivering the highest-quality roads and infrastructure for Arunachal Pradesh. On the other hand, IIM Ahmedabad Shodhyatra Delegation, led by Prof. Anil K Gupta, called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.) at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar. Prof. Gupta, who undertook the Shodhyatra in the State, shared his observations on the ecological, cultural, and innovation potential of Arunachal Pradesh, based on his interactions with farmers, knowledge holders, artisans, youth, traditional healers, and community leaders, with the Governor. The team shared their experiences visiting a few villages in East Kameng District, highlighting issues with government schools, farming practices, and the use of traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. The Governor, while stating with appreciation that the people of Arunachal Pradesh are exceptionally enterprising and forward-looking, encouraged Prof. Gupta to develop practical business, marketing, and financial models that could guide aspiring entrepreneurs and support the growing ambitions of the State's youth. He said that such frameworks would empower them to turn their ideas into sustainable ventures and contribute meaningfully to the State's economic growth. Sharing his interaction with over 100 Self-Help Groups at Lok Bhavan, the Governor said that many community members, especially women, possess remarkable skills in agriculture, horticulture, handloom, and handicrafts. However, they require focused support in areas such as branding, packaging, and market linkage to ensure that their products reach wider audiences and fetch fair value. He emphasised that strengthening these capacities can uplift thousands of families and nurture a vibrant local economy. Touching on the rich ecological wealth of Arunachal Pradesh, the Governor urged the visiting experts to share their expertise in strategic ecological conservation. He stressed that safeguarding the State's pristine environment is not only a responsibility but also a vital investment in the well-being and prosperity of future generations. Prof. Anamika Dey, Deepak Sharma, PhD Research Scholar, and several selected Research Scholars accompanied Prof. Gupta to the meeting. (ANI) Vivek Shankar Tiwari, advocate for CA Vishnu Kumar Aggarwal, aide of Shubham Jaiswal, clarified that his client has not been questioned by the police as an accused in the ongoing codeine-based cough syrup trafficking case. Tiwari told ANI on Saturday that Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials have been questioning Aggarwal and that he was in good condition when they met him. The advocate emphasised that Aggarwal has not faced any ill treatment during questioning. "... The police have not questioned Vishnu Aggarwal as an accused. Enforcement Directorate officials have been questioning him since yesterday... We haven't been able to contact him yet either... He was in good condition when I met him yesterday. He has not been subjected to any ill-treatment..." Tiwari said. Meanwhile, the ED on Thursday carried out extensive searches at 25 locations linked to the alleged illegal cough-syrup trading network, targeting the premises of key accused Shubham Jaiswal and his associates. The coordinated raids, which began at 7:30 am, spanned multiple cities across Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Gujarat. Officials said the searches focused on properties connected to Jaiswal, his associates Alok Singh and Amit Singh, and several pharmaceutical manufacturers accused of diverting cough syrup supplies for unlawful distribution. The premises connected to chartered accountant Vishnu Aggarwal are also being searched as part of the probe, according to the official. On December 10, Varanasi Police had conducted a major crackdown on the illegal trade of banned codeine-based cough syrup, seizing around 30,000 bottles from a godown in the city, with an estimated value of approximately Rs 60 lakh. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Saravanan Thangamani, DCP Crime, Varanasi, said, "The Varanasi Commissioner is continuously taking action against codeine-containing cough syrup. There is a godown here where this cough syrup is kept in huge quantities. Around 30,000 bottles of codeine-containing cough syrup have been seized, whose estimated value is around Rs 60,00,000. The land of this illegal godown is in the name of Manoj Kumar Yadav, a close associate of Shubham Jaiswal. 2 suspects have been arrested at the spot." The accused in the recent alleged cough syrup smuggling case in Varanasi, Shubham Jaiswal, who faces cases in Varanasi and Ghaziabad, has sought quashing of the FIR and a stay on his arrest. An FIR under the NDPS Act was registered on November 15 at Varanasi's Kotwali police station, naming Shubham, his father Bhola Prasad Jaiswal and 28 others in connection with the trafficking of banned codeine-laced cough syrup. (ANI) Congress leader Husain Dalwai, commenting on a university in Pakistan reportedly introducing a Sanskrit course for the first time since Partition, said that Pakistan is connected to Indian history and the country should therefore welcome this decision. "Pakistan was formed by separating from India. So Pakistan is also connected to India's history. Some good people are coming forward in Pakistan, which is a good thing, and we should welcome it," Dalwai told ANI. The Congress leader also responded to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's speech delivered in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the inauguration of a Veer Savarkar statue, where Bhagwat asserted that statements suggesting India should be divided should not be made. Responding to the remarks, Dalwai said that nobody is talking about dividing the country here. "Who talks about India being divided there? Nobody. Perhaps they are the ones who talk like that in their own 'shakha'. It should also be written on Savarkar's statue how many times he apologised to the British," added Dalwai. For the first time since Partition, Pakistan's Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) has reportedly introduced a four-credit course in the classical language Sanskrit. This initiative was launched following a three-month weekend workshop that attracted strong interest from students and scholars. Additionally, the university plans to introduce courses on the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, and the Bhagavad Gita. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday paid tribute to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at the RSS Smruti Mandir here. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also joined the CM in paying tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar Several senior leaders were present at the Smruti Mandir, highlighting the occasion's significance ahead of the Sangh's centenary year. Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said that the visit was deeply inspiring. "Coming here, experiencing everything and then going back to the public with a lasting memory and renewed energy, provides an opportunity and inspiration to work on the principles of good national service. The centenary year will undoubtedly be a grand festival for the entire nation. The Sangh is an organisation that provides an excellent example of patriotism, national devotion, and national service to the country," he told ANI. Maharashtra BJP Mahila Morcha President Chitra Kishor Wagh also shared her thoughts, stating that visits to the Smruti Mandir are a source of motivation. "We get energy from coming here; we come here every year. We also get a lesson here on how to serve the public," Wagh said. Founded in 1925 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, by Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was established as a volunteer-based organisation with the goal of fostering cultural awareness, discipline, service, and social respibility among citizens. He led the organisation for fifteen years until his passing in 1940. Before his death, he anointed Guruji M. S. Golwalkar as his successor, who over the next three decades expanded the RSS to every nook and corner of India. Hedgewar, who was born on April 1, 1889, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, served as the founder and first Sarsanghachalak (Chief) of the RSS. (ANI) The Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) has emerged as a vital lifeline for cancer patients and other critically ill individuals in Gujarat, providing timely financial support and ensuring access to life-saving treatments, said the office of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF), operated by the Government of Gujarat, has become a strong safety shield for citizens in times of crisis. Whether it is natural disasters, accidents, critical illnesses, or life-saving treatments, the fund continues to widen its reach, a release said. Under the guidance of CM Bhupendra Patel, for health assistance, CMRF has provided timely support, financial relief, and reassurance to thousands of families. The CMRF has been strengthened to be more empathetic, efficient, and people-focused, ensuring that no one is denied medical care because of financial constraints. Staying true to his priority that people's lives and health come first, the fund has grown into a trusted support system for citizens. CMRF ensured that financially vulnerable patients receive essential medical care, covering severe conditions such as cancer, heart disease, kidney and liver failure, and organ transplants. As per the eligibility criteria, the applicant's annual income must be below Rs 4 lakh, and Rs 6 lakh for senior citizens. Required documents include a residence certificate, a detailed treatment estimate, and medical reports. After the application is submitted, the Revenue Department verifies the case and forwards it to the CMRF Committee, which includes the Relief Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), Chief Secretary, and the Chief Minister. Once approved, the sanctioned assistance is transferred directly to the hospital or to the patient's bank account, ensuring treatment proceeds without financial delays. According to the release, between 2021 and 2025, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) provided crucial financial assistance to 2,106 cancer patients across Gujarat, disbursing over Rs 31.55 crore for their treatment. According to Health Department data, 450 blood cancer patients, including those needing bone marrow transplants, received support, while 1,656 patients with other types of cancer were also assisted. Beyond cancer care, CMRF extends aid to patients requiring costly and complex procedures such as liver, kidney, heart, and lung transplants. Major medical institutions, including Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI) in Ahmedabad, Nathalal Parekh Cancer Institute and B.T. Savani Hospital in Rajkot, Bharat Cancer Hospital, Kiran Multi Super speciality Hospital, and AAIHMS in Surat, have been key partners in providing assistance through CMRF. These hospitals provided advanced cancer care, ensuring timely treatment for economically weaker patients under expert supervision. (ANI) The arrested individual has been identified as Thangjam Priyobarta Singh, also known as Yokkhatpa, aged 35. He is a resident of Kumbi Mayai Leikai, located in the Bishnupur district. In a separate operation on the same day, security forces also recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives from the Moltinchan Village area under Sugnu Police Station in Kakching district. The recovered items include one SLR without a magazine, one locally made bolt-action sniper rifle with an empty magazine, one double-barrel breech-loading gun (DBBL), one single-barrel breech-loading gun, and one locally made pistol with an empty magazine. The recovery also included one 36 high-explosive hand grenade without a detonator, one empty magazine of a 7.62 mm LMG, three tube launchers, 15 rounds of SLR ammunition, five stun shells, and one 51 mm high-explosive bomb. Earlier, Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with Police and CRPF, seized 50,000 Yaba tablets worth Rs 12.5 crores from a vehicle in Jiribam, Manipur and apprehended two individuals on Saturday, Assam Rifles said in a press release on December 6. Acting on specific intelligence on drug trafficking, Assam Rifles in Jiribam launched a joint operation with the Police and CRPF. In a joint operation, 50,000 WY/R tablets, valued at about Rs 12.5 crore, were recovered. "The team successfully intercepted a narcotics consignment, leading to the recovery of 50,000 WY/R tablets worth about Rs 12.5 crore, which was being transported in a vehicle. Two individuals in possession of mobile handsets were also apprehended, who were later handed over to Jiribam Police," Assam Rifles said. (ANI) AIADMK MP IS Inbadurai, has urged the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Chennai to immediately register an FIR against Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru over allegations of large-scale corruption, tender manipulation, and job racketeering in the Municipal Administration Department. In a letter to the DVAC, the MP cited Enforcement Directorate (ED) dossiers dated October 27, 2025, and December 8, 2025, forwarded under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which allegedly detail irregularities, including a reported use of a 10 note as a token in the purported racketeering. The letter further stated, "The alleged findings placed on record by the ED clearly reveal that tenders amounting to approximately 1,020 crore were systematically manipulated, wherein contractors were allegedly compelled to pay 7.5%-10% illegal commissions to individuals 3 associated with Hon'ble Minister Mr K.N. Nehru, the Minister for Municipal Administration overseeing the department, in order to secure contracts." "These alleged findings of the ED directly implicate senior officials and political functionaries of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department, including Mr K.N. Nehru," the letter added. Earlier on Friday, BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai also accused the ruling DMK government of suppressing major corruption complaints flagged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and demanded. Immediate registration of two FIRs against Minister KN Nehru, his family members, and associates over alleged "multi-crore scams". Annamalai alleged that the ED had written to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) twice, first in October 2025 and again on December 3, 2025, flagging what he described as "massive corruption" in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department, headed by Nehru. (ANI) BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya slammed the Congress party and dismissed their 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod' rally against the Special Intensive Review (SIR) issue, saying that the opposition party possess no vision for the development of this country. He further accused Congress of being run by a single family. The BJP MLA also asserted that people do not fall for such propaganda and said that the country is progressing under PM Modi's leadership. "Congress has no vision or roadmap for the development of this country. Congress is a family-run party with no concern for the country's problems. They held a similar rally in Bihar, and the outcome was zero. Gone are the days when people would fall for such propaganda. The country is progressing under PM Modi's leadership. Bengal will also give similar results as Bihar in the near future," Acharya told ANI. Earlier today, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal dismissed the 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod' rally by Congress against the special Intensive Review (SIR) issue, calling it a gathering of "failed people" doomed to fail. He also rejected allegations of vote theft, backing Union Home Minister Amit Shah's response in Parliament. Speaking to ANI, Khandelwal said, "First of all, Congress is a rejected party that has been rejected across the country. This is a gathering of failed people who are assembling in Delhi today, which will completely fail. As far as the question of vote theft is concerned, the way Union Home Minister Amit Shah has torn apart this allegation in the House, everyone knows that, so there is no issue of vote theft. These are some failed people who are holding such events to somehow vent their political frustration." Congress party is set to hold a major rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital today, intensifying its campaign over alleged "vote chori" and the SIR issue, with party leaders describing the event as a crucial step in a decisive political battle against the BJP-led government. This rally comes amid heightened political activity surrounding the Congress's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities. Earlier, tensions had flared in Lucknow on November 27 when Youth Congress workers staged a protest as part of the ongoing "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" campaign over the SIR issue. The protest, which began peacefully, escalated after demonstrators attempted to cross police barricades and block key roads in the city centre while marching towards the Vidhan Sabha. Several Youth Congress workers were detained for refusing to disperse, a move criticised by party leaders, who alleged that peaceful democratic protests were met with excessive police action. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tarun Chugh on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of attempting to protect illegal infiltrators in the country through his party's mega rally, "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod," scheduled to be held in the national capital later in the day. Speaking to ANI, Chugh said, "Rahul Gandhi is now making another attempt to save illegal infiltrators. His attempt would weaken the country's democracy. People have rejected his propaganda in the past, and Bihar has punished Congress." Targeting the government, Odisha Congress in-charge Ajay Kumar Lallu on Sunday described the BJP as a "vote-stealing government" and claimed that democracy is being held hostage in the country. Speaking to ANI ahead of his party's rally against SIR at Ramleela Maidan, Lallu said, "The way democracy in the country has been held hostage, undoubtedly, this BJP government of the country is a vote-stealing government. Rahul Gandhi held press conferences in various states and directly brought information about each and every voter and polling booth to the country, the media, and the people. I believe that the BJP today certainly wants to completely dismantle the democratic system and move towards dictatorship." The Congress party is set to hold a major rally at Ramlila Maidan today, intensifying its campaign over alleged "vote chori" and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. Party leaders have described the event as a crucial step in a decisive political battle against the BJP-led government. This rally comes amid heightened political activity surrounding the Congress's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities. Earlier, tensions had flared in Lucknow on November 27 when Youth Congress workers staged a protest as part of the ongoing "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod" campaign over the SIR issue. The protest, which began peacefully, escalated after demonstrators attempted to cross police barricades and block key roads in the city centre while marching towards the Vidhan Sabha. Several Youth Congress workers were detained for refusing to disperse, a move criticised by party leaders, who alleged that peaceful democratic protests were met with excessive police action. (ANI) by Malcolm Murray As I discussed AI with my cabdriver on a recent trip to Vienna, I was reminded of the fact that the German word for AI is Kunstliche Intelligenz. This shares an etymological root with the word Kunst, German for Art. This made me realize that of course we have that in English too, the Art is right there in Artificial Intelligence, we have just overlooked it. The words have diverged over time, from their common Proto-Germanic root, but I think their commonality is an interesting perspective to consider. Given the breadth of likely impact of AI on society, we need to analyze it from many different lenses and perspectives. So apply the art lens and being more cognizant of the Art in Artificial Intelligence could be helpful for making sense of some of the dissonant patterns AI presents us with. First, we have the strange and somewhat discombobulating fact that AI is, as Ethan Mollick famously pointed out, neither software nor people. It is something else, a third category, with elements of both. We are used to people, and Kahneman and others have taught us how the ways in which they are fallible and make mistakes. They are flexible, but have many biases. We are used to software and we know its strengths and weaknesses. It delivers predictable performance, but with a limited range. What we have not yet encountered is fallible software. Like Ethan says, this is a new category which will take time to get used to. This partly explains enterprise adoption which is still slow, since that third category does not have a natural home in an organization. Processes will have to be changed drastically to allow this third category to fully come to its right. Seeing AI as more as of an art than a science helps put this in the right perspective. Second, we have the difficulties we are facing in designing risk management for AI. When we look to apply techniques from other high-risk industries, we increasingly recognize that they have to be altered, sometimes significantly, in order to apply to AI. This is often a surprising outcome. We have decades of experience from safety-critical industries such as nuclear power, aviation, maritime transport and chemical industries. In HROs (highly-reliability organizations), such as hospitals and air-traffic control, the environments have been refined to the point where error rates are vanishingly low. One would think there presume that there would be established routines, processes and metrics that could easily be transported over to AI. However, AI tends to require new and innovative solutions. This again makes more sense if we see it as having aspects of an art as well as a science. Science is something we (mostly) know how to regulate, but that is not the case for art, where regulation has not been necessary outside of autocratic societies. Finally, one could actually see the introduction of AI into society over the past few years as something akin to art itself. I dont mean here the ability of AI to create art, even though the recent Scott Alexander experiment showed that AI art seems to already be fairly at par with human-made art. Rather Im thinking about AI itself as art. Ken Liu recently argued in Noema that AI is a new artistic medium. He says we should think of AI as a new kind of machine that captures something and plays backthe content of thought, or subjectivity. Liu calls it a Noematograph (analogous to the cinematographbut for thought). This is an interesting way to put it (much more interesting than the take from his normally more inventive fellow science-fiction writer Ted Chiang who famously dismissed AI as a blurry jpeg of the web). Seen this way, the sudden burst on the scene of ChatGPT (which, as youll recall was just an experiment at OpenAI that they didnt expect much of) three years ago can be seen as the start of a performance art installation. Performance art (especially its guerilla art subset think Banksy) often takes the shape of an artist inserting something into society (such as adding images or sculptures to a sidewalk) to see what reactions or changes it leads to. The large-scale introduction of generative AI into societys processes can similarly be seen as a piece of performance art, just on a vastly larger scale. This perspective could put the recent astronomical salaries for AI researchers (e.g. by Meta) into the right perspective. Perhaps it is logical after all that AI researchers should be paid hundreds of millions, if we seem them as high-performing artists in the same vein as music or movie stars. The phrase used by many commentators in AI is that AI is grown, not built. Like the blind watchmaker of evolution, we are growing something we do not know how it works. This means unprecedented degrees of freedom in what can result from these efforts. Remembering that AI is an art and not a science might be a useful perspective to take to remind us that it is natural that its adoption takes time, that we need to rethink regulation from the ground up and that we are all just part of the audience for the OpenAI show. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. Ahead of Congress's major rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan today over alleged "Vote Chori," the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) questioned the party's silence on alleged rigging in the Delhi Assembly elections, asking whether Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, would address the issue of vote theft in the national capital. Speaking to ANI, AAP Delhi unit President Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "The rally organised by Congress against SIR today at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. We wish them all the best if they want to carry out any public awareness work within the country. However, in the very same Delhi where Congress is holding such a large rally, exactly one year ago, when vote theft was happening, and our senior leaders were presenting evidence, the Congress party remained silent. Will Rahul Gandhi address the issue of vote theft in Delhi, or will he avoid it? If he avoids it, then their entire narrative is for their own party, not for the country." Bharadwaj emphasised that Congress had not spoken out when AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh, repeatedly presented evidence of irregularities during the Delhi Assembly elections. "We wish them all the best if they want to work towards public awareness and to strengthen democracy in the country. But in the very Delhi, when vote theft was happening and Arvind Kejriwal, Sanjay Singh and all our leaders were repeatedly presenting evidence, that time Congress remained silent. Even today, a year later, Congress is silent on this," he added. The AAP leader further questioned, "Today, when Rahul Gandhi will speak at Ramlila Maidan on the issue of vote theft, will he talk about how in this very Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal was defeated by wrongly deleting and adding votes?" "If Rahul Gandhi speaks on this as well, only then it will be clear that the Congress party is leading the entire opposition and Rahul Gandhi is truly the Leader of the Opposition. But if he avoids speaking about the vote theft that happened in Delhi, then their entire narrative is for their own party, not for the country," Saurabh Bharadwaj added. Meanwhile, the Congress party is set to hold a major rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital on Sunday, intensifying its campaign over alleged "vote chori" and the SIR issue, with party leaders describing the event as a crucial step in a decisive political battle against the BJP-led government. This rally comes amid heightened political activity surrounding the Congress's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities. Further, Congress MP Saptagiri Ulka alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise is an attempt to remove the poor, backward, Dalit voters and traditional supporters of the party from the electoral rolls. Speaking to ANI ahead of the Congress party's rally against SIR at Ramlila Maidan, Ulka said, "SIR, our fight against vote theft continued from the House to the streets. Rahul Gandhi had also taken out a foot march on this issue in Bihar. We had forced the government to discuss it; this is a big issue. Our main problem is that through this SIR, an attempt is being made to remove the poor, backward, Dalit, and traditional voters of Congress and the INDIA alliance from the elections to gain an advantage; therefore, we are holding this rally against it." (ANI) Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Sunday questioned the timing of the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) in Delhi, coinciding with the Congress party's major rally at Ramlila Maidan against alleged "vote chori" and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Speaking to ANI, Tiwari termed the timing of the stringent pollution control measures a "coincidence" and raised concerns over restrictions on vehicle movement into Delhi on the day when a massive Congress rally is being held in the city. He alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government is acting out of a "spirit of revenge" after failing on multiple fronts. "It is a coincidence that today itself, there is a massive Congress rally against vote theft in Delhi. The timing of this raises questions about whether vehicles can be stopped from entering Delhi upon its implementation, but there is no doubt that the BJP government has turned Delhi into a gas chamber. AAP laid the foundation for this, and the BJP turned it into a gas tunnel. This is a matter of serious concern..." Tiwari said. Launching a sharp attack on the BJP over its handling of air pollution in the national capital, the Congress MP alleged that the government has failed to control pollution levels and is now resorting to vindictive politics. "Overall, the BJP has proven to be completely unsuccessful, and as of today's date, it seems they are acting out of a spirit of revenge," he added. During the interaction, Tiwari also spoke about Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, praising her leadership and resolve, dismissing speculation about her health, and saying her presence continues to energise party workers. "Sonia Gandhi is in perfect health. She fulfils her responsibilities admirably... She is a wise and determined woman, and I admire her for this. If she attends any event, it instils a new sense of enthusiasm among the Congress members," Tiwari said. Earlier in the day, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar urged citizens to participate in the Congress protest at Ramlila Maidan, stressing the need to protect democracy and the Constitution. In a video message shared by the Indian National Congress on X (formerly Twitter), Shivakumar said, "We all invite you to Ramleela Maidan today. From Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi ji, under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge ji, started a great movement to protect your vote. The right to vote is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of our country. Today, we are coming together to protect every citizen's right and to safeguard their vote. Join hands with Rahul ji. Let us come together. Let us stand united. We must save democracy and the Constitution." Highlighting Karnataka's role in the campaign, Shivakumar noted that the state collected 1.43 crore signatures, the highest in the country, as part of the nationwide movement. "This great movement began in Karnataka, and today we have collected 1 crore 43 lakh signatures from Karnataka the highest in the country. The people of Karnataka have placed their confidence in us and given us a mandate to protect the people. Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod," he added. The Congress party is set to hold a major rally at Ramlila Maidan in the national capital on Sunday, intensifying its campaign over alleged "vote chori" and the SIR issue. Party leaders have described the rally as a crucial step in a decisive political battle against the BJP-led government. (ANI) NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule on Sunday criticised the Maharashtra government over the short State Assembly session, saying it lasted barely eight days and failed to address key issues like the state's financial condition, investment challenges, unemployment and corruption. She also alleged that the government had not fulfilled its promise of a complete farm loan waiver, even as farmer suicides continue to rise. Speaking to ANI, Sule said, "Maharashtra session is very short, it's was hardly even eight days and it's unfortunate that they should be discussing Maharashtra's issues of the financial situation of Maharashtra and huge challenges of investments, unemployment, and corruption. It's very sad that the Maharashtra government is not agreeing to any of these. The government committed to a loan waiver (for farmers). A complete loan waiver is what the Chief Minister had committed, and it's not happening, and the farmer suicides are going up, as Maharashtra's data says..." Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the state assembly will also discuss the national song in the next session. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, the Chief Minister said, "Vande Mataram isn't just a song; it's the mantra of India's independence and nationalism. After 150 years of its completion, Parliament must discuss it, and I am happy that this discussion is underway. Our speaker has announced that it will be discussed in our assembly as well in the next session." The winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature commenced in Nagpur on December 8 and concluded on December 14. (ANI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has taken serious cognizance of the continuing and widespread practice of "proxy governance" in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), particularly in constituencies reserved for women. This follows a complaint filed by Sushil Verma, former Member of Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, which was considered by the bench of the Commission headed by Priyank Kanoongo, member NHRC on December 12, an official statement said. After examining the complaint, the Commission observed that despite constitutional safeguards and judicial pronouncements, elected women representatives are often reduced to nominal heads, while actual administrative and decision-making powers are exercised by their husbands or male relatives, a practice commonly referred to as "Sarpanch Pati" or "Pradhan Pati". The complaint also highlights the informal appointment of relatives of elected women representatives as liaison persons or representatives of MPs and MLAs, leading to undue interference in the functioning of constitutionally mandated local self-governance institutions. The Commission noted that the Supreme Court, in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 615/2023, has categorically deprecated this unconstitutional and unlawful practice. Such proxy representation undermines the spirit of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, defeats the objective of women's reservation under Article 243D, and violates fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15(3), and 21 of the Constitution of India. The NHRC further observed that these acts may amount to criminal misconduct under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including offences relating to impersonation of public servants, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful assumption of public functions. Vide proceedings dated 09.09.2025, a Bench of the Commission presided over by Priyank Kanoongo, Member, NHRC, had already taken cognizance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, and directed all States and Union Territories to submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs). However, responses were received only from the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Uttarakhand, and from a few cities in Uttar Pradesh, while 32 States/UTs failed to respond, the statement added. In view of the seriousness of the issue and continued non-compliance, the Commission has now directed issuance of Conditional Summons under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to the Principal Secretaries of the Departments of Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies of 32 States and Union Territories. The concerned authorities have been directed to appear personally before the Commission on 30 December 2025 at 11:00 AM, along with detailed Action Taken Reports. If the requisite reports are received by 22 December 2025, personal appearance shall be dispensed with. Failure to comply without lawful excuse will invite action under Order XVI Rules 10 and 12 of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908, including issuance of warrants. The Commission has reiterated that women's reservation is meant to ensure real empowerment, dignity, and leadership, not symbolic representation, and that any form of proxy governance strikes at the very root of democracy and the rule of law. Statement of NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo read,"The National Human Rights Commission is of the clear view that any form of proxy representation on posts reserved for women, whether in the form of 'Sarpanch Pati' or through any other informal arrangement, is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution. In a democracy, the elected woman representative alone is the lawful holder of the administrative, executive, and decision-making authority of her office." Further, it said, "The Commission's responsibility is not limited to the protection of rights alone; it also extends to ensuring the effective and meaningful implementation of constitutional provisions. When husbands or other relatives govern in place of elected women representatives, it amounts to a serious violation of women's dignity, equality, and right to self-determination." "It is for this reason that the Commission has adopted a strict approach to ensure accountability from all States and Union Territories. This action is not confined to any particular State or region, but is a necessary step towards strengthening women's empowerment and reinforcing the credibility and integrity of democratic institutions across the country," the statement added (ANI)_ BJP MP Arun Govil on Sunday praised Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, who was formally declared as the Uttar Pradesh BJP president later in the day following his unopposed nomination. "This has been a very good process. Everyone knows how well Pankaj Chaudhary is performing as a minister, and now he will do good work here too. The enthusiasm among all is because a very good person has been selected, and everyone is expressing their happiness," Govil said. Earlier today, Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced that Union Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary has been unanimously elected as the new President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Uttar Pradesh unit. "I am delighted to announce that Brother @MPPChaudharyJi has been unanimously appointed as the newly elected President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Uttar Pradesh," Goyal said while addressing party workers in Lucknow. Pankaj Chaudhary filed his nomination papers for the post on Saturday in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior leaders. On Saturday, after filing the sole nomination, Minister Pankaj Chaudhary told ANI, "Nomination has been filed. Scrutiny is underway. When the announcement is made tomorrow, something more can be said... No post is big or small. Whatever responsibility is assigned, as a worker of the party, we shoulder it with full dedication..." Firecrackers were burst at the residence of Pankaj Chaudhary in Maharajganj after he filed the sole nomination for the State BJP president election. Earlier, the party had appointed Union Minister Piyush Goyal and BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde as election officers for the process. (ANI) PM Modi highlighted that North East today represents the face of a new, confident India. Applauding Nagaland's unique cultural identity, PM Modi observed that the State does not merely host a festival; it embodies celebration itself, truly justifying its proud title as the Land of Festivals. Responding to a post by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on X, PM Modi said: "In this engaging article, Union Minister Shri @JM_Scindia describes Nagaland's Hornbill Festival as a kaleidoscope of the human spirit and a masterful convergence of the ancient and the contemporary. He reiterates that our country will rise only when the Northeast shines." Highlighting the Northeast as the face of a new, confident India, the Minister notes that Nagaland does not just celebrate - it embodies celebration, truly justifying why it is called the Land of Festivals, PM Modi said. Earlier, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, visited the Kenguruse Pavillion in Kisama Heritage Village at Kohima during the Hornbill Festival. The Chief of Air Staff paid solemn homage to the fallen Naga heroes, recognising their bravery and ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation. The tribute reflected the deep respect shared across the Armed Forces for those who laid down their lives for the country. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also viewed an AI-based film on Captain N Kenguruse, Mahavir Chakra (Posthumous), which recounts his valour and sacrifice, bringing his inspiring story to light for all visitors. The screening prompted reflection and reinforced the importance of remembering and honouring our heroes. He interacted with Army and Air Force officers and viewed the exhibits at the Pavilion, which showcase military heritage, regional history and the shared legacy of courage and service in Nagaland and the North-Eastern region. (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Sunday ordered a high-level committee chaired by the State Chief Vigilance Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary, Home) to probe into the corruption allegations against three MLAs. A sting operation-based report in a national daily alleged that BJP MLA Revantram Danga, Congress MLA Anita Jatav, and independent MLA Ritu Banawat took commission for getting development work done in their constituencies. Stating "zero tolerance" for corruption, CM Sharma also directed the freezing of their MLA LAD accounts. Bhajanlal Sharma wrote on X, "Today, a major newspaper has published a report on corruption in the MLA Local Area Development Fund. This is an extremely serious and concerning issue. Our government's policy on corruption by any public servant is one of complete zero tolerance. No matter how influential a person may be, if found guilty of corruption, they will not be spared." "In this case, the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police have been directed to conduct an investigation through a high-level committee chaired by the State Chief Vigilance Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary, Home). The MLA LAD accounts of these assembly constituencies have also been frozen," the X post added. State Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra also called for an Ethics Committee probe. Calling it "unfortunate" for Indian democracy, he urged the political parties to take action against corrupt MLAs. "This is an unfortunate situation for democracy. Even earlier, one MLA was caught taking a bribe against a question in the Assembly. There is an Ethics Committee, and it should probe the matter. If anyone is found guilty, it should be conveyed to the Vidhan Sabha Chairperson, who will present the matter before the Assembly and take the appropriate action. It is a responsibility of the parties too to take action against their MLAs," Kharra told reporters. (ANI) Union Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary on Sunday expressed gratitude to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for electing him as the party's president in Uttar Pradesh and exuded his commitment to fulfil this responsibility. "This new responsibility is more serious and challenging than all my previous responsibilities. But I am confident that the love and dedication of the wonderful BJP workers of Uttar Pradesh will help me fulfil this great responsibility," Pankaj Chaudhary said at the felicitation programme in Lucknow. Union Minister Piyush Goyal handed over the charge of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit to Pankaj Chaudhary in the presence of party leaders and workers. Pankaj Chaudhary, who also serves as a Union Minister of State for Finance, is a seven-time MP from Maharajganj. "In 1991, when I was 26 years old, the BJP gave me the opportunity to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Maharajganj for the first time. And from 1991 to the 2024 elections, I have neither left Maharajganj nor the BJP. I have had the good fortune of being elected as a Member of Parliament seven times from the same party and the same parliamentary constituency. All of this has been possible only because of the hard work of the BJP and the people of Maharajganj," Pankaj Chaudhary said. Union Minister Piyush Goyal praised Pankaj Chaudhary, calling him a dedicated party worker "Pankaj Chaudhary is a very dedicated worker. Uttar Pradesh has a very simple and hardworking state president. I congratulate him. Under his leadership, the Uttar Pradesh BJP will reach new heights," he said. Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "Under the leadership of the state BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary, we will win more seats in 2027 than we secured in 2017." UP Minister Danish Azad Ansari congratulated Pankaj Chaudhary. "It is a historic day as we are getting our new party president. The vision of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to develop and progress the state will be brought to ground reality with the support and effort of our new party president. In 2027, we will once again form a government in the state with a complete majority," he said. UP Minister Narendra Kashyap said that there's a lot of enthusiasm within the party over the election of a new state BJP President. "There is a lot of enthusiasm among the party workers as a new party president is being elected after a long time. It will certainly bring new energy to the party," he said. UP Minister Rakesh Sachan said, "Under Pankaj Chaudhary's direction, the party will work efficiently and lay out a roadmap for the 2027 assembly elections, aiming to secure victory." Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior BJP leaders also extended their best wishes to Pankaj Chaudhary, expressing confidence that the party's Uttar Pradesh unit would continue to strengthen under his leadership. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday congratulated Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin upon his appointment as the BJP's National Working President, calling his selection an "honour for BJP workers who toil day and night". The BJP Parliamentary Board has appointed Bihar Cabinet Minister Nitin Nabin as the party's National Working President. He will succeed Union Minister JP Nadda, who has served as the BJP National President since January 2020. Amit Shah wrote on X, "Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, National President JP Nadda ji, and the senior leaders of the BJP Parliamentary Board--I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nitin Nabin ji on his appointment as the National General Secretary by them. Be it as the National General Secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha, or as the State President of the State Youth Wing in Bihar, or as the State In-Charge for Chhattisgarh, he has fulfilled every responsibility of the organisation with complete dedication and success." Being a five-time MLA, Shah stated, Nitin Nabin possesses "extensive experience." "In Bihar, having served five times as a legislator and as a minister in the state government, he possesses extensive experience of working among the people. His elevation today to the position of National Working President is an honour for every young BJP worker who toils day and night. I extend my best wishes to him for his new responsibility and successful tenure," the Union Minister said. His predecessor, JP Nadda, also congratulated him, expressing confidence in his leadership. Nadda extended wishes for Nabin's successful tenure. JP Nadda said, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the dynamic BJP leader from the sacred land of knowledge and culture, Bihar, and Minister in the Bihar Government, Nitin Nabin ji, on his appointment as the National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party." "I am fully confident that under the guidance of the esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and your leadership, the organisation will establish new dimensions with the sentiments of nation-building and public service. Heartfelt best wishes for your illustrious and successful tenure," the Union Health Minister added. Minister of Road Construction of Bihar and five-time MLA, Nitin Nabin, is the son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha. A young face for the BJP, Nitin Nabin carries the experience of governance, having served as a Minister in the Bihar Government multiple times. Bihar Chief Minister and NDA ally Nitish Kumar extended wishes, calling Nabin a "dedicated and disciplined politician." "Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Shri Nitin Nabin on his appointment as the National Executive President of the BJP. It is a matter of great joy that Shri Nitin Nabin, a resident of Bihar, has been appointed as the National Executive President of the BJP. He has been elected as an MLA for the fifth time and is working with us as an energetic colleague in the cabinet. Nitin Nabin is a dedicated and disciplined politician. I am confident that his new responsibility will further strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party. I pray to God for his excellent health and a bright tenure," Nitish Kumar wrote on X. Nitin Nabin has held the posts of Minister of the Road Construction Department, Urban Development and Housing and Law Department in the Bihar government. In 2008, in the BJP, he served as a National Executive Committee Member of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and Co-in-charge of the Youth Wing. In 2010-2013, he became the National General Secretary of the Yuva Morcha. From 2016-19, he served as the Yuva Morcha State President in Bihar and was the BJP Election In-charge in Sikkim in 2019. In June 2019, he was made the Sikkim State BJP Organisation In-charge. (ANI) After the Congress held 'vote chor, gaddi chhod' rally at Delhi's Ramleela Maidan, Party MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday raised serious concern about "vote theft" allegations, emphasising the need to protect the right given by the Constitution to every citizen. He hailed Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for launching 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' campaign against BJP, saying that through this a message will go that Congres can go to any extent to protect the right to vote. "Inside the House, Rahul Gandhi clearly stated that the framers of the Constitution, the freedom fighters, gave the greatest gift to the people of India, which is their right to vote. This vote is the power and voice of 140 crore people... The BJP wants to eliminate this voice and power through vote theft," Gaurav Gogoi said. "I thank Rahul Gandhi for running this campaign from the foot march to the House for the right to vote of the common people... In the coming times, the message will go that to protect the right to vote of the common person, their voice, the Congress party can go to any extent," he added. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey said that the rally's primary purpose is to raise a voice against the BJP's attempt to "weaken" the democratic process of the country. "No matter how many conspiracies they hatch, even if the central government tries to stop this rally, its main purpose is to raise a voice against the way the democratic process is being weakened by stealing votes across the entire country. No matter how many restrictions they impose, people's anger will come out in this very manner, and this message will spread throughout the country," he said. Congress on Sunday held 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, heightening the party's campaign against alleged electoral irregularities. The party has intensified its campaign over the alleged "vote chori" and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. Party leaders have described the event as a crucial step in a decisive political battle against the BJP-led government. During the rally, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the ideology of the Manusmriti, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and BJP will "destroy the nation". "Only Congress party's ideology can save the nation; ideology of (Mohan) Bhagwat, (Madhav Rao) Gowalkar Guruji, or the Manusmriti will not save the nation, but destroy it. The path the BJP, PM Modi is going, slowly and steadily, they are trying to finish the Constitution," Kharge said during his speech. Rahul Gandhi, during his speech, vowed to change the 'CEC and Other Election Commissioners Bill, 2023' and to take action against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner Sukhbir Sandhu, and Vivek Joshi once the Congress returns to power. "Remember these names: Sukhbir Sandhu, Gnyanesh Kumar, Vivek Joshi. The Election Commission is working with BJP. Narendra Modi ji has changed the law for them and said that the Election Commissioner can do anything but no action can be taken against them. Don't forget that you are the EC of India, not Modi's EC. We will change this law and take action against you. Because we are fighting for the truth," he said. (ANI) As Delhi recorded an AQI above 450 on Sunday, Doctors in the national capital sounded alarms on how young people are coming in with increasing respiratory problems, and advised people to stay "at home to the extent possible." Dr GC Khilnani, Chairman of the PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, advised people to wear N95 or N99 masks when going outside to help block pollutants. "I see two types of patients, the young people who do not have any illness or respiratory illness, asthma, or bronchitis. They are coming with a very troubling cough, sore throat, running nose. When I examine them, I don't find anything... A test called fractional exhaled nitric oxide is done, which actually indicates the level of inflammation in the airways, and that I am finding is very high," Dr Khilnani said. He further said that in such cases, antibiotics would not help, as the cause is pollution. "Another type of patient is the one who has previous heart disease, lung disease. They come to the emergency room with increased requirements of nebulization, breathlessness, and increased requirements of oxygen. Younger children and the elderly are the worst affected because of this pollution," he added. Dr GC Khilnani further noted that younger children and the elderly are most affected by this pollution. "It is very important for everybody to stay at home to the extent possible... A special advisory for people who have asthma or heart disease or who are elderly is that these people should not go for early morning walks when the smog is there... If they want to go for a walk, they should use an N95 or N99 mask... Everybody is using air purifiers... But there are some precautions to be taken, like the air purifier should be on all the time, the room should be closed, and the filter should be replaced repeatedly," he said. Doctor Atul Mathur, Interventional Cardiologist and Executive Director at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, urged the residents to "wear light masks" and "reduce their outdoor exposure". Emphasising its impact on public health, he categorised the two types of pollution components: gases such as nitrogen oxides, which are harmful, and particulate matter. Earlier today, Residents of Delhi expressed deep concern over deteriorating air quality as the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 497, remaining in the 'severe' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In response to the severe pollution, the Delhi Government's Directorate of Education on Saturday directed schools to conduct classes for grades IX and XI in a hybrid format. This decision followed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoking Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as AQI levels approached the 'severe' mark. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday congratulated newly elected state BJP President Pankaj Chaudhary and said that now the party and the government will move forward with a new momentum. CM Yogi Adityanath exuded confidence in Pankaj Chaudhary to succeed as the party's chief in the state. "On behalf of all the party workers, I welcome Pankaj Chaudhary as the party's new state president. The process of our elections within Uttar Pradesh is completed. An experienced worker is being entrusted with the responsibility of Uttar Pradesh state president. Now the government and the organisation will be able to move forward with a new momentum with the resolve to advance in accordance with the Prime Minister's vision," CM Yogi said at the felicitation programme in Lucknow. Union Minister Piyush Goyal handed over the charge of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit to Pankaj Chaudhary in the presence of party leaders and workers. Pankaj Chaudhary, who also serves as a Union Minister of State for Finance, is a seven-time MP from Maharajganj. He will succeed Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, who was appointed state BJP president in August 2022. Pankaj Chaudhary expressed gratitude to the BJP for handing him this responsibility. "This new responsibility is more serious and challenging than all my previous responsibilities. But I am confident that the love and dedication of the wonderful BJP workers of Uttar Pradesh will help me fulfil this great responsibility," Pankaj Chaudhary said at the felicitation programme in Lucknow. Union Minister Piyush Goyal praised Pankaj Chaudhary, calling him a dedicated party worker "Pankaj Chaudhary is a very dedicated worker. Uttar Pradesh has a very simple and hardworking state president. I congratulate him. Under his leadership, the Uttar Pradesh BJP will reach new heights," he said. Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "Under the leadership of the state BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary, we will win more seats in 2027 than we secured in 2017." UP Minister Danish Azad Ansari congratulated Pankaj Chaudhary. "It is a historic day as we are getting our new party president. The vision of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to develop and progress the state will be brought to ground reality with the support and effort of our new party president. In 2027, we will once again form a government in the state with a complete majority," he said. (ANI) After the Congress held 'vote chor, gaddi chhod' rally at Delhi's Ramleela Maidan on Sunday, BJP leader Bhawna Bohra accused the party of "neglecting its responsibilities" and instead is trying to distract people from the real issues by constantly talking about vote-theft. Criticising the Congress for the boycott of the first day of the Chhattisgarh Assembly's winter session, Bohra said, "These people (Congress leaders) are neglecting their duties and are more focused on fulfilling their political obligations. They were supposed to be here today in the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha. This is all part of the continuous propaganda they are spreading about vote rigging, which the public has completely rejected." Earlier today, the Congress party boycotted the first day of the winter session of the Chhattisgarh Assembly, as the party criticised the 'Chhattisgarh Vision-2047' proposal by the state government. The party alleged that the vision is a "rented dream" and will benefit industrialists rather than the general public. Meanwhile, in Delhi, Congress took out a "vote chor, gaddi chhod" rally in Delhi, where multiple party leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and others decried the alleged capture of the Election Commission of India by the ruling party. "The public fully understands that the Congress party was trying to distract from the real issues yesterday and is doing the same today," BJP Leader Bhawna Bohra said in response to the rally. She also hailed the 'historic' performance of the BJP in the Kerala local body polls, showing that the party's gain proves thatthe BJP is not just an alternative, but a "permanent solution" for people's problems. "The BJP has achieved an excellent result in this election. From having just one Member of Parliament previously, to winning a significant number of seats this time, it clearly demonstrates that the BJP is not merely an alternative for the people, but is becoming a permanent solution," she said. The Congress party's rally against vote chori comes amid an intensified campaign over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. Party leaders have described the event as a crucial step in a decisive political battle against the BJP-led government. During the rally, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the ideology of the Manusmriti, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and BJP will "destroy the nation". Rahul Gandhi, during his speech, vowed to change the 'CEC and Other Election Commissioners Bill, 2023' and to take action against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner Sukhbir Sandhu, and Vivek Joshi once the Congress returns to power. (ANI) Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin, who was appointed as the BJP's National Working President on Sunday, expressed gratitude to the party's central leadership. Speaking to ANI in Patna, Nitin Nabin said he would take forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the central leadership, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and everyone in the central leadership for giving me this opportunity. I have the Prime Minister's blessings, and I will further advance the guidance and leadership he has provided," he said. "It's the hard work of the party workers, and I believe that when you work as a dedicated worker, the senior leaders of the party always take note of that, and I will continue to work with them," Nitin Nabin added. Nabin was felicitated by Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and other leaders upon his appointment as the party's National Working President. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary thanked the BJP's top leadership and expressed confidence in Nitin Nabin's leadership. Choudhary said, "I thank PM Modi and the top leadership of the party for appointing Nitin Nabin as the National Working President of the party. Under the leadership of Nitin Nabin, the BJP will continue to get strengthened across the nation." Congratulating Nabin, Dilip Jaiswal said, "Today is a very historic day for the BJP that a leader from Bihar has been appointed as the National Working President of the BJP. I congratulate Nitin Nabin." Earlier today, the BJP Parliamentary Board appointed Bihar Cabinet Minister Nitin Nabin as the party's National Working President. He succeeded Union Minister JP Nadda, who has served as the BJP National President since January 2020. Minister of Road Construction of Bihar and five-time MLA, Nitin Nabin, is the son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha. A young face for the BJP, Nitin Nabin carries the experience of governance, having served as a Minister in the Bihar Government multiple times. At 45, Nitin Nabin is the youngest BJP president ever. He is not just the first BJP president from Bihar, but also from Eastern India. He has held the posts of Minister of the Road Construction Department, Urban Development and Housing and Law Department in the Bihar government. In 2008, in the BJP, he served as a National Executive Committee Member of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha and Co-in-charge of the Youth Wing. In 2010-2013, he became the National General Secretary of the Yuva Morcha. From 2016-19, he has held the post of the Yuva Morcha State President in Bihar and was the BJP Election In-charge in Sikkim in 2019. In June 2019, he was made the Sikkim State BJP Organisation In-charge. He has two decades of organisational experience, and has also served as the election in-charge in Chhattisgarh. (ANI) The Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) on Sunday received the Energy Conservation Award from President Droupadi Murmu on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day in Delhi. After securing first place in the Group 4 category at the National Energy Conservation Awards in 2024, Tripura secured second place in the Group 5 category in 2025. This back-to-back achievement is widely hailed as a significant success for a small northeastern state, highlighting its focused approach to energy efficiency and responsible power use. The award was presented at a national-level ceremony held on Sunday at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred the award upon TSECL's Technical Director, Dr Subir Sen, and Seema Das, AGM and Nodal Officer of the State Designated Agency under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The awards were presented under the Ministry of Power's initiative, based on the evaluation of the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2025. Addressing the gathering, President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the growing importance of energy conservation. She stated that energy conservation is no longer merely an option but an absolute necessity. According to the President, every unit of electricity saved reflects responsibility towards nature and sensitivity towards future generations. She also noted that India has made remarkable progress in clean energy and energy efficiency, fulfilling several commitments ahead of schedule, which marks an important step in the country's journey towards decarbonisation. Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal, who was also present at the event, congratulated the winners of the National Energy Conservation Awards 2025. He said the awards clearly demonstrate that development and environmental protection can move forward together. The Minister also highlighted the significant participation in the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation, noting that lakhs of students across the country contributed to raising awareness of the importance of energy conservation. In the State Performance Award for Energy Efficiency, Tripura secured the second position in Group 5. This group included 11 States and Union Territories, including Chandigarh, Tripura, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Manipur, Lakshadweep, Nagaland, and Mizoram. The SEEI 2025 index assessed the energy efficiency performance of 36 States and Union Territories for the financial year 2024-25. States were evaluated across seven major sectors,i.e., buildings, industry, transport, agriculture, power distribution companies (Discoms), municipal services and cross-sectoral initiatives. A total of 66 indicators were used to measure progress, helping states track their energy footprint, adopt best practices and improve through healthy competition. The index has become an important policy tool in strengthening India's overall energy efficiency ecosystem. Reacting to the achievement, Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath described the consecutive national recognitions as a landmark accomplishment for the state. He said that receiving national-level awards for two consecutive years is a rare distinction and a clear reflection of the dedication and hard work of TSECL officials and employees. The Minister congratulated the entire TSECL team for their relentless efforts, well-planned roadmap and transparent administration. Ratan Lal Nath also urged electricity consumers across the state to become more conscious and responsible in their power usage. He emphasised that preventing electricity waste, using energy-efficient appliances, and adopting responsible consumption habits are crucial to sustaining and improving these achievements. TSECL Managing Director Biswajit Basu also extended his congratulations to all officers, employees and consumers. He said that the award does not belong to a single organisation but to the entire state of Tripura. According to him, the collective efforts of TSECL personnel, effective ground-level implementation and active cooperation from electricity consumers made this national success possible. Stakeholders believe this achievement will further motivate Tripura to strengthen its energy-efficiency initiatives and inspire other states to follow a similar path within India's broader clean energy and sustainability movement. (ANI) Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvaran Maran) at the Vice-President's Enclave, New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President appreciated the Government of India, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for its continuous support to Tamil culture and language. He lauded initiatives such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and the sustained efforts to recognise and honour Tamil kings, leaders, and freedom fighters who had not received due recognition in the past, according to a release. The Vice President said that the release of the commemorative postage stamp on Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar was part of this ongoing process of recognition. Highlighting the historical significance of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar, the Vice-President said that he was among the most renowned rulers of ancient Tamil Nadu and belonged to the illustrious Mutharaiyar dynasty, which ruled the central regions of Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries CE. He noted that the Emperor ruled from Tiruchirappalli for nearly four decades and that his reign was marked by administrative stability, territorial expansion, cultural patronage, and military prowess, the release stated. The Vice President observed that inscriptions found across several locations in Tamil Nadu bear testimony to the Emperor's contributions to temple endowments, irrigation works, and Tamil literature. He added that the Emperor's reign occupies a distinguished place in South Indian history. Referring to the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047, the Vice-President said that documenting, honouring, and preserving India's cultural heritage and the legacy of great leaders is a national priority. He highlighted the Government's efforts during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to honour freedom fighters and great rulers from all regions, including Tamil Nadu, and noted the ongoing initiatives to reclaim India's lost heritage. Since 2014, nearly 642 stolen idols and antiquities, many of them from Tamil Nadu, have been recovered, he said, terming these efforts commendable, the release stated. Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. (ANI) BJP leaders on Sunday congratulated Union Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary on being elected as the new Uttar Pradesh President and exuded confidence that the party will secure a victory in the 2027 assembly election under his leadership. Union Minister BL Verma said, "Congratulations to Pankaj Chaudhary on becoming the state president today; the BJP is the world's largest party. Our selections are done democratically; the party leadership makes the decision. He has been selected unanimously, and we will contest the 2027 elections under his leadership and hoist the BJP flag." UP Minister Anil Rajbhar said that the party has elected someone who is connected to the people. "Congratulations to him, heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the national leadership for appointing such a person who is connected to the people, who has great acceptability among the people... We will certainly form the government in 2027 with a bigger mandate than in 2017," Rajbhar said. Uttar Pradesh Minister Daya Shankar Singh said, "Pankaj Chaudhary is a 7-time MP, a senior leader of the party, a symbol of simplicity, and has direct relations with the workers. Under his and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, we will conquer 2027." Union Minister Piyush Goyal handed over the charge of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit to Pankaj Chaudhary in the presence of party leaders and workers. Pankaj Chaudhary, who also serves as a Union Minister of State for Finance, is a seven-time MP from Maharajganj. He has succeeded Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, who was appointed state BJP president in August 2022. After being elected as chief of the BJP state unit, Pankaj Chaudhary told ANI, "Today is a very happy day, and I have also been given a great responsibility... I will sit down with all party colleagues and decide on the future strategy." Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "Under the leadership of the state BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary, we will win more seats in 2027 than we secured in 2017." UP Minister Danish Azad Ansari congratulated Pankaj Chaudhary. "It is a historic day as we are getting our new party president. The vision of Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to develop and progress the state will be brought to ground reality with the support and effort of our new party president. In 2027, we will once again form a government in the state with a complete majority," he said. (ANI) The BJP Parliamentary Board appointed Bihar Cabinet Minister Nitin Nabin as the party's National Working President, succeeding Union Minister JP Nadda. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party leaders congratulated him, expressing confidence in his leadership, Opposition leaders flagged a lack of an internal process for electing the party president. Nabin succeeded JP Nadda, who has served as the BJP National President since January 2020. Nitin Nabin, the Minister of Road Construction of Bihar and a five-time MLA, is the son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha. At 45, Nitin Nabin is the youngest-ever BJP president. He is not just the first BJP president from Bihar, but also from Eastern India. Nitin Nabin will visit in BJP headquarters in Delhi on Monday. In an X post, PM Modi lauded Nitin Nabin as a "young and hardworking Karyakarta with rich organisational experience." The Prime Minister wrote, "Nitin Nabin Ji has distinguished himself as a hardworking Karyakarta. He is a young and industrious leader with rich organisational experience and has an impressive record as MLA as well as Minister in Bihar for multiple terms. He has diligently worked to fulfil people's aspirations. He is known for his humble nature and grounded style of working." "I am confident that his energy and dedication will strengthen our Party in the times to come. Congratulations to him on becoming the BJP National Working President," the X post added. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Nitin Nabin and extended his wishes for success during his tenure. "Heartfelt congratulations to the young and energetic leader from the soil of Bihar, Nitin Nabin, on being appointed as the Executive President of the BJP. He is a diligent worker and a person endowed with imaginative capacity. Under the inspiring leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he will surely succeed in taking the BJP to new heights of success. Best wishes to him for the success of his tenure," Rajnath Singh wrote on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah called his selection an "honour for BJP workers who toil day and night". Amit Shah wrote on X, "Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, National President JP Nadda ji, and the senior leaders of the BJP Parliamentary Board--I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nitin Nabin ji on his appointment as the National General Secretary by them. Be it as the National General Secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha, or as the State President of the State Youth Wing in Bihar, or as the State In-Charge for Chhattisgarh, he has fulfilled every responsibility of the organisation with complete dedication and success." Shah stated that, as a five-time MLA, Nitin Nabin has "extensive experience." "In Bihar, having served five times as a legislator and as a minister in the state government, he possesses extensive experience of working among the people. His elevation today to the position of National Working President is an honour for every young BJP worker who toils day and night. I extend my best wishes to him for his new responsibility and successful tenure," the Union Minister said. His predecessor, JP Nadda, also congratulated him, expressing confidence in his leadership. Nadda extended wishes for Nabin's successful tenure. JP Nadda said, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the dynamic BJP leader from the sacred land of knowledge and culture, Bihar, and Minister in the Bihar Government, Nitin Nabin ji, on his appointment as the National General Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party." "I am fully confident that under the guidance of the esteemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and your leadership, the organisation will establish new dimensions with the sentiments of nation-building and public service. Heartfelt best wishes for your illustrious and successful tenure," the Union Health Minister added. Minister of Road Construction of Bihar and five-time MLA Nitin Nabin is the son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha. A young face for the BJP, Nitin Nabin carries the experience of governance, having served as a Minister in the Bihar Government multiple times. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, "We will be working to strengthen the party under the leadership of a young leader." Union Minister Raj Bhushan Choudhary said, "I extend my heartiest congratulations to Nitin Nabin on becoming the National Working President of the BJP. Under his leadership, the BJP will certainly progress and lead the country towards a developed India." Bihar Chief Minister and NDA ally Nitish Kumar extended wishes, calling Nabin a "dedicated and disciplined politician." "Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Shri Nitin Nabin on his appointment as the National Executive President of the BJP. It is a matter of great joy that Shri Nitin Nabin, a resident of Bihar, has been appointed as the National Executive President of the BJP. He has been elected as an MLA for the fifth time and is working with us as an energetic colleague in the cabinet. Nitin Nabin is a dedicated and disciplined politician. I am confident that his new responsibility will further strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party. I pray to God for his excellent health and a bright tenure," Nitish Kumar wrote on X. JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha said, "It is a matter of great joy that Nitin Nabin has been made the national working president of the BJP. It is a matter of joy for the people of the entire country, especially the people of Bihar, as he has been a minister in the Bihar government. It is a matter of great joy for all of us; we all wish him the best." Nitin Nabin has held two decades of organisational experience, from leading the Bihar Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha to serving as the election in-charge in Chhattisgarh. Nitin Nabin expressed gratitude to the party's central leadership. Speaking to ANI in Patna, Nitin Nabin said he would take forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the central leadership, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and everyone in the central leadership for giving me this opportunity. I have the Prime Minister's blessings, and I will further advance the guidance and leadership he has provided," he said. Recalling NDA's landslide victory in Bihar, Nabin added, "Today's entire program is dedicated to the workers and their hard work and efforts. It is because of them that the BJP has reached this position today. The credit for this victory in Bankipur goes to them. The people have given the Congress a befitting reply." Nabin was felicitated by Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and other leaders upon his appointment as the party's National Working President. Samrat Choudhary thanked the BJP's top leadership and expressed confidence in Nabin's leadership. Bihar BJP President and Bihar government minister Dilip Jaiswal said, "Today is a very historic day for the BJP that a leader from Bihar has been appointed as the National Working President of the BJP. I congratulate Nitin Nabin." Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi took a jibe at the BJP, alleging "lack of a process" in the appointment of the party's National Working President. Gogoi, in an X post, alleged that Nabin was appointed without consulting the majority of party workers, hinting at a lack of support for the Bihar Minister within the party. "The nomination of the national working President of the BJP shows both a lack of process and a lack of engagement with the sentiment of the majority of the party workers," the Congress MP said. Targeting the PMO, Gogoi alleged that the Centre is sharing Nabin's background with media organisations. "PMO is sending the resume to select media to explain the background of the new working president to the party workers. Shame, a leadership that doesn't even believe in having a dialogue with its own workers while choosing a President. This is how they want to run the country, through their whims and fancies without any participation of the ordinary Indian citizen in the decisions that matter to them," Gogoi alleged. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj also mockingly referred to Nabin as "'Parchi' (slip) National President," claiming that the Bihar Minister was selected for the post by the party leadership instead of a democratic internal process. "'National Parchi System' Moving Forward. Parchi Minister, Parchi Chief Minister, Parchi National President," the AAP leader wrote on X. (ANI) Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday hailed the response Congress party got during its "vote chor, gaddi chhod" rally in Delhi's Ramleela Maidan, saying that this is the biggest rally which the national capital has seen in a long time. He further said that, with people's anger palpable at the rally, the issue of vote chori seems poised to become a mass movement. "The sentiment of the people is reflecting through this rally. It is one of the biggest rallies Delhi has seen. Such is the anger among the public and Congress workers. We are fighting against vote chori, this is going to be a mass movement," Venugopal told reporters. Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, who also addressed the Congress rally in Delhi, praised Rahul Gandhi for seeking to protect the voting rights of the poor. "The country has to bring victory to Rahul Gandhi, otherwise the poor would lose their voting rights. Once their names are removed from the voter list, their Aadhar cards, ration cards, lands and properties will be snatched away. The tribals will lose everything," Reddy said during his speech. Congress leader Harish Rawat also criticised the BJP, saying that the party is making the Election Commission "its slave" and is murdering the Constitution. "It is the constitutional duty of your (BJP) government to expel every infiltrator from the country. You have been in power for 11 years, and you also have governments in the states. The truth is, you are infiltrating power in the name of infiltrators, and by making the Election Commission your slave, you are murdering the Constitution of India," Rawat told reporters here. Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi, during his speech, vowed to change the 'CEC and Other Election Commissioners Bill, 2023' and to take action against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner Sukhbir Sandhu, and Vivek Joshi once the Congress returns to power. The Congress leader had said, "Remember these names: Sukhbir Sandhu, Gnyanesh Kumar, Vivek Joshi. Election Commission is working with BJP. Narendra Modi ji has changed the law for them and said that the Election Commissioner can do anything but no action can be taken against them. Don't forget that you are the EC of India, not Modi's EC. We will change this law and take action against you. Because we are fighting for the truth." (ANI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday addressed the DMK Youth Wing Northern Zone Administrators' Conference in Tiruvannamalai, urging young cadres to shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding the state, the Tamil language and India's pluralistic ethos. Stalin stated during the meeting that the State's future lies in the success of the "Dravidian Model 2.0". Addressing thousands of Youth Wing functionaries, Stalin said the sight of the gathering made him feel as if he had travelled 50 years back in time, recalling his own days as a young organiser who travelled village to village to build the Youth Wing, according to an official statement from the party. He said, "The DMK, which has completed 75 years, was built through relentless grassroots work such as flag-hoisting programmes, door-to-door campaigns, street plays and public meetings, carried out day and night without rest." Tracing the party's ideological roots, Stalin recalled the youthful leadership of the Dravidian movement, noting that leaders such as C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi took on major responsibilities in their early years. "The firebrand spirit of that generation laid the foundation for the DMK's sustained ideological struggle against social injustice, Hindi imposition and regressive forces, transforming Tamil Nadu into a State that now commands national attention," CM Stalin said. Highlighting the role of the Youth Wing, which was formally launched in 1980, Stalin said the organisation had stood firm through trials, repression and political challenges, remaining the backbone of the DMK's ideological journey. Praising Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, CM Stalin said he has strengthened the Youth Wing structurally and ideologically by enrolling lakhs of young members, conducting ideological training camps, creating a new generation of speakers and promoting political education through books, libraries and intellectual festivals. "He has understood what the party needs and is functioning with clarity and strength. That is why ideological opponents themselves call him 'most dangerous'," he said. Stalin also launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that after forming the government at the Centre for a third time, right-wing and regressive forces have become increasingly aggressive. He accused them of spreading misinformation, hatred and regressive ideas through "sugar-coated lies", particularly via social media platforms. He urged DMK cadres to counter falsehoods with facts and ideology, stating that silence in the face of lies would allow them to spread like an infection. Stalin asserted that the DMK is the only State-level party in India waging a consistent ideological battle against the BJP. Calling upon Youth Wing members to remain rooted among the people, Stalin said politics is not about comfort but hard work, and that those who work tirelessly will earn a permanent place not just in the party but in the hearts of the people. The future of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil people is inseparable from the future of the DMK, the Chief Minister said. He further urged young cadres to become the foundation of the next phase of the Dravidian model. "You must create history," he told them, asking the gathering to loudly affirm their mission for 2026 as "Dravidian Model 2.0". (ANI) Multiple shootings were reported at Brown University in the US state of Rhode Island on Saturday (local time), with law enforcement actively searching for the suspect, authorities said. The university and local agencies have urged students, staff, and the public to avoid the area and follow safety instructions. In a series of alerts, Brown University's emergency notification system, BrownUAlert, warned of an active shooter near the Barus & Holley Engineering building, which is the undergraduate Computer Lab for students enrolled in the engineering courses. "Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself. Stay tuned for further safety information," the alert stated. The university later reported additional gunfire near Governor Street and advised the community to continue sheltering in place while law enforcement, including the ATF, coordinated their response. "Urgent: Report of shots fired near Governor Street. Continue to shelter in place. Stay clear. Law enforcement responding," the university stated. The Providence Police took to X and stated that "multiple shots" were reported in the area of the university. "Multiple shots in the area of Brown University. This is an active investigation. Please shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice," it stated. The ATF Boston also confirmed that its agents were responding and requested the public to stay clear and follow instructions from local and state authorities. "ATF agents are responding to the Brown University active shooter incident. Law enforcement requests the public to stay out of the area and follow directions of local and state authorities," it stated in its post on X. Reacting to the incident, US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, stating that the FBI is currently at the scene of the incident. "I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island. The FBI is on the scene," Trump said. "God bless the victims and the families of the victims!" he added. The FBI Boston field office stated that it is providing assistance as well as resources to the law enforcement agency in Rhode Island. "FBI Boston is assisting our law enforcement partners in Rhode Island with any and all available resources, including evidence response, investigative and tactical support, as well as victim assistance," FBI Boston stated in a post on X. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee urged residents to monitor official channels and stay clear of the area, stating on X, "We are actively monitoring the shooting at Brown University. Our teams at RI State Police and Rhode Island EMA are working closely with local law enforcement. Praying for our community." State Attorney General Keith Hoffmann expressed shock at the incident, saying, "I am sickened by reports of a mass shooting at Brown University. It is devastating to see this kind of senseless violence strike our community. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, the Brown community, and the police and other first responders responding to this horrific attack." Brown University is a private Ivy League research institution and ranks among the oldest centres of higher education in the US. According to CNN's analysis of data from the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week, and Everytown for Gun Safety, more than 70 school shootings have occurred in the United States this year. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming two-day visit to Jordan is not only aimed at celebrating and reflecting the longstanding friendly relationship between the two nations but also at elevating the ties to a new level, India's Ambassador to Jordan, Manish Chauhan, said on Saturday. Speaking to ANI ahead of PM Modi's first-ever full-fledged bilateral visit to the Middle Eastern country, Chauhan said that the visit comes at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 75th year of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. He noted that the visit is taking place at a "very important time" for both the India-Jordan relationship and the region. "PM Narendra Modi will be arriving in Jordan on the 15th December. He would be here on the 15th and 16th on a bilateral visit. This would be his first full-fledged bilateral visit to Jordan. This would be the first such visit by a PM in this millennium. The PM was last here on a transit visit in 2018. This visit, at the invitation of King Abdullah II, is in the 75th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Jordan. It is a truly historic and landmark event - perhaps the most memorable occasion when it comes to the celebration of this 75th year," the ambassador said. "We look forward to welcoming PM here. This is a visit which is happening at a very important time, both in terms of India-Jordan relationships as well as the region. It's a time also to not just reflect upon the friendly ties and deep-rooted ties that we have between India and Jordan but also to take it further to a new level," he added. Chauhan also stated that the Prime Minister's schedule will be packed with high-level discussions covering a wide range of areas, including political, economic, and cultural cooperation. "It is a very packed schedule for the PM. We wish to accomplish much during the visit. Discussions at the highest level can cover any field; we expect them to cover all the fields, be it politico-economic, cultural," he said. According to the Minister of External Affairs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on his bilateral visit to Jordan from December 15, which will continue till December 16. This will be his first bilateral visit to Jordan. During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Jordanian King Abdullah II to review the full range of bilateral relations and exchange perspectives on regional issues. PM Modi and the King are also expected to address the India-Jordan business event during the visit. The Prime Minister will also interact with the vibrant Indian community in Jordan. "India and Jordan share warm and friendly relations. Our bilateral relations are marked by a strong understanding at the leadership level. 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," MEA said. "In the field of investment, there are around 15 government companies with an investment of USD 500 million located in the qualified industrial Zone of zones of Jordan. 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. PM Modi's Jordan visit is part of the first leg of his three-nation tour, following which he will be visiting the African nation of Ethiopia for a state visit from December 16 to December 17, following which he will visit Oman from December 17 to December 18, which will be his second visit to the country. (ANI) Following the death of six Bangladeshi United Nations peacekeepers in a drone attack on a United Nations base in Abyei, Sudan, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning the attack, in which eight others were also injured while serving under the UN peacekeeping mission. According to the statement issued on Saturday, the Bangladesh MoFA said the country mourns the loss of its "valiant sons" and expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families. The minister also conveyed prayers for the swift recovery of the injured peacekeepers. "Bangladesh strongly condemns the attack today on the Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were serving under the UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan. Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers have died and eight were injured when a drone attack was carried out on a United Nations base in Abyei, Sudan," the statement read. The Foreign Minister added that the government, through Bangladesh's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, has requested the UN to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured personnel and that the Bangladesh Mission in New York is in close contact with the UN and is working to extend all necessary support to the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent in the region. "The Bangladesh Mission in New York is in close touch with the UN and working together to extend all support to the Bangladeshi peacekeeping contingent there," the statement read. In a terrorist attack on a United Nations base in Abyei, Sudan, six Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been killed and eight others injured. Four of the wounded are reported to be in critical condition. Earlier, Bangladesh's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the incident in a brief statement, calling it a "terrorist attack". The ISPR also stated that clashes between the peacekeepers and militants are ongoing at the site. "Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers of the Bangladesh Army were killed and eight were injured in a terrorist attack on a UN base in Abyei, Sudan, today, Saturday (December 13, 2025). Fighting is ongoing," the ISPR stated in a post on Facebook. 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 to provide security and prevent violence. 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) Thailand has denied reaching any ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and said its military operations will continue along the disputed border, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday, contradicting claims made earlier by US President Donald Trump, Bangkok Post reported. Speaking amid ongoing clashes, Anutin said Thailand had not agreed to stop fighting and that there were no active ceasefire negotiations with Cambodia at this stage. His comments came hours after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on both sides to halt hostilities from 10 pm on Saturday. The call followed an announcement by Trump, who said Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to "cease all shooting". Neither Anutin nor Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet mentioned any ceasefire agreement in official statements released after their separate phone calls with Trump. More than 20 people have been killed across both countries in six days of renewed fighting, with nearly 200 wounded. Around 600,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the 800-kilometre Thailand-Cambodia border, where tensions centre on disputed ownership of centuries-old temples, Al Jazeera reported. Thailand's clarification came after Cambodia earlier accused Thai forces of continuing air attacks on its territory, hours after Trump claimed that Bangkok and Phnom Penh had agreed to stop fighting. "It is likely a misunderstanding," Anutin said. "Currently, there is a lot of communication going on. It would be best to listen to the statements from the military. At this time, there are no ceasefire negotiations, and it is not yet the time for that." Thai Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit also said the government had issued no ceasefire order to the armed forces. He added that operations would continue until Cambodia "clearly ceases all hostility" toward Thailand. Anutin said any real ceasefire would require Cambodia to submit a formal proposal directly to Thailand, with a complete halt to military action. "A true ceasefire cannot involve only a verbal announcement or a partial suspension while troops remain in position," he said. Fighting continued on Saturday, with Thai authorities reporting fresh Cambodian attacks in Ubon Ratchathani province. Four Thai soldiers were killed as troops retook the strategic Hill 677. "Is there a ceasefire?" Anutin asked. "This morning, Cambodia launched heavy attacks. BM-21 rockets landed in civilian areas, causing severe injuries and loss of limbs. At this point, should Thailand be listening to anyone else?" The continued clashes stand in sharp contrast to Trump's announcement late on Friday, in which he said he had personally brokered a halt to the fighting. "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 wrote on his Truth Social platform. "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," he said. Despite Trump's statement, clashes has continued, and Thai officials have maintained that no ceasefire agreement is in place. (ANI) Pakistan is witnessing a sharp rise in influenza infections, with Punjab reporting a sharp spike in cases over the past two weeks. Punjab's health department has said that more than 50,000 people have been treated for influenza-like illness in government hospitals across the province in just 12 days, according to a report by Samaa TV. The spike is most pronounced in major cities, particularly Lahore, where hospitals and clinics are witnessing heavy footfall as patients seek medical care for the flu and other viral infections. Doctors say both public and private healthcare centres are under pressure due to the unusually high number of people seeking treatment. Most patients are reporting symptoms such as dry cough, severe cold, headache, body pain, fever and weakness. Health professionals say these signs point towards seasonal influenza. Medical experts believe many patients are experiencing symptoms associated with influenza A (H3N2), a strain that spreads rapidly during the winter season. However, officials clarified that most cases are being identified based on symptoms alone, as routine laboratory testing is not currently being conducted. Experts have warned that influenza cases could increase further between December and February, the peak period for seasonal flu. They also noted that heavy smog in Punjab's urban areas may worsen symptoms and delay recovery for many patients. Doctors have advised residents to follow preventive measures, including avoiding crowded places, wearing masks in polluted environments, practising good hygiene, and consulting a physician if symptoms persist or worsen. Dr Halar Sheikh of Jinnah Hospital Karachi said common influenza symptoms include cold, fever, sore throat, cough, fatigue and headache. He added that the H3N2 strain often leads to a longer-lasting cold and throat infection, and noted that flu cases are being reported more frequently this year compared to previous seasons. In severe cases, symptoms such as persistent coughing may last up to two weeks, and pneumonia can develop among high-risk individuals, The Express Tribune reported. Dr Sheikh also cautioned that influenza and COVID-19 share overlapping symptoms. Approximately 40-50 per cent of patients visiting the outpatient department present with flu-like symptoms. PCR tests are generally recommended for severe or prolonged cases. Unlike COVID-19, influenza spreads more slowly, and testing is generally recommended only for patients with severe or prolonged symptoms. Health authorities continue to stress preventive measures, including mask usage, avoiding crowded spaces, practising thorough hand hygiene, and vaccination. Experts say the flu vaccine remains a key tool in reducing the risk of infection and curbing the number of cases. (ANI) Tara Chand, President of the Baloch American Congress, has strongly appealed to Bollywood actors and the Indian film industry to produce a powerful film highlighting what he described as Pakistan's forced and undemocratic occupation of Balochistan. In a post on X, Chand asserted that Balochistan had attained independence before being forcibly occupied by Pakistan in March 1948. He claimed that since the occupation, the Pakistani army has invaded and maintained control over Balochistan and its regions, leading to decades of conflict and repression. Chand alleged that for decades, Balochistan's vast natural resources, worth billions of dollars, have been systematically looted. According to him, natural gas, minerals, gold, silver, coal, as well as coastal and ocean resources have been exploited by the Pakistani military, while the Baloch people continue to live in deprivation and face oppression. He further stated that resistance against Pakistani rule began immediately after the occupation, with the Baloch nation rising in revolt multiple times over the years. Chand noted that the largest phase of armed resistance began around the year 2000 and, according to him, continues to this day. During this prolonged struggle, he alleged that countless Baloch people have been killed and subjected to serious human rights violations. Highlighting the current situation, Chand accused the Pakistani army of carrying out mass enforced disappearances. He claimed that political activists, lawyers, teachers, doctors, students, educated youth, and women have been abducted, and that thousands of Baloch men and women are being held in military prisons without due legal process. Despite what he described as decades of repression, Dr Chand said the people of Balochistan remain determined to continue their struggle for freedom and their homeland. He alleged that even today, innocent Baloch individuals are kidnapped daily and coerced into surrendering, yet the movement for Baloch self-determination remains alive. (ANI) Thailand's military on Sunday imposed a curfew in parts of Trat Province, citing the ongoing security situation along the border areas, Xinhua reported. In an official order, the military said a curfew has been enforced with immediate effect in five districts of Trat Province--Khlong Yai, Bo Rai, Laem Ngop, Khao Saming and Mueang Trat. Residents in these areas have been instructed not to leave their homes between 7:00 PM and 05:00 AM the next day. Thai media reports said the decision followed an incident late Saturday night in which three M79 grenades were fired at the headquarters of the Marine Corps Task Force in Trat Province. The grenades are believed to have been launched from within Thai territory. No casualties were reported as the explosives landed in an uninhabited area. This is the second Thai province to impose a curfew since the latest round of clashes along the Thailand-Cambodia border began. Earlier, the Thai military had imposed similar restrictions in four border districts of Sa Kaeo Province on Wednesday. The curfew announcement comes amid continuing hostilities and heightened tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Thailand has denied reaching any ceasefire agreement with Cambodia and said its military operations along the disputed border will continue, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday, according to the Bangkok Post. Speaking as clashes continued, Anutin said Thailand had not agreed to halt fighting and that there were no active ceasefire talks with Cambodia. His remarks came hours after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on both sides to stop hostilities from 10 pm on Saturday. The appeal followed a statement by US President Donald Trump, who said Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to "cease all shooting". Neither Anutin nor Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet referred to any ceasefire agreement in official statements issued after their separate phone calls with Trump. More than 20 people have been killed across Thailand and Cambodia in six days of renewed fighting, with nearly 200 wounded, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera. An estimated 600,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the 800-kilometre Thailand-Cambodia border, where tensions are centred on the disputed ownership of centuries-old temples. Thailand's clarification followed accusations from Cambodia that Thai forces continued air attacks on Cambodian territory, hours after Trump claimed both sides had agreed to stop fighting. "It is likely a misunderstanding," Anutin said. "Currently, there is a lot of communication going on. It would be best to listen to the statements from the military. At this time, there are no ceasefire negotiations, and it is not yet the time for that." (ANI) In a statement, Krishnamoorthi reacted to reports of hateful graffiti, including swastikas and slurs, discovered at the Bern Dibner Library in Brooklyn, part of New York University. "The hateful graffiti discovered at NYU's Bern Dibner Library, including antisemitic symbols and slurs targeting Indian students and other communities, is deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable," he said. The Indian-American lawmaker said acts of hatred and intimidation have no place on college campuses or in society at large. "Acts of hatred and intimidation have no place on our campuses or anywhere in our society," Krishnamoorthi said, adding that the incident must be thoroughly investigated. He also called for unity against hate and discrimination, saying efforts must be made to confront antisemitism, anti-Indian hate, racism and all forms of bigotry. "We must remain united so every student can learn and live free from fear," he said. University authorities have not yet released further details on the investigation into the graffiti incident. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], December 14 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Supreme Court on Sunday overturned the government's decision to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, ruling that she will continue to serve in her position. The decision also criticized the government for procedural flaws and a lack of legal foundation in its attempt to remove the country's top legal advisor. "The Attorney General continues to serve in her position lawfully; the dismissal decision is void; and any unilateral action that could change her status, powers, or working methods is inconsistent with this ruling," the court said. The expanded panel of seven justices stressed that the rule of law applies to all, including state authorities, and highlighted the "great discomfort" caused by the government's conduct. The controversy centers on the government's dismissal of Baharav-Miara in August. According to the Supreme Court, the procedural changes were applied retrospectively and lacked consultation, alternatives, or a proper factual and legal foundation. "This decision was made in a lightning-fast process, without organized staff work and in sharp deviation from the Shamgar Committee's recommendations," the court said, referring to a previous advisory body that had established guidelines to ensure the Attorney General's independence from political pressure. Earlier this month, a scheduled hearing to review petitions against Baharav-Miara's dismissal was abruptly canceled after the government refused to send representatives. Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit said at the time, "Without government representation, there is no point in holding a hearing in front of an empty court." Justice Minister Yariv Levin criticized the cancellation, accusing the court of prejudging the matter. The ruling has sparked immediate political reactions. Communications Minister Shlomo Karai called the decision illegal and urged the government to disregard it, saying, "The authority to dismiss a legal advisor is the government's sole authority by law. We do not accept the High Court's blatant intervention in the very core of government authority." Karai further called for blocking Baharav-Miara from government offices and appointing a replacement. By contrast, opposition leader Yair Lapid welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling, stating, "We will continue to fight for the Israeli rule of law." Leaders of the Protest for Democracy movement accused the government of attempting to undermine judicial independence, saying the ruling "proves once again that any attempt to oust the Attorney General and attack the rule of law will fail." The government and Baharav-Miara have been at odds since the governing coalition took power at the end of 2022, with each side accusing the other of overreach. The government claims Baharav-Miara has been "serially thwarting its policies and actions," while she maintains the government has been "acting unlawfully and advancing unconstitutional legislation." The government's controversial judicial overhaul, which Baharav-Miara opposes, initiative includes changes to the system for appointing and removing judges, giving the Knesset the ability to override certain High Court rulings, changing the way legal advisors are appointed to government ministries, and restricting the ability of judges to apply the legal principle of "reasonableness." The initiative was frozen with the formation of a unity government following Hamas's October 7 attack, but the government has resumed its efforts. Supporters of the legal overhaul say they want to end years of judicial overreach, while opponents describe the proposals as anti-democratic. Israeli Attorneys General serve a non-renewable six-year term. (ANI/TPS) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed condolences following the deadly shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach, calling the incident deeply distressing and extending solidarity to those affected. In a post on X, Starmer said, "Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi beach. I'm being kept updated on the developing situation." https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/2000143335059497156?s=20 His remarks came as world leaders strongly condemned the attack and urged authorities to take stronger steps to counter antisemitism and ensure the safety of Jewish communities. At least 10 people were killed and 12 others injured, including two police officers, after multiple gunmen opened fire on a crowded beach, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. The shooting took place on the first evening of Hanukkah, as Jewish Sydneysiders had gathered near the Chanukah by the Sea festival to mark the holiday, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Israeli President Isaac Herzog denounced the incident as a targeted assault on Jews. "Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah," Herzog said while speaking at an event at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, as reported by the Times of Israel. Calling for action, he added, "We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society." Expressing solidarity with the victims, Herzog said, "Our hearts go out to them ... we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them, and we pray for those who lost their lives." In the UK, Starmer had earlier extended his "warmest wishes" to Jewish communities worldwide observing Chanukah. Following the attack, UK Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch described the scenes as deeply disturbing, saying, "Heartbreaking scenes emerging from Bondi Beach of what looks like another despicable terrorist atrocity." Condemnations also came from other countries. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the shooting as "horrific," while New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was "shocked by the distressing scenes" at a location frequented daily by New Zealanders. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he was "appalled" by the attack and linked it to rising antisemitism. In a post on X, he wrote, "These are the results of the antisemitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the antisemitic and inciting calls of 'Globalise the Intifada' that were realised today. The Australian government, which received countless warning signs, must come to its senses!" Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also condemned the incident, describing it as a terrorist attack targeting Jewish families. In a post on X, he said, "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Jewish community in Australia. Boulder. Manchester. Washington. And now Sydney. The names of more and more cities around the world are becoming synonymous with deadly attacks against Jews. Stopping these horrors requires immediate, decisive intervention at all levels. Enough is enough." Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called the shooting a "moment of grief, and time for accountability." He said Jewish community leaders he spoke to were "fearful and outraged," adding on X, "For months, they warned of rising antisemitism. The writing was on the wall. It was ignored. This violence did not come out of nowhere. When antisemitic hatred is tolerated and threats are downplayed, attacks become inevitable." He urged firm action, saying, "Statements of sympathy are no longer enough. Jews should not have to fear for their lives anywhere, including Australia." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also reacted to the incident, describing the shooting as "horrendous" and warning that "the threat is everywhere." (ANI) A closed session of the 11th General Convention of the CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist) has started in Kathmandu to select the party's new leadership. The session began at 3 PM (Local Time) in Kathmandu, following the inauguration ceremony in Bhaktapur on Sunday, which continues today and tomorrow. Former Nepali Prime Minister and Party Chair KP Sharma Oli is facing a leadership challenge from Senior Vice-Chair Ishwor Pokharel. However, neither party has announced its panel. Pokharel, who has declared his candidacy for the chairmanship, is reportedly supported by former President and former party vice-chair Bidhya Devi Bhandari's faction, raising speculation about a potential "Ishwor-Bidhya" panel. Under the party's current structure, UML has 15 office bearers, including one chair, three vice-chairs, one general secretary, three deputy general secretaries, and seven secretaries. Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chair KP Oli has amended the party statute, effectively retaining the provisions adopted at the 10th General Convention by revising the newly drafted statute within three months. Under the amended statute, the party will have a 301-member Central Committee, including 19 office bearers. The statute amendment proposal was tabled at a Central Committee meeting at Bhrikutimandap on Sunday and passed by a majority of members. While leaders from Senior Vice President Ishwor Pokharel's faction expressed strong dissatisfaction with the amendment, the majority supported Oli's proposal. As Oli pushed for a decision, most members applauded, sidelining the Pokharel faction. The General Convention of the CPN-UML, the largest communist party in the Himalayan Nation, starts in the background of the Gen-Z protest of September that changed the regime of the nation. The September uprising on September 8 across Nepal left 76 dead. The postmortem report of those killed in police firing in Kathmandu Valley states death due to bullet injuries to the head and chest. During the protest, police are only allowed to fire on the protestors below the knee to control the situation. The Police also used some lethal weapons to crack down on the protestors, following which the former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak had stepped down from the post. But Oli remained adamant about resigning despite rising pressure. Three months after the protest, communist leader Oli's party is now headed for the general convention to choose a new party board. Often characterised as apathetic and self-centred, Oli is standing in the fray to continue over the post for which he has also amended the party provisions. The 11th General Convention of the CPN-UML, currently led by Oli, will continue until December 15 and is being attended by 2,262 representatives from across the country. The closed-door session, where the party's new leadership will be elected, will begin on Sunday in Kathmandu. Leadership selection at the convention will be guided by the statute and policy endorsed by the Second Statute Convention held from September 5 to 7. Party Chair KP Sharma Oli and Senior Vice-chair Ishwar Pokharel are expected to face each other in the race for the top post. Both sides are likely to contest with full panels for the 15-member office-bearer team. The party's central secretariat meeting held on Friday finalised the election process, closed-session modality and the basis for leadership formation. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday extended greetings to Israeli President Isaac Herzog and to people celebrating the Hanukkah festival worldwide. In a post on X, President Murmu said, "Chag #Hanukkah Sameach President @Isaac_Herzog." Extending her message to the wider community, she added, "Warmest greetings to everyone celebrating #Hanukkah in Israel and across the world." Highlighting the spirit of the festival, the President said, "May this #Hanukkah bring light, happiness, and peace to all." https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/2000155451967832454?s=20 Echoing the message of goodwill, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also extended Hanukkah greetings, underlining India's solidarity on the Festival of Lights. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Warmest wishes to FM @gidonsaar, friends in Israel and all those celebrating #Hanukkah around the world. May the Festival of Lights bring peace, hope, and joy to all. Chag Sameach!" Responding to the message, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar acknowledged the greeting, replying, "Thank you, dear friend!" https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2000124287769055555?s=20 The greetings come as Hanukkah in 2025 begins on the evening of December 14 and concludes on December 22. The eight-day festival is observed with the nightly lighting of the menorah, special prayers and traditional customs, including playing dreidel and eating oil-based foods such as latkes and sufganiyot, commemorating the miracle of the oil. Amid the festival observances, Israeli President Isaac Herzog strongly condemned the shooting attack targeting a group of Jews at Sydney's Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration, describing the incident as a "cruel" act and warning of rising antisemitism. Speaking at an event at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, Herzog said, "Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Hanukkah," The Times of Israel reported. Calling on Australian authorities to take firm action, he added, "We repeat our alerts time and again to the Australian government to seek action and fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society." Expressing solidarity with the victims and their families, Herzog said, "Our hearts go out to them...we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them, and we pray for those who lost their lives." (ANI) India on Sunday "categorically rejected" the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh, responding to Dhaka's recent press note and clarifying its position amid heightened diplomatic exchanges between the two neighbours. In a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), it stated, "India categorically rejects the assertions made by the interim Government of Bangladesh in its press note dated 14 December 2025." The statement came minutes after the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian High Commissioner to lodge Dhaka's strong concerns over statements made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accusing her of inciting violence from abroad. Reiterating its consistent stance, India underlined its support for the democratic process in Bangladesh. "We have consistently reiterated our position in favour of free, fair, inclusive and credible elections being held in Bangladesh in a peaceful atmosphere," the MEA said. Addressing allegations that Indian territory was being used for activities against Bangladesh's interests, the MEA firmly rejected the charge. "India has never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh," the statement said. "We expect that the interim Government of Bangladesh will take all necessary measures for ensuring internal law and order, including for the purpose of holding peaceful elections," the MEA added. The response follows Bangladesh's strong statement, in which Dhaka sought the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, accused them of inciting violence, and raised concerns over alleged attempts to disrupt the upcoming elections. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian High Commissioner today to convey the Government of Bangladesh's serious concern to the Government of India for allowing fugitive Sheikh Hasina to continue to make incendiary statements calling upon her supporters to engage in terrorist activities in Bangladesh, aiming to thwart the upcoming parliamentary elections", the Bangladesh foreign ministry said in a statement. "Bangladesh reiterated her call for the expeditious extradition of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to face the sentences handed down by the judicial authorities in Bangladesh", it added. The ministry also drew the Indian envoy's attention to what it termed anti-Bangladesh activities by fugitive Awami League members currently staying in India. These activities, it is alleged, include planning, organising, and facilitating terrorist acts inside Bangladesh to obstruct the electoral process. "The Ministry also drew the attention of the envoy to anti-Bangladesh activities by fugitive Awami League members staying in India, including planning, organising and helping to carry out terrorist activities inside Bangladesh in order to hinder the upcoming elections. The Indian Government was called upon to expeditiously act to end the criminal actions by these fascist terrorists and extradite them to Bangladesh as soon as possible", the statement said. Further, the ministry sought India's cooperation in preventing the escape of suspects linked to the recent attempted assassination of Bangladeshi political leader Sharif Osman Hadi. "The Ministry further sought India's cooperation in preventing the escape to India of the suspects involved in the recent attempted assassination of Bangladeshi political leader Sharif Osman Hadi and, in case they manage to enter into Indian territory, to ensure their immediate apprehension and extradition to Bangladesh", it said. "The Ministry emphasised that as a neighbour, India is expected to stand with the people of Bangladesh in upholding justice and safeguarding democratic processes", the statement said. "The High Commissioner of India emphasised that India looked forward to peaceful elections in Bangladesh and expressed his country's readiness to extend all cooperation in this regard", the Bangladesh foreign ministry said. (ANI) United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the terrorist attack in Australia that targeted a Jewish celebration, expressing solidarity with the victims, the Jewish community and the Australian people. In a post on X, Rubio said, "The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Australia targeting a Jewish celebration." He underlined that "Antisemitism has no place in this world," and added, "Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia." https://x.com/SecRubio/status/2000190513459142685?s=20 Rubio's remarks came as details emerged about a deadly shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach, which police said was a targeted attack against the country's Jewish community, CNN reported. At least 11 people were killed and 29 others injured in the attack, police said during a press conference, adding that details about the victims have not yet been released. Police said two suspects were involved in the shooting. One suspect is in custody in critical condition, while the other was shot dead at the scene. Authorities said the identities of the alleged attackers have not been disclosed. The shooting took place while more than 1,000 people were gathered at Bondi Beach for a Hanukkah celebration. Police said the assault was "designed to target Sydney's Jewish community," pointing to the intent behind the attack. Authorities said the timing of the incident on the first day of Hanukkah, along with other factors including the weapons used and the actions of the offenders, led police to declare the incident a terrorist attack a few hours after the shooting, CNN reported. Reacting to the incident, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a message to the Jewish community, saying, "Your fellow Australians stand with you tonight in condemning this act of terror." He added that the country would never submit to "division, violence or hatred." The attack also prompted reactions from Israel, with several Israeli officials accusing the Australian government of allowing a rise in antisemitism. Meanwhile, the Jewish Council of Australia described the incident as a "horrific act of antisemitic violence during the Jewish festival of light and hope." In a statement, the council said that "many within our community have just received the worst news of their lives," adding, "In moments like this, we hold each other close." (ANI) Hamas has confirmed that senior commander Raed Saad was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, marking the most high-profile assassination of a Hamas leader since the ceasefire that came into effect in October, Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli military said it carried out the attack on Saturday near Gaza City, claiming Saad was the target. At least 25 people were reported wounded in the strike. Hamas acknowledged his death on Sunday through a video statement by its Gaza chief, Khalil al-Hayya, who accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. "In the wake of Israel's continued violations, including the latest assassination of a Hamas commander just yesterday, we call on the mediators and especially the US administration and US President Donald Trump as the main guarantor of the agreement, to force the occupation [Israel] to respect the ceasefire deal and to implement it," he said. According to authorities in Gaza, Israeli forces have continued daily military operations since the ceasefire began on October 10, carrying out nearly 800 attacks and killing at least 386 people, actions they say violate the terms of the agreement. Hamas and Gaza officials have also accused Israel of blocking the free flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave, another alleged breach of the truce. The situation has been further compounded by Storm Byron, which flooded around 27,000 tent shelters, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians struggling with worsening living conditions, as per Al Jazeera. The humanitarian crisis has drawn international attention. Last week, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling on Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, halt attacks on UN facilities, and comply with international law as an occupying power. "Our priority is to continue with the steps to end the war and especially to complete phase one [of the ceasefire], which includes allowing aid and needed equipment to enter to rehabilitate hospitals and medical centres and the infrastructure," al-Hayya said, adding that this must include opening the Rafah crossing with Egypt "in two directions" and advancing to phase two to secure "full withdrawal of the occupation". The October truce calls for the disarmament of Hamas and deployment of an international stabilisation force proposed by US President Donald Trump. But al-Hayya, who himself survived an Israeli assassination attempt in Doha in September, said the role of any international peace force should be strictly limited, according to Al Jazeera. "The mission of the international peace force must be limited to maintaining or keeping the ceasefire and to separate the two sides on the boundaries of the Gaza Strip," he said, adding that Hamas and other Palestinian factions remain committed to the agreement but reject any form of guardianship imposed on Gaza or its people. Meanwhile, the Israeli army claimed in a Telegram post that Raed Saad had been working to rebuild Hamas's military capabilities, which Israel says have been significantly weakened after more than two years of war in Gaza. The military also described Saad as one of the key planners of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. (ANI) Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Urumchi Student Movement, one of the most significant student protests in recent Uyghur history and a crucial moment in the Uyghur struggle against oppression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The movement marked the first such protest against communism in the Eastern bloc, according to a CFU press release. On December 12, 1985, approximately 20,000 Uyghur students from seven universities and institutes took to the streets of Urumchi to protest discriminatory practices. These included disparities in education and job opportunities, enforced sterilisations, catastrophic atmospheric nuclear testing at Lop Nor, and the transfer of criminals from other parts of China into the Uyghur region. CFU Founder and Executive Director Rushan Abbas was involved in planning and organising the protests and honoured the students who risked their safety in their fight for justice and dignity for the Uyghur community. Between 1964 and 1996, China conducted a total of 45 nuclear weapons tests at Lop Nur in the Uyghur region, transforming nearly 100,000 square kilometres of desert into the world's largest nuclear testing facility. Authorities claimed the area was "barren and isolated, without permanent residents," overlooking the fact that Uyghur herders and farmers had lived on that land for centuries. The nuclear testing contaminated land and water sources, resulting in significant health issues and long-term harm to Uyghur communities. Although Chinese officials agreed to meet with student representatives, they later interrogated and punished leaders of the movement. Rushan Abbas also faced repercussions for her involvement after graduating from Xinjiang University in 1988, which she detailed in her book Unbroken: One Uyghur's Fight for Freedom. Despite repression, the protests inspired further student mobilisation across East Turkistan and contributed to shaping democratic youth movements, the CFU press release said. "Forty years ago, I stood with fellow Uyghur students in Urumchi to claim dignity and equal rights. Our voices at that time marked the inception of the first democratic movement in the history of East Turkistan after 35 years of CCP colonisation," said Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of Campaign for Uyghurs. "Today, forty years later, our people are enduring a full-scale active genocide. The bravery and honour exhibited in the 1985 student movement serve as a reminder to the world of its ongoing responsibilities. Remembering alone is insufficient; accountability and action are necessary," she added, as cited in the CFU report. Four decades later, the situation in East Turkistan has significantly deteriorated. An independent tribunal, the United Nations, and several countries, including the United States, have recognised China's actions as genocide and crimes against humanity, with evidence of ongoing abuses continuing to accumulate. Authorities have imposed more than 4.4 million cumulative years of prison sentences on Uyghurs, and in 2023 alone carried out 3.2 million forced labour transfers. Numerous Uyghur villages have been renamed, and researchers estimate that since 2017, more than 16,000 mosques have been destroyed or damaged. In some of the most Uyghur-populated regions, the birth rate among Uyghurs has fallen to zero per cent, qualifying as an act of genocide. The Chinese government celebrated these initiatives by declaring, "Uyghur women are no longer baby-making machines." These actions reflect the same policies opposed by students in 1985, now implemented on a much larger scale, as Beijing continues crimes against humanity and genocide targeting the Uyghurs, according to the CFU release. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has voiced serious concern over a report by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, alleging that party founder and former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is being subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment during his incarceration at Adiala Jail, Dawn reported. According to a statement issued by the party's Central Media Department on Saturday, the UN report had validated the party's longstanding stance that Imran Khan was being treated in an "inhuman, unlawful and degrading manner" driven by political victimisation, as reported by Dawn. The report, released on Friday, warned that the conditions of his detention could amount to inhuman or degrading treatment and urged Pakistani authorities to adhere to international standards and norms. PTI claimed that the report highlighted Imran Khan's prolonged solitary confinement of up to 23 hours a day, continuous CCTV surveillance, isolation from the outside world, hurdles in meeting legal counsel and family members, restrictions on religious practices, and denial of basic necessities. The party termed these conditions a clear violation of prison rules and international human rights law. Citing UN standards, PTI said solitary confinement beyond 15 days constitutes psychological torture, adding that Imran Khan has allegedly been kept under such conditions for several months, Dawn reported. The party further stated that subjecting a 72-year-old with serious medical issues, including a spinal injury and wounds from a previous assassination attempt, to such treatment while denying proper medical care amounted to deliberate cruelty, as reported by Dawn. PTI demanded an immediate end to solitary confinement, detention conditions in line with human dignity and international norms, unhindered access to personal doctors, and the removal of obstacles to meetings with lawyers and family members in compliance with court orders. "This issue has gone beyond politics and has become a test of Pakistan's commitment to law, justice and human rights," the statement said, as quoted by Dawn, warning that continuation of such treatment would be seen as state-sponsored violence. Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's aide Rana Ihsan Afzal rejected the UN rapporteur's findings, asserting that Imran Khan is being treated strictly in accordance with prison rules and the jail manual. He said there were no restrictions on communication with his children, provided formal requests were made, Dawn reported. Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023, serving a sentence in the EUR 190 million corruption case, and is also facing trials under the Anti-Terrorism Act related to the May 9, 2023, protests. PTI has frequently raised concerns about Imran Khan's and his wife's health. His son, Kasim Khan, had earlier expressed fears that authorities might be concealing serious information about his father's condition. (ANI) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed the killing of a senior Hezbollah terrorist, Zakaria Yahya al-Hajj, in an airstrike carried out in the Jwaya area of southern Lebanon, hours after it confirmed the killing of two Hezbollah terrorists in the region. In a post on X on late Sunday, the IDF stated that al-Hajj played a key role in activating agents within Lebanon's security systems and suppressing criticism of Hezbollah by its opponents. It further stated that activities by these terrorists pose a threat to the country. "ELIMINATED: Zakaria Yahya al-Hajj, a senior Hezbollah terrorist, was struck in the Jwaya area in southern Lebanon. As part of his role, he activated agents within Lebanon's security systems, and suppressed criticism by opponents of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The terrorist's activities constituted a threat to Israel and a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon," the IDF said in its post. This comes after the Israeli military confirmed that two additional Hezbollah terrorists were eliminated in separate strikes carried out in different areas in southern Lebanon in less than an hour. In a separate post, the IDF stated that in the Yater area, it killed a Hezbollah operative who was involved in attempts to re-establish the group's terrorist infrastructure. In another strike in the Bint Jbeil area, Israeli forces eliminated a terrorist described as Hezbollah's local representative, who was responsible for liaising with residents and seizing private property for use in terror activities. "Two Hezbollah terrorists in strikes in different areas in southern Lebanon within less than an hour. In the Yater area, the IDF eliminated a terrorist who took part in Hezbollah's attempts to reestablish its infrastructure. In the Bint Jbeil area, the IDF eliminated a terrorist who served as the local representative of Hezbollah, responsible for communication with the residents, and seized private assets for terror use," the post read. These strikes by the IDF are part of a series of operations conducted against Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon. The IDF further stated that it has killed around 40 terrorists operating to rebuild Hezbollah's infrastructure in approximately 30 different locations across southern Lebanon since the beginning of October. Meanwhile, Israel accused Hezbollah of repeatedly breaching the ceasefire arrangement, claiming the group has violated the agreement more than 1,900 times. (ANI) OSAKA, Dec 15 (News On Japan) - Ikuno Ward in Osaka, long known as a community shaped by Korean residents, is undergoing a significant transformation as the number of foreign nationals rises and the origins of its population diversify across roughly 80 countries. Nearly one in five of the wards 130,000 residents now hold foreign nationality, with recent growth driven in particular by arrivals from Vietnam and Nepal. While the proportion of Korean and Korean-descended residents has declined, the districts streets increasingly reflect a wider international presence, including students and workers who have settled nearby after attending local language schools. Restaurants serving Vietnamese and Nepalese dishes have become part of the everyday landscape, offering flavors familiar to residents from abroad and attracting interest from long-time locals. In one Vietnamese eatery, pho has become a popular draw, while Nepalese establishments serve dal bhat rice paired with lentil soup and side dishes a staple described as roughly equivalent to Japans combination of rice and miso soup. These culinary shifts illustrate how the wards changing demographics are reflected not only in census figures but in daily life. Ikunos Korea Town, which spans neighborhoods around Tsuruhashi and Momodani, remains a major attraction, drawing dense weekend crowds to its shopping arcades east of JR Momodani Station. But the broader picture is one of rapid diversification. Over the past decade, the Vietnamese population has increased nearly sevenfold, Chinese residents have doubled, and the Nepalese population once negligible has steadily expanded. According to Asahi Shimbun reporter Taro Tamaki, who has extensively covered foreign families and children living in Japan, the wards many Japanese-language schools have helped foreign students establish roots and build networks that support longer-term residence. The reasons behind Ikunos transformation, Tamaki says, lie in its history, administrative policies, and grassroots activity. The area became home to many Koreans from the former Japanese colony of the Korean Peninsula, particularly from Jeju Island, who built a community before and after the war while facing significant discrimination. That experience of establishing support networks under difficult circumstances has influenced many long-standing residents willingness to assist newcomers from other countries. The ward administration has played an equally important role. Former ward mayor Teru Yamaguchi promoted multicultural coexistence as a practical necessity amid population decline, encouraging local shops to adopt easy Japanese short and clear expressions that help non-native speakers communicate more easily. Stores displaying a sticker indicating their use of this simplified language have become common across the district. Current ward mayor Akira Tsuji continues to emphasize coexistence, adopting the slogan Let us move forward together while remaining different, a message shaped by his earlier experience working with Okinawan communities in Taisho Ward. Grassroots initiatives have further anchored Ikunos multicultural evolution. At NOPARK, a former elementary school redeveloped as a community hub, an international night market is held several times a year. The former schoolyard fills with stalls serving dishes from various countries, while a stage showcases music and performances from residents home regions. Vietnamese restaurant owner Hoa Anh Hoa, for example, not only runs a food stall but also takes the microphone to sing Vietnamese songs, drawing applause from local families and elderly residents who attend the event in large numbers. Educational support has also emerged as a key pillar. Ikuno Tabunka Flat, a learning space founded in 2017 by Son, a third-generation Korean resident and retired school employee, offers volunteer-run study sessions for children who have recently arrived in Japan and struggle with Japanese-language instruction in school. The program has become an important resource for easing the linguistic and emotional challenges faced by young newcomers. Tamaki argues that Ikunos trajectory offers a preview of Japans future as the number of foreign residents increases nationwide. While some people may feel anxious about the pace of change, he notes that meeting individuals, learning their names, and seeing their daily lives often dispel concerns that spread easily online. With Osakas recent Expo drawing large numbers of international visitors, he believes Ikuno is well positioned to continue serving as a model for multicultural coexistence a place where diverse cultures are not only visible but actively woven into the communitys daily rhythm. Source: ABCTVnews The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provides Morocco a 150 million loan to finance the third phase of Saiss Water Conservation Program. The package also includes a $7.5 million grant from the UK under the EBRDs High-Impact Partnership for Climate Action (HIPCA) multi-donor fund. Recognising the projects strategic importance for Morocco, the Bank is also providing a 5 million investment grant, as well as a 500,000 technical assistance grant. The EBRD funding is destined to finance the construction of a water distribution network aimed at irrigating 20,000 hectares in the water-scarce Saiss plain in the Fes-Meknes region. The third and final phase of the Saiss Water Conservation Program a flagship initiative to preserve the Saiss aquifer and promote sustainable water management in the region brings the total cost of the project to 252 million. The Saiss Water Conservation Program seeks to replace unsustainable groundwater abstraction with sustainable and resilient use of surface water, transferring 90-120 million m of water annually from the MDez dam to the Saiss plain for irrigation purposes. This phased investment program is expected to benefit around 5,000 farms and 1.8 million people, while alleviating pressure on the Saiss aquifer. Morocco faces persistent water scarcity a challenge that is being further exacerbated by the effects of climate change. This project will enable climate-resilient irrigation by replacing unsustainable groundwater abstraction with the use of surface water, preserving the Saiss aquifer and strengthening agricultural resilience and water security in the Saiss plain. The project also features a strong focus on gender and economic inclusion. Technical cooperation initiatives will enhance skills and employability in sustainable water management for young people and women in the Fes-Meknes region and support the implementation of a SCADA-based system for remote management of the irrigation network, allowing efficient use of resources. Morocco has been elected to the Council of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), during the 34th General Assembly of this intergovernmental organization, affiliated to the UNESCO, held in Rome from December 10 to 12. The Kingdom will be represented on this body, which is responsible for safeguarding and restoring global cultural heritage, by Rabiaa Harrak, Chief Architect at the Department of Historical Heritage at the Ministry of Culture, for a four-year term. Moroccos election to this prestigious council represents further recognition of Moroccan expertise in the preservation of cultural heritage, and also reinforces the Kingdoms leadership within international bodies dedicated to culture. Morocco took part in this 34th ICCROM session with a delegation led by the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to UN agencies in Rome, Youssef Balla. The session discussed proposed amendments to ICCROMs foundational texts, as well as financial matters and the implementation of programs, while examining reforms aimed at strengthening the organizations effectiveness, transparency, and good governance. The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation of Cultural Property, headquartered in Rome, supports member states through training programs, technical assistance, applied research, and capacity-building initiatives in the fields of tangible, immovable, and movable heritage. Since joining the Centre in 1958, Morocco has actively participated in its programs and initiatives, thereby contributing to the development of international standards for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. This continued participation reflects the Kingdoms steadfast commitment to protecting and preserving historic sites and cities, as well as enhancing its rich national cultural heritage. Policymakers and former officials from Africa, Europe, and Latin America who participated in the various panels held as part of 14th Annual International Conference The Atlantic Dialogues, organized by the Policy Center for the New South, have hailed the initiatives launched by King Mohammed VI which have strengthened Moroccos Leadership in Africa. In this connection, former U.S. Ambassador to Rabat, Puneet Talwar, said Morocco is strengthening its leadership on the African continent, thanks to the initiatives of King Mohammed VI. Morocco, here in Africa, is taking leadership through initiatives, such as the Royal Initiative to enable Atlantic Ocean access for the Sahel States, as well as the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline project, Talwar emphasized during a panel. The Kingdom, a true gateway to the continent, is seen in Africa as a model to follow, he noted, adding that this leadership has made Morocco a key strategic partner for the United States and a respected and influential actor at the continental level. In his view, this status also gives the Kingdom a special ability to forge effective partnerships, notably with the United States. By partnering together, we have been able to do wonderful things with Morocco, the former diplomat observed. Morocco is Americas oldest friend and its a relationship that we, in the United States, cherish because it has brought so many benefits, he stressed, noting that the MoroccoU.S. partnership is based on trust and consistency, as well as on enduring human ties. The excellence of relations between Morocco and the United States was also recently displayed within the United Nations Security Council during the adoption of Resolution 2797 on the Moroccan Sahara, he continued, describing it as an illustration of the quality of coordination between the two countries on major issues of international peace and stability. The former U.S. ambassador also praised the Kingdoms ongoing commitment to regional stability, recalling that through its African initiatives, Morocco works to promote a vision of co-development, South-South cooperation, and shared security. He further expressed his personal attachment to Morocco, citing the richness of its culture and the depth of its human connections, and said he was convinced that the MoroccoU.S. partnership would continue to grow stronger. I miss the history, the culture. So, its wonderful to be back. The same praise to the Royal vision was expressed by former Portuguese Foreign Minister and member of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Paulo Portas, during a panel dubbed Moroccos Commitment to the Atlantic, held as part of the The Atlantic Dialogues international conference. Morocco confirms and strengthens its status as a regional power in Africa through an expanded multidimensional presence on the continent, Paulo Portas pointed out, noting that the Vision of King Mohammed VI for an Africa-oriented Morocco is not new. In this regard, he highlighted the establishment of Moroccan companies and significant investments across numerous vital sectors in several African countries, emphasizing the relevance of the South-South cooperation initiatives launched by the Kingdom under the Sovereigns leadership. This Moroccan diplomatic momentum takes place in a complex continental context, the former Portuguese foreign minister observed, welcoming Moroccos essential contribution to regional stability. On the issue of the Kingdoms territorial integrity, Portas described the latest UN Security Council resolution on the Moroccan Sahara as a remarkable success for Morocco, noting that the country has been able, through persistent diplomacy, to consolidate broad international consensus around its autonomy initiative for the Southern Provinces. The autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty constitutes the only viable solution to the dispute over the Moroccan Sahara, he added, recalling that this initiative enjoys growing international support, particularly in Europe. Peter Pham, a distinguished member of the American Atlantic Council think tank, on his part stressed that King Mohammed VIs Initiative to enable Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel States represents a major strategic turning point for Africa. This Royal Initiative will help transform the dream of Atlantic integration into a shared vision and promote the emergence of a larger and more inclusive community, he said. Throughout history, Morocco has always served as a gateway, a bridge between the Arab-Muslim world, Africa, Europe, and more recently, North and South America, he continued, noting that the Royal Initiative will not only help ensure the stability of the Sahel region but also strengthen security and prosperity within the entire Atlantic African community. By opening new horizons through trade and investment, the Royal Initiative fosters stability and food security in the Atlantic area, while offering significant economic opportunities to the countries of the region, Peter Pham said. Speaking at the panel, Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, said the Kingdom places South-South cooperation at the heart of its royal diplomacy, being confident that its development is closely linked to that of the wider region, Hilale affirmed that Morocco, due to its position at the crossroads of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, plays a pioneering role in international cooperation, particularly South-South cooperation. In this regard, he advocated for a paradigm shift in international economic relations, emphasizing the need for the Global South to have access to its own development opportunities, notably through co-financing, participation in projects, technology transfer, and equitable access to markets. He further called for moving beyond the economic model that relegates the Global South to a mere role of raw material exporter, citing Morocco as an example, which now transforms its phosphate into fertilizers and chemical products and exports its know-how within the framework of South-South cooperation. This win-win cooperation, aimed at achieving development that ensures security and prosperity, is also reflected in the initiative launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. He noted that thanks to its port, rail, and highway infrastructure, Morocco has become a hub for the development of Sahel countries and the African Atlantic coast. The ambassador also highlighted the technological and knowledge-sharing dimension of this cooperation, mentioning the Hub Morocco Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD), launched in line with His Majesty King Mohammed VIs vision, with the aim of accelerating digital transformation in Africa and the Arab region. This strategic initiative positions Morocco as a regional and continental catalyst for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation in service of African and Arab countries, Omar Hilale said. In the same vein, Moroccos ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, pointed out that King Mohammed VIs Atlantic Initiative brings a long-term vision that turns a fragmented space into a structured geopolitical region. The Royal Initiative is a strategic framework that structures order, stability, connectivity and opportunity, Amrani emphasized, during the panel dubbed Moroccos Commitment to the Atlantic. He pointed out that the aim is to establish Africas Atlantic coast as a place of opportunity, security and shared prosperity, recalling that stability is the first condition for any regional architecture to be coherent. There is no Atlantic order without territorial integrity, and no long-term investment without predictable governance, he stressed, noting the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 2797 on the Moroccan Sahara issue. This resolution, the diplomat added, represents a strategic shift not only for Morocco but also for the entire Atlantic region, making the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative the only basis for any political solution, and by adding the required clarity to enable the implementation of priority projects. Among these structuring Atlantic projects, Amrani cited the DakhlaSahel Atlantic Corridor, the Dakhla Atlantic Port, the Tanger Med port complex, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, as well as the future energy routes aimed at supporting the continents green transition. According to Amrani, the integration driven by the Royal Atlantic Initiative is set to transform the Atlantic into a coherent strategic region where policies converge and long-term planning becomes possible. This virtuous dynamic is based on an inclusive vision of Morocco, founded on equal partnerships, African ownership of decision-making and regional frameworks where Africa speaks in its own voice, he noted. He also underlined the key role of innovation, which has become essential in the face of pandemics, climate shocks, and the vulnerability of global value chains. In this regard, he emphasized energy innovation, food security innovation and security and stability innovation. The ambassador emphasized that the aim is to position Africa as a fully-fledged actor in the global balance of power, by providing it with a unified geopolitical space, a strategic identity and a collective voice. The Atlantic creates a single geostrategic arc from Tangier to Cape Town, encompassing the Sahel and linking Africa to Europe and the Americas through stability, energy, logistics, and climate cooperation, Amrani added. Thanks to King Mohammed VIs Atlantic Initiative, Africa becomes a strategic energy partner, an emerging maritime and security actor, a connectivity hub and a climate resilience leader, he concluded. Canada could approve the development of a new oil pipeline, four years after plans for the cross-border Keystone XL Pipeline were scrapped over environmental and human rights concerns. While Canadas oil-rich Alberta province is highly supportive of the plan, environmentalists and Indigenous leaders are concerned about what impact the development of a new pipeline might have on both land and communities. This marks a significant shift away from the national energy policy of recent years, which was increasingly focused on decarbonisation. In November, Canadas Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a sweeping agreement, thereby laying the groundwork for the development of a new oil pipeline to export oil sands from Alberta and exempting the provinces oil industry from certain environmental laws. The move is part of larger plans to decrease Canadas trade reliance on the United States. Carney has said that the U.S. tariffs placed on Canada by the Trump administration have made the country more vulnerable, and he aims to double non-U.S. exports in the next decade. The U.S. is currently the largest buyer of Canadian crude, contributing over 90 percent of exports, according to 2023 data by the Canada Energy Regulator. At the core of the agreement, of course, is a priority to have a pipeline to Asia thats going to make Canada stronger, more independent, more resilient, more sustainable, stated Carney. Meanwhile, Albertas Premier Danielle Smith said the move signalled the end of "dark times" for her province. If the project goes ahead, it will effectively mean a U-turn on Canadas former energy policy, which looked to gradually decarbonise and shift away from a dependence on fossil fuels. Canadas oil and gas industry accounts for the bulk of the countrys greenhouse gas emissions, contributing around 31 percent of total emissions, with around 36 percent of oil and gas emissions coming from the oil sands industry, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. The proposal attracted widespread criticism within the Liberal government cabinet, as well as raised questions from Albertas neighbouring province, British Columbia. The agreement requires the development of any new oil pipeline to be funded by the private sector. At present, no company is supporting the project. While Alberta has vast quantities of oil sand reserves, many energy companies are uninterested in the provinces heavy crude, which is difficult for most refineries to process. The Alberta government strongly supports the proposal and has pledged $10 million to create a proposal, which it hopes will eventually be taken on by the private sector. No clear route has been identified for the pipeline yet, but it is expected to traverse British Columbias northern coast, providing greater access to Asia. If a pipeline is constructed, the aim is to make it large enough to transport at least one million barrels a day of crude to Asia, according to Carney. To encourage private sector investment, the government could reduce permitting and approval delays, as well as potentially lift the 2019 moratorium on tanker traffic along the north coast of British Columbia. The ban was introduced to mitigate the dangers associated with transporting oil in a region of turbulent weather, physical hazards, and fragile marine ecosystems, which has seen the devastating effects of an oil spill in the past. Coastal First Nations leaders have responded by saying that the tanker ban is non-negotiable. Chiefs representing over 600 First Nations voted for Ottawa to keep the tanker ban, as well as withdraw from the agreement between the federal and Alberta governments that allows for the pipeline development. British Columbias Premier, David Eby, said that while he was open to a pipeline proposal, any project that required the tanker ban to be lifted was a non-starter. Meanwhile, Canadas Green Party leader Elizabeth May said there was no chance on Gods green Earth that an oil tanker will ever move through the inner waters between Haida Gwaii and the north coast of British Columbia. May added, Governments cannot wish away science [nor can they] pretend that an oil tanker would not break apart under those conditions." However, according to a new Nanos Research poll of 1,009 Canadian adults commissioned by the Globe and Mail newspaper, around 56 percent of Canadians support or somewhat support the construction of a new oil pipeline, while 55 percent are in favour of lifting the tanker ban to make it happen. Meanwhile, 37 percent of those surveyed opposed the move. The pollster Nik Nanos explained, In this particular environment, with uncertainty in the trade agreement with the United States, Canadians are worried about their jobs. I think were at a point in time where, as a country, were trying to figure out how projects can happen. The recent agreement for the potential construction of a new oil pipeline in Canada has sparked a variety of reactions from different regions and actors. While environmentalists, Canadians from non-oil regions, and Indigenous leaders oppose the construction, many Albertans support the move. Now the question is whether a private company will make the pipeline development a reality. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela could lead to profound changes in the oil industry of the worlds largest crude resource holder. Any regime change of President Nicolas Maduro could be a game-changer for oil production in Venezuela, U.S. access to Venezuelas heavy crude fit for U.S. Gulf Coast refineries, and Americas influence in the Western Hemisphere and Latin America. Although its not certain that U.S. President Donald Trump would necessarily pursue regime change or an incursion of some kind in Venezuela, its certain that potentially eased sanctions and the free flow of Venezuelan crude could help with President Trumps fixation on keeping U.S. gasoline prices low. Its also quite likely that Venezuela will remain part of OPEC, despite the decades-long ingrained antagonism between the United States and the cartel, Reuters energy columnist Ron Bousso argues. Venezuela was actually one of the five founding members of OPEC back in 1960, alongside the major Persian Gulf producers Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and Kuwait. President Trump has sought close ties with OPECs de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, in both his terms in office. Just last month, he hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on a state visit to solidify the economic and defense partnership. In 2020, President Trump persuaded OPEC and the OPEC+ coalition to slash oil supply during the pandemic when demand was cratering. In other words, under President Trump, the U.S.-OPEC relationship is not what it used to be. A new U.S.-friendly government in Venezuela would be another ally within the cartel. OPEC produces about 40% of daily global oil supplies and manages output to keep prices stable. This cartel is a rival of U.S. oil producers, and its supply management policies have hurt many shale producers and put hundreds of others out of business over the past decade when prices have tanked. Related: US Drillers Add Oil Rigs As Analysts Warn of Incoming Glut OPEC, for its part, would also be eager to keep Venezuela in the fold, following several internal spats over production levels and quotas since the OPEC+ group was created nearly a decade ago. President Trump prioritizes good relations with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. For those two co-founders of OPEC, keeping Venezuela in OPEC is more important than it is for Trump, Bob McNally, president at consultancy Rapidan Energy, told Reuters Bousso. Venezuela is exempted from the OPEC+ production cuts and quotas due to the heavy sanctions on its oil industry and exports. The only Western firm currently operating in Venezuela is U.S. supermajor Chevron, via a special waiver to produce and export crude. Escalating tensions could lead to a short-term squeeze in Venezuelas supply, but a regime change away from Maduro could lead to easing of the U.S. sanctions, renewed foreign participation, and an increase in Venezuelas crude oil production. This week, the tensions reached a boiling point as the U.S. seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, just as the U.S. released its latest national security strategy, which, among other things, emphasizes a strong U.S. influence in Latin America. The Trump Administration also heaped fresh sanctions to stifle Maduros oil revenues by designating Maduro family members, a longtime business ally, and six companies operating tankers. It is not clear that the US will push for regime change in Venezuela, or how such an attempt might play out if it did, energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie said last week. If sanctions were lifted and the desperately needed operational and financial support became available for Venezuela, it could have a significant impact on the countrys production, in both the short and long term, WoodMacs analysts say. Improved operational management could result in quick increases in production, according to Adrian Lara, Wood Mackenzies principal analyst for Latin America upstream. Our assumption is that there are a lot of wells that just need a workover, Lara says. You can boost production through opex, without needing much new capex. If favorable conditions exist, operational improvements and some modest investment in the Orinoco Belt could raise Venezuelas production back to the levels of the mid-2010s at around 2 million barrels per day (bpd) within one to two years, up from about 900,000 bpd now, WoodMac reckons. Going beyond, the Orinoco Belt joint ventures between Venezuelas national oil company PDVSA and international oil companies would need up to $20 billion of combined investment to ramp up over the next 10 years, to add another 500,000 bpd of production, Wood Mackenzie estimates. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Experimental scheme. A small droplet of water in vacuum is rapidly cooled down to 45 C through fast evaporation. After applying a small perturbation with an IR pump, we track the relaxation dynamics of the water using an intense X-ray laser pulse. (b) Fragile-to-strong transition, the point at which the trend of water's dynamic behavior changes was experimentally observed at 233.2 K. Credit: R. Tyburski et al/Nature Physics. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-025-03112-3. In a new study published in Nature Physics, researchers have achieved the first experimental observation of a fragile-to-strong transition in deeply supercooled water, resolving a scientific puzzle that has persisted for nearly three decades. Water has anomalous properties when cooled below freezing without crystallization. Previous studies have tracked how water's viscosity changes with temperature, predicting it would diverge to infinity around ~227 K (46C), meaning liquid water's motion would essentially freeze. However, this prediction conflicted with other known properties of water. As a result, scientists proposed that the viscosity trend must undergo a change at a specific low temperaturethe so-called fragile-to-strong transition (FST). Phys.org spoke to co-authors of the study, Prof. Kyung Hwan Kim from POSTECH's Department of Chemistry and Prof. Anders Nilsson from Stockholm University's Department of Physics, about their work. "Water is the most essential substance for life and for countless natural phenomena, yet it is also the liquid that exhibits the most anomalous properties," explained Kim. "The key to uncovering their origin is believed to lie in the deeply supercooled regime, an area where water freezes so rapidly that direct experimental investigation has been nearly impossible." Overcoming experimental challenges Despite intense theoretical interest and extensive simulations, the fragile-to-strong transition eluded direct experimental observation, mainly because water crystallizes extremely quickly once it is cooled below about 235 K. The breakthrough came from combining an innovative droplet-based sample scheme with ultrafast X-ray free-electron lasers. "We created liquid water down to 45C by rapidly evaporating it under vacuum, allowing it to remain supercooled for only a brief moment," explained Nilsson. "We used ultrashort X-ray pulses from an X-ray free-electron laser (SwissFEL), which can track molecular motion within tens of femtoseconds." The experimental setup involved generating micron-sized water droplets (about 17 m across) in a vacuum chamber. As the droplets traveled through the chamber, evaporative cooling brought them to deeply supercooled temperatures ranging from 228 K to 270 K (45C to 3C). The researchers then applied a femtosecond infrared laser pulse to induce a small temperature jump of less than 1 K in each droplet, and monitored how the liquid structure relaxed back toward equilibrium. The team monitored the X-ray scattering signal's response to each temperature pulse, measuring water's structural relaxation rate and testing whether the slowdown fundamentally shifted near the proposed transition. Tracking structural relaxation Using ultrashort X-ray pulses from SwissFEL and SACLA, the team monitored wide-angle X-ray scattering patterns at varying time delays, directly tracking how water's hydrogen-bonding structure evolved after each temperature kick. "In our experiment, we applied a small perturbation to liquid water at each temperature and then tracked the structural relaxation dynamics to a new equilibrium state over time," said Kim. "To capture this full behavior and reveal the fragile-to-strong transition in water's dynamics, we measured the relaxation across a broad range of timescales," from femtoseconds to nanoseconds, Nilsson added. This molecular-level structural sensitivity marks a significant advance over previous indirect approaches, such as viscosity or optical Kerr effect measurements. The results revealed a clear dynamic crossover at approximately 233 K (about 40C). Above this temperature, relaxation times increased rapidly with decreasing temperature, following the steep, power-law behavior characteristic of fragile liquids; below 233 K, the data instead followed a shallower Arrhenius temperature dependence typical of strong liquids. Computational validation Molecular dynamics simulations using the TIP4P/2005 water model successfully reproduced a similar fragile-to-strong crossover, with a transition appearing around 238.7 K under conditions analogous to the experiment. TIP4P/2005 is a widely used classical water model that represents each molecule with four interaction sites, allowing researchers to capture both structure and dynamics with reasonable accuracy. "Because fast crystallization makes experiments in this temperature regime challenging, much of the previous work in the field has been driven by computer simulations," said Kim. "For this reason, validating and connecting our experimental findings with molecular dynamics simulations was an important step." The experimentally observed transition temperature of about 233 K lies slightly above the previously identified Widom line at 230 K, where fluctuations between high-density and low-density liquid-like local configurations are strongest. This suggests that the fragile-to-strong transition is linked to changes in the populations of these distinct molecular arrangements, rather than to the glass transition at 136 K. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Future directions From weather patterns to biological chemistry, water's dynamics matter, so pinning down its behavior changes when deeply supercooled extends beyond basic physics. "By resolving the mystery behind water's anomalous behavior and gaining a better understanding of its dynamics, we can improve our understanding of many phenomena that depend on water," said Nilsson. The work also opens up new experimental territory. "We still have not directly observed the detailed microscopic mechanisms behind this behavior," said Kim. "We believe that with some improvements, it will be possible to probe these underlying mechanisms experimentally. We also now have a method to study water below 230 K, which opens the door to investigating many other phenomena in this temperature range." By showing that water's apparent divergence is cut off by a real change in relaxation behavior, the study confirms that its dynamic anomalies stem from a genuine transition rather than an extrapolation artifact, supporting decades of theoretical and simulation work on the fragile-to-strong crossover. Written for you by our author Tejasri Gururaj, 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. Publication details R. Tyburski et al, Observation of a dynamic transition in bulk supercooled water, Nature Physics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-03112-3. Journal information: Nature Physics Key concepts Phase transitions 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: Sarah Connell, associate director for the NULab for Digital Humanities and Computational Social Science, has been part of the collaboration. Credit: Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University As far as nicknames go, the moniker "Mad Madge" would not suggest that Margaret Cavendish enjoyed the full respect of her peers. A poet, philosopher, scientist, playwright and fiction writer, the 17th-century duchess had a multitude of disciplines and was published under her own name in a period when women writers were either anonymous or ignored. But Cavendish's work at the time, while widely discussed, was often dismissed, particularly by fellow scientists, explained Sarah Connell, associate director of the NULab for Digital Humanities and Computational Social Science. "She was certainly visible in a way that a lot of her contemporaries were not," said Connell, "but it was often with this sort of disparagement, this sense that she was not worth taking seriously." A reappraisal has long since been underway of Cavendish's achievements, and a project by Northeastern University has looked to take that further by analyzing her impact on the scientific community of her day. That project, "New digital methods for understanding the impacts of early women writers on the development of science and philosophy," has brought together researchersphilosophers Peter West and Brian Ball, along with English academics Connell and Julia Flandersworking on the university's London and Boston campuses. They used Cavendish as a case study for understanding the impact of arguments advanced by marginalized female minds. In 1667, Cavendish was the first woman invited to a meeting of the Royal Society in England, the oldest continuously existing scientific academy in the world. Early male fellows included architect Christopher Wren and Isaac Newton, but it would take until 1945 for women to be accepted into the academy, and the organization has never been led by a woman. Ball applied his previous research, involving networking how social media misinformation spreads, to create simulations that established the connections that Cavendish had with fellows at the Royal Society. The simulation created a timeline of how and when society fellows changed their opinions and compared it to when Cavendish produced statements or published works. The team also produced a type of historical counterfactual, examining "what if" Cavendish had been better connected and her findings more widely accepted during her lifetime. "One of the things that came out of the simulation," said Ball, "was that when she's better connected to those characters, actually, it is not just Cavendish who does better in approaching the truth more quickly. We found that the Royal Society as a community gets to the truth fasterin fact, significantly faster." 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. Connell said the joint research was driven by a desire to give Cavendish her proper due, rather than see heras she has traditionally beenas an "outlier," a rare leading female scientific figure of her age. "What we're trying to say islet's not treat her as a curiosity," added Connell. The Boston-based researcher is also associate director of Northeastern's Women Writers Project, which has made 475 historic texts available online since 1988. The digital library involves painstakingly hand-transcribing books and manuscripts dating between 1526 and 1850. They are then hand-encoded by students to apply a textual model that gives added details to a reader, ranging from highlighting quotations to describing the physical condition of the source material. Connell described the work as a "labor of love and care." Cavendish proved an easy pick for the joint study as her works are "extraordinarily well represented" in the Women Writers Project's online collection, said Connell. The array of texts available allowed her to prove just how stand-out Margaret Cavendish was as a thinker, finding that she is "truly distinctive" among the archive's authors. With her wide range of writing, Cavendish was in a field of her own, according to the researchers' modeling. West, who studies marginalized figures in philosophy and edits a journal dedicated to Cavendish's writings, said working with what Connell calls "digital humanities" methods has allowed him to counter entrenched narratives about who the most influential people have been during the history of philosophy. The assistant professor described having Connell's versions of Cavendish's texts as akin to the difference between a printed topographic map and an interactive online service such as Google Maps, creating a "much richer version of a text" and making them more easily accessible for researchers. One of the expected outcomes of the collaboration is an online exhibition and an academic paper. It also saw West, in collaboration with The Philosopher journal, host a symposium on Oct. 27 involving experts in the fields of women in science, philosophy and literature. Among them was Dame Athene Donald, a British physicist and Royal Society fellow. Donald told the audience that women working in science continue to be sidelined, arguing that senior male managers have been known to take the credit for the work of junior-ranking female colleagues and that women can "feel excluded" in a male-dominated sector. "It is very easy for people to believe there are no more problems, and that just isn't the case," said Donald. "There is a lot of subtle bias, right from birth." This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Artist's impression of high harmonic generation in a liquid solution of methanol and fluorobenzene. In this case, fluorobenzene modifies the methanol solvation structure and acts as a scattering barrier for electrons emitted from the methanol, causing suppression of certain frequencies of the emitted light. Credit: LSU Department of Chemistry Professor Kenneth Lopata. Liquids and solutions are complex environmentsthink, for example, of sugar dissolving in water, where each sugar molecule becomes surrounded by a restless crowd of water molecules. Inside living cells, the picture is even more complex: tiny liquid droplets carry proteins or RNA and help organize the cell's chemistry. Despite their importance, liquid environments are notoriously difficult to study at the level of individual molecules and electrons. The core challenge is that liquids lack a fixed structure, and the ultrafast interactions between solute and solventwhere chemistry actually happenshave remained largely invisible to scientists. High-harmonic spectroscopy reveals new details A team of researchers from Ohio State University and Louisiana State University has now shown that high-harmonic spectroscopy (HHS)a nonlinear optical technique capable of capturing electron dynamics on attosecond timescalescan reveal the tiny, local structures that form when one liquid dissolves into another. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, marks an important step toward directly probing solutesolvent interactions in the liquid phase. HHS works by using ultrafast laser bursts to briefly pull electrons away from their molecules and then measure the light they emit when they snap back. This creates snapshots of how electrons and even atomic nuclei move, on timescales so short that ordinary techniques can't capture them. Traditional optical spectroscopy has been the standard tool for studying liquids because light interacts gently with molecules, and it's easy to read, but it operates at much slower speeds. HHS, by contrast, reaches into the extreme-ultraviolet range and offers time resolution on the order of an attoseconda billionth of a billionth of a second. Until now, HHS has been largely confined to gases and solids, where experimental conditions are easier to control. Liquids pose two major challenges: they absorb most of the emitted harmonic light, and their constant molecular motion makes the signals difficult to interpret. By using a new ultrathin liquid "sheet" that allows more light to escape, the OSULSU team has now shownfor the first timethat HHS can capture local structural changes and ultrafast dynamics in liquids. Unexpected findings in liquid mixtures Armed with this new method, the team turned to a set of simple liquid mixtures to see how HHS would perform. They applied intense, mid-infrared laser light to methanol mixed with small amounts of different halobenzenesnearly identical molecules that differ only by a single atom: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Halobenzenes produce strong harmonic signals that appear clearly in the emitted light spectrum, while methanol offers a clean background. The team expected that even in dilute mixtures, the halobenzene signal would dominate. For most mixtures, this held true: the harmonic emission looked like a simple combination of the two liquids. But fluorobenzene (PhF) behaved very differently. "We were really surprised to see that the PhFmethanol solution gave completely different results from the other solutions," said Lou DiMauro, Edward E. and Sylvia Hagenlocker Professor of Physics at OSU. "Not only was the mixture-yield much lower than for each liquid on its own, we also found that one harmonic was completely suppressed." He added that "such a deep suppression was a clear sign of destructive interference, and it had to be caused by something near the emitters." In other words, mixing PhF with methanol produced less light than either liquid alonean unexpected resultand one specific harmonic vanished entirely, as if a single "note" in the spectrum had been muted. That kind of targeted disappearance is extremely rare and suggested a specific molecular interaction was blocking the electron's path. 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. Theoretical insights into molecular interactions To probe this interaction, the OSU theory team performed large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. John Herbert, professor of chemistry and leader of the theory effort, explained, "We found that the PhFmethanol mixture is subtly different from the others. The electronegativity of the F atom promotes a 'molecular handshake' (or hydrogen bond) with the OH end of methanol, whereas in other mixtures the distribution of the PhX molecules is more random." In short, PhF forms an organized solvation structure that the other halobenzenes do not. The LSU theory team then tested whether such a structure could reproduce the experimental observations. Mette Gaarde, Boyd Professor of Physics, noted, "We speculated that the electron density around the F atoms was providing an extra barrier for the accelerating electrons to scatter on, and that this would disturb the harmonic generation process." Using a model based on the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, the team confirmed that this kind of scattering barrier could produce both the suppressed harmonic and the lower overall yield. "We also learned that the suppression was very sensitive to the location of the barrierthis means that the detail of the harmonic suppression carries information about the local structure that was formed during the solvation process," added Sucharita Giri, postdoctoral researcher at LSU. "We were excited to be able to combine results from experiment and theory, across physics, chemistry, and optics, to learn something new about electron dynamics in the complex liquid environment," added Gaarde. Implications and future directions While further work is needed to fully explore the capabilities of HHS in liquids, these early findings are highly promising. Because so many important chemical and biological processes occur in the liquid phaseand because the electron energies involved mirror those that cause radiation damageunderstanding how electrons scatter in dense liquids could have wide-reaching implications across chemistry, biology, and materials science. As DiMauro noted, "Our results demonstrate that solution-phase high-harmonic generation can be sensitive to the particular solutesolvent interactions and therefore to the local liquid environment. We are excited for the future of this field." Building on this outlook, researchers anticipate that the technique will spark renewed interest in ultrafast liquid-phase studies. As Gaarde noted, advances in both experiments and simulations will enable scientists to better understand harmonic generation in different liquids and extract detailed structural and dynamical information about how they respond to an ultrafast laser pulse. Publication details Eric Moore et al, Solvation-induced local structure in liquids probed by high-harmonic spectroscopy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2514825122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Residents in Massachusetts are experiencing significant savings through a government-funded home electrification program. Canary Media shared the stories of numerous homeowners in Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard who switched to heat pumps and solar energy. The pilot program, Cape and Vineyard Electrification Offering, enabled low-income residents to make eco-friendly home upgrades, providing solar panels to 55 participants and heat pumps to 45 of them. Depending on their income levels, the participants received the panels and heat pumps for little to no cost. Participants reported feeling satisfied with the changes and noted significant energy savings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My costs are drastically lower," homeowner Judy Welch, who lives in Chatham, Cape Cod, told Canary Media. "In the summer now, I don't have any bills, and I have the air conditioning on the whole time." Prior to switching to solar energy and a heat pump, Canary Media reported that Welch paid approximately $500 per month for electric baseboard heating. However, now, her energy bills during the winter months have "dropped to nearly zero thanks to the solar-powered heat pumps." Adding solar panels to your home is a great way to reduce your energy bills and lower your household's pollution. To learn more about solar installations, consider checking out TCD's Solar Explorer. In just a few seconds, you can compare quotes from vetted installers and find the best system for your home. If you're looking to add solar panels to your home before the end of 2025, you can maximize your savings. While federal tax credits for solar panels and home appliance upgrades are expiring by the end of the year, there's still time to take advantage of these credits and claim the 30% solar tax credit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Solar Explorer partner, EnergySage, estimates that installing solar panels before the end of 2025 could save you nearly $10,000 due to federal incentives. Since the average cost of solar panels varies by state, EnergySage also has a free mapping tool that breaks down solar costs on a state-by-state level. If the initial costs of purchasing solar panels aren't in your budget, there are still many other options for going solar. For example, leasing panels is a great way to avoid the upfront investment of buying a solar system. Leasing programs, such as Palmetto's LightReach program, offer plans with no money down, allowing users to lock in low energy rates and avoid fluctuating energy prices. After you install solar energy for your home, you can maximize your savings by electrifying your appliances. One way to do this is to switch to an energy-efficient heat pump. TCD's HVAC Explorer can help you narrow down heat pump installers, making it easy to find one within your budget and save up to 50% on heating and cooling costs. 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. How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do it, My husband recently surprised me with something unexpected when we were in bed. We had just finished having sex when he stood up and gave me a golden shower. I was shocked and disgusted and fled the room. After I had washed off, I angrily demanded to know why the hell he would do such a thing. He said he had been fantasizing about it for more than a year and needed to get it out of his system. Im not sure if I can trust him again and we havent had sex or slept in the same room since. Is it worth trying to save my marriage? Pissed Off Dear Pissed Off, Its worth doing what youre doing nowrefusing sex and sleeping in separate roomswhile you sort out your feelings. Sometimes, its unfair to judge people based on their worst behavior; at other times, the worst behavior is so scarring that it ends up defining the relationship for us, like it or not. Now is the time to take stock. Is the relationship otherwise loving, with open communication and a strong sense of equality/both partners needs being met? Or was this a leak from a torrent of domineering behavior that disregards your ability to consent in favor of his comfort/pleasure? That is, is this plausibly a one-time thing, or part of a pattern? His peeing on you without discussing it with you first was not OK. Though there are plenty of piss enthusiasts out there, many people are disgusted by the notion for good reasons: Most of us are taught from an early age that such waste is dirty and should be avoided at all costs. As with any kink or fetish, though, regardless of the cultural associations around it, it should have been discussed ahead of time and you should have been given the opportunity to voice your disinterest. You had no reason to expect that your husband would do this, especially because you were still in bed. Those who are into piss tend to arrange for such play to be carried out in a manner that is easy to clean afterthey may love it, but they typically dont want to live in the smell of it. This may involve doing it in the shower/bathtub or putting special sheets on the bed that contain the liquid without absorbing it. There was an overall lack of consideration on your husbands part by not discussing his interest with you ahead of time and by then pissing in the bed you sleep in. Its out of his system, finejust make sure thats true and make clear that these kinds of surprises are not welcome. If you have a hard time moving forward, you may want to enlist the help of a counselor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit Dear How to Do It, I am pretty happy in my marriage of over 30 years. My question is how to deal with the fact that my husband loves to have sex early in the morning and before we go to sleep. I wouldnt mind but, our sex is hindered by the fact that its hard for my husband to maintain an erection. If he takes a pill, it will get hard but he says it gives him headaches. I hate to say this, but without the pill, his penis is either half hard or gives out in the middle of us making loveso I am very seldom satisfied. Afterward, he just goes to sleep. He thinks its great. I dont want to hurt his feelings. Its funny because I used to be the one with a low sex drive, but now I want more sex! How can I make this better? Somebody Tell Me What to Say Advertisement Dear Somebody Tell Me What to Say, Definitely prioritize not hurting your husbands feelings. This does not mean letting him off the hook for not being a thoroughly considerate partner, but you want to communicate so that he can hear you. I think first, you must determine what it is that you want. You are dealing with your husbands penchant for early morning and late night sex. What would be better for you? Figure it out and ask for it. Youve been doing it his way as a matter of defaultthat has bought you leverage. I think it would be really hot if we is a positive way to frame this as a potentially pleasurable experience for both of you. Advertisement Other peoples erections are, uh, hard to manage. Hes talked about getting a headache from pills before, so maybe thats your way in. I dont know how extensively hes sampled the different PDE5 inhibitors on the market, but sometimes people tolerate them differently. So if sildenafil (Viagra) gave him a headache, he may want to try tadalafil (Cialis) and/or vardenafil (Levitra) to see if he has better results. He could also try a cock ring. This is a delicate topic and you should handle it as sensitively as possible. It is fair for you to want a more reliable dick, but in attempting to achieve that, dont insult him. You might ask him if hes satisfied with his erection quality. If hes not, theres an in, too. Advertisement Advertisement Say he has no designs to do anything about the erections that underwhelm you. Are there other means of getting off that would suit you? If so, request them: oral, manual, toys, etc. You have every right to ask him to help you orgasm before he turns over and falls asleep. You can say something like, Im happy that you find our sex so satisfyingcan you help me get off, too? And then tell him how you want him to do that. Be specific. Advertisement Advertisement Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace! The columnists behind our advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here! Dear How to Do It, I am a newly married gay man, and I thought my husband and I were going to be spending Christmas with my sister and her family. Except, she just added a condition that has me wondering whether to speak to her ever again. Advertisement She and her husband have a son who just turned 3, and she said that she wants my husband and me to sleep in separate bedrooms while we stay over. Her claim is that hes too young to understand why we would be sharing a room. My brother and his wife have stayed over at their place before, and when I asked him, he said they have never been faced with this sort of request (luckily hes on my side). I have a suspicion that my sisters husband is behind this, as hes very Catholic. This feels like a slap in the face to put it mildly. Is it worth reconsidering our relationship? I Thought I Had a Supportive Sister Advertisement Advertisement Dear I Thought I Had a Supportive Sister, Your sisters condition is rude and discriminatory. I think it is also based on a fallacy. Her son is not too young to understand why youd be sleeping in the same room. If he notices at all, which is unlikely as he is 3 and still exists mostly in his own head, all his parents would have to say to him is that his uncle is staying in the same room as another man because they are married. Unless a huge deal is made about something like this, kids tend to roll with the punches. Some uncles marry women, others marry men, still others marry people who dont fit neatly into either category. Some never get married. Easy. If for some reason, this isnt easy, there are several picture books made for kids that explain LGBTQ+ identitiesheres a big list of them. Gay people are a part of the world this kid lives in, and shielding it from him is an exercise in futility. In fact, your presence in his life and household gives his parents the opportunity to explain that some people are gay, which may be different than what he is used to, but makes you no less worthy of familial bonds and love. That your sister and her husband seem to want to bury this truth is very disappointing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know if this is worth completely burning a bridge, though. Theres a middle ground to explore where you refuse discriminatory boarding terms but keep your sister in your life. It seems like this is the first time youve come up against something so overtly steeped in homophobia from this family memberyou havent yet pushed back nor seen her reaction to the pushback. I dont think you should tolerate sustained bigotry, but I also know that sisters are hard to come by and its worth finding a solution to keep family members in your life. Its not always possible, but you should at least try. Advertisement I would tell her that you and your husband will not be sleeping in separate rooms, nor should you have to change your way of life for the sake of a 3-year-old. (Incidentally, I have no time for people who talk about how queerness risks confusing children. To be a child is to be in a state of perpetual confusion, and as detailed above, this ones particularly easy to clear up.) But you could get a hotel/Airbnb nearby so that you can spend time with your family during the holidays. This way you dont have to compromise your marriage or your holiday plans. Rich Advertisement Advertisement More Advice From Slate Growing up, I was really into kink. When I met my late husband, it was a big part of my life, and he and I were heavily involved in our local BDSM scene. When he died in 2019, I felt like that part of my life died with me. Ive gotten back into sex and dating, and Ive mostly been having vanilla sex. Its not satisfying. I find myself missing kink, but its also caught up in missing my husband. My friends think Im just mourning and confused, but Im not so sure. Is there a way to get back into kink after what Ive been through? Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. My friend recently told me a story over drinks that I havent been able to get out of my head. Her two friends, lets call them Alice and Bob, were something of a linchpin couple in her friend group. Theyd been dating for a few years and moved in together almost immediately. Everyone knew them as an item that did pretty much everything together. Alice and Bob were more like AliceandBob, really. My friend had both Alice and Bobs locations on Apples Find My appone of the Utilities applications that comes pre-installed on Apple devices and lets a user see locations that have been shared with them. Shed watch them go about their days as blue dots that drove to work, picked up groceries, and came back home. Ah, cozy domestic bliss. Then one night, my friend noticed that Alice and Bob simultaneously switched off their locations. Sacre bleu! Weeks later, each half of the couple individually admitted to her that they were taking a break. They wanted to give themselves time to get back together or separate for good before going public with a breakup. Id heard of other stories of the Find My app playing a big role in peoples social lives: A different couple did break up, then continued to share their locations with each other so they could avoid awkward run-ins in public. One friend was tracking the location of his girlfriend while she was traveling to another city, then saw that his old classmate happened to be in the same bar. So he introduced them to one another in a group chat, 100 miles away, and sent a screenshot of their neighboring locations. I use the Find My app, too. After years of only sharing my location with my grandmother, I moved from the continental U.S. to an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Ive struggled to keep in touch with friends while navigating a physical divide and five-hour time difference. Seeing all of their locations as dots across North America makes me feel closer to them, especially at hours of their night that a thinking about you text would not be appreciated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not alone. Younger generations are spurning the social media sites of their parents, but whats shocking is the alternative weve embraced: the Find My app that shares your real-time location with as many friends as you want. Find My is our newest social media appand a damn good one at that. I have 15 peoples locations. My cousin has 8. My sister has 21. And a co-worker has 30. A friend did an informal poll on his Instagram story after I mentioned that I was working on this story (thanks, Ari!). A few dozen people responded, ranging from 0 (gotta respect the Luddite game) to 30-plus. Around 10 seemed to be the average response. A survey from the polling firm CivicScience of about 1,000 people earlier this year found that 4 in 10 U.S. adults shared their location with at least one other person. I could imagine that proportion would grow had the pollsters asked about the usage of certain apps that have subtly and not-so-subtly added location-sharing features: Strava, Snapchat, rideshare apps, and Instagram all incorporate users real-time locations. Advertisement It doesnt surprise me that the normalization of location-sharing has led to its use as a kind of social media in and of itself. Yet even I was surprised by the ways in which Find My as social media has altered the fabric of our lives, both online and off. Advertisement Rishi, 22, is fresh out of college and checks the Find My app three or four times a day. Its almost as religiously as I open up Instagram, he told me. He opens it up to see if his roommates are home and to check on friends ETAs when they say theyre on their way (and who among us hasnt sent that text when we havent left our homes yet). Advertisement But the Find My app directly affected Rishis college social life. His friends used it when going to a party, because how else do you know how fashionably late to arrive? At least once, a friend of a friend asked if he could come through after seeing his friends locations at Rishis apartment. Advertisement The most ingenious or dystopian example of how his friends used Find My would have to be the college bar scene. There were two bars at my school that people would go on Friday and Saturday, either Red Lion or KAMS, he said. They both were a similar vibe and they were maybe a four-minute walk between each other. Two bars, both alike in dignity, in fair Champaign, Illinois, where we lay our scene. On a weekend night, Rishi and his roommates would pool their phones, open up the Find My app, and see which bar had more of their friends. He compared the process to curating your night. Advertisement Advertisement Its no coincidence that this new form of social media is gaining popularity at the same time that traditional social media platforms have become enshittified. Big tech has lost the plot when it comes to creating products that truly connect people. Instead, the old guard of social media is determined to wring every advertising dollar out of a bevvy of dying platforms, and maximize engagement by attempting to counteract a drop in user-generated content with A.I. slop. Theres also the documented, widescale social experiments conducted on users by platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Advertisement If youre under 50, no one you know posts on Facebook anymore; Instagram is for posting photo dumps and curating an aesthetic for your co-workers; and TikTok is for doomscrolling. I dont use Snapchat because Im not a tween. BeReals appeal ended the second the app started pushing users to friend randos and post more than once a day, defeating its entire raison detre. I know Spotify just launched a chat feature, and I cant imagine a world in which I will ever use it (if I want to share a juicy podcast about the Olivia Nuzzi drama with my friend, Im going to text it to them like a normal person or link to it in my Slate article). I personally have a soft spot for Photo Roulette, an app that chooses random photos from your camera roll and turns them into a competition guessing game with friends, but thats more of a special-occasion treat for those who have mastered the art of sequestration via Hidden Photos. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate He Made a Perfectly Legal Tool to Fight ICE. The Government Shut It Down. Read More The common characteristics these apps share is that theyre gamified to the max, engineered to produce addictive responses in their users and hold our attention. In contrast, Find My is refreshingly bare-bones. There are no ads, paywalls, dark patterns, or bells and whistles at all. The only two customizable features are your name and the small circular icon that shows your location. Social media has become increasingly artificial; there is so much artifice in our own profiles and the sites themselves. But theres nothing more tangible than a platform that answers the question Where are you right now? When location-sharing data moves into a sphere where its considered bad social etiquette to receive a location without sharing one back, I start to worry about the deeper ramifications of this technology. I think back to my friends story about the couple who secretly broke up. Location-sharing apps mean we have incredibly personal information about one another at our fingertips. For better and for worse, it makes keeping secrets a challenge. When we know were being trackedwhen we feel invisible eyes on the backs of our necks at all timeswe become a whole lot less interesting. And where is the line between a secret and basic privacy? Worse, Ive heard of overeager contacts being a bit too up-to-date on an acquaintances location. Imagine a stalker lurking among ones 30-plus location mutuals, or a stolen or confiscated phone leaving others vulnerable to bad actors. Rejection and isolation translate to the plane of location sharing, albeit in different ways. One writer recalled watching in real time as her college roommates got dinner without her. Another friend tells me he looks up his friends locations when he feels lonely and often sees them at home. He imagines they might be lonely, too. The thought doesnt console him. We all seek human contact. Intimacy. Location sharing reveals just how close to one anotherand how far apartwe are. Midnight Mover toughed out a taxing trip, staying game to the finish to take the $16,000 Preferred Pace on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Century Mile. The stallion tucked in sixth to the quarter in :29 but began his march just past that point, advancing uncovered over the track listed as frozen. He rocked up alongside leader Outlaw Game On (Mike Hennessy) at the half in :58.2, dropping the puck on a back-half battle that raged through three-quarters in 1:26.3 with the combatants heads apart. Outlaw Game On carried his resistance into the stretch but was unable to hold off Midnight Mover, who strode clear to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.2. Outlaw Game On held second over a closing Caviart Scotland (Phil Giesbrecht). Midnight Mover ended a three-race streak of seconds in the Preferred with his 18th win in 106 career starts, raising his bankroll to $166,101. Travis Ellis trains the six-year-old son of Mystician-Bouncing Hanover for Trevor Williams of Landmark, Man. The win price was $4.10. To view Saturdays harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Mile. (Standardbred Canada) When US tech giant Meta Platforms released its flagship Llama family of artificial intelligence models in February 2023, they were open-sourced, a move that singled it out among global AI model developers at the time. That September, one of the many derivatives of Llama was announced: Alibaba Cloud's Qwen. The first generation of Qwen adopted Llama's training process and cited Meta's seminal research findings in its accompanying technical report. Out of deference, the Chinese researchers even called Llama "the top open-source large language model". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Two years later, the tables have seemingly turned. According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, it was now Meta that is reportedly taking its cues from Alibaba, with unnamed sources claiming that the Facebook owner was now using Qwen to help train a new model code-named Avocado. The report did not specify which Alibaba Qwen model was being used. Alibaba owns the Post. Meta released its flagship Llama family of AI models in February 2023. Photo: Shutterstock Images alt=Meta released its flagship Llama family of AI models in February 2023. Photo: Shutterstock Images> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The development caps a remarkable reversal in fortunes for the two leading US and Chinese open-source flagbearers. Up until very recently, Llama was the default model of choice for developers building on open-source AI software, including in China. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Chinese firms keen to catch up with the US used Llama to help them build their own models. The practice was controversial enough that start-ups like renowned Taiwanese venture capitalist Kai-Fu Lee's 01.AI received blowback for not adequately revealing the contributions of Llama to their own models. The Chinese industry's reliance on Llama at the time was highlighted by experts, including Jeffrey Ding, an assistant professor at George Washington University, as evidence of China lagging the US in AI. Even Chinese industry insiders themselves warned that China's AI efforts were hindered by its reliance on Meta's models. While Alibaba had similarly been open-sourcing its Qwen models since 2023, it always trailed Llama on key performance benchmarks. It took until January this year, when DeepSeek pushed Chinese AI to the forefront, that global adoption of both DeepSeek and Qwen's open-source models exploded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a US government report in September, downloads of DeepSeek and Qwen models on the developer platform Hugging Face increased nearly 1,000 and 135 per cent, respectively, in the first nine months of the year. Qwen and DeepSeek alone captured 14 per cent of open-model downloads in the past year. Photo: Shutterstock Images alt=Qwen and DeepSeek alone captured 14 per cent of open-model downloads in the past year. Photo: Shutterstock Images> The two Hangzhou-based firms have led the way in helping China overtake the US in the global open-source model marketplace for the first time, according to a study published last month by Hugging Face and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Chinese-made models made up 17 per cent of total open model downloads in the past year, the data showed, compared with 15.8 per cent for US-made models. Qwen and DeepSeek alone captured 14 per cent of downloads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central to Meta's demise had been the underwhelming performance of its foundational models on key industry benchmarks, said Su Lian Jye, chief analyst at Omdia. The company's Llama 4 model release in April was widely seen as a failure as it did not get close to the frontier of the technology. Meanwhile, third-party benchmark data shows that Alibaba has continuously improved the strength of its models over the past year while staying true to the commitment made in November last year by CEO Eddie Wu Yongming to continue open-sourcing its models. According to leading third-party benchmarking firm Artificial Analysis, Qwen models scored highly on a new index that ranked models based on their combined openness and intelligence, in contrast to leading closed US models such as OpenAI's GPT-5 and Google DeepMind's Gemini 3 Pro, which had top scores for intelligence but low scores for openness. In contrast, Meta was now looking set to abandon its open-source strategy, with Bloomberg reporting that the Avocado model could be released as a closed model despite CEO Mark Zuckerberg claiming in July last year that his company would continue on the open-source path. Advertisement Advertisement "Meta is committed to open source AI," he wrote at the time. "Open source AI is good for the world." 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. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Smartphone security concerns should not be limited to software alone, cryptocurrency hardware wallet provider Ledger has warned. It said the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chip used in many Android smartphones, including Motorola, Oppo and Xiaomi devices, was vulnerable to physical attacks. The companys findings mark a potential risk to users who hold cryptocurrencies on the devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ledger said it gained control of the chip by using carefully calibrated electromagnetic pulses to bypass security checks and access the chips data and overwrite critical code. Don't Miss: The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon Invest at $0.85/Share Deloitte's #1 Fastest-Growing Software Company Lets Users Earn Money Just by Scrolling Accredited Investors Can Still Get In at $0.50/Share. The exploit has a success rate of between 0.1% to 1%, Ledger said. However, the company added that it could be easily repeated by restarting the device, making the exploit possible within minutes. This experiment confirmed what we very strongly suspected, namely that even complex chips built on the most advanced process nodes can be vulnerable to fault injection, using the very same tools that have been developed and open-sourced by the Ledger Donjon, the company said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ledger said the experiment took roughly three months to plan and execute from February to early May. Mediatek reportedly said hardware attacks like the one demonstrated by Ledger were out of the scope for the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chip. Mediatek said the chipset was designed for consumer products, not for financial or hardware security applications. Trending: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform Mediatek did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Benzinga. Ledger in its report touted hardware wallets that used secure elements, which are believed to be tamper-resistant processor chips, as a better alternative for cryptocurrency users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ledgers report comes amid a surge in physical attacks against cryptocurrency investors over the past year. Most recently, the son of the deputy mayor of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sergey Kuzmin, was reportedly brutally murdered for his cryptocurrency holdings. Danilo Kuzmin, who was studying in Vienna, was severely beaten and burned alive in a car, according to media reports. Amid the surge in attacks, members of the cryptocurrency community have warned others against flaunting or boasting about their cryptocurrency wealth. Self-defense seminars have also reportedly become part of cryptocurrency conferences. Read Next: Buffett's Secret to Wealth? Private Real Estate Get Institutional Access Yourself Wall Street's $12B Real Estate Manager Is Opening Its Doors to Individual Investors Without the Crowdfunding Middlemen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Image: Shutterstock This article Chip Used By Many Android Smartphones Vulnerable To Physical Attacks In Potential Threat To Users' Crypto, Ledger Warns originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: SMIC TechInsights, a respected microelectronics research company, has examined Huawei's latest HiSilicon Kirin 9030 processor and discovered that it was made using what they call N+3 fabrication technology, the most advanced manufacturing process that China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) has to offer. Although TechInsights claims that SMIC's N+3 is a step towards 5nm, it lags behind 5nm-class fabrication technologies from leading chipmakers. Huawei's HiSilicon Kirin 9030 and Kirin 9030 Pro are the company's latest system-on-chips (SoCs) that power Mate 80-series smartphones. The vanilla version reportedly has 12 cores, whereas the Pro version boasts with 14 cores, so both SoCs beat Huawei's eight-core Kirin 9000 from 2020 (made by TSMC using its 5nm-class process technology) in terms of core count, thus suggesting that the company has found a way to squeeze in more cores without significantly increasing power consumption, something that clearly implies on a new fabrication process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, TechInsights's structural and dimensional analysis confirms that the Kirin 9030 is made using SMIC's N+3 manufacturing technology. Yet, as estimated by SemiAnalysis, SMIC's N+3 is not a 5nm-class fabrication process, as one might think, but rather something that sits between 7nm and 5nm and therefore is not a real generational leap. This still means that SMIC has managed to advance its most advanced manufacturing technology beyond N+1 (1st Generation 7nm-class) and then N+2 (2nd Generation 7nm-class) using equipment purchased before 2022, as well as some domestic tools. "The Kirin 9030 is manufactured using SMICs N+3 process, a scaled extension of its previous 7nm (N+2) node," wrote Rajesh Krishnamurthy, an analyst with TechInsights. "However, in absolute terms, N+3 remains substantially less scaled than industry 5nm processes from TSMC and Samsung. While SMIC has executed notable innovations in DUV-based patterning and DTCO techniques, the process is expected to face significant yield challenges, particularly due to aggressively scaled metal pitch using DUV multi-patterning." TechInsights's conclusion does not reveal much, but at least the wording makes it clear that N+3 is not a true generational leap, but an incremental stretch of SMIC's existing 7nm-class technology. By calling it a 'scaled extension' of N+2, the analysts are signaling that front-end scaling is largely exhausted: fin pitch (FP), contacted poly pitch (CPP), and fundamental transistor geometry have not moved meaningfully. Instead, SMIC is extracting remaining gains through DUV-driven DTCO and back-end-of-line (BEOL) tricks (something the company has already used to make its N+1 a viable alternative for 7nm-class nodes), rather than through a clean node transition comparable to TSMC or Samsung's 5nm-class processes. The most important technical warning is the focus on aggressively scaled metal pitch using DUV multi-patterning, as multi-patterning is where the risk concentrates. Scaling BEOL with DUV requires several patterning steps that must line up extremely precisely, and each step adds to line roughness (via misalignment) and defect risk. Unlike FEOL, where performance degrades gradually, BEOL yield can collapse abruptly once overlay and variability budgets are exceeded, which must be a reason why TechInsights explicitly flags yield challenges rather than raw scaling limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In general, N+3 demonstrates that SMIC can still push density upwards without EUV, but only at rapidly rising cost and falling yield headroom. Such design decisions place the process firmly closer to a 7nm/6nm-class nodes rather than to 5nm-class nodes. Furthermore, it signals that SMIC's future progress will rely less on further lithographic shrink and more on design discipline via DTCO (which is not limitless, so to speak), innovative high-density libraries, and conservative clocks, because it looks like the foundry can only do this much on the FEOL level. Of course, advanced packaging remains the most viable path for SMIC's scaling going forward, but that does not really work for mobile and other low-power devices. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds. Three weeks ago, I tested something that completely changed how I think about organic traffic. I opened ChatGPT and asked a simple question: "What's the best course on building SaaS with WordPress?" The answer that appeared stopped me cold. My course showed up as the first result, recommended directly by the AI with specific reasons why it was valuable. I hadn't paid for advertising. I hadn't done any special promotion. The AI simply decided my content was the best answer to that question and served it to the user. This wasn't luck or a fluke. When I tested the same query in Perplexity, the same thing happened. My website ranked at the top of AI-generated responses, pulling in free traffic directly from AI models that millions of people now use as their primary search tool. This represents a fundamental shift in how people discover content online. For years, we've optimized for Google's algorithm, carefully crafting meta descriptions and building backlinks to climb traditional search rankings. That work still matters, but a massive new traffic source has emerged that most content creators are completely ignoring. While everyone focuses exclusively on traditional SEO, AI Optimization is quietly becoming one of the most valuable skills for anyone who publishes content online. The opportunity is enormous right now precisely because it's so new. Early adopters are claiming top positions in AI responses while their competitors remain oblivious to this emerging channel. But this window won't stay open forever. As more people recognize the value of appearing in AI results, competition will increase and optimization will become more sophisticated. The time to understand and implement AIO strategies is now, while the landscape is still relatively uncrowded. In this comprehensive guide, I'll show you exactly how AI Optimization works, how it differs from traditional SEO, what specific tactics actually move the needle, and how to track your performance so you know what's working. More importantly, I'll explain why you can't afford to ignore this traffic source if you want to remain visible online as user behavior continues shifting toward AI-powered search. Understanding the Fundamental Shift in Search Behavior Something profound has changed in how people find information online, and most website owners haven't noticed yet. The change isn't about a new Google algorithm update or a shift in social media platforms. It's about where people go when they have questions that need answering. For twenty years, the pattern was predictable and universal. Someone needs information, they open Google, they type a query, they scan through ten blue links, they click a few results, they piece together answers from multiple sources. This process trained us to optimize for that journey. We focused on ranking in those ten blue links because that's where traffic came from. The entire SEO industry built around understanding and exploiting that single funnel. But look at what's happening now. Someone needs information, they open ChatGPT or Claude or Perplexity, they ask a question in natural language, they receive a comprehensive answer immediately with sources cited. No clicking through multiple websites. No comparing different perspectives. No scanning search results pages. The AI synthesizes information and delivers a direct answer, fundamentally changing the discovery process. The numbers tell the story. ChatGPT reached 100 million users faster than any consumer application in history, hitting that milestone in just two months after launch. By early 2025, ChatGPT alone processes over 10 million queries daily through its web browsing feature. Perplexity has grown to millions of daily users who rely on it as their primary search tool. Google has responded by launching AI Mode, available in over 180 countries, which provides AI-generated answers above traditional search results. These aren't niche tools used by tech enthusiasts. They're mainstream applications that everyday people now use for research, planning, learning, and decision-making. When someone searches for "best productivity apps for small teams," they're increasingly likely to ask an AI rather than Google. When a business owner needs to understand a technical topic, they're prompting Claude instead of reading blog posts. When students research topics for papers, they're querying Perplexity instead of clicking through search results. This behavioral shift creates a new visibility challenge. Your content might rank perfectly on Google, but if it's invisible to AI models when they're formulating answers, you're missing an enormous and growing segment of potential traffic. The users who discover information through AI tools never even see your traditional search rankings because they never visit a search results page. The problem compounds because AI search is still in its explosive growth phase. Usage is doubling and tripling year over year as more people discover these tools and integrate them into their daily workflows. The traffic opportunity today is significant, but it's tiny compared to what it will become in the next few years as AI search becomes default behavior for entire demographics. What AIO Actually Means and Why It Matters AIO stands for AI Optimization, and it represents the practice of optimizing your content to appear in AI-generated responses when people query language models. Think of it as SEO's younger sibling, similar in purpose but different in execution because the underlying mechanisms for how AI models select and cite sources differ fundamentally from how Google ranks web pages. Traditional SEO focuses on signals that Google's algorithms evaluate when determining search rankings. You optimize title tags and meta descriptions. You build backlinks from authoritative sites. You ensure your site loads quickly and works on mobile devices. You create content that targets specific keywords with appropriate density and placement. These tactics work because they align with how Google's systems assess page quality and relevance. AIO requires understanding how language models decide which sources to reference when answering questions. These models don't follow the same rules as search engine algorithms. They're not counting backlinks or analyzing page load speed. They're evaluating whether content provides clear, accurate, comprehensive answers to questions people actually ask. They're assessing credibility through different signals than traditional search engines use. They're making probabilistic decisions about which information best satisfies a query based on patterns learned during training and information retrieved during real-time web searches. The distinction matters because tactics that boost Google rankings don't automatically improve your chances of being cited by AI models, and vice versa. A page optimized perfectly for SEO might never appear in AI responses if it doesn't align with how language models evaluate content. Conversely, content that AI models consistently cite might not rank highly in traditional search if it lacks conventional SEO signals. This doesn't mean you should abandon SEO and focus exclusively on AIO. The two approaches are complementary, not competing. People still use Google extensively, and traditional search traffic remains valuable. The point is that comprehensive visibility requires optimizing for both channels. You need your content discoverable through conventional search engines and reliably cited by AI models. This dual approach captures traffic from users regardless of which discovery method they prefer. The strategic value of AIO extends beyond just additional traffic. When an AI model cites your content, it provides context explaining why your resource is valuable. The model doesn't just list your URL like a search resultit summarizes your key points, extracts relevant information, and positions your content as a trusted source. This creates a stronger credibility signal than a traditional search result because the AI has effectively pre-vetted your content and endorsed it as worth reading. Think about the user experience difference. In traditional search, someone sees your site listed among ten results and must decide whether to click based on a title and two-line description. In AI search, someone reads an answer that includes information from your content, sees your site cited as the source, and arrives at your page already understanding its value and relevance. The qualification happens before the click, resulting in higher-quality traffic with better engagement metrics. Google AI Mode and the Future of Search Google's introduction of AI Mode represents a pivotal moment in search engine evolution and confirms that AI-generated answers are becoming a core component of how major platforms deliver information. Understanding this development helps contextualize why AIO matters and where organic discovery is headed. AI Mode transforms Google's interface from a list of links into a conversational AI that provides direct answers. When you access AI Mode (available at google.com/ai or through the Google app), you interact with a language model that searches the web in real-time and synthesizes comprehensive responses to your questions. Instead of scanning through multiple websites, you receive curated information with sources cited, similar to ChatGPT with web search or Perplexity. What makes this particularly significant is Google's market position. Despite the rise of alternative AI search tools, Google still processes billions of searches daily and serves as the primary discovery mechanism for most internet users. When Google integrates AI-generated answers into its core search experience, it's not experimenting with a niche featureit's fundamentally changing how the world's most popular search engine works. The financial implications validate this direction. Google reported that AI features contributed to a 10% increase in search revenue, reaching $50.7 billion in Q1 2025. This isn't a failing experiment that might be discontinued. It's a successful product innovation that's generating substantial revenue while improving user experience. Google has every incentive to expand AI Mode and integrate its capabilities more deeply into standard search. Currently, AI Mode exists as a separate interface that users must access intentionally, but the trajectory is clear. Google has indicated that AI-generated answers will eventually become a more prominent part of standard search results. While they've walked back statements about making AI Mode the default search experience after initial concerns, the long-term direction remains toward greater AI integration. Traditional search results won't disappear, but AI-generated summaries will occupy increasingly valuable real estate on search result pages. This evolution mirrors what happened with featured snippets and knowledge panels over the past decade. Google gradually introduced elements that answered questions directly on the search page rather than requiring clicks to external sites. AI Mode represents the next iteration of this trendmore comprehensive answers, synthesized from multiple sources, delivered conversationally rather than as extracted snippets. For content creators, this creates both opportunities and challenges. The opportunity is that appearing in AI-generated responses places your content in a prominent, trusted position that provides context and drives qualified traffic. The challenge is that optimization strategies must adapt to capture this visibility. Content that ranks well in traditional search results won't automatically appear in AI Mode responses without deliberate optimization for how AI systems evaluate and select sources. The global availability of AI Mode in over 180 countries means this isn't a gradual rollout that you can monitor and prepare for leisurely. It's happening now, and users worldwide are already accessing AI-powered search. Your competitors might be optimizing for these systems while you're still focused exclusively on traditional SEO, giving them an advantage in capturing traffic from this rapidly growing segment. How to Track Your AIO Performance One of the biggest challenges with AI Optimization is measurement. Traditional SEO provides robust analytics through Google Search Console, showing exactly which queries trigger impressions, how often people click your results, and where you rank for specific keywords. These metrics make it straightforward to track SEO progress and identify opportunities for improvement. AIO lacks this infrastructure. ChatGPT doesn't provide website owners with analytics showing how often their content appears in responses. Perplexity doesn't send performance reports. Google AI Mode doesn't have a Search Console equivalent yet. This creates a visibility problemyou can't optimize what you can't measure. Several commercial tools have emerged to fill this gap, offering AIO tracking and monitoring services. Ahrefs introduced features for tracking AI visibility at $129 per month. SE Ranking offers similar capabilities starting at $95 monthly. First Answer provides specialized AIO tracking for $39 per month but limits you to just 10 query tests. Keyword.com offers competitive pricing with various tier options. These tools work by systematically querying AI models with specific prompts and analyzing which sources appear in the responses. They help you understand whether your content shows up for relevant queries, how you compare to competitors, and how your visibility changes over time. For businesses with substantial budgets, these professional tools provide valuable insights with minimal setup effort. However, the pricing creates barriers for smaller website owners, bloggers, and businesses just beginning to explore AIO. Spending $100-300 monthly on tracking tools makes sense when you're generating significant revenue from AI traffic, but it's prohibitive when you're still validating whether AIO is worth your investment. This gap between professional tools and budget-conscious creators leaves many people flying blind with no way to measure their AIO performance. The solution is building your own tracking system using no-code automation tools. This approach requires more initial setup but provides ongoing monitoring at a fraction of commercial tool costs. The system I built uses Make.com, a no-code automation platform, to query AI models systematically, analyze responses, and track mentions over time. Make offers 1,000 operations monthly on their free tier, making it possible to start tracking without any monetary investment. The tracking system consists of three automated scenarios that work together to provide comprehensive AIO monitoring. The first scenario handles query tracking and brand mentions, automatically sending prompts to ChatGPT and recording which sources appear in responses. The second scenario performs keyword performance analysis, tracking specific topics or phrases relevant to your business and monitoring whether you're gaining or losing visibility. The third scenario focuses on competitor tracking, identifying when competitors appear in AI responses and analyzing their positioning compared to yours. Building this system requires understanding of Make.com's interface and basic automation concepts, but it's accessible to anyone willing to invest a few hours in setup. The difficulty level sits at intermediatemore complex than basic automation but far simpler than custom programming. Once configured, the system runs automatically on whatever schedule you set, collecting data and building a historical record of your AIO performance. The workflow begins with identifying the queries you want to track. These are essentially "AIO keywords"questions that people might ask AI models where your content should ideally appear in the answer. Unlike traditional SEO keywords, which are often short phrases, AIO queries tend to be longer, more conversational questions that reflect how people actually talk to AI assistants. For example, instead of targeting the SEO keyword "WordPress hosting," you'd track the AIO query "What's the best WordPress hosting for SaaS applications?" or "Which hosting provider should I choose for a WordPress-based business site?" These natural language questions better represent how people interact with AI tools and help you optimize for actual usage patterns rather than keyword variations. Finding these queries requires a different research approach than traditional keyword research. Rather than using tools that show search volume and competition metrics, you need to understand what questions your target audience actually asks AI models. This means thinking about their problems, concerns, and information needs, then formulating those as conversational queries. Tools like an LLM Query Generator can help by analyzing your content and suggesting relevant questions people might ask to find that information. Once you've identified target queries, the automated system tests them periodicallydaily, weekly, or on whatever schedule makes sense for your monitoring needs. Each test queries the AI model with your specified prompt, captures the response, parses which sources were cited, and records whether your content appeared. Over time, this builds a database showing your visibility trends, how often competitors appear for the same queries, and which topics you're gaining or losing ground on. The data collected enables strategic decisions about content creation and optimization. If certain queries consistently show competitor sources but never yours, that signals an opportunity to create or improve content addressing that topic. If you're appearing reliably for some questions but not others in the same category, you can analyze what makes your successful content different and apply those lessons to underperforming pieces. If your visibility is declining over time, you know you need to refresh and strengthen your content to maintain AI citation rates. This measurement foundation transforms AIO from guesswork into a data-driven practice. Instead of optimizing blindly and hoping AI models notice, you track actual performance and refine your approach based on concrete results. The initial investment in building or subscribing to tracking tools pays dividends through improved optimization efficiency and clearer understanding of what tactics actually work for your specific content and audience. The Seven Proven Tactics That Actually Work Understanding AIO conceptually is valuable, but implementation requires specific, actionable tactics that demonstrably improve your chances of appearing in AI-generated responses. These seven strategies have proven effective across different content types, industries, and AI platforms. They work because they align with how language models evaluate sources and decide which content to cite when formulating answers. The first tactic centers on incorporating statistics, numbers, and verifiable proof throughout your content. AI models exhibit a strong preference for factual, data-backed information over general statements or opinions. When a model encounters two sources covering the same topic, one making vague claims and another providing specific numbers with citations, the statistical content almost always wins. This doesn't mean stuffing your content with random numbers. It means grounding your claims in specific, verifiable data wherever possible. Instead of writing "Our tool is widely used," you'd write "Our tool has 150,000 monthly active users with a 4.7 out of 5 satisfaction rating based on 3,200 reviews." The specificity signals credibility to AI models, which learned during training that precise data indicates reliable sources. The same principle applies to any factual claim. When discussing market trends, cite specific growth percentages and time periods. When mentioning company performance, include actual revenue figures or user counts. When describing product features, provide concrete specifications rather than abstract descriptions. Each piece of specific data you add increases the likelihood that AI models will view your content as authoritative and citation-worthy. This approach requires sourcing and maintaining accurate information, which means you can't fabricate numbers or exaggerate metrics. AI models increasingly cross-reference claims across sources, and inconsistencies damage credibility. The data you include must be truthful and, where relevant, attributed to primary sources. But when you consistently provide specific, accurate information, you build a reputation as a reliable source that AI models return to repeatedly. The second tactic involves active engagement on Reddit, Quora, and similar community forums. This strategy works for a less obvious reason than you might expect. It's not primarily about direct traffic from forum posts, though that can be valuable. It's about creating authentic mentions and discussions of your content across platforms that AI models frequently encounter during training and web searches. Language models learn from vast datasets that include substantial amounts of community discussion content. Reddit threads, Quora answers, and forum posts represent genuine human conversations about real topics, making them high-value training data. When your content or expertise appears naturally in these discussions, it creates signals that AI models recognize and incorporate into their understanding of what resources exist and who's knowledgeable about specific topics. The key word here is "naturally." AI models have learned to recognize and discount obvious spam, self-promotion, and link-dropping. Simply posting your URL in relevant threads won't help and might actually hurt if it generates negative reactions or gets flagged as spam. Instead, you need to participate genuinely in communities where your expertise is relevant, providing real value in discussions and mentioning your content only when it truly addresses someone's question or adds to the conversation. This means answering questions thoroughly, sharing insights from your experience, helping solve problems, and building a reputation as a knowledgeable contributor before you ever share links. When you do reference your content, it should be in the context of "I wrote a detailed guide about exactly this problem that covers X, Y, and Z" rather than "Check out my site." The former contributes to the discussion while the latter feels promotional. Over time, this authentic participation creates a distributed network of references to your expertise and content across platforms that AI models access. These organic mentions, especially when they're accompanied by positive community response, signal that you're a legitimate authority worth citing. The impact accumulates gradually but compounds over months as you build a presence in relevant communities. The third tactic focuses on optimizing for natural language queries rather than keyword stuffing. Traditional SEO often encourages optimizing for specific keyword phrases, sometimes at the expense of natural writing. You might structure sentences awkwardly to include exact keyword matches or repeat phrases more often than sounds natural. This approach can work for search engines that match keywords mechanically. AI models process language differently. They understand semantic meaning and context, not just keyword matching. When people query AI tools, they ask complete questions in conversational language: "What's the best WordPress hosting for SaaS applications?" rather than "WordPress hosting SaaS." Your content needs to answer these natural questions directly and comprehensively to appear in AI responses. This means structuring your content around questions your audience actually asks. Include FAQ sections that address common queries in full-sentence question format. Write subheadings as questions rather than just topics. Provide complete answers that someone could understand without additional context. Make your content readable and helpful to humans first, trusting that AI models will recognize and value that quality. The practical implementation involves thinking about the conversation your audience wants to have rather than the keywords they might type. What are they trying to accomplish? What confuses them? What decisions are they facing? What objections or concerns do they have? When you address these elements in natural, conversational language, you simultaneously create content that people find valuable and that AI models recognize as comprehensive answers to common questions. The fourth tactic requires creating comparison tables and structured data that AI models can easily parse and reference. Language models excel at processing structured information organized in clear, consistent formats. When they encounter well-formatted comparison tables, step-by-step lists, or data organized in predictable structures, they can extract and cite that information more reliably than when similar content appears in dense paragraphs. This doesn't mean every piece of content should become a table or list. It means that when you're presenting information that naturally fits structured formatscomparisons between options, sequential steps in a process, multiple examples of a concept, sets of tips or recommendationsyou should use formatting that makes that structure explicit and easy to process. For example, if you're comparing different software tools, create an actual comparison table with columns for features, pricing, pros, and cons rather than describing each tool in paragraph form. If you're explaining a multi-step process, number the steps and use consistent formatting for each. If you're providing examples, use a predictable structure where each example follows the same pattern. The benefit extends beyond AI optimization. Structured content is easier for human readers to scan and comprehend too. People increasingly skim content rather than reading every word, and clear structure helps them extract key information quickly. When you optimize for both AI processing and human scanning through better structure, you improve the experience for all visitors while increasing AI citation rates. Implementation requires evaluating your existing content and identifying opportunities to add structure without forcing it artificially. Look for places where you're listing multiple items in prose that would be clearer as bullet points. Find sections comparing options that would benefit from table format. Identify processes that could be broken into numbered steps. These changes often improve content quality while making it more AI-friendly. The fifth tactic involves building multi-platform authority by publishing consistent information across different channels. AI models, particularly those with web search capabilities, often cross-reference information across sources to verify accuracy and assess credibility. When they find the same core information presented consistently on your website, in your social media content, in articles you've published elsewhere, and in your responses on community platforms, it signals that you're a legitimate authority on that topic. This doesn't mean duplicating content identically across platforms, which could create SEO problems and doesn't align with best practices for different mediums. It means maintaining consistent expertise, perspectives, and factual information while adapting the format and style to each platform's norms and audience expectations. Your core message and expertise should be recognizable across a blog post on your website, a LinkedIn article, a Twitter thread, a YouTube video description, and a guest post on another site. The specific examples might vary, and the depth of coverage will differ based on format constraints, but the fundamental information should align. This consistency reinforces your authority and makes it easier for AI models to identify you as a reliable source on specific topics. Building this multi-platform presence takes time and consistent effort. You can't create authority across channels overnight, but you can develop a systematic approach to repurposing and adapting your best content for different platforms. Each piece of substantial content you create should have a distribution plan that gets the core insights in front of audiences across multiple channels over time. The strategic value compounds as your presence grows. Early on, you might only appear in AI responses when the model happens to encounter your website. As you build presence across platforms, the model has multiple opportunities to encounter your expertise from different angles, increasing the likelihood that it recognizes you as an authority worth citing. The sixth tactic emphasizes showing fresh update signals throughout your content. AI models, especially those with real-time web access, demonstrate preference for current information over dated content. When choosing between two sources covering the same topic, with one clearly recent and another older, the fresher content usually gets cited unless there's a compelling reason to reference historical information. This creates both an opportunity and a maintenance requirement. The opportunity is that regularly updating content can improve AI citation rates even if the core information hasn't changed dramatically. The requirement is that high-performing content needs periodic refreshes to maintain its competitive position as newer articles on the same topics emerge. Making freshness obvious requires explicit signals that AI models can easily detect. The most straightforward approach is including "Last updated: [Date]" at the top of articles, making it immediately clear that the content reflects current information. This simple addition can significantly impact whether AI models view your content as relevant for queries about current state or recent developments. Beyond update dates, freshness signals include referencing recent events, citing current statistics and data, mentioning the current year in context where relevant, and updating examples to reflect current tools and practices. These signals reassure both AI models and human readers that the information hasn't become outdated even if the core topic is relatively stable. The practical challenge is balancing the benefit of updates against the time investment required. You can't refresh every piece of content constantly, so prioritize based on importance and competitive pressure. Content that generates significant traffic or ranks well in AI responses deserves regular attention to maintain those positions. Content about rapidly changing topics needs more frequent updates than evergreen material. Content facing new competition from recently published articles needs refreshing to remain competitive. Implementing a content refresh schedule helps manage this systematically. Rather than updating randomly when you remember, establish a process where high-value content gets reviewed quarterly or semi-annually. During these reviews, update statistics, add recent examples, remove dated references, and add the new update date. This structured approach ensures your most important content remains fresh without requiring constant attention to every article. The seventh tactic involves implementing JSON-LD structured data markup on your web pages. This technical optimization helps AI models understand your content's structure and purpose by providing machine-readable information about what your page contains, what type of content it is, and how different elements relate to each other. Structured data uses a standardized format called Schema.org vocabulary implemented through JSON-LD script tags. These tags don't affect how your content appears to human visitors, but they provide clear signals to automated systems parsing your pages, including AI models determining whether your content answers specific queries. Common structured data types relevant for most content include Article (marking blog posts and articles), HowTo (for step-by-step guides), FAQ (for question-and-answer sections), Person (for author bios), Organization (for company information), and Product (for product pages). Implementing appropriate schema markup for your content type helps AI models categorize and understand your content more accurately. The technical implementation requires adding JSON-LD scripts to your page HTML, typically in the header section. Many content management systems, including WordPress, offer plugins that generate this markup automatically based on your content, eliminating the need for manual coding. For custom implementations, Schema.org provides documentation and examples for each data type. While structured data implementation requires more technical knowledge than the other tactics, its value extends beyond AIO. Search engines like Google also use structured data to create enhanced search results like rich snippets, knowledge panels, and featured answers. This means the optimization work benefits both traditional SEO and AI visibility simultaneously. The cumulative effect of implementing all seven tactics is substantial. Each strategy individually improves your chances of appearing in AI responses, but they work synergistically when combined. Content that includes specific statistics, appears in community discussions, answers natural language questions directly, presents information in structured formats, exists consistently across platforms, shows clear freshness signals, and implements proper schema markup sends multiple reinforcing signals that AI models recognize and value. Building a Sustainable AIO Strategy Understanding individual tactics is important, but sustainable success requires integrating AIO into your overall content strategy rather than treating it as a separate, occasional activity. This means developing systematic approaches that maintain and improve your AI visibility over time without requiring constant manual intervention. The foundation of any sustainable strategy is creating content with AIO in mind from the beginning rather than retrofitting optimization after publication. This doesn't mean abandoning your audience's needs to serve AI algorithmsit means recognizing that content optimized for AI models is typically also better for human readers because both value clarity, structure, accuracy, and comprehensiveness. When planning new content, start by identifying the questions your target audience asks AI models about your topic. These questions form the backbone of your content structure. If you're writing about project management tools, for example, you'd want to address questions like "What's the best project management software for small teams?", "How much do project management tools typically cost?", and "What features should I look for in project management software?" Each of these questions likely deserves a dedicated section with a clear, direct answer. Your content outline should reflect these natural queries in your subheadings and section structure. This organizational approach simultaneously improves readability for humans scanning your content and makes it easier for AI models to identify which sections answer specific questions. When someone asks an AI about project management tool features, a model searching your content can quickly locate and cite the relevant section because you've structured it logically around that question. The next consideration is information density and specificity. AI models favor content that provides concrete, actionable information over vague generalizations or superficial coverage. This means investing in depth rather than breadth for your most important topics. A comprehensive 3,000-word guide that thoroughly addresses a topic will typically perform better in AI citations than ten shallow 300-word articles that skim the surface. This depth requirement influences content strategy decisions about volume versus quality. Rather than publishing something new every day with minimal research, you might publish twice weekly but ensure each piece provides genuine value with proper research, specific examples, and comprehensive coverage. The quality-focused approach generates better long-term results both for human audiences and AI visibility. Maintenance and updates become critical components of sustainable strategy. AI models accessing the web in real-time naturally favor fresh content, so static articles gradually lose visibility even if they were initially successful. Building systematic content review and refresh processes prevents this decay and maintains your competitive position. A practical maintenance schedule might review your top-performing content quarterly, your mid-tier content semi-annually, and your long-tail content annually. During these reviews, you update statistics and examples, add new sections covering recent developments, remove or update outdated information, and add a new "last updated" date to signal freshness. This regular maintenance keeps your content competitive and shows both AI models and human visitors that you're actively maintaining accuracy. Competitive analysis should inform your ongoing strategy. Monitor which sources AI models cite for queries where you want visibility. Analyze what makes those sources effectiveis it their structure? Their level of detail? Their use of data and statistics? Their freshness? Understanding your competition's strengths helps you identify gaps in your own content and opportunities to differentiate through superior quality or unique angles. This competitive intelligence doesn't mean copying what others do well. It means understanding the bar you need to meet or exceed to compete for AI citations in your niche. If competing content provides basic overviews, offering in-depth analysis gives you an advantage. If competitors focus on theory, adding practical examples and case studies differentiates you. If everyone covers similar points, finding unique angles or addressing overlooked aspects of the topic creates competitive advantage. Distribution and promotion strategies must extend beyond traditional channels to build the multi-platform presence that signals authority to AI models. This means systematically sharing your expertise across relevant communities, contributing to discussions on forums and social media, publishing on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn in addition to your own site, and building genuine relationships within your niche rather than just broadcasting content. The goal isn't maximum reach across every possible platformthat's neither sustainable nor effective. Instead, identify the two or three platforms where your target audience genuinely spends time and where your expertise provides value. Focus your distribution efforts there, building consistent presence and contributing meaningfully over time. This focused approach generates better results than scattered efforts across a dozen platforms. Collaboration and linking strategy matter differently for AIO than for traditional SEO. While backlinks remain important for search engine rankings, AI citation rates appear more influenced by the quality and relevance of the connection than purely by link volume. Being cited by a highly authoritative source in your niche can boost AI visibility even if it provides only one link, while dozens of low-quality directory links might not impact AI citations at all. This suggests prioritizing genuine partnerships, guest posting on respected sites in your industry, and earning mentions from authoritative sources through excellent work rather than pursuing link-building tactics focused purely on volume. The relationship-based approach to link acquisition aligns well with AIO because it creates the kind of genuine authority signals that AI models recognize and value. The Future Trajectory of AI Search Understanding where AI search is headed helps you prepare for upcoming changes rather than constantly reacting to new developments. While predicting specific features or timeline is difficult, several clear trends are shaping the evolution of AI-powered discovery. The most obvious trend is continued growth in AI search usage. As more people discover tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, and as these tools improve their interfaces and expand capabilities, the percentage of information-seeking behavior flowing through AI models will increase. This doesn't necessarily mean traditional search engines will disappear, but it does mean the traffic pie is being redivided, with AI search claiming an expanding slice. This growth trajectory suggests that early adoption advantages in AIO will compound over time. Establishing strong AI visibility now, while competition remains relatively light, positions you favorably as usage explodes and competition intensifies. The content creators building AI authority today will have structural advantages over those who wait until AI search is fully mainstream and optimization becomes more competitive. Integration between different search modalities is accelerating. Google is bringing AI answers into traditional search results. Bing is integrating ChatGPT-powered features. New platforms are emerging that combine search, AI chat, and traditional browsing in unified experiences. This convergence means optimization strategies must account for hybrid discovery experiences where users might see both traditional results and AI-generated answers, potentially in the same interface. The technical sophistication of AI models continues advancing rapidly, with implications for optimization strategies. Future models will better understand nuance, maintain longer context, cross-reference information more effectively, and potentially access real-time data more seamlessly. These improvements might make some current optimization tactics less important while creating new opportunities for differentiation. For example, as models improve at understanding semantic meaning and context, exact keyword matching will matter even less than it does now. Conversely, models might become better at assessing content quality through subtle signals like writing sophistication, logical coherence, and comprehensive coverage. This evolution favors creators focused on genuine quality over those trying to game systems through technical tricks. Personalization in AI search is emerging as models learn to consider individual user preferences, history, and context when formulating responses. This creates both opportunities and challenges for content visibility. The opportunity is that AI might recommend your content more prominently to users whose preferences align with your perspective or style. The challenge is that you might become invisible to users whose personalization profile doesn't match, even if your content is objectively relevant to their query. Adapting to this personalized future likely requires building distinct brand identity and perspective rather than trying to be everything to everyone. If AI models categorize you clearlyas the practical, actionable advice source versus the theoretical deep-dive resourceyou'll appear reliably for users whose preferences match that positioning. Trying to be too generic might result in appearing rarely for anyone as models route users to more distinctive alternatives. Commercial considerations will shape AI search evolution as platforms figure out monetization beyond subscriptions. We're already seeing early experiments with citations including affiliate tracking, sponsored placements in AI responses, and premium content partnerships. The specific implementations will evolve, but the trajectory toward commercial integration seems certain. For content creators, this commercial evolution might create new opportunities to monetize AI visibility beyond indirect traffic benefits. If platforms begin sharing revenue with cited sources, strong AI visibility could become directly profitable. If sponsored placements become normalized, there might be ways to amplify your organic visibility through paid promotion similar to how PPC complements SEO. Regulation and AI model behavior around copyrighted content remains in flux, with implications for what content models can reference and how prominently different sources appear. Current legal frameworks are struggling to accommodate AI's information synthesis capabilities, and future regulations might significantly impact how models cite sources, what compensation creators receive, and what controls you have over whether AI systems can reference your content. Staying informed about these regulatory developments and adjusting strategy accordingly will matter increasingly. The content creators who navigate this evolving landscape successfully will be those who remain flexible and adapt to changes rather than expecting today's rules to persist indefinitely. Practical Implementation Plan Transforming AIO knowledge into actual improved visibility requires systematic implementation rather than sporadic efforts. Here's a practical framework for incorporating these strategies into your content workflow. Start with an audit of your existing content to identify which pieces should be prioritized for AIO optimization. Not every article deserves equal attentionfocus first on content that already performs well in traditional search, addresses important topics for your audience, or covers queries where you have genuine expertise to offer. These high-potential pieces are most likely to generate meaningful results from optimization efforts. During the audit, evaluate each priority article against the seven optimization tactics. Does it include specific statistics and verifiable data? Could you add more? Is the content structured with clear headings that reflect natural language questions? Have you included an FAQ section addressing common queries? Is there a clear "last updated" date? Can you add comparison tables or other structured data? Does schema markup exist and is it appropriate for the content type? Create a prioritized optimization checklist based on this audit, identifying which pieces need which improvements. Some content might only need a few additions like update dates and FAQ sections, while others might benefit from more substantial restructuring. This systematic approach prevents you from trying to fix everything at once and ensures you tackle the highest-impact improvements first. Implement changes incrementally, testing as you go rather than making all modifications simultaneously. This allows you to learn which specific changes seem to impact your AI citation rates most significantly. While many factors influence visibility, you might discover that certain tactics work particularly well for your niche or content style, allowing you to prioritize those approaches for future content. For new content creation, build AIO considerations into your standard workflow. Before writing, identify the key questions your content will answer and structure your outline around those questions. Plan to include specific data points and examples during research. Decide what structured elements (tables, step-by-step lists, comparisons) would enhance the content. Add these considerations to whatever content creation process you already use rather than treating AIO as a separate, optional step. Establish monitoring routines to track your AI visibility over time. Whether you use commercial tracking tools or build your own system, schedule regular reviews of your performance. Monthly checks might suffice initially, though weekly monitoring makes sense if you're actively optimizing and want faster feedback on what's working. When reviewing tracking data, look for patterns rather than obsessing over individual fluctuations. Is your visibility generally improving, declining, or stable? Which topics show stronger AI citation rates? Where are competitors consistently appearing instead of you? What queries used to show your content but no longer do? These patterns inform where to focus future optimization efforts and what's working well versus what needs adjustment. Build a distribution schedule that ensures your content reaches the platforms where community discussion happens. Rather than sporadic promotion when you remember, systematically share new content and participate in relevant discussions on a regular cadence. This might mean dedicating 30 minutes daily to community engagement, or setting aside specific times weekly for distribution activities. The consistent approach yields better results than irregular bursts of activity. Document what works as you implement and test different approaches. Keep notes on which tactics seem most effective for your content, which platforms drive the most engaged traffic, which topics generate the most AI citations. This knowledge base becomes increasingly valuable over time as you identify patterns specific to your niche and audience that might differ from general best practices. Consider forming or joining groups of content creators in your niche who are also working on AIO to share insights and results. The field is new enough that collective learning accelerates progress for everyone involved. What you discover about effective tactics in your niche might help others, and their experiences can inform your strategy even if you're in slightly different spaces. Plan for iterative improvement rather than expecting immediate perfection. AIO is still an emerging practice without definitive best practices etched in stone. You'll make mistakes, try things that don't work, and occasionally optimize for factors that turn out not to matter. This experimentation is part of the learning process. What matters is systematic iterationtrying approaches, measuring results, adjusting based on feedback, and gradually improving your effectiveness over time. Set realistic timelines for seeing results. Unlike paid advertising where you can generate traffic immediately, organic visibility through either SEO or AIO builds gradually. You might see some quick wins from optimizing high-performing content, but establishing strong overall AI visibility typically takes months of consistent effort. Understand this going in to maintain motivation during the initial period where you're investing effort without dramatic visible results. Taking Action Today The opportunity in AI Optimization exists because most content creators haven't recognized its importance yet. Traditional SEO remains the primary focus, while this emerging traffic channel grows rapidly with relatively light competition. This window won't stay open indefinitely. As more people understand AIO's value, competition will intensify and optimization will become more sophisticated. Your competitive advantage comes from starting now rather than waiting until AIO is fully mainstream. Begin with these immediate actions that require minimal investment but start building your foundation. First, test your own AI visibility today. Open ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity and ask questions where your content should logically appear as a relevant source. Be honest in your queriesuse the actual questions your audience would ask rather than phrasing things to favor your content. See whether AI models cite you, and if so, how prominently. This reality check shows you where you stand currently. Second, identify your top five most important pieces of contentarticles that address core topics for your audience or drive significant traffic currently. These become your initial optimization targets. Don't try to optimize everything at once. Focus on making these five pieces as strong as possible for AI citation. Third, implement quick wins on those priority pieces. Add "Last updated: [current date]" to each. Create a simple FAQ section addressing three to five common questions related to each article's topic. Add specific statistics or data points if they're currently missing. These improvements take hours rather than days but can meaningfully impact AI visibility. Fourth, set up basic tracking even if you don't build a comprehensive system immediately. Create a simple spreadsheet listing queries where you want visibility. Test those queries weekly in one or two AI platforms and note whether your content appears. This manual tracking takes just 15-30 minutes weekly but provides feedback on whether your optimization efforts are working. Fifth, join one or two communities where your target audience discusses topics related to your content. You don't need to be everywherepick platforms where you can genuinely contribute value and commit to participating regularly. Start by reading and understanding the community culture before posting, then gradually engage in discussions where your expertise adds value. The investment required isn't massive. You don't need expensive tools, extensive technical knowledge, or a large team. You need understanding of the principles, systematic implementation of practical tactics, and consistency over time. The same qualities that make someone successful with traditional content creationproviding genuine value, maintaining quality standards, and persisting through the gradual process of building authoritywork for AIO as well. The difference is timing. Traditional SEO is mature with intense competition and well-established players dominating many niches. AIO is emerging with room for newcomers to establish authority while the landscape is still taking shape. This timing advantage creates opportunities for content creators of all sizes to build significant AI visibility if they act now rather than waiting. Start today. Audit your content. Implement quick optimizations. Begin tracking your performance. Engage in communities. Build the multi-platform presence that signals authority. Each small step compounds over time into substantial competitive advantage as AI search grows to represent an ever-larger percentage of how people discover information online. The future of organic visibility includes AI citations alongside traditional search rankings. The question isn't whether to optimize for bothit's whether you'll start while competition is light or wait until fighting for AI visibility becomes as challenging as ranking in traditional search is today. Choose wisely. The traffic is already flowing. The only question is whether it flows to you or your competitors. 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: Family System architecture of the team's A-HMAD framework. Credit: Yan Zhou &Yanguang Chen. Large language models (LLMs), artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can process and generate texts in various languages, are now widely used worldwide to create written content, source information and even to code websites or applications. While these models have improved significantly over the past couple of years, their answers can sometimes contain factual inaccuracies or logical inconsistencies. In other words, in some cases LLMs produce answers to users' questions that appear to be reliable, yet they contain false information, contradictory statements or logical inconsistencies. This observed tendency makes them unreliable, limiting their potential for sourcing accurate information or preparing documents, particularly in educational and professional settings. Researchers at South China Agricultural University and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics recently introduced a new framework that was found to improve the mathematical reasoning abilities and reliability of LLMs. The new framework, introduced in a paper in the Journal of King Saud University Computer and Information Sciences, works by initiating debates between multiple LLMs, which try to reach a consensus about the answer they should give to a given question. "Prior works have improved LLM performance using prompt-based techniques (e.g. chain-of-thought prompting and self-consistency) and post-hoc self-refinement, but these typically operate on a single model instance," wrote Yan Zhou and Yanguang Chen in their paper. "Recently, multi-agent debate frameworks have emerged as a complementary approach, wherein multiple LLM agents propose answers and critique each other's reasoning to reach consensus. Such a 'society of minds' approach has been shown to significantly improve mathematical reasoning and reduce factual hallucinations. However, existing debate methods use homogeneous agents with simple majority voting, limiting their effectiveness." Boosting LLM reasoning via multi-agent debates To reduce the factual and logical flaws in the answers provided by LLMs, the team developed a framework called Adaptive Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Debate (A-HMAD). Essentially, it suggests prompting debates between multiple AI agents with different specialties, dynamically modulating their discussion and prompting them to reach a consensus on a given topic. "Each agent in A-HMAD is assigned a distinct role or expertise (e.g. logical reasoning, factual verification, strategic planning), enabling more comprehensive error-checking and perspective diversity than identical agents," wrote Zhou and Chen. "A coordination policy dynamically selects which agents contribute at each round based on the question's domain and the evolving debate state." To weigh the arguments made by the different LLMs and ensure that they produce the most accurate and logically sound response to a query, the team developed a consensus optimizer. This is a tool that rates each of the agents' contributions based on their reliability and its overall confidence in the information they include. Initial results and possible future applications Zhou and Chen tested their proposed framework using six different types of problems that are challenging for both AI models and some humans. In addition, they performed trials where they removed or altered some of the framework's underlying components, to assess how these changes influenced its performance. "On six challenging benchmarksincluding arithmetic QA, grade-school math (GSM8K), multifact question answering (MMLU), factual biography generation, and chess strategyour A-HMAD consistently outperforms prior single-model methods and the original multi-agent debate baseline," wrote Zhou and Chen. "Notably, A-HMAD achieves 46% absolute accuracy gains over standard debate on these tasks, and reduces factual errors by over 30% in biography facts. We provide extensive ablations demonstrating the benefits of agent heterogeneity, additional debate rounds, and the learned consensus module. In initial tests, the team's framework was found to yield more factually accurate and logically sound responses than the individual LLMs and alternative debate-based approaches that it was compared to. In the future, the framework could be improved further and used to develop a more reliable AI platform that could be used by teachers, professors, scientists, and other professionals to rapidly source correct answers to complex questions. "Our findings suggest that an adaptive, role-diverse debating ensemble can drive significant advances in LLM-based educational reasoning, paving the way for safer, more interpretable, and pedagogically reliable AI systems," concluded the authors. Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, 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. More information: Yan Zhou et al, Adaptive heterogeneous multi-agent debate for enhanced educational and factual reasoning in large language models, Journal of King Saud University Computer and Information Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s44443-025-00353-3. 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: These maps show the median changes in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions across the contiguous U.S. for electric vehicle charging scenarios explored by researchers from the University of Michigan and Ford Motor Company. In the maps shown here, the drops can be seen for (a) "smart charging" EVs when the power grid is cleanest, (b) incorporating vehicle-to-home, or V2H, charging that allows an EV's battery help power households and (c) using V2H in fully electrified homes (denoted by heat pump). Credit: Jiahui Chen with data from J. Chen et al. Nature Energy. 2025 (DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01894-7). Made with Plotly. Using electric vehicle batteries to power households could save their owners thousands of dollars in bills while cutting emissions from the power grid, according to new research from the University of Michigan and Ford Motor Company. The team investigated scenarios related to vehicle-to-home charging, or V2H. This emerging technology lets EV drivers tap into energy from their vehicles' batteries to help manage power to their homes. It's almost like using EVs that are parked in garages as generators, but instead of burning gasoline, they provide electricity from their batteries that have been charged by the grid. The research is published in the journal Nature Energy. "Putting vehicle batteries between the electricity grid and homes makes it possible for homes to buy electricity for all household uses when it is cheap and cleanfor example, in the afternoon, when there is a lot of solar powerand to store it in the car's battery for later use," said Parth Vaishnav, an assistant professor in the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability, or SEAS. "If you're buying an EV because you want to cut greenhouse gas emissionsor if you're making an EV because you want to cut greenhouse gas emissionsthis tells you that, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport, the EV could also help cut building sector greenhouse gas emissions." According to the study, supported by the Ford-University of Michigan Alliance Program, V2H could save EV owners 40 to 90% of their charging costs over the lifetime of the vehicle. That translates to between $2,400 to $5,600 in vehicle lifetime savings. Furthermore, V2H could reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from a household's electricity use by 70 to 250%, which would amount to cutting between 24 and 57 tons of lifetime carbon dioxide emissions. That'd be equivalent to driving a small gas-powered SUV for 80,000 to 190,000 miles, or 80 to 190 one-way flights between New York and Los Angeles. The reduction can surpass 100% when it more than makes up for emissions from the extra electricity needed to drive the car, Vaishnav said. V2H in the U.S.A. Vaishnav stressed that this idea is not new, but the discussion around V2H has been largely about its possibility and benefits in principle. What he and his colleagues have done is provide a more thorough and comprehensive outlook for the benefits of V2H in practice across the country. The team evaluated the impact of V2H using a representative mid-sized SUV considering a variety of factors that vary by location. That included grid energy cost and emissions, housing stock and even the temperature outside, which affects energy efficiency. The team broke the contiguous U.S. into 432 regions defined by shared climates and grid conditions to map out the different impacts. "We have a lot of geography-based insight," said Jiahui Chen, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in SEAS. For instance, not all regions saw the same benefit. But the research showed that V2H enabled greenhouse gas reductions that more than fully offset emissions from charging in regions that account for 60% of the U.S. population. In parts of Texas and California, the cost savings of V2H compared to conventional charging can be so great that it more than pays for the electricity needed for driving. "When people think of EV charging, it's usually thought of as a burden, a cost that is added to your electric bill," Chen said. "But, with this kind of technology integration, we can make charging an asset." A work in progress While the study's take-home message is that V2H has serious economic and environmental upside, the team also stressed that there are important caveats to consider. One way of looking at the study is that it provides decision-makers with an estimate of whether equipping homes for V2H is worth it, Vaishnav said. "Another important factor is that the technology to control charging and maximize V2H isn't fully plug-and-play in the U.S. yet, but it is actively being demonstrated with local utilities in various U.S. markets," said Hyung Chul Kim, a research scientist at Ford and a co-author of the new study. "This capability is promising but still in its early stages. We're working with utilities to identify the best use cases for them, and we're also determining ways to optimize overall battery lifetime." Solutions have been developed and are being tested to deliver on that optimization with utilities and customers. "Ultimately, the goal is that drivers won't have to change anythingthey would park and plug in their EVs as normal, then technology running in the background automatically finds the best charging and discharging times," Kim said. While that infrastructure begins to scale, the team hopes its collaboration can also lead to a more immediate shift in the way people think about energy and their vehicles. "We know that vehicles are parked the vast majority of the time and, so as this infrastructure develops, there's a great opportunity here," said Robb De Kleine, a life cycle research analyst with Ford and a co-author of the new study. "As we try to decarbonize the grid, we need energy storage to be able to do that. A lot of the time, the first instinct is to build stationary storage. But EVs could serve as electricity storage devices," De Kleine said. "They just happen to have wheels on them." The research team also included James Anderson, a technical leader of sustainability and environmental science at Ford, and Greg Keoleian, a professor with SEAS. The team also published a corresponding policy brief about the work. More information: Jiahui Chen et al, Vehicle-to-home charging can cut costs and greenhouse gas emissions across the USA, Nature Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01894-7 Jiahui Chen et al, Vehicle-to-home charging can cut costs and emissions, Nature Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01899-2 Journal information: Nature Energy Gia Binh International Airport set to become new driver of national growth By Thai Ha Sun, December 14, 2025 | 7:57 pm GMT+7 Vietnams aviation sector is entering a pivotal period as many national infrastructure projects move into accelerated implementation. Notably, Gia Binh International Airport in Bac Ninh province, the largest privately-invested airport project in the country's history, last Thursday received the National Assembly's approval with broad support. It is expected to strengthen the countrys position on the global and regional aviation map. Masterise Group has been selected by the Government and the Ministry of Public Security as investor of this gigantic project for its capacity in project development and governance as well as experience working with global partners. The investor aims to build Gia Binh to international standards, marking a new era for Vietnams aviation infrastructure. The Government has set a target of maintaining double-digit economic growth from 2026 to 2030, and many lawmakers say aviation infrastructure will play a key role in sustaining the economic expansion. Illustration of Gia Binh International Airport project in Bac Ninh province, northern Vietnam. Infrastructure first to drive growth Under the 2026 socio-economic development plan approved by the National Assembly, the country's legislative body, transport and infrastructure remain a central investment focus, with major projects across rails, aviation and seaports. Aviation, in particular, has emerged as a strategic priority as Vietnam expands connectivity in a period of deeper global integration. The country's aviation market has grown rapidly over the past decade, with average annual growth of about 18%. It is now among the worlds five fastest-growing aviation markets and the fastest in Southeast Asia. The sharp increase in air transport demand has put significant pressure on existing airport infrastructure, prompting planners to introduce new capacity into the national airport network. Lawmakers say the Gia Binh International Airport project is a strategic step that will reshape the capital regions aviation network under a dual-hub model used in major cities such as London and Tokyo. Beyond the airport itself, Masterise Group has committed to developing an associated ecosystem of infrastructure. Gia Binh Airport is planned as a twin hub supporting Hanois Noi Bai International Airport. Tran Van Khai, a National Assembly member representing Ninh Binh province, said Bac Ninh - already a major electronics manufacturing hub - will gain a direct international gateway. Goods can be flown straight to global markets, and international experts and tourists can arrive directly in Bac Ninh. This will create new investment momentum, he commented. Khai added that the airport presents a golden opportunity to restructure the economy of Bac Ninh and the broader Northern Key Economic Region, enabling them to move up the global value chain. He said the project reflects the Governments direction to reduce dependence on state budgets and encourage private investment in major infrastructure works. The airport is expected to reduce pressure on Hanois Noi Bai airport while supporting development across Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hai Duong and Hung Yen provinces. With its location near high-tech industrial parks, Gia Binh is positioned to become a logistics growth engine for northern Vietnam. The airport is also planned as a next-generation smart airport, integrating full biometric processing, automated operations and ESG-compliant design. Its terminal is expected to include premium services to meet international passenger standards. The project aligns with Vietnams commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. On December 11, 2025, the National Assembly passes a resolution on the investment policy for Gia Binh International Airport project. Photo courtesy of the parliament's news portal. Boosting competitiveness At the airports groundbreaking ceremony in late 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam must focus on developing aerospace, maritime and underground space. While aerospace development includes scientific exploration, he noted that its economic significance lies primarily in expanding and efficiently operating aviation infrastructure. The prime minister called aviation, maritime, and underground infrastructure new drivers of growth that will help boost productivity in a densely populated country. Architect Tran Ngoc Chinh, chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, said new airports are essential for trade and transport connectivity. He added that airports serve dual purposes for both defense and economic development. If effectively developed, Chinh added, aviation can generate significant economic benefits and act as a major growth catalyst. Building strong aviation infrastructure is therefore viewed as critical to national development planning. Private funding for Gia Binh International Airport will also ease pressure on public investment while supporting transportation, defense, and diplomatic needs. A revised draft of the Civil Aviation Law has strengthened mechanisms to attract private investment and expand the public-private partnership model, particularly for local airports and specialized aviation facilities. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man said breakthrough policies are needed to encourage private capital into the sector. Completing the national aviation infrastructure system is seen as essential for achieving the Governments goal of double-digit growth in 2026 and beyond. Projects such as Long Thanh International Airport and Gia Binh International Airport are expected to enhance Vietnams global profile and competitiveness while creating new momentum for economic expansion. The World Bank Group has officially opened its new, energy-efficient offices here, which will serve as the hub for its Caribbean operations. The building brings the Banks Caribbean team together in one physical space, which will strengthen the institutions presence and support in Jamaica and the wider region. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Published official warning: The US Embassy at Marli Street, Port of Spain, yesterday. Photo: ISHMAEL SALANDY General Inspector of the Government Doan Hong Phong The National Assembly on December 10 voted to pass the Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Anti-Corruption. The Law takes effect on July 1, 2026. The Law stipulates that assets and income subject to declaration include: land use rights, houses, construction works and other assets attached to the land, houses, and construction works; precious metals, gemstones, money, valuable papers, and other assets where each type of asset has a value of VND150 million or more; assets and accounts abroad; and total income between two declarations. Compared to the current law, the declared value threshold has increased from VND50 million to VND150 million. The asset and income value subject to declaration of VND150 million applies to three declaration methods (first declaration, annual declaration, and declaration serving personnel work). Along with increasing the value threshold, the law also raises the requirement for declaring changes in assets and income during the year from VND300 million to VND1 billion. Additional declarations must be completed before December 31 of the year in which the asset or income changes occur. The asset and income control agency monitors changes through analysis and evaluation of the declaration or from other information sources. If changes of 1 billion VND or more are detected but not declared, the control agency will request the individual to provide or update relevant information. If the asset or income increases, the individual must explain the increased asset origin. The government will detail the criteria for selecting individuals subject to verification and the procedures for building, approving, and implementing annual asset and income verification plans. Asset declaration and explanations of increased assets or income will be part of performance evaluation criteria for officials, public employees, and civil servants. Additional agencies for asset and income control Regarding asset and income control agencies, the Law adds regulations about the authority to control assets and income of the Inspection Commission, the National Assembly Office, and the Central Committee Agency of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. The Government Inspectorate controls the assets and income of the declaring person who holds the position from Vice Director General (of a Department) and equivalent or higher working at ministries, ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government, and other agencies, units, and organizations established by the Government or the Prime Minister; and the head, or deputy head working at an organization established or approved for operation charter by the Government or the Prime Minister. The Government Inspectorate also controls the assets and income of the Chairman, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chairman, Vice Chairman of the Member Council, General Director, Deputy General Director, member of the Board of Directors, member of the Member Council, Head of the Supervisory Board, and Chief Accountant of state-owned enterprises. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and agencies under the Government control the assets and income of the declaring person working at agencies, organizations, units, and state-owned enterprises under their management, except for cases under the authority of the Government Inspectorate and the Inspection Commission. The National Assembly Office controls the assets and income of the declaring person under its management and the agencies of the National Assembly, except for cases under the authority of the Inspection Commission. The Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuracy, the State Audit Office, and the Presidential Office control the assets and income of the declaring person under their management, except for cases under the authority of the Inspection Commission. The Central Committee Agency of the Vietnam Fatherland Front controls the assets and income of the declaring person under its management and the central political-social organizations, except for cases under the authority of the Inspection Commission. The Provincial/City Inspectorate controls the assets and income of the declaring person working at states agencies, organizations, units, state-owned enterprises, and representatives of state capital at enterprises under the management authority of the local government, except for cases under the authority of the Inspection Commission. The Government shall regulate the asset and income control agency for declaring persons not falling into the above cases. Before the National Assembly passed the Law, General Inspector of the Government Doan Hong Phong stated that during discussion sessions, National Assembly deputies had opinions on the set of criteria for evaluating anti-corruption work; the types of assets subject to declaration, and the process for verifying assets and income. The Government will provide specific regulations in the decrees detailing and guiding the implementation of the Law. Tran Thuong As Christmas draws near, a Christmas model-making workshop in Dong Nai is buzzing with activity. Workers are pulling overtime shifts, rushing to finish each piece in time for delivery. With just 10 days left until Christmas, the workshop located in Ho Nai Ward, Dong Nai Province, is in full swing. Dozens of workers are clocking extra hours to complete the final touches before the products are delivered to customers in Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, and other southern provinces. Inside the spacious warehouse, which spans several hundred square meters, rows of Christmas-themed models - from Santa Claus to snowmen, reindeer, and Christmas trees - stand tightly packed. The pieces range from classic to whimsical. Workers move swiftly through the space - cutting foam, sanding surfaces, priming models, and refining each tiny detail - bringing the holiday spirit tangibly to life. While working, one employee jokes, This is the only season of the year I get to work with Santa Claus, drawing laughter despite the busy atmosphere. For the workers, this is the peak season. Each completed product soon appears at churches, shopping malls, cafes, or check-in hotspots, spreading festive cheer to the public. Kieu Vy, who carefully paints details on a Santa Claus face, says this is the most important step - its when the product comes to life. According to her, building the frame, applying foam, or adding primer can be done by anyone. But painting the face requires precision and emotional connection. If the face is off even slightly, Santa wont look jolly anymore. Sometimes Im exhausted, but when I get to the eyes, I dont dare rush. If the eyes arent symmetrical, I have to start all over, Vy shares. Most of the models here are handcrafted. Workers use knives to slice foam pieces and patiently carve every curve and fold - whether its Santas outfit or a reindeers antlers. The surface is then sanded repeatedly until it feels like real skin - smooth and free of any visible imperfections. Perhaps the most fascinating feature of the workshop is the robotic arm, which sketches out the basic shape of each model based on a pre-programmed 3D design. Tam, the worker responsible for quality control, sprays off the fine dust that settles on the models fresh from the robotic arm. He explains that this step, though seemingly simple, is critical. The robot handles the rough shape, but fine details still require a human touch. The robot is fast and accurate, but not every detail turns out beautiful. We have to carefully check, sand, and tweak each one to make them smooth and appealing. Ultimately, its the craftsman who breathes soul into the piece, Tam says. One finished order is now packed and ready to be shipped to a customer. For these artisans, the sounds of Christmas music playing in the background signal more than just a holiday - its a joyful season. Despite the demanding workload, they feel fulfilled knowing their efforts help make the holidays warmer and more delightful for everyone. According to the workshop manager, production for the Christmas season ramps up in November and continues until just before December 24. During this peak period, workers rarely get a day off. Many stay late into the night to meet deadlines and ensure that each decorative piece is delivered on time. Inside a busy warehouse, Christmas figures from Santa to reindeer are lined up awaiting finishing touches. Laughter echoes as a worker jokes about working with Santa Claus during the holiday rush. Kieu Vy adds delicate brush strokes to Santas face, the final and most expressive step. Each foam piece is hand-cut, sanded, and shaped with precision to achieve a lifelike texture. A robotic arm carves model shapes based on 3D designs before human hands refine the details. A completed shipment is wrapped and ready for delivery to clients across southern Vietnam. Hoang Anh Hanois public venture capital fund to launch December 20 Truong Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, delivers the opening remarks on December 13. Photo: Vu Hieu At the National Policy Forum on International Investment Cooperation for Innovation and Startups held on December 13, Truong Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, announced that the city will officially launch its venture capital fund on December 20. With an initial budget of 600 billion VND (approximately 24 million USD), Hanoi plans to allocate up to 2,000 billion VND (around 80 million USD) to venture capital investments in the coming period. This is a major shift in perception and thinking. We are embracing venture capital and risk, and the government is joining hands with private investors, said Truong Viet Dung. He reiterated a fundamental principle of public venture funds: the state does not replace the market but plays a facilitating role, sharing initial risks. Public-private co-investment is key, with a preference for private-sector leadership. State funding is intended as catalytic capital to attract broader social resources. He added that higher-risk portfolios will be accepted, with a focus on innovation, core technologies, and green tech. To achieve the citys 11% growth target next year, Truong emphasized: There is no alternative - besides revitalizing traditional growth drivers like public investment, exports, and consumption, we must rely on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Drawing lessons from international markets such as the U.S., he asserted that innovation only thrives when society allows for experimentation and offers civilized, controlled risk-absorption mechanisms. In this context, risk is managed and distributed through market institutions, with venture capital funds playing a central role - helping many countries give rise to globally competitive tech companies. In the near future, Hanoi will work closely with national ministries to implement new mechanisms, while continuing to improve the investment environment, innovation infrastructure, and execution capacity at the local level. The citys leadership invited domestic and international businesses, funds, and startups to come to Hanoi, where the government is always ready to foster innovation and partner long-term to turn creative ideas into real societal value. Every city should have its own startup 'gazelles' Samuel Ang, Senior Expert at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), offers proposals to strengthen Vietnams startup ecosystem. Photo: Du Lam At the event, representatives from investment funds, banks, and international organizations offered insights on public-private collaboration in venture funding for innovative startups, aiming to address challenges related to the twin transition and smart urban development. They also offered policy recommendations to help shape national and local investment strategies for Vietnams venture capital market. Speakers praised Vietnams strong push to build an innovative startup ecosystem through institutional reforms and its commitment to venture capital. However, experts also called for robust filtering mechanisms to ensure quality investments and proposed priority frameworks to help foreign investors access the domestic market, channeling global capital into Vietnam. David Lewis of Energy Capital Vietnam (ECV) expressed his optimism about Vietnams prospects: Within just 20 years, Vietnam will no longer be asking how to attract capital, but instead, how to govern capital more effectively. Samuel Ang, a senior expert at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), proposed a strategy focused on gazelles - a term he uses for high-growth startups that account for only 1% of all companies but generate 40% of new jobs. Gazelles, according to Ang, must meet three criteria: they should be young (under five years old), operate in hard tech sectors, and solve large-scale infrastructure problems that can be replicated. Banks like ADB can act as risk mitigators, validating these startups to attract further venture capital. He recommended that each locality create a curated list of its own gazelle companies, focusing on sectors such as AI, semiconductors, and green infrastructure. State venture funds could adopt a fund-of-funds model, while startups should aim to solve local problems - such as traffic and waste management in Hanois case. Green and climate tech were also key investment priorities for Juhern Kim, Vietnam Country Representative at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), especially given Vietnams commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. He suggested joint fund models, fund-of-funds, and blended finance mechanisms to catalyze and co-finance innovation. Du Lam The end-of-year screenings in 2025 across hundreds of communes, wards, and schools has created a special cultural highlight. "Mua Do" appeared in schoolyards and communal cultural houses; some places used LED screens, while others just a white sheet, a small speaker system, and a few hundred plastic chairs. But it is this very simplicity that awakens the memory of mobile cinema for many generations. From Lang Son to Hanoi, Ninh Binh, from Thai Nguyen to Ca Mau, each place has its own conditions, but the common feeling is warmth and connection. The applause, soft sobbing during battle scenes, or the moments when entire communities fall silent in the dark, remind many of the collective movie-watching atmosphere of the 70s and 80s. More than 800 free screening points helped nearly 300,000 people, especially in remote areas, access the film, reflecting Viettels community-oriented mission of bringing cinema and technology to everyone in the journey of culture enjoyment. A history lesson Toward the 81st anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Peoples Army, Da Phuc High School in Hanoi organized an extracurricular film screening for nearly 2,000 students. Mua do became a special history class - no textbooks, no slides, where history was felt through emotion. Nguyen Van Thanh, a 7th-grade student, said: "This is the first time I've watched such a good Vietnamese film. I understand that the price of peace is the sacrifice of many, many Vietnamese people." Giang Thi Hiep, a 12th grader, was moved: "The film is a great lesson about responsibility and living ideals." Many students also shared how to download the TV360 app to watch it again together, showing the effectiveness of this artistic education approach. Spreading cultural values The screenings were not only for the general audience but also targeted special groups. A school for visually impaired children sent a request to watch the film. Even without seeing the images, the children could still enjoy it through sound, emotion, and guidance from their teachers. In Nghe An, the screening at the Disabled Veterans Nursing Center moved many veterans to tears as they relived memories of their youth. At ethnic boarding schools, students in the highlands eagerly followed the film despite the simple and somewhat rudimentary equipment. And when the film ended, many stayed to share family stories, wartime memories, or lessons about patriotism, creating a true community cultural space. Some localities are even considering maintaining the community film screening model on major holidays, stemming from the viral effect brought by the free screenings of "mua do" by TV360. A bridge between generations The veterans stood up reflexively, like those who had been in battle; stories about comrades and the years of fighting were told right at the screening location, which are lessons that no textbook could fully convey. A student in Tuyen Quang said the film made him think of his grandfather, a former soldier, and understand why the grandfather always teaches him to cherish peace. In An Giang, a veteran said: Watching Mua do, I relived the war years. I hope the film is widely screened to spread the spirit of resilience. When cinema returns to community spaces, it becomes a cultural anchor connecting families, bridging generations, and awakening national pride. A cultural-educational model The journey of Mua do proves that the power of community culture does not come from glamour but from the ability to touch peoples hearts. Mobile screenings open a way of learning history that resonates with young people; at the same time, they create shared cultural spaces built through digital technology. In todays busy life, this model is a reminder that communities still need shared spaces to listen, understand, and share. Mua do and TV360 have revived that spirit. From crowded schoolyards to remote villages, the films journey continues to grow through stories of patriotism and civic responsibility. Tinh Le Illustrative photo (Thach Thao) The NA on December 11 passed a Resolution on continuing the implementation of resolutions of the 14th and 15th National Assembly concerning thematic supervision and questioning. The NA acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of the Government, the Supreme Peoples Court, the Supreme Peoples Procuracy, and the State Audit Office, which, amid organizational restructuring and administrative unit consolidation, still actively and effectively implemented the resolutions, achieving many positive results. However, the NA also noted that several tasks remain unfinished, delayed, or inefficient, failing to meet expectations. In the financial sector, the NA asked for a comprehensive assessment of the current status of headquarters and public assets of agencies, organizations, and units after the rearrangement of administrative units. In 2026, the NA asked to remove difficulties and obstacles, continue to rearrange, restructure, and enhance the operational efficiency of state-owned enterprises, ensuring leanness, efficiency, and preventing loss and waste of state capital. In the banking sector, the NA asked to focus on removing difficulties and obstacles, accelerating the progress of credit programs for social housing projects, worker housing, and projects to renovate and rebuild old condominiums. In particular, the NA requested urgently researching and implementing solutions on a roadmap for the establishment of a gold exchange. Regarding industry, NA stated that it is necessary to accelerate the progress of key and urgent projects in the electricity and coal sectors; inspect, supervise, and constantly monitor developments in electricity demand and arising factors, having timely and effective solutions to ensure sufficient electricity supply for production, business, and public consumption. The NA set the goal of striving to complete electricity supply to all households by 2027; and bringing the competitive retail electricity market into operation. In the agriculture and environment sector, the NA requested allocating sufficient resources and accelerating the arrangement, relocation, and stable settlement of residents in areas at high risk of natural disasters, especially flash flood and landslide zones, ensuring livelihoods for the people. Regarding the construction sector, the NA directed that in 2026, procedures, standards, norms, unit prices, and a legal framework for the use of sea sand as road construction material must be issued, ensuring safety, efficiency, environmental sustainability, and a Decree detailing the removal of obstacles for BOT traffic projects. In the education and training sector, the NA requested a comprehensive review and assessment of the organization of exams during the transitional period between two general education programs (2006 and 2018), and creating a unified and stable exam organization roadmap for the following years. The NA also noted the need to amend and supplement regulations on the framework of job positions, minimum staffing norms, and the roadmap for application at educational institutions, suitable to the actual situation and specific characteristics of each region and locality. As for the health sector, the NA directed the early and comprehensive amendment of the Law on Health Insurance to thoroughly resolve difficulties and obstacles. Salary reform roadmap Concerning the ethnic affairs sector, the NA requested merging relevant programs and policies currently implemented in ethnic minority and mountainous areas, ensuring practical suitability, clear geographical areas and target groups, leanness, and effectiveness. It noted the acceleration of digital transformation, enterprise development, cooperatives, and tourism associated with preserving and promoting positive traditional cultural values and identity of ethnic groups. In the internal affairs sector, the NA requested urgently reviewing and finalizing job positions suitable for organizational structure after rearrangement; accelerating the salary reform roadmap and moving towards paying salaries based on job position linked to output-based performance evaluation. The NA also mentioned the task of supplementing funding from the Central budget to localities that cannot balance their budget to settle benefits for redundant cadres, civil servants, public employees, and laborers after the rearrangement of administrative units. In addition, the NA requested accelerating inspections progress, and continuing to monitor and urge the implementation of inspection conclusions, especially those under the monitoring and direction of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption, Wastefulness, and Negative Phenomena. A set of indicators and guiding documents for the evaluation of anti-corruption, anti-wastefulness, and anti-negativism work at Central ministries and sectors according to the NAs resolution must be issued in 2026. Tran Thuong Dau Thi Phuc and her husband, Hoang Van Manh In fact, the couple cannot remember exactly how many times they dropped everything to jump into the river to save people. Phuc said her family of seven members used to live on a small fishing boat on the Lam River. Although life was full of hardships, whenever they received a call saying someone jumped off the bridge, the couple would immediately stop what they were doing and drive their boat out to rescue people. That little boat was not only their livelihood but also the vessel that carried them into dangerous waters to give others a chance to live. Many years ago, their acts of saving lives on the Lam river earned the local community's trust, allowing the couple to borrow a piece of land to build a temporary house in Truong Vinh ward. The small house sits right by the Lam River, with Ben Thuy Bridge towering above, a place where many people in despair have chosen to end their lives. Phuc shared: I don't understand why so many people choose Ben Thuy bridge as the place to end their lives. Every time someone jumps, my husband, the rescue forces, and I struggle greatly with the search. In October alone, my family rescued 4 cases. These included a 52-year-old man upset with his wife; a 15-year-old boy arguing with his mother; a 13-year-old girl having conflict with friends; and an 18-year-old boy who jumped after a personal dispute. Phuc still remembers clearly the night of October 4. When they heard someone jumped from Ben Thuy 2 Bridge, about one kilometer from their house, the couple hurriedly rowed into the strong currents. Just minutes later, they spotted a 13-year-old girl struggling in the freezing water. When they pulled her ashore, Phuc was shivering and soaked. She gently scolded the girl: Whatever the problem is, there is always another solution. Why would you risk your life like this? After bringing the girl to safety, they contacted her family to take her home. Having grown up on the river with her parents, Phuc cannot remember when she started stealing back lives from the river god. All she knows is that in nearly two decades, she and her husband have saved about 50 people. Each person carried a sad story, a breaking point that drove them to seek death. No one questions them harshly. We just speak softly, hoping that after returning from the brink, they will be stronger in their lives, she said. However, not every attempt ends in success. When recalling the case of a father who jumped with his two small daughters, the couple fell silent. That night, the water level was high and the undercurrents were fierce. They searched the river all night but found no signs of life. It is heartbreaking that we couldnt save the three of them, Phuc said. Doing good deeds to accumulate blessings In the fishing community, saving drowning people is often something many are hesitant about due to the belief of stealing food from the river god. Dau Thi Phuc and her husband have heard that words many times, especially when their boat was constantly broken or their fishing nets were torn. Seeing someone about to die and turning your back? I can't do that. We can suffer a little loss ourselves, as long as our conscience is clear, Dau Thi Phuc confided. Over the past few decades, the greatest comfort for her on this rescue journey is that occasionally, people the couple saved return to visit their family. One story that still haunts her is the rescue of a pregnant university student who jumped into the river in despair. The couple saved the young woman, but the unborn child could not be saved. She is a teacher now. Whenever our family faces difficulties, she visits and encourages us. We dont help people to be remembered, we do it to accumulate blessings for our children and grandchildren. But when someone still remembers what we did, it warms my heart, Phuc shared. However, not everyone they saved comes back with gratitude. In October, we saved an 18-year-old boy who jumped. As soon as he got on shore, he cursed and shouted, Why did you save me? Ill get a gun and come back to shoot you. But we didnt blame him. In moments of despair, people may say things they dont mean, Phuc recalled. Ha Nguyen On the morning of December 13, a large crowd of residents and tourists gathered in Ho Chi Minh City to enjoy steaming bowls of pho at the Pho Day 2025 festival. Many diners stood while eating, creating a lively and spirited scene. The event took place at the old Tax Trade Center in Saigon Ward, drawing in hundreds of eager attendees. Among them were Minh Son and Trung Hieu from Tan Binh Ward, who arrived early, excited to taste a special bowl of pho. The seating area quickly filled to capacity as the festival showcased nearly 30 renowned pho brands from across the country, offering a wide variety of regional styles and flavors. Priced at just 40,000 VND (around $1.60) per bowl, the organizers aimed to serve more than 20,000 portions over two days. At least 10% of the proceeds will go toward the Pho of Love campaign, which will deliver freshly cooked pho to people in flood-hit areas of Dak Lak Province (formerly part of Phu Yen), recently affected by natural disasters. Miss Universe Vietnam H'Hen Nie took part in the festival by preparing and serving pho to guests. She said she believes pho connects people and plays a role in boosting the economy, culture, and tourism. International friends always look for pho when they arrive in Vietnam, and they make sure to have it one more time before leaving, she said. Due to the crowd, many visitors had to search for a place to stand or balance their bowls on any available surface. Thuc My from Linh Dong Ward said she rarely eats pho, but came to the festival and found the chicken pho delicious. Although she had to eat while standing, she felt happy to be part of such an energetic event. A foreign tourist was also seen enthusiastically enjoying pho with friends. He said he loves Vietnamese cuisine, especially noodle dishes like bun and pho, because of their delicate yet rich flavors. One group used trays as makeshift tables. Yen Nhi, a visitor, said, The price is cheaper than usual. Its a great chance to try authentic pho from different regions, including some variations Ive never seen before. At the Hai Thien Pho stall, the team brought their own noodle-making machine and demonstrated how to make vegetable pho rolls for curious onlookers. Nguyen Tieu Bich Tran, representing one of the vendors, said her restaurant prepared over 200 bowls for the first day alone, with more ready to meet demand. She expressed her joy in joining the event and her hope to help spread the value of Vietnamese pho. Crowds gathered early at Pho Day 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City. Seating was fully packed as nearly 30 pho brands from across Vietnam joined the event. Each bowl was priced at 40,000 VND; 10% of proceeds go to charity. Beauty queen H'Hen Nie joined the cooking, saying pho connects people across cultures. Some visitors stood or used trays to enjoy their hot bowls of pho. Foreign guests praised the light yet flavorful nature of Vietnamese noodle soups. Live demonstrations showed how pho rolls are made with fresh ingredients. Vendors like Nguyen Tieu Bich Tran served hundreds of bowls to meet strong demand. Nguyen Hue On the evening of December 13, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the opening ceremony of Vietnam's 2025 National Innovation and Startup Festival (TECHFEST 2025), held at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square, Hanoi. The event, themed Innovative entrepreneurship for all A new engine of growth, marks its 11th edition and was jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Hanoi Peoples Committee. Alongside the Prime Minister were senior leaders including Hanoi Party Secretary Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, Central Propaganda and Mobilization Committee Deputy Head Huynh Thanh Dat, Permanent Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha, representatives from ministries, international organizations, embassies, technology corporations, investment funds, and the local and global startup community. Innovation as a national mission, not just a slogan Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers remarks at the TECHFEST 2025 opening ceremony. Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology In his keynote speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that innovation is not merely a catchphrase but a mission driven by passion, intellect, and action. He drew parallels to Vietnams historical resilience, noting that the nation has repeatedly turned adversity into strength - turning scarcity into abundance, and the impossible into the achievable - through collective creativity and determination. Vietnams achievements over nearly four decades of Doi Moi (Renewal) were highlighted. From overcoming hunger and achieving food security, the country has emerged as a leading rice exporter. Industrial development, fueled by innovation, has lifted Vietnam into the upper-middle-income bracket, with per capita income projected to exceed USD 5,000 in 2025. Science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and green growth are seen as essential to making Vietnam a high-income, sustainably developed country. In 2025, Vietnams GDP is expected to grow by 8%. From 2021 to 2025, average annual growth is forecast at 6.3% - 1.6 times higher than the global average. Excluding the pandemic-hit year of 2021, the 20222025 average growth rate is 7.2%, 2.1 times the global pace, according to the IMF. Startups must be a strategic national priority The Prime Minister visits exhibition booths at TECHFEST 2025. Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology The Prime Minister called innovation and entrepreneurship a strategic choice and top investment priority. He described it as the key to breakthrough growth for businesses and a vital engine for sustainable national development in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. However, he acknowledged that Vietnam's startup ecosystem still lags behind the region and the world, falling short of its true potential. As a result, he posed a series of critical challenges to scientists, policymakers, and educational institutions. Among them: How can Vietnam deepen its integration into global value chains, particularly in high-tech sectors like semiconductors? Should the country focus on design, packaging, testing, manufacturing, or a combination? What strategic priorities should be pursued - deep tech or ecosystem-wide expansion? How can the country develop robust domestic data infrastructure and foster AI and machine learning products? How can AI be applied to major societal challenges like disaster response, traffic congestion, and pollution? Innovation is for everyone Artistic performance at the TECHFEST 2025 opening ceremony. The Prime Minister stressed that innovation is not only about creating something new but also doing what we already do - better. Its a continuous journey of self-improvement, and one that applies to individuals, businesses, and the country. For the economy, it means refreshing traditional growth drivers while harnessing new ones. For businesses, it means building new competitive advantages. For individuals, especially the youth, it means nurturing talents and adapting to fast-paced change. When every citizen innovates, every business innovates, and society as a whole innovates - Vietnam will transform and rise, the Prime Minister declared. He added: Developing domestic technological capacity is the only path to building a self-reliant, independent economy integrated deeply and effectively with the world. A vibrant startup ecosystem is the foundation for nationwide technological autonomy and inclusive innovation - it is the key to unlocking the nation's immense potential. He called on the people - especially the youth - to be bold, embrace risks, learn from failure, and nurture a culture of innovation across society. Vietnam aims to join the top startup ecosystems globally Teams awarded commemorative medals at the Data for Life 2025 competition. Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology Ten provinces honored for startup ecosystem contributions. Photo: Ministry of Science and Technology The event took place as the nation implements Resolution 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, while finalizing its national innovation strategy. Vietnams startup ecosystem is entering a new growth phase. In 2025, the country boasts nearly 4,000 innovative startups and two unicorns. According to the Global Innovation Index (GII), Vietnam ranks 44th out of 139 countries, and its startup ecosystem ranks 55th globally. Ho Chi Minh City ranks 110th among global startup cities, Hanoi 148th, and Da Nang 766th - placing Vietnam among the top five startup ecosystems in ASEAN and one of the three fastest-growing globally. TECHFEST 2025 is Vietnams largest innovation event to date, expected to attract over 60,000 attendees both online and in person. It features participation from over 20 major corporations, 50 investment funds, 100 support organizations and incubators, and international delegates from six global regions, including Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, North America, and Europe. During the opening ceremony, 10 outstanding provinces were honored for their contributions to local startup ecosystems. Awards were also presented to winners of the Data for Life 2025 competition, including commemorative medals and innovation vouchers - recognizing the efforts of Vietnams growing AI and big data community. Pham Huyen FDI inflows into Vietnams manufacturing sector in the first 10 months of the year. Source: Savills A recent report by Savills Vietnam titled Industrial Real Estate Spotlight 2025: A Shift Toward Growth reveals that foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam's manufacturing sector reached approximately 18.22 billion USD in the first ten months of 2025, accounting for nearly 60% of total FDI inflows, which stood at 31.52 billion USD. Bac Ninh currently leads the nation in newly registered manufacturing FDI, accounting for around 13.8% of total investment. It is followed by Hai Phong (10.5%), Dong Nai (9.8%), and Hung Yen (7%). In terms of investor origin, China ranked first during the period with 406 new manufacturing projects, representing 33% of the total and valued at 2.6 billion USD. Singapore followed with 178 projects worth 1.7 billion USD, while Hong Kong (China) came third with 199 projects (19%). When broken down by industry, electronics attracted the most manufacturing FDI with 1.5 billion USD across 148 projects. Metal fabrication followed with 1.2 billion USD from 181 projects. Electrical equipment secured 730 million USD via 87 projects, and rubber and plastics drew 663 million USD from 179 projects. John Michael Campbell, Head of Industrial Services at Savills Vietnam, emphasized that manufacturing and processing alone accounted for nearly 60% of newly registered FDI capital, indicating a clear pivot toward high-value industries such as electronics, advanced equipment, and semiconductors. He also highlighted infrastructure as a key differentiator, citing expansions at the Cai MepThi Vai port cluster and inter-regional expressways that enhance logistics efficiency and make Vietnam more attractive to industries with demanding supply chains. Campbell noted that Vietnam is experiencing a shift in strategic manufacturing sectors, including advanced electronics, industrial equipment, and data centers, all aiming to scale operations. This transformation is further substantiated by an analysis from HSBC. In 2013, about 60% of Vietnams exports to the US came from light manufacturing - mainly garments, footwear, and toys - while electronics accounted for just 13%. However, that landscape has changed dramatically. Electronics exports have seen exponential growth. From just one-seventh the volume of light industrial goods in 2013, electronics reached near parity by 2024. In early 2025, electronics officially surpassed light industrial goods to become Vietnams top export to the US. According to HSBC experts, this transformation aligns with Vietnams progress in the global technology value chain. Since the onset of the USChina trade tensions, Vietnam has carved out a larger role in final electronics assembly, particularly for consumer electronics. Changing share of electronics vs. light manufacturing in Vietnams US exports, 20132025. Source: CEIC, HSBC Thanks in large part to early and continuous investment by Samsung - starting as far back as 2007 - Vietnam has evolved into one of the tech giants major production hubs, now responsible for about half of its global smartphone output. While Vietnam has yet to surpass China, its export share in smartphone-related products has grown rapidly over the past 15 years, from virtually zero to significant levels. Beyond consumer electronics, Vietnams growing role in semiconductor manufacturing - particularly integrated circuits (ICs), which carry higher value than mere assembly - has also been noteworthy. This is largely due to substantial investments by Intel, one of the worlds leading chipmakers. Despite FDI inflows into manufacturing being lower than their peak last year, they are now roughly on par with pre-pandemic levels. HSBC reports that capital from mainland China and the US has increased significantly. Looking ahead to 2026, John Michael Campbell believes it will be a pivotal year for Vietnams industrial market. He expects to see improved production prospects, a stable investment environment, and stronger infrastructure networks spanning seaports, energy, and digital connectivity. He added that Vietnam is shifting from a cost-driven growth model to one based on system capacity - where infrastructure, energy, and data services must function in harmony to meet the evolving demands of advanced manufacturing. According to Savills, Vietnam has attracted more than 526 billion USD in FDI over the past four decades. Since the enactment of Vietnams Foreign Investment Law in December 1987, the country has drawn more than 526 billion USD in FDI through October 2025. South Korea remains the largest investor with 10,329 active projects and a total capital contribution of 94 billion USD, accounting for 17.8% of all FDI into Vietnam. It is followed by Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan (China). Tran Chung Llangollen Eisteddfod launches Harmony Without Borders composition project The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has launched a major new commissioning opportunity for emerging Welsh composers. Harmony Without Borders, invites early-career composers who were born in Wales, live in Wales, or study in Wales to apply for a 6,000 paid commission to create a six-minute bilingual work for choir and orchestra. The commissioned piece will receive its world premiere on Tuesday 7 July 2026 as part of the festivals flagship opening concert, Uniting Nations: One World, a centrepiece of the 2026 artistic programme. This special evening, featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, will open the 2026 festival with a message of unity, renewal and global collaboration. The work is expected to open with a bold orchestral fanfare, progressing into expressive choral writing in Welsh and English, with the option of incorporating additional languages. Composers wishing to collaborate with a lyricist may apply for financial support included within the commission. John Gambles, Chairman of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: We are thrilled to launch Harmony Without Borders, a project that reflects our dedication to nurturing Welsh creative talent and celebrating the musical languages of our nation. None of this would be possible without the support of the Arts Council of Wales, whose commitment has enabled us to invest in new work on a scale worthy of our international stage. We look forward to welcoming a new composer into the Eisteddfod family and sharing their music with the world in July 2026. Dave Danford, Artistic Director, added: This commission offers a fantastic opportunity for an emerging Welsh composer to create a work that will sit at the heart of one of our most significant concerts in 2026. We are looking for someone with imagination, ambition and a strong sense of musical identity. With choir, orchestra and a global audience at their disposal, the successful composer will have a powerful platform to showcase their voice. I cannot wait to see the ideas that come forward. Applicants will be shortlisted by the Artistic Director, with the final selection made by a panel of industry professionals. The commission is open to composers aged 18 and over, with preference given to those at the beginning of their professional journey. Applications close on 19 December 2025. For more information email composers@llangollen.net with the subject line Harmony Without Borders. Llay company fined for operating waste wood site without a permit A local company has been sentenced for operating a waste wood site without the required permit, after an investigation by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). On Thursday 11 December at Caernarfon Crown Court, Platts Agricultural Limited was sentenced after pleading guilty in July 2025 to operating a waste wood site without the required environmental permit. The offences took place between 2017 and 2021. The court imposed a 22,500 fine and ordered the company to pay 21,910.25 in costs. NRW brought the prosecution against Platts Agricultural Limited after repeated attempts to secure compliance. Officers inspected the site, set out what permits were needed and by when, and used proportionate enforcement tools. NRW say that despite this, Platts Agricultural Limited continued to accept and process waste wood for use in animal bedding without authorisation. Carys Williams, Team Leader for Waste Regulation at NRW, said: Environmental permits are not just a legal requirement they uphold standards that are essential to protect people and our environment. They ensure waste is managed safely and legally. This case demonstrates that anyone handling waste wood must have the correct permissions in place. Operating without a permit or cutting corners undercuts legitimate businesses that invest in compliance. It creates unfair competition and increases environmental and public health risks. Weve also worked with partners to issue a multi-agency statement on the use of waste wood in animal bedding. Treated waste wood can be harmful if misused, so businesses must follow guidance and source materials responsibly. Businesses that handle waste wood can check whether they need a permit or a registered exemption before starting operations. To report suspected waste crime, please contact NRWs 24/7 incident communications centre via the online Report it form. You can also contact NRW 24/7 on 0300 065 3000. Wrexham charity calls on business community to support youth employment A Wrexham-based charity is urging the North Wales business community to give young people a route into work. WeMindThe Gap is calling on employers to back a campaign to create 10,000 meaningful connections for young people who are finding it hard to get into work or training. CEO Ali Wheeler made the plea at a meeting of the Wrexham Business Professionals. where she outlined how the campaign relies on firms offering guidance, contacts and real-world insight. Several of business leaders gave their backing to the campaign and supporting the work of WeMindTheGap. In addition, the charitys funds received a boost when a raffle held during the evening raised 1,100 for the WeMindTheGap cause. According to Ms Wheeler, demand for the charity was rising, as more and more young people feel they are being left behind. WeMindTheGaps The Power of 10,000 campaign aims to create 10,000 contacts personal and professional for young people who lack contacts that can help them find work. It would mean that young people who may feel alone or isolated would always have access to an experienced and professional pool of contacts for mentoring. The mentors could advise on educational choices, work experience, career guidance, offer constructive feedback on potential business ideas, or even just offer a listening ear. Ms Wheeler said: Imagine 10,000 people across Wrexham and beyond, each committing to be a connection for a young person. A mentor. A supporter. A door-opener. A trusted voice. Enabling young people to make such connections changes their lives for the better.I know this from my own career journey as a police officer, in the NHS during COVID, and now leading a social mobility charity. Time and again, the greatest gaps I have seen in peoples lives come back to the absence of connections, support, and trusted relationships. And when those connections are present, everything changes. Young people gain confidence, skills, and resilience. They begin to see a future they can believe in. Research by the charity has found that that even before the COVID pandemic, many young people were struggling with the challenges of new technologies and changing societal structure. WeMindTheGaps goal is to address these issues through a range of inclusive programmes in North Wales and beyond. The charity works across a wide age range from children as young 11, through teen years and those transitioning into careers, up to age 25. Ms Wheeler pointed to the fact that one of the charitys projects, the WeGrow employability programme, delivered 5.5 million of social value last year, with a social return on investment of 5.45 for every 1 invested. Ms Wheeler added: At WeMindTheGap we say: It takes a village to raise a child, but a system to mind their gaps. You are that system. You are that village, that city, together, we can mind the gaps, grow skills, build connections, and build city which enables its young people to thrive. Pictures by Phil Blagg Wrexham volunteer among guests at Windsor Castle volunteering showcase A volunteer from Wrexham was among those invited to Windsor Castle for a showcase celebrating volunteering, attended by the King and Queen during a State Visit by Germany. Tracey Smith, a Lloyds Banking Group employee and skills volunteer, joined representatives from the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) at the event on Thursday, 4 December, where volunteers from more than a dozen charities across the UK shared their experiences. The showcase, held at Windsor Castle, was attended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, alongside Germanys Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Ms Elke Budenbender. During the event Tracey had the opportunity to speak to Their Majesties The King and Queen about volunteering as an employee. The Royal Voluntary Service also highlighted its work on employee volunteering and a new digital platform designed to make it easier for people to get involved. Catherine Johnstone CBE, chief executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said the event highlighted the role volunteering can play for individuals, communities and employers. It was an honour to host the employee volunteering stand at the event alongside volunteers from Lloyds Banking Group, Morrisons and Centrica to put employee volunteering in the spotlight, said Catherine. We were able to share the positive impact volunteering can have on individuals, communities and businesses and to showcase GoVo the new digital volunteering platform weve developed and talk about how it can support business to unlock employee volunteering. The event was hosted by Matt Hyde, chair of The Big Help Out, and Andy Jasper, chief executive of the Eden Project, which runs The Big Lunch. The two initiatives are set to come together in 2026, with a national weekend of community action planned across the UK from 5 to 8 June. For the Coronation in May 2023, over 7.2m people joined in to lend a hand and try volunteering with the inaugural Big Help Out. That same year, 14.1m people strengthened local connections by taking part in The Big Lunch as part of Coronation events made possible by over 600k informal volunteers. Inspired by the UK model, Germany is planning a similar national volunteering day Der Ehrentag in May 2026. Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project, said: We are delighted to be bringing The Big Lunch and The Big Help Out together for 2026 as part of Eden Projects charitable work. There has never been a more important time to bring people and communities together and to support them to take positive action where they live. This exciting collaboration will bring all the friendship, food and fun of The Big Lunch together with the chance for people from all walks of life to try something new, make a difference and have a go at volunteering in a new way. There is something for everyone and by working together we can grow connections, strengthen our communities and have a good time doing it! Matt Hyde OBE, Co-Founder of The Big Help Out and CEO of the Lloyds Bank Foundation added: We are thrilled that The Big Help Out is returning in 2026 and were particularly pleased that it will be hosted by our friends at Eden alongside The Big Lunch. These two fantastic initiatives bring people together in communities, encouraging them to connect, have fun and take action on causes they care about. Were going to be mobilising charities, businesses, and community-led efforts to make this a weekend to remember with a lasting positive impact. To find out more about The Big Help Out and The Big Lunch and how you can get involved in activities and events on 5-8 June go to www.edenprojectcommunities.com PromarkerD demonstrates predictive value for diabetic kidney disease in Aboriginal Australians PromarkerD predicts risk of DKD in Aboriginal Australians Perth, Dec 15, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd ( ASX:PIQ ) ( PIQLF:OTCMKTS ), a pioneer in precision diagnostics, announced new clinical findings showing that its PromarkerD predictive blood test demonstrates promising prognostic accuracy for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in Aboriginal people, one of the highest-risk populations for kidney failure globally. - PromarkerD shows acceptable and clinically meaningful predictive accuracy for diabetes-related chronic kidney disease (DKD) in Aboriginal people with diabetes - Peer-reviewed study published overnight in the Internal Medicine Journal shows no statistically significant difference in test performance between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants - High negative predictive value (>85%) supports PromarkerD as a powerful tool for ruling out medium-term kidney decline and optimising healthcare resources - National health impact: the overall burden from DKD is over 7 times higher for Aboriginal people than for non-Indigenous people - Next-Gen PromarkerD test is now available to type-2 diabetes patients in Australia via multiple health channels The results are derived from an analysis of 1,081 adults with diabetes, including 71 Aboriginal participants, drawn from the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II and the Aboriginal Diabetes Sub-study. The study assessed the PromarkerD test for its ability to predict incident DKD or rapid decline in kidney function over four years. These findings highlight PromarkerD's potential to enhance early identification of kidney disease risk, support more targeted intervention strategies, and strengthen health outcomes among Aboriginal people, who have one of the highest rates of diabetes and chronic kidney disease globally. In Australia, the burden of DKD is approximately seven times higher for Aboriginal people compared to non-Indigenous people. Proteomics International Managing Director Dr Richard Lipscombe said, "Aboriginal people bear a disproportionately high burden of diabetes and DKD, often with earlier onset and faster progression - raising both the need and the potential benefit for better prognostic tests validated in these communities." In Aboriginal participants, the next-gen version of PromarkerD achieved acceptable predictive performance, with area under the ROC curve (AUC) values of 0.71. This result was not statistically different from those observed in the non-Aboriginal cohort (AUC 0.89). Importantly, the test delivered high negative predictive values (also known as 'rule-out' rate) of >85%, indicating that a low PromarkerD score reliably identifies individuals unlikely to experience kidney function decline in the near term. Professor Tim Davis, consultant physician and endocrinologist at Fremantle Hospital and a Professor of Medicine at The University of Western Australia said, "these findings show that PromarkerD has potential to support earlier, more accurate identification of kidney disease risk in Aboriginal people with type 2 diabetes. Early prediction is critical in this population, and a reliable test such as PromarkerD can help clinicians focus preventive care where it is needed most - it offers a significant opportunity to improve chronic disease management in remote and regional Aboriginal communities." The publication, titled 'The prognostic value of a plasma protein-based biomarker test for chronic kidney disease complicating diabetes in Aboriginal Australians', is available from the Internal Medicine Journal (IMJ), the region's leading internal medicine publication, publishing original medical research from all over the world. The journal also plays a major role in continuing medical education through review articles relevant to physician education. PromarkerD is a validated blood test that can predict DKD up to four years before clinical symptoms appear, supporting doctors in making earlier, informed treatment decisions to improve outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes. About Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd Proteomics International Laboratories (ASX:PIQ) is a wholly owned subsidiary and trading name of PILL, a medical technology company at the forefront of predictive diagnostics and bioanalytical services. The Company specialises in the area of proteomics - the industrial scale study of the structure and function of proteins. Proteomics International's mission is to improve the quality of lives by the creation and application of innovative tools that enable the improved treatment of disease. Related Companies RML APPOINTS DR ADAM ROPER AS CHIEF METALLURGIST, CRITICAL MINERALS EXTRACTION, TO ACCELERATE ANTIMONY, TUNGSTEN & GOLD PRODUCTION Chief Metallurgist Appointed to Accelerate Production Adelaide, Dec 15, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Resolution Minerals Ltd ( ASX:RML ) ( NC3:FRA ) ( RLMLF:OTCMKTS ) announced the appointment of Dr Adam Roper as Chief Metallurgist - Critical Metals Extraction, to lead the development and implementation of the Company's antimony, tungsten and gold processing strategy. Dr Roper's appointment further enhances Resolution's strategy to become a leading U.S.-aligned critical minerals processing partner for the Pentagon's defense metals requirements. Dr Roper, PhD (Antimony Geochemistry), is a highly accomplished metallurgist and chemical processing specialist with over a decade of experience spanning process development, piloting, flowsheet optimisation and the design of innovative extraction solutions for complex and strategic metals. His technical leadership and demonstrated capability in delivering large-scale, multistakeholder projects make Dr Roper a key strategic addition to Resolution as it builds its downstream U.S. critical minerals strategy. Dr Roper's experience includes: - 10 years of end-to-end process development for downstream production, spanning antimony, lithium, niobium, rare earths, base, precious and platinum group metals. - Previous roles with ANSTO Minerals, where he consulted extensively to the global mining sector on advanced chemical processing flowsheets for critical minerals. - Technical leadership at Australia's largest e-waste processor, delivering innovations in e-waste resource recovery, complex chemistry management and minimising waste generation. - Completion of a PhD in antimony geochemistry, specialising in its solubility, mobility and environmental dispersion-expertise uniquely aligned with Resolution's strategy to build modern, high-efficiency antimony processing capability. - A depth of experience in complex flowsheet design, including challenging chemistries and unconventional mineral systems, with a focus on de-risking early-stage concepts through to pilot and production scale. Dr Roper has successfully led project teams across mining, chemical processing and ground-toproduct industries, consistently delivering outcomes on time, within budget, and with strong stakeholder alignment. His appointment significantly enhances Resolution's capability to accelerate its U.S. critical minerals production strategy and deliver antimony and tungsten production to the U.S. defense industry. Driving Resolution's Critical Minerals Downstream Processing Strategy In his role, Dr Roper will spearhead Resolution's initiative to design, pilot and develop an on-shore processing pathway for antimony, tungsten and gold from the Company's Horse Heaven Project, located in Idaho, USA. With Horse Heaven's strategic proximity to Perpetua's Stibnite operations, Resolution is uniquely positioned to contribute to the re-establishment of a secure, Western-aligned antimony and tungsten supply chain. Dr Roper's leadership will be instrumental in: - Developing scalable and commercially robust processing flowsheets tailored to Horse Heaven's polymetallic mineralisation. - Assessing and piloting downstream refining pathways capable of producing high-purity antimony and tungsten products to support US defence, electronics and energy-storage sectors. - Evaluating opportunities for co-processing and shared infrastructure within the region, enhancing project economics and accelerating development timelines. - Positioning Resolution as a technically credible and strategically relevant partner within the emerging US critical minerals ecosystem. Commenting on his appointment, Dr Roper said: "RML's Horse Heaven Project, with its proximity to Perpetua, represents an incredible opportunity to establish a US-based critical minerals processing facility for the production of antimony. The strategic importance of antimony continues to grow, and the US has a genuine need for secure, modern processing capacity. I am excited to join Resolution at a pivotal time and to contribute to building a technically robust and commercially compelling pathway to supply critical metals into the US market." Brett Lynch, Strategic Adviser to Resolution Minerals, welcomed Dr Roper's appointment: "Adam's expertise in critical metals processing, complex chemistries and flowsheet commercialisation is a major asset for Resolution. His deep technical capability - particularly in antimony - strengthens our competitive position and accelerates our path toward establishing a North American supply solution for high-value strategic minerals. We look forward to working closely with him as Resolution advances Horse Heaven into its next phase of development." Dr Roper's appointment to Resolution comes at an opportune time, with the U.S. military confirming on 9 December 2025 that it plans to develop a fleet of small-scale refineries to produce critical minerals used to make bullets, armour and other types of weaponry, a move aimed at developing domestic sources for niche materials that Chinese miners have long controlled. The plans are being developed by the U.S. Army alongside the Idaho National Laboratory and antimony and gold miner Perpetua Resources Inc (PPTA.NAS, A$5 billion market cap) (which is directly adjacent to RML's Horse Heaven project), with antimony being the first mineral the military aims to refine. *To view photographs, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/H5572CD0 About Resolution Minerals Ltd Resolution Minerals Ltd (ASX:RML) (OTCMKTS:RLMLF) (FRA:NC3) is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and battery metals - such as antimony, gold, copper, and uranium. Resolution Minerals Ltd Listed on the ASX in 2017 and has a broad portfolio of assets, such as the Drake East Antimony-Gold Project in north-eastern NSW and George Project prospective for silica sand and uranium. Related Companies LOCKSLEY SECURES LIEUTENANT GENERAL (RET.) MARK C. SCHWARTZ TO ADVANCE U.S. DEFENSE, NATIONAL SECURITY & CRITICAL MINERALS STRATEGY Lt. Gen. (Ret) Schwartz to Advance US Defense Strategy Perth, Dec 15, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Locksley Resources Limited ( ASX:LKY ) ( X5L:FRA ) ( LKYRF:OTCMKTS ) announced the appointment of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark C. Schwartz as Strategic Advisor - U.S. Government Initiatives, strengthening the Company's engagement across U.S. defense, national security, and federal funding programs. HIGHLIGHTS - Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark C. Schwartz appointed as Strategic Advisor to advance U.S. Government Initiatives - Brings 33+ years of senior U.S. military leadership, including JSOC, SOCOM-Europe and U.S. Security Coordinator roles - Appointment of new strategic advisor supports Locksley's pursuit of DPA Title III, DoD, and DOE funding pathways for critical mineral onshoring - Provides strategic guidance on integrating Locksley's antimony supply into defence, aerospace, and prime contractor applications - Enhances Locksley's standing within U.S. national security circles during a period of heightened focus on reducing Chinese dependency for critical minerals - Appointment supports Locksley's positioning of the Desert Antimony Project as an immediate and credible U.S. supply solution - Appointment of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark C. Schwartz reinforces 'Locksley's U.S Mine to Market' strategy, targeting production of ingots, trisulphide, trioxide, and other downstream defence-grade products Lieutenant General Schwartz served more than 33 years in the U.S. Army, including senior leadership roles as: - U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority - Commander, Special Operations Command - Europe - Deputy Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) - Deputy Commander, Special Operations Joint Task Force Afghanistan Experience Directly Aligned with U.S. Critical Minerals Priorities: - Oversaw complex bilateral and multilateral security operations, including U.S. coordination with allied forces across the Middle East and Europe, ensuring integrated strategic planning and operational readiness - Led major U.S. strategic assistance, force readiness, and interoperability programs, providing experience directly relevant to the United States' efforts to secure domestic supply chains and strengthen critical minerals resilience His career has centered on advancing U.S. national security interests, joint force readiness, and strategic operations. Experience Aligned with the Strategic Role: As Strategic Advisor, Lieutenant General Schwartz will support Locksley's U.S. government engagement strategy, specifically: - Advancing Locksley's DPA Title III and related Department of Defense and Department of Energy funding pathways; - Supporting Locksley's positioning within the National Defense Stockpile framework for antimony and other critical minerals; - Providing strategic guidance on U.S. initiatives to onshore or friend-shore critical mineral supply chains; - Supporting downstream integration of Locksley's antimony products into defence, aerospace, and prime-contractor applications, including trisulphide, alloys, and other strategic materials. His appointment directly complements Locksley's progress toward establishing the United States' first modern, integrated Mine-to-Market antimony supply chain. Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark C. Schwartz commented: "Throughout my career, my purpose has been to lead and protect U.S. national security interests across the globe. Today, one of the most significant strategic vulnerabilities facing the United States is our reliance on foreign often adversarial sources of critical minerals. Onshoring and friend-shoring materials like antimony is essential for U.S. military readiness, industrial resilience, and protection against coercive threats, including the risk of China cutting off supply. I look forward to working with Locksley to further articulate the importance of their antimony project, and to accelerate the immediate opportunities it presents for strengthening America's defence and strategic materials base." Kerrie Matthews, Managing Director & CEO, commented: "Lieutenant General Schwartz brings unparalleled strategic insight into U.S defense operations and national security frameworks. His experience in operating at the highest levels of U.S. defense and government and allied commence will significantly strengthen Locksley's engagement across defense, aerospace and strategic materials sector. His appointment will materially strengthen our engagement across federal departments, funding agencies, and prime defence contractors at a time when the U.S. is prioritising secure domestic supply of critical minerals. This expertise will be invaluable as Locksley advances it integrated Mine to Market strategy." Strategic Context: The appointment comes at a time when the United States is rapidly accelerating efforts to rebuild domestic capability in critical minerals through programs such as DPA Title III, the Industrial Base Expansion program, the National Defense Stockpile Modernization initiative, and emerging federal procurement pathways for strategic materials. These initiatives collectively represent one of the largest U.S Government commitments to critical minerals, one of the largest Lieutenant General Schwartz's expertise will support Locksley in navigating these programs as the Company advances its 'U.S Mine to Market' strategy for antimony. About Locksley Resources Limited Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across two key assets: the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly prospective mineral region. Mojave Project Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area. In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic "Desert Antimony Mine", which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sample results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S. Locksley's North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security. Tottenham Project Locksley's Australian portfolio comprises the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, focused on VMS-style mineralisation in a well established mining region. Locksley is committed to delivering value through discovery, development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on securing access to U.S. aligned funding and downstream collaborations. Related Companies English News Zero-tariff policy brings more African products to Chinese market Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 12 Decembre 2025 Ports in Shandong have also expanded shipping routes, offering more efficient and convenient channels. At Qingdao Port, nine Africa-bound routes connect directly to 17 ports in 11 African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Benin. At Yantai Port, China-Africa liner services reach Guinea, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia and other countries and regions, with annual throughput expected to exceed five million tons. By Ouyang Jie, Shen Xiaoxiao, Song Haoxin, People's Daily To expand unilateral opening to the least developed countries (LDCs) and achieve common development, China has granted zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all the LCDs it has diplomatic relations with since Dec. 1, 2024. For products subject to tariff quota administration, goods within the quota will enjoy zero tariffs, while tariff rates on goods exceeding the quota will remain unchanged. Over the past year, China-Africa mutually beneficial cooperation has advanced steadily, injecting renewed vitality into bilateral trade. In recent years, Ethiopia's coffee exports to China have grown at an annual rate of 27 percent. The zero-tariff policy has allowed the rich aroma of coffee from its birthplace to flow into the vast Chinese market. China has become Ethiopia's fourth-largest coffee export destination. In fiscal year 2024/2025, Ethiopia exported more than 34,000 tons of coffee to China, generating over $218 million in revenue. "The zero-tariff policy makes our coffee highly competitive in the Chinese market," said Israel Degefa, CEO of Kerchanshe, Ethiopia's largest coffee producer and exporter. He noted that since December 2024, the company's coffee exports to China have surged. The zero-tariff policy has enhanced the price competitiveness of Ethiopian coffee, helping local coffee farmers and industry workers increase their incomes. "We plan to further scale up production to meet rising demand from the Chinese market," he told People's Daily. To Tefera Derbew Yimam, Ethiopian Ambassador to China, coffee "symbolizes solid cooperation and lasting friendship." He said China's zero-tariff policy helps African countries strengthen local production capacity, enhance export capabilities, and improve returns on their export products. "From Mozambique's golden sesame pods in the fields to fragrant sesame oil produced in workshops in Chengdu, China, the cross-border supply chain is becoming increasingly mature and efficient," said Ye Chunming, general manager of Chengdu Yimin Investment Group based in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province. Sesame, Africa's top agricultural export to China, is entering the Chinese market more smoothly through direct overseas sourcing. Mozambique's favorable climate produces high-quality sesame. "We source directly at the origin so we can control quality from the planting stage," Ye explained. In addition to Mozambique, the company also directly sourced 1,120 tons of white sesame from Niger this year. The first batch of 246 tons arrived at Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong province in May, with the remainder arriving successively in June, further expanding its direct procurement network. "These sesame seeds are plump and bright, with an oil content of over 50 percent. The sesame oil pressed from them has a rich, appetizing aroma," said the procurement manager of a pastry manufacturer, praising the product's quality. "We will continue to expand our presence in the African market and further streamline direct sourcing channels," Ye added. More and more enterprises are taking concrete steps to build efficient cross-border corridors for China-Africa agricultural products and deepen mutual trust and industrial cooperation in agricultural trade. In a workshop of Triangle Tyre Co., Ltd. in Weihai, Shandong province, smart production lines run at full speed. Rubber materials imported from Africa are carefully processed into high-performance tires with uniform tread patterns. The company exports its products to more than 180 countries and regions across Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, and consumes tens of thousands of tons of rubber raw materials annually. When sourcing raw materials, the company increasingly looks to African countries. "Since the zero-tariff policy took effect, the tariff rate on natural rubber smoked sheets imported from Liberia has been reduced from 20 percent to zero. The first batch alone received tariff reductions amounting to around 300,000 yuan ($55,002)," said Du Xiaoping, manager in charge of inspection and verification at Triangle Tyre's finance department. Liberia's natural rubber is certified under ISCC PLUS, a sustainable certification scheme for bio-based, renewable and circular raw materials, and serves as a key raw material for high-end tires, offering superior wear resistance and flexibility. China's largest rubber-importing port is located in Qingdao, surrounded by a number of major tire manufacturers. According to Qingdao customs, in the first 10 months of this year, Shandong imported goods worth 87.645 billion yuan from Africa, up 50.3 percent year on year. Among these, imports of natural and synthetic rubber reached 2.6 billion yuan, marking a 50.7 percent increase. Focusing on LDCs with active trade such as Mali, Niger, and Zambia, Qingdao customs has simplified documentation requirements, taking into account the fact that many of these countries' goods must be transshipped through third-country ports. Ports in Shandong have also expanded shipping routes, offering more efficient and convenient channels. At Qingdao Port, nine Africa-bound routes connect directly to 17 ports in 11 African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Benin. At Yantai Port, China-Africa liner services reach Guinea, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia and other countries and regions, with annual throughput expected to exceed five million tons. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Reading China's modernization through 50,000 kilometers of high-speed rail Jin Yipeng: guardian of endangered species A Yangtze riverside chemical maker's decade-long turn toward high-quality, green growth Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) All human societies have informal social classes or formal social castes that separate groups of people within the same community. Generally speaking, notions of aristocracy and hereditary nobility started on the battlefield. Warrior chiefs of clans became minor kings after killing more rivals without dying themselves. Rather than remaining in a constant state of tribal conflict, the chiefs of other clans bent the knee and became lesser lords. Because kings and lords prefer their heirs to be kings and lords, too, bloodlines afforded children the social status that their ancestors had earned on the battlefield. Advertisement A ruling king who provided security and stability earned deference from those under his protection. Over time, tribes combined to become nations. Chieftains cooperated to form royal courts. And the heirs of warrior chiefs adopted customs and traditions that symbolically separated those who rule from those who are ruled. During social upheavals, the ruling aristocracy is often overthrown. This provides hereditary nobles an incentive not only to quell rebellions quickly but also to find ways to keep the interests of non-nobles aligned with the aristocratic class. Gifts of land, titles, and property buy a certain amount of loyalty. The creation of minor offices apportions power to those deemed worthy of holding it. The historic growth of administrative bureaucracies creates a path for non-nobles to exercise their talents in the service of those who rule. Advertisement To the consternation of Europes aristocratic class, the Great War ushered in a popular revolution against the hereditary order. Several centuries of a growing middle class, increased literacy, industrial innovation, entrepreneurialism, and more widespread property ownership helped to create the social conditions for broad swaths of Europes populations to question why bloodlines should matter more than intelligence, talent, and hard work. Many European families who lost fathers and sons during the First World War blamed European nobles for the calamity. By the time the Second World War had provided an extra helping of self-destructive ruin, many of Europes noble houses were no more. Those that had survived were acutely wary of suffering the fates of so many cousins who had been hanged, burned, or shot. For the surviving members of Europes aristocracy to endure, they had no choice but to hand considerable political powers to the common people. The twentieth century shepherded government reforms, suffrage for men and women without property, public welfare statutes, and expanded opportunities for common people to become part of the States governing bureaucracy. Advertisement While these reforms were celebrated as triumphs for democracy, it is important to understand that they did not completely supplant the vestiges of European aristocracy. In the United Kingdom, the House of Lords still recognized the inherent right to rule of certain families. Men with noble titles still ran central banks, trading houses, and clandestine agencies. The attaches of those administrative lords still came from the best families and attended the finest schools. Increasingly, however, the children of middle class families competed for and secured positions within the larger bureaucratic staff. This twentieth century transition in which citizens from low social classes were more broadly included in the functions of government marked the social pivot to what Westerners call meritocracy. No longer would a persons bloodline serve as the limits of what that person might achieve in this life. Instead, natural intelligence, hard work, and determination could provide a person of any means the opportunity to rise as high as he might wish. Advertisement Meritocracy was an alluring idea to sell to the common people who had already destroyed so much of the aristocrats cherished social order in the first half of the twentieth century. Out with the nobles! In with the people who deserve to have power! From the point of view of someone in the lower or middle classes, a system that rewards skill, smarts, and determination sounds much fairer. However, meritocracy provides an ancillary benefit to a ruling class seeking to maintain control: It keeps the most ambitious members of the non-noble classes competing against each other for a small number of powerful positions and reinforces the legitimacy of the governing system as a whole. People who study, sacrifice, and struggle to obtain a little power within a governing bureaucracy are not inclined to question, criticize, or delegitimize that system once vested with a modicum of authority inside of it. Advertisement With the rise of the meritocracy, residual ruling class families found endless opportunities to keep unsuspecting commoners chasing their tails. A hundred years ago, gentlemen in positions of power had, at most, a college education. The transition toward meritocracy convinced members of the lower classes that they needed all kinds of postgraduate degrees to prove their expertise. Just keep studying, kids, and you might finally have the right credentials to do the same job as a bunch of lords once did before they had reached the age of twenty-two! In the meantime, stay poor, follow the rules, question nothing, and the ruling class might find a position for you once youve begged long enough. In pursuit of meritocracy, commoners have been conditioned to believe that you cannot be successful without at least a college education. In turn, the remnants of the noble ruling class have turned colleges into indoctrination laboratories that reinforce the ideologies of the ruling system. Members of the Old Guard, in other words, have found the perfect mechanism through which to subordinate the very people otherwise inclined to overthrow them. Say Hello to the new nobility; it looks just like the old one! Advertisement Unfortunately for the powers that be, there are widening cracks now in the meritocracy illusion. Those cracks began with affirmative action programs in the United States that perpetuated racial discrimination, and they have continued to expand this century with the broad initiatives across the West in support of so-called diversity, inclusion, and equity. Preferential admissions and hiring decisions in favor of special classes of people identified by their skin color, ethnicity, sexual disposition, disability, or perceived victimhood have blown up the perception that meritocracy exists at all. Instead, what is increasingly obvious is that the same aristocrats who have always made the rules are once again decreeing which classes of commoners will be allowed to mingle among their ranks. Out with the meritocratic! In with the multi-racial trans-furries who have trouble doing math! As institutions in the West expose themselves as part of an unjust and prejudicial political system, the legitimacy of the ruling class is increasingly under attack. For the first time in many decades, Westerners have begun to notice that much of the old aristocracy supposedly supplanted by the meritocracy remains nonetheless in charge. Surprise! A century after the supposed end of hereditary rule, men and women with feudal titles still control the European Council, transnational governing bodies, international treaty organizations, and all the central banks. In other words, the illusion of meritocracy gave the ruling class just enough camouflage to survive several more generations. What happens now? The worlds richest man, Elon Musk, says that artificial intelligence will soon replace most human jobs. He insists that there will be a universal high income that every common peasant receives. He says people will want for nothing...except purpose. Perhaps Musk is right. Perhaps the lower classes will consent to a small number of elites ruling over them in perpetuity. Perhaps they will consent to mass surveillance, censorship, and State-sponsored truths. Perhaps they will agree to let the families of billionaires behave as entourages within royal courts in support of a coterie of technocratic kings. Or perhaps we are destined for social upheaval. Perhaps what started on the battlefield will return to it. Perhaps the ruling aristocracy will finally be overthrown. Regardless, the future will be interesting. Image: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay, Pixabay License. There are so many lies and liars, its hard to know where to begin, but here are my takes on this weeks unveiling of them. Advertisement Lets begin with science. Seems like just yesterday Dr. Fauci and his crew were promoting follow the science. Well, I follow what passes for it and if you follow the direction its been heading in recent decades youll be trapped in a remote ditch. SCIENCE Advertisement 1) Neuroscience Do you remember reading articles and books by Oliver Sacks? Perhaps the best known were Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat. From 1992 to 2024, The New Yorker, which boasts a fleet of fact checkers, published 28 of his articles. This week the publication admitted in a biographic article that much of Sacks accounts of patient treatment were narratives lacking in veracity. Advertisement I have some hard confessing to do -- if not in public, at least to Shengold -- and myself, Sacks wrote in his journal, in 1985. By then, he had published four booksMigraine, Awakenings, A Leg to Stand On, and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat -- establishing his reputation as our modern master of the case study, as the Times put it. He rejected what he called pallid, abstract knowing, and pushed medicine to engage more deeply with patients interiority and how it interacted with their diseases. Medical schools began creating programs in medical humanities and narrative medicine, and a new belief took hold: that an ill person has lost narrative coherence, and that doctors, if they attend to their patients private struggles, could help them reconstruct a new story of their lives. At Harvard Medical School, for a time, students were assigned to write a book about a patient. Stories of illness written by physicians (and by patients) began proliferating, to the point that the medical sociologist Arthur Frank noted. Oliver Sacks now designates not only a specific physician author but also a... genre -- a distinctively recognizable form of storytelling. But, in his journal, Sacks wrote that a sense of hideous criminality remains (psychologically) attached to his work: he had given his patients powers (starting with powers of speech) which they do not have. Some details, he recognized, were pure fabrications. He tried to reassure himself that the exaggerations did not come from a shallow place, such as a desire for fame or attention. The impulse is both purerand deeper, he wrote. It is not merely or wholly a projection -- nor (as I have sometimes, ingeniously-disingenuously, maintained) a mere sensitization of what I know so well in myself. But (if you will) a sort of autobiography. He called it symbolicexo-graphy. Sacks had misstepped in this regard, many many times, in Awakenings, he wrote in another journal entry, describing it as a source of severe, long-lasting, self-recrimination. Advertisement Harvard cognitive scientist Steven Pinker was shocked: Bombshell: Oliver Sacks (a humane man & a fine essayist) made up many of the details in his famous case studies, deluding neuroscientists, psychologists, & general readers for decades. The man who mistook his wife for a hat? The autistic twins who generated multi-digit prime numbers? The institutionalized, paralyzed man who tapped out allusions to Rilke? Made up to embellish the stories. Probably also: the aphasic patients who detected lies better than neurologically intact people, including Ronald Reagan's insincerity. Advertisement Why did The New Yorker, which perpetuates the myth that they employ an army of meticulous fact-checkers, pollute our understanding of mind and brain by publishing these fabrications for decades? 2) Public Health Advertisement It was reported that the Food and Drug Administration is about to put a black box warning on Covid-19 vaccines. (Those which we were told would prevent infection and spread but which didnt. Almost 40,000 deaths related to the vaccine are in the VAERS account.) Even though the adverse effects were seriously flawed and underreported, the connection to adverse effects remains clear. If the report is accurate the consequences of the black box warning are substantial: A black box warning is the FDAs nuclear option. Its the strongest safety label the agency can place on any drug or vaccine, reserved for risks that are serious, potentially irreversible, or life-threatening. The warning is literally boxed in black ink at the top of the drug label so it cannot be overlooked, skimmed, or buried down in the fine print. Black box warnings are not suggestions, footnotes, or talking points. They are how the FDA formally announces: this risk matters. Black boxes are rare, reputationally toxic, and legally consequential. Once applied, they signal to doctors, hospitals, insurers, and courts that the risk is material as a matter of law, not opinion. Once a black box exists, the ground rules permanently change. Even the most enthusiastic, guideline-faithful physician cannot realistically ignore it without stepping into legal quicksand. The warning must be disclosed to patients as part of informed consent; failing to do so is no longer a judgment call but a liability problem. Following APA guidance stops working as a shield, because FDA labeling outranks press releases and reassurance campaigns. [snip] But diabolical jab doctor, former vaccine committee member, and pharma shill Paul Offit told a podcast host this week that myocarditis was a very small price to pay. Behold the grandfatherly banality of evil. OFFIT: With the mRNA vaccines, there was myocarditis which is inflammation of the heart muscle That was a very small price to pay People have to have realistic expectations of the fact that you're going to learn as you go. Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) December 12, 2025 How about that warm-spirited, scientific nuance? Well learn about the risks together, as we go! Now they tell us. Back when they were coercing people to take the shots -- jab or job! -- they werent nearly so nuanced. And, it was a small price to pay, Offit quite generously declared. Yes, but who paid the price? Do the people who paid the piper also agree how small the price was? Easy for him to say. One thing we know for sure is that Paul Offit didnt pay the price. Its not his heart. Just the opposite. Its well known that Paul made millions off his rotavirus vaccine, which he sold to Merck. He currently hogs a Merck-endowed chair at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (ironically, CHOP), runs the schools endowed Vaccine Education Center, and mints more money with grants related to vaccine development. Its pretty rich that hes talking about the price that everyday people who arent compensated for injuries have to pay. [snip] All in all, its difficult to avoid the conclusion that Democrats long, failed experiment in coercive public health is finally, at long last, reaching a shuddering stop. As weve previously discussed, once the public finally grasps the horrifying extent of the fraud that was perpetrated upon us, it will crush into powder the last remaining shards of trust in the institutions. Theres no going back now. 3) Ezra Kleins Pratfall Now that its obvious that illegal aliens have been sucking up public health funds, Ezra Klein, a New York Times columnist, jumped in to call President Trump a liar and in the process self-owned himself as a fool: Trump often lies about Democrats giving healthcare to undocumented immigrants. In California, Newsom actually did it. And defends it. "I'm proud of that. I believe in universal health care." But, he says, "we failed on the border. We need to own up to that." So, per Klein, Trump lied by telling the truth. The Internationalists Klaus Schwab Klaus Schwab tweeted a self-encomium, promoting the organization he led -- the World Economic Forum -- and his new book. In it, he emphasizes how important open discussion is to him. I have witnessed firsthand how bringing together people with different perspectives can foster innovative solutions, and I have always believed that progress is not inevitable it must be shaped, guided, and achieved through collective effort. The Forums success and impact have reinforced one of the key lessons of my life: nothing of great significance is achieved alone. He cut off responses to his post. European Opinion I keep seeing opinion pieces saying that Trump is diminishing European opinion of the U.S. This week, Politico, reliably on the American Left, commissioned an interactive poll on this. Now, interactive polls are of dubious validity (actually, in my view all are) because only readers of that publication tend to participate. Still the results are worth mentioning. In Germany, 53 percent of people thought Trumps election was more significant for their country than the election of Merz, compared with 25 percent who thought the German election was more important. In the U.K., 54 percent said Trumps return was more significant than Starmers Labour Party taking power and ending 14 years of Conservative rule, compared with 28 percent who said the change of national government last year was more important for Britain. French voters were a little less stark in their view, but still 43 percent thought Trumps victory was more significant, against 25 percent who believed Macrons election had a bigger impact on France. They think their leaders are weak and I will not argue with that assessment. Tim Walz In Minneapolis, the loons are not only swimming in lakes. One inhabits the governors mansion. Tim Walz says it's a "pretty hard reach" to expect the Somali community to not engage in the massive theft of tax dollars, criticizes @POTUS for calling them out: "Each community's got this... Donald Trump brought this to the attention... very dangerous." If he truly believed that the Somali community was prone to theft of public funds, he should have kept auditors to prevent that instead of ignoring Minnesotan whistleblowers who told him what was happening. Right now, the loss due to such fraud is estimated at a billion dollars, but some say its multiple billions. What links the leaders of Frances biggest far-left party and the podcaster (still connected) to TPUSA and the Heritage Foundation? Demonstrable and risible lies about Islam. Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the biggest far-left party in France, says that Muslim women are free and its Christian women who are oppressed: Christianity is patriarchal, and women have to cover up and submit to men. In Islam, women submit to God only, therefore, their veil represents freedom and dignity. Tucker Carlson spreads pro-Qatar lies like this whopper, denies he receives Qatar money but brags he just bought a home in Doha: Per @TuckerCarlson, Christians have it better in Qatar than Israel. The truth? There are 2x as many Christians in Qatar (~400K vs 188K), but they're almost all migrant workers. Despite Tucker's claim of "so many Christian churches in Qatar," there are SIX. Total. For 400K people. Meanwhile, Israel has hundreds of churches. Heck, there are more Baptist churches in Israel (17) than churches total in Qatar. Another key difference is that almost all of Israel's Christians are actually citizens. They vote, serve in the military, and hold elected office in the Knesset (Israel's parliament). By contrast, Qatar -- officially -- has NO Christian citizens. Why? Because in Qatar, it is illegal to convert from Islam. That's why Qatar closely monitors almost every significant aspect of Christian practice. All six churches by law must be in a single designated area, where the state holds ultimate control, and authorities force people to show ID in order to attend church -- a great way to ensure citizens aren't sneaking in. This is to say nothing of the reportedly horrific living and working conditions for the migrant workers, a system which many have likened to modern-day slavery. So to recap, Tucker took the only possible data points to show anything positive about Christian existence in Qatar -- the raw total number of Christians and the fact that they can attend church -- and obscured literally everything else. Even most paid propagandists would be a little squeamish with such open shilling. But not Tucker. Why? Tucker also once again portrayed Israel as bloodthirsty warmonger. But his "contrast" was to Qatar, which bankrolls and/or provides diplomatic/media support to every Islamic terrorist group or regime targeting Israel. Stunning. In the old days, calling out liars was something you could do only in small circles -- now all you have to do is go online. I have two more full days in Singapore, and it is very unlikely I will spend any of them writing a post. Therefore, in the quiet of the morning, I thought Id finally put together a post about the random notes Ive collected since I arrived here. In no particular order, here goes: Advertisement Singaporean children are amazingly well-behaved in public. I have no idea how their parents contain their rambunctiousness, but they do. If you see a large group of teenage boys on a bus or walking down the street, its fine. They, too, are well-behaved. Advertisement Image by Andrea Widburg. Advertisement Speaking of buses, one of the strange things about people in Singapore is that they will not move to the back of the bus. They get on, find a spot, and stay there. As more people board the bus, the front grows more crowded, while the back remains spacious. Also, speaking of children, youll see people park their strollers outside a store with the child still in it, then run in for a quick shop. Theyre not gone a long time, but they are gone. I seem to recall that, many years ago, a woman from northern Europe, when northern Europe was still a safe place, was arrested in America for doing the same. Advertisement Public bathrooms are wonderful. This is worth noting because 40 years ago, my mother and I formulated a rule: the more civilized the country, the better the public bathrooms. That is certainly the case here in Singapore. They are invariably clean and well-stocked, and they are often incredibly beautiful. One thing that is noticeable, though, in public bathrooms is that people hold loud phone conversations in the stall while doing their business. Thats not something Ive ever seen in the US, or, at least, seen outside of a few oddball eccentrics. Advertisement People in Singapore are on their phones nonstop. They are constantly filming themselves or the world around them, or they are playing games or watching TV. I may be a news junkie, but I prefer to see the world around me unmediated by a lens. Although Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore, was a fierce nationalist, nothing in Singapores public face shows any resentment toward its British colonial heritage. Bridges and streets still bear the names of famous British politicians who governed in Singapore, theyre proud of the beauties of their colonial era architecture, and the museums and public spaces speak of the British era with respect. Advertisement As one example, the photograph I used is of the Cavenagh Bridge, which crosses the Singapore River and leads to the Asian Civilisations Museum. The bridge, built in 1869, remains completely original, making it Singapore's oldest intact bridge. It was named in honour of Major General Orfeur Cavenagh, the last India-appointed Governor of the Straits Settlements, who governed from 1859 to 1867. The museum itself, which I highly recommend, is housed in a 19th-century Palladian-style building, and it is very proud of it. If you are a foodie, Singapore is a place to come and eat. You name it, they have it, and its available in gradations from completely affordable street food to insanely expensive gourmet meals. Finally, a personal note. My mother and her sister were living with their father in Tel Aviv at the beginning of World War II. My grandfather, an architect, worked with the British designing buildings for their growing military presence. He was, so Ive heard, a man of extraordinary charm, so it is scarcely surprising that he became friends with the British officers with whom he was working. These officers told my grandfather that it was very likely that Rommel and his Nazi troops, allied with local Arabs, would overrun British mandate Palestine. Were that to happen, there would be a full-out massacre with every Jewish resident slaughtered. My grandfather could not leave because he had to earn a living. However, he decided to send his daughtersmy 17-year-old mother and her 14-year-old sisteras far from the war as possible. Since the girls were Dutch citizens, the logical spot was Batavia (the name for Indonesia, when it was still a Dutch colony). He and my grandmother had been living there when my mother was born, so he knew the area well and knew that the girls would live in the luxury of a European colony. And, indeed, it was luxurious for the first few monthsuntil the Japanese overran the entire Malayan peninsula, and the girls spent the rest of the war in a concentration camp. But thats another story. I mention it now because of the journey from Tel Aviv to Singapore in early 1941. It took several days, and, sadly, I dont remember the details of her journey. What I have always remembered, though, is that the last stop was in Singapore. KLM, the Dutch airline, apparently had a contract with the Raffles Hotel, so the passengers dined there before continuing the final leg of their journey to Jakarta. That dinner was a high point in my mothers memory for the rest of her life. She never could say enough about how beautiful the dining room was or how delicious the food was. But what really impressed her was that each diner had a personal waiter. Naturally, I wanted to see the Raffles Hotel, so we arranged to have high tea there for about $108 per person. Yes, that is insanely expensive, but I was there for the experience and what a wonderful experience it was. The hotel is ravishingly beautiful; the high tea was exquisite, and the Christmas experience was breathtaking, featuring a choir singing Christmas carols, a harpist, and a 20-foot, fully decorated Christmas tree. If you are in Singapore and have some extra money, I recommend it. Ive heard there are better high teas for food quality, but the Raffles experience is special. I will be back in America in a few days, having been greatly enriched by this visit. MAGA Republicans are going to prevail in the next two national elections. We are going to applaud so much that our hands will hurt. This is going to come about for a composite of reasons, the most obvious being the Democrats complete lack of available talent. Advertisement Their most marketable candidate is Californias Governor Hair Gel, but the reality of his states decline during his watch is an enormous albatross hanging around his neck. Hes soon to be termed out and will then be condemned to spend over a year wandering in the wilderness, preaching to the choir. Other than Newsom, all they have left is the obviously stupid and used-up Kamala, while other wannabes will be grappling for media attention and finding slim pickings. Then, of course, there are always AOC and Beto...AKA The Brain Trust. The real impediment that is keeping the Dems away from noticeable success is their profound advocacy for a seriously unpopular agenda. There is really no viable constituency for the genital mutilation of children, let alone the facilitation of a foreign invasion of the U.S. coupled with suppressed assimilation and the imposed tolerance of criminal conduct. And just now the coddling of criminally syndicated narco-terrorists has reared its ugly head. Advertisement To Democrats, theres always a shortage of tax revenue. The sacred cow of public transportation has been eclipsed by more convenient and less capital-intensive means, such as Uber, Lyft, and Waymo. Rather than just yield to common sense, the perpetrators of government-provided conveyance are shouting from the rooftops for more taxes in order to further subsidize the maintenance of their pet dinosaur. As a result, change is in the air. This change is transcending ideology and has been demonstrated from a rather unlikely source. Tom Steyer is a tree-hugging hedge fund billionaire. Hes also a wannabe politician. And hes running a self-funded campaign for the Democrat nomination to replace Hair Gel. Probably since his on-air persona is so obnoxious that he makes even Hillary Clinton seem cute and cuddly by comparison, he has little likelihood of ever going anywhere. But hes hitting a nail on the head: Beyond ideology, hes attacking government. He burps out a list of particulars, with affordability being the primary problem he intends to solve, and just like a true political hack, he makes no reference to how he might do this. Advertisement The old word Populist has been dusted off to describe those on board with this trend. Now may I introduce, instead, the word minarchist to describe a proponent of extremely small government, as compared to anarchist, an advocate for a world devoid of all forms of authority. Its not hard to recognize that the overbearing, authoritative force we call government is a necessary evil. We can strenuously object to much of the evil part, but we still have to embrace the necessary part, in spite of some of its glimmerings of evil. The smallest government that still manages to do what is necessary is the optimum. It is, of course, not a perfect world, but still we try. Advertisement It may be interesting to watch for defections from the lapdog media supporters of autocratic micro-management. There already seems to be a trickle, but job-jockeying is fairly common among the scribes Last, but not least, we come to Mr. Trump. Is he the catalyst who triggered this trend? Or is he simply a symptom of a deeply brewing discontent? What can be said is that he has shown that hes a good learner. Taking lessons from his first term, he has been much more careful and wiser in the selection of his accomplices. He has also developed better discipline in dealing with his many critics. He is now much less likely to take their bait and get trapped in pointless verbal conflict. Advertisement As an added bonus, I hereby present a link to British folk rock icon Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band performing The World Turned Upside Down which was the late 18th-century pop tune that was played by the British band as Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown, ending the Revolutionary War. Advertisement Image: cagdesign via Pixabay, Pixabay License. It has been said that Donald Trump has an almost magical ability to get Democrats to say and do incredibly stupid things, the kinds of things that in a sane polity would guarantee their electoral doom. In less than a year theyve defended illegal alien rapists, sex traffickers, murderers and pedophiles. Theyve doxxed and urged the murder of federal immigration agents. Theyve shut down the government, harming their own constituents and admitted they were doing it for political leverage even though they had none and failed. Theyre defending domestic violent criminals, particularly those committing the most outrageous and bloody crimes. Theyre defending narco-terrorists bringing in drugs that are killing 100,000 and more Americans a year while labeling our militarys destruction of their fast boats packed with tons of drugs war crimes, and the list goes on and on. Advertisement I expect them any minute to accuse President Trump of making addicts of fish. These are all 80-20, even 90-10, issues against Democrats. At least some of them are smart enough to understand that. Why, then, do they do it? It is really Trump Derangement Syndrome that compels them to do things so contrary to the political interests of sane, loyal American politicians? Advertisement A recent exchange between DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) provides insight: Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post Thompson, the ranking member on the committee, said, Madam Secretary, you and the gentleman from NCTC referenced the unfortunate accident that occurred with the National Guardsmen being killed. Advertisement Unfortunate accident?! Astonished by Thompsons minimization of the shooting, Noem responded, You think that was an unfortunate accident? It was a terrorist attack. He shot our National Guardsman in the head. Advertisement Thompson was trying to blame the Biden vetting and asylum grant of the alleged killer on the Trump Administration and kept trying to interrupt Noem, who wasnt having any of it. Congressman Thompson, Noem said, I want you to understand, when this individual came into the country, he came under the evacuation of Afghanistan under Operation Allies Welcome, was thoroughly vetted by the Biden administration at that point in time, allowed into our country, and then was never followed up. I want to remind everybody in Congress, we follow the law, and every asylum is supposed to have a check-in every single year, and the Biden administration failed to do that. They vetted this individual, allowed them into our country and did not do due diligence. Advertisement Thompson kept trying to cut her off and resorted to threatening perjury charges. When that didnt work, he tried to intimidate Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent. That didnt work any better: Kent told Thompson, The individual was vetted to serve as a soldier in Afghanistan, and that vetting standard was used by the Biden administration as a ruse to bring him here. Had we followed the standard operating procedures for Special Immigrant Visas, that individual and none of the Allies Welcome people would have come to America. Thats on Joe Biden. Why would any elected representative call a planned, terrorist murder an unfortunate accident? Did he merely misspeak? He later claimed he did, but he certainly didnt try to backtrack at the time. How could anyone misspeak to that degree? How could anyone totally mischaracterize a premeditated terrorist murder? Its because Democrats arent wired right. They really do support criminals and terrorists, not the police or our service members. They hate and threaten any administration official doing their job and upholding American law, the law Congress passed. They fully expect their media propaganda arm to cover their lies and crimes and to push their narratives and warping of the language, and theyre usually right, which is why the favorability ratings of Congress and the media are at historic, abysmal, lows. Most of all, theyre anti-white racists and hate America and most Americans. It certainly goes more deeply. They think themselves the moral and intellectual elite and are outraged when anyone fails to treat them with the obsequiousness they think they deserve. Their policies are perfect, non-falsifiable. They cant possibly be wrong, and when they inevitably fail, they blame everyone but themselves. Thompson was just sufficiently self-aware not to directly blame the murdered and badly injured Guardsmen for the unfortunate accident, but many of his colleagues and other Democrats have implied or directly stated the reason for the accident was the presence of the Guard. Were the Guard not there, protecting honest citizens and dramatically reducing crime in the Nations Capital, the Muslim alleged killer would not have been forced to involve himself in the unfortunate accident. While TDS may be a partial motivating factor, the truth is they do what they do because its who and what they are, which does not bode well for America. 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. Anxious to change the subject from migrants and their health care failure, Democrats released their mighty Epstein files, with at least one image misleadingly doctored up to smear President Trump. It didn't go well for them. And for the press, which ate it up, it was even worse. Advertisement Get a load: BREAKING: Oversight Dems received 95,000 new photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate. 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! pic.twitter.com/nQNIywayb9 Oversight Dems (@OversightDems) December 12, 2025 I strongly suspect the condom picture was fake, given that Trump was not well known for words like 'huuuge' until he ran for president in 2015 and that kind of artwork came out only in the last decade. If it wasn't that, it was probably Epstein's way of insulting Trump, given that he viewed him as the worst person in the world, as he put it. Advertisement But the black and white picture of Trump with women with their faces blacked out is where the real fake news happened and the media fell for it. The picture shows Trump with a group of women with their faces blacked out, suggesting that Trump was consorting with minors for pervert purposes. That's fake. Turns out the picture was an old picture, a public photo that ran in the new women pictured were professional models or beauty pageant contestant and all were older than 18, not minors who needed their faces blacked out. Advertisement Various accounts say they were beauty contest competitors (Trump ran beauty pageants years ago) from either a Hawaiian Tropic contest, or the Miss Universe pageant. But this didn't stop Democrats from trying to smear Trump as if they were -- and only the media as well as assorted internet dweebs were easily fooled. Advertisement This is what Trump means when he refers to the Epstein hoax. Hes not trying to undermine the central point that Epstein was a piece of shit. Hes pointing out the spin and falsehoods being peddled by Congressional Democrats: pic.twitter.com/PezIlRxO9q Raheem J. Kassam (@RaheemKassam) December 13, 2025 The press bought it unquestioningly, missing the little disinformation operation they were the targets of and buying it hook, line, and sinker: Trump, Clinton and Gates are included in an Epstein photo trove of roughly 95,000 files the House Oversight Committee received. House Dems publicly released 19 photos Friday morning. https://t.co/Ka1rDCBF5g POLITICO (@politico) December 12, 2025 Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton appear in new photos released by Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that are connected to the estate of Jeffrey Epstein. https://t.co/amIIlxVbVF pic.twitter.com/4g6SHZkFpV Advertisement December 12, 2025 President Donald Trump on Friday addressed the release of newly surfaced photographs from Jeffrey Epsteins estate, adding that he had not viewed the images. Read more: https://t.co/z1CMCmeXVt pic.twitter.com/cq1vE2mWwk ABC News 4 (@ABCNews4) December 13, 2025 EPSTEIN NEW PHOTOS | More images from Epstein investigation surface see which big names appear. Read more: https://t.co/XYe5uTjyBc pic.twitter.com/RnA99fGeuo WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) December 12, 2025 Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Friday released 19 photos obtained from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including images of President Trump and former President Bill Clinton. https://t.co/tbQikxX537 Advertisement December 12, 2025 "I don't know anything about it." President Trump was asked about newly released photos obtained from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They were made public by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee on Friday, and included images of Trump and former pic.twitter.com/ssBIu5IFjH CBS News (@CBSNews) December 13, 2025 The tweeters said stupid things: One of many reasons Trumps trying to start a war with Venezuela. Hes In The Epstein Files. pic.twitter.com/LeAEBWV5Pw Not Your Average Liberal (@NotAvgLiberal) December 13, 2025 Yesterday, MSDNCs legal reporter suggested that the women in the Trump photo are either minors and/or survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Its now been revealed that the women were all adult Hawaiian Tropic models at a Mar-a-Lago event. You cant hate the pic.twitter.com/1EbJn2RJuy Patri0tsareinContr0l (@Patri0tContr0l) December 13, 2025 The New York Post exposed the idiocy through a technique called 'reporting': Unredacted Trump photos from Epstein files dump reveal glamorous group of adult models: He was very gentlemanly https://t.co/RrME3m3RI2 pic.twitter.com/juq9KBRMn9 New York Post (@nypost) December 12, 2025 Tweeters caught it, too: The 2 Democrat Epstein bombshells were total scams. The photo of Trump with redacted faces end up being adult models. The email of Trump with redacted victim ends up being Virginia Giuffre. All the Democrats do is lie. pic.twitter.com/O4u0HNrTXc C3 (@C_3C_3) December 13, 2025 It's so bad it's become a meme: Democrats have released another photo from the Epstein files of Donald Trump with an unknown child in a hotel. "We got him now !!!" pic.twitter.com/FA5444cL2y Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) December 14, 2025 And Jonathan Turley notes that there might just be libel-law problems for Congress and the press -- actually, there certainly are -- I took libel law at Columbia journalism school's class at the law school and this is exactly what it is: When the Democrats released the photo of Trump with all of the women with their faces blacked out, I wrote how this is a case of "false light" to suggest that these could be underage girls from Epstein's island. https://t.co/6BDeQOrqeu The unredacted picture has now been found... Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) December 14, 2025 It's amazing how quickly this fake news was found out -- I learned it was fake before I even learned it was news -- and how desperate Democrats are to pin something, anything, on Trump, willing to use smear tactics and dirty tricks to achieve that end. Most of the press, with all its layers of fact-checkers and editors, deemed so necessary to the news, didn't check the clown show at all. But the internet did, exposing them as gullible fools. Bzzzt! Game over, idiots. Image: X screen shot President Trump should be done playing games with the spineless relics infesting his administration. Reports are that he's fed up with Attorney General Pam Bondi's pathetic inaction, her failure to unleash hell on the Deep State criminals and Democrat scum who tried to destroy him. It's time for a brutal New Year's shake-up: axe Bondi and install a true warrior like Matt Gaetz or Sidney Powell to lead the DOJ into an ultra-MAGA rampage. This isn't optional -- it's a savage necessity to obliterate the swamp, reclaim midterms momentum, and deliver the vengeance the base demands. Bondi's weakness is bleeding MAGA dry, handing victories to the radical left while our enemies laugh on CNN. Trump must strike harder, filter out the RINOs, and weaponize justice against the traitors who rigged RussiaGate, weaponized the FBI, and shielded pedophile networks. Anything less is surrender. Bondi's tenure is a disgraceful parade of botched opportunities and cowardly retreats, starting with her catastrophic mishandling of the indictment of James Comey. This slimy FBI hack was the architect of the Russia hoax, peddling fake dossiers to sabotage Trump's first term. Yet under Bondi, the DOJ's special prosecutor Lindsey Halligan illegally botched the process, leading a judge to toss the case like yesterday's trash. MAGA warriors are raging, and rightfully so -- this failure let Comey slither away unscathed, emboldening the Deep State to mock our fight for accountability. Even Trump's own allies are howling for Bondi's head, with calls to disbar her for this amateur-hour screw-up that reeks of incompetence or worse, deliberate sabotage. The base was promised blood for the RussiaGate perps -- Obama, Clinton, the whole cabal -- but Bondi delivers zilch, slow-walking indictments while Democrats strut around claiming vindication. This isn't leadership; it's treasonous foot-dragging that fractures our unity and saps rally energy just as the 2026 midterms loom. Worse still, Bondi's Epstein files fiasco is a gut-punch to every patriot demanding exposure of the elite pedophile ring. Trump signed the bill mandating full release, vowing to unmask the monsters who trafficked kids with impunity. But Bondi dragged her feet, dumping redacted dribbles with no bombshells, hiding names that could torch the swamp's untouchables. Lawmakers are pounding her for status updates, accusing her of stonewalling to protect powerful allies from the Deep State. Republicans warn her not to bury the files with delays or blackouts, but Bondi's overhyped "phases" have enraged the base, sparking chaos and mockery from the left. This isn't caution; it's cover-up cowardice that erodes trust and lets predators like Clinton and Obama remain untouchable. MAGA won't stand for it -- frustration is fracturing our ranks, sucking oxygen from Trump's real wins on borders, economy, and peace deals. Democrats stay locked in fascist unity while we bicker; Bondi's placeholders protect permanent Washington, demoralizing voters and dooming us to midterm slaughter. The swamp left thrives on Bondi's impotence, pumping their chests on news shows as she fires career prosecutors probing their corruption but spares the big fish. Her history screams trouble: clashing with Senate members over weaponizing the DOJ, and even denouncing judges in a tirade that exposes her as a partisan hack unfit for the role. Civil rights groups blast her as lacking independence, a recycled insider shielding abuses. Trump's base is pissed, and he's listening -- insiders whisper he's eyeing a post-midterm purge to dump underperformers like Bondi and Kash Patel. He demands she prosecute foes now, not later, but her promises on Fox evaporate into zero indictments. Patience? That's code for betrayal. Keeping her is a self-inflicted wound, letting intelligence abuses fester and radical Dems like Rep. Ilhan Omar skate. Enter the real fighters: Sidney Powell or Matt Gaetz, beasts ready to unleash the kraken on the corrupt. Powell has the righteous fury to hunt down the Russia hoax architects -- Gen. Mike Flynn himself demands Trump appoint her immediately, ditching Bondi's weakness. She's battled deep state plots, so she's perfect for an ultra-MAGA DOJ that prosecutes without mercy. Gaetz, the firebrand who terrorizes RINOs, was Trump's original AG pick and still commands Florida's GOP base with ironclad loyalty. He's eyeing bigger roles, but as AG, he'd dismantle the weaponized bureaucracy, delivering the accountability that Bondi failed to deliver. Either would transform the department into a MAGA strike force, prosecuting Obama-Biden corruption, FBI abuses, and terrorist enablers with unrelenting force. Trump's second term can't afford Bondi's dithering -- it's war, not a tea party. Firing her isn't just smart; it's existential for MAGA survival. The base is devastated, momentum hemorrhaging as Democrats mock our chaos. Demand better, patriots: bombard Mar-a-Lago, flood X, rally outside the DOJ. This shake-up is Trump's Merry Christmas gift to America -- purge the weak, install the warriors, and watch the swamp drain in rivers of redacted tears. Ultra-MAGA isn't a slogan; it's the hammer we wield to crush our enemies. Fire Bondi now, or watch 2026 slip into leftist oblivion. The great Thomas Sowell once remarked: Advertisement It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong. That observation is the perfect springboard into a thought experiment: what if decisionmakers were required to live inside the consequences of their own policies? What if the price of being wrong was not paid by distant strangers, but by the very people who made the choice? Advertisement In a reflective sense, this idea highlights the gap between theory and reality. Judges, politicians, and voters often make decisions in the abstract, insulated from the ripple effects. They speak of compassion, reform, or progress, but the costs are borne elsewhere. Lets give them what they want becomes a challenge that ties belief to responsibility. If you truly believe in a policy, you should be willing to live with it -- not just in theory, but in practice. Now imagine this principle applied literally, in a somewhat-satirical fashion. Advertisement Judges who release criminals without bail would find their porches transformed into halfway houses. Every ruling comes with a knock at the door: Good evening, Your Honor. Im the guy you said was safe to rejoin society. Mind if I crash here? Those who strike down deportation orders would discover their guest rooms filled with the very migrants they insisted should stay. Advertisement Voters who supported open borders or lenient criminal justice policies would be enrolled in the Policy Immersion Program, their homes repurposed as pilot projects. Square footage determines how many policy beneficiaries they host. A McMansion becomes a bustling dormitory; a studio apartment, a crowded hostel. Democracy, at last, is personal. Extend the satire to policing. Advertisement Communities that voted to defund the police would see squad cars replaced with therapy vans. When a burglary occurs, a social worker arrives armed with a clipboard and a soothing tone: Sorry your home was broken into. Lets talk about how that makes you feel. When violence erupts, a counselor offers breathing exercises. The neighborhood watch becomes a neighborhood listening circle. Advocates of this system would be the first to live under it, their 911 calls rerouted to the Department of Empathy and Equity. Advertisement The humor lies in the absurdity, but the reflection lies in the truth beneath it. Policies are easy to support when someone else pays the price. Sowells warning reminds us that danger lies in decisions divorced from consequences. By imagining a world where advocates must inhabit their own policies, we expose the gap between rhetoric and reality. The slogan walk a mile in their shoes becomes walk a mile in your own policies. Such a system would test sincerity. If a voter truly believes in open borders, then sponsoring immigrant families would be an act of integrity rather than inconvenience. If a judge believes in rehabilitation, then welcoming formerly incarcerated individuals into his home and a neighborhood community program would demonstrate his faith in redemption. If a community believes social workers can replace police, then living under that model would prove their conviction. Hypocrisy evaporates when every policy is a boomerang, returning to the hand that threw it. Of course, the results would be chaotic. Judges discover that rehabilitation looks different when its happening in their living rooms. Voters realize that compassionate housing feels less noble when the bathroom line stretches down the hall. Communities that replaced police with social workers learn that empathy doesnt stop bullets. The satire exaggerates the situations, but the reflection is clear: policies must be tested not just in theory, but in lived reality. In the end, Lets give them what they want is not a threat but a challenge. It asks decisionmakers and their supporters to align their lives with their ideals, to ensure that the distance between choice and consequence is measured not in miles, but in steps taken together. Sowells quote reminds us that democracy falters when decisions are costfree for those who make them. Satire sharpens the point, but reflection deepens it: if we truly believe in a policy, we should be willing to live with it. If we are unwilling, perhaps our belief is less conviction than convenience and hollow virtue-signaling. Image: Pexels // Pexels License Among the first things I taught my new students at the beginning of every new school year was the difference between deference and respect. One defers to others because of their position of authority, regardless of whether they are honest, honorable, decent and capable. Respect, however, must be earned every day. We defer to others because of their positions and to a lesser degree, their accomplishments. We respect others because of who they are, because theyve proved themselves worthy of our respect regardless of their positions of authority. Advertisement In the military, you defer to rank, but you respect those who dont trade on it, or who don't fling their accomplishments in your face. If youre good, everyone knows it. If youre compelled to brag, all youll get is deference, and cold deference at that. I speak of Senator Mark Kelly of the Seditious Six. Advertisement Their video encouraging service members to disobey orders under the guise of disobeying unlawful orders, none of which they could identify, was part of a plot not only to damage the Commander in Chief and our military, but to encourage a military coup. They willingly followed in the footsteps of General Mark Milley, who told his Chinese counterpart hed warn him in advance of any US military move against China. Stung when they couldnt come up with a single illegal order by Trump or SecWar Pete Hegseth, the Seditious Six hatched the you cant shoot narco-terrorists again if you miss the first time or its a war crime hoax. When that blew up in their faces, Sen. Mark Warner took the next step and actively encouraged a military coup: Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post Advertisement Kelly, a retired Navy CaptainO6had a distinguished career. A fighter pilot, he flew 39 Gulf War combat missions and he was an astronaut. We honor his service no less and no more than we honor the service of every honorably discharged veteran of any rank. But honorable service in the past doesnt necessarily equate to personal honor and to a person worthy of respect in later years. So fierce has been the backlash against the Seditious Six and so lame their attempts to justify their color revolution video, Elissa Slotkin has recently claimed they made the video because so many members of the military personally spoke with them about their fear of illegal orders. Thats a revelation none of the Six trotted out until weeks later, when theyd had time to concoct that narrative. Were that true, a military man like Kelly, still subject to the UCMJ, surely would have known the proper way to handle their concerns would have been to contact those in charge of the military branches and their military lawyers to ensure military members fully understood their obligations. Instead, they chose to undermine our CiC and the military. Advertisement Kelly also knows hes in potential legal and career trouble: Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post Rather than wisely remain quiet, he has chosen to continue to attack President Trump: Graphic: Social Media Post Kelly should know better. Military service has never defined patriotism, nor does lack of service prevent one from understanding what it is to be an American. Circa 2023, only about 6.1% of adults 18 and older had served. This is a particularly insidious, deceptive thing to say as anyone who has served knows the constitutional necessity and sanctity of civilian control of the military. Of our 46 presidents, 26 have served. Kellys implication that members of a mans family who have not served have any bearing on his patriotism or fitness to be CiC is at once stupid and insulting. Service members know who truly cares about them, and they have no doubt about Donald Trumps feelings for and dedication to them. His restoration of the warrior ethos by doing away with DEI and other social pathologies has seen recruitment shoot to record levels in only a few months. Graphic: Social Media Post Just as the Seditious Six cannot identify a single illegal order made by Trump, Kelly cannot identify anything Trump has done to violate the Constitution. On the other hand, I suspect the military can specify Kellys multiple violations of the UCMJ. Whether Kelly will face recall and court martial will be largely a political and legal question. If he does not, it will be largely because Donald Trump has greater concern for the good of our military and America than for punishing a man who manifestly deserves it. That, unlike Kelly, is worthy of deference and respect. 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. How many times did Democrats impeach Trump last time? Two? Three? Impeachment is one constitutional mechanism for removing a president from office, but they did the last act of impeachment theater after he already left, which was odd because he was supposed to be a dictator who would never leave office. And what was that one about anyway? A phone call? A mean tweet? Or was it just because, reasons and TRUMP!? They knew he wouldnt be convicted in the Senate, so what was the point apart from terminal TDS? Upon conviction, would they have reinstated him and removed him again? Advertisement With this ignoble history, Democrats tried again led by the volatile and erratic Al Green: Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post The general reaction seemed to be,' Yeah, yeah, yeah' as he got himself all spooled up. Advertisement ...As he demanded a vote to impeach Trump on Wednesday, Green called him an abuser of presidential power. According to Green, the president is engendering invidious hate, putting American lives at risk, undermining our democracy, and dissolving our Republic. Advertisement Well, undermining our democracy, a tyranny of the majority, sure, but dissolving our Republic, which Democrats hate is pure projection. Citing Trumps fiery response to Democrat lawmakers seditious video calling on military service members and intelligence officials to refuse illegal orders from the Trump administration, Green argued that if any other president had said that sedition is punishable by death the opposition party would have voted to impeach him. Advertisement Uh, sedition is punishable by death, but Green was rolling, so The congressman went on to invoke the names of late civil rights activists Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), calling on his fellow representatives to take a stand, like they did, and impeach Trump. Advertisement Graphic: Social Media Post I will take a stand to protect government of the people, by the people, for the people. I will take a stand to impeach this abuser of presidential power. I will do so even if I must stand alone, because for me, on this issue, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all, Green stated. Democrats are infamous for standing united against anything good for America and certainly against Trump, but not this time: Graphic: X Post Amazingly, 23 Democrats voted against Green, though surely not for Trump. More voted present. According to Axios, some Democrats were angry with Green for putting them in this position: Infuriated Dems help GOP quash another Trump impeachment vote Nearly two dozen House Democrats voted with Republicans on Thursday to block one of their own members from forcing a vote to impeach President Trump. Why it matters: The vote enraged Democrats, many of whom despise the increasingly caustic use of impeachment as a political tool but dont want to be seen as supporting Trumps actions and risk angering the party base. *I hate it, one senior House Democrat told Axios on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly about a sensitive vote. *This is not a team effort, another House Democrat told Axios. It puts us in a difficult position. Are there really a substantial number of Democrats worried about the consequencesfor America?!--of misusing impeachment? Against Donald Trump!? Thats possible, but unlikely. Given the opportunity, even if they knew he would never be convicted in the Senate, theyd do it again. If he died in office, theyd likely exhume his corpse and take another run at him. So, why not now? Even though theyre painting their disastrous shutdown as a political victory, the smarter among them know better. Crying affordability will only be effective until Trumps policies begin to really take effect in Summer. They know that too, and his favorability ratings arent nearly as bad as their media propaganda arm is portraying. Theyre claiming theyre destined to take the House and even the Senate in the mid-terms, but thats no sure thing, and theyre pretty sure they can depend on Republicans to keep being the Stupid Party and doing nothing of consequence between now and then. If Republicans dont do the things they were elected to do, thats great for Democrats. Why mess that up now with impeachment theater when Normal Americans may be utterly disgusted with Republicans after the mid-terms? It's possible cooler heads among Democrats may be prevailing, even as Communists are about to become mayors on each coast, Jasmine Crockett is running for Senate in Texas and Gavin Newsom is running for POTUS while pretending he hasnt made up his mind. If Democrats are regaining a modicum of political common sense, thats bad for the country. 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. Welcome to another installment of Today in Insanity, in which well take a quick look at several stories that will make you shake your head and say to yourself, what the bleep?! Advertisement First up, we have Sen. Eric Schmitt being queried by a female reporter with a British accent. The reporter referred to the sleek and powerful watercraft being used by Venezuelan drug runners to ferry cocaine and fentanyl to America as fishing boats. Seriously. Would she call aircraft carriers tugboats? Would she term Hellfire missiles bottle rockets? B-1 bombers gliders? Advertisement You cannot hate the mainstream media enough folks. You just cant. Next up we have the specter of the Venezuelan leader himself, Nicolas Maduro, dancing to a song apparently titled No War, Yes Peace. This would be as if, after menacing Europe for years, Adolf Hitler was seen in public singing, All we are saying is give peace a chance. Advertisement As if that little number wasnt enough kitsch, Maduro recently sang Bobby McFerrins 1988 hit, Dont Worry, Be Happy. He also declared that Christmas and New Years had already arrived in the erstwhile Jewel of South America that he has so thoroughly destroyed. Oh, and he did tell rally attendees to be ready to smash the teeth of the North American Empire if necessary. Good luck with that. Dont worry, be happy. Advertisement Gavin Slick Newsom, governor of California, Americas version of Venezuela, recently appeared on an episode of The Ezra Klein Show. Newsom stated, I wanna see trans kids. I have a trans godson. Theres no governor thats done more pro-trans legislation than I have. You see, Newsom, too, has a dream. He has a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all trans men are men and all trans women are women. Advertisement He has a dream that his 33-year old trans godson, Nats Getty, who's an heir to the Getty fortune, will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged, but will judge others by their reaction to theys preferred pronouns. And he has a dream that one day, little trans boys and trans girls will be able to join hands with other trans boys and trans girls. As sisters and brothers. Or whatever. And finally, a woman in Canada who has waited years for surgery has become so pain-ridden and distraught she applied for the nations Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program. Her request was (relatively) promptly approved. Advertisement Thousands of Canucks have died while on waiting lists for medical procedures. One question seems relevant here: How come Canadians dont have to wait nearly as long to be euthanized? Til next time. Try to stay sane. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Leon Towers grew up without ever knowing what it meant to be loved. Born in 1975, he was six weeks old when he was found in his cot beside his fathers body. His mother was arrested for the death, and by the time it was discovered that his father had taken his own life, Leon had already been placed in foster care. That brief beginning was the last time he would see anything resembling a home. From there, the system meant to protect him delivered something else entirely. In the foster home he grew up in, under rules he felt were designed to crush him, Leon spent the first 14 years of his life in torment: beaten, psychologically tortured, and told that his mother had murdered his father. When he was just eight-years-old, he was forced to spend 14 hours standing naked in the freezing coal shed as a punishment for taking a piece of bread without asking. He was forbidden from speaking and would go the whole weekend without saying a single word, desperate for the school week to roll around out of fear he would eventually lose his voice altogether. Every mirror in the house was draped with towels so he couldnt see his own reflection; his foster parents would tell him it was because he was ugly. Each morning on his walk to school, Leon would be forced to fix his hair in wing mirror windows, with no other way to see what he looked like. Leon became a child nobody wanted to hear or see. It was an era when sweeping public sector cuts introduced by the Thatcher government, combined with a surge in demand for social services, left local authorities unable to keep up. An already underfunded and poorly supervised care system meant vulnerable children easily fell through the cracks and were failed by those meant to protect them. I was held captive there, I couldn't escape I was just living in this torture, this prison, this hell, and I couldn't escape it, he told The Independent. Donate here or text SAFE to 70577 to give 10 to Missing People enough for one child to get help. Leon Towers at 14 years old, six days before he went missing and was kidnapped (Leon Towers) The Independent is aiming to raise 165,000 to help launch SafeCall a free new service that will provide children in crisis with confidential support, guidance and a route to safety. Around 70,000 children go missing each year in the UK. As one of those children, Leon believed he would be better off missing than staying in care, even if it meant he might be killed. One night, he slipped away into the Cumbrian dark. When a man approached him on a park bench offering somewhere to stay, Leon thought he was finally being shown kindness. In reality, it was the beginning of unimaginable horrors. He was abducted and taken to London four days later, where he was trafficked into a paedophile ring. He was told he had to keep moving to avoid being returned to foster care. Over the next three months, he was taken to 17 homes across the country. He stayed no more than a week in each place, raped by older men before being moved on to the next house where the abuse would be repeated. Leon, his partner Dean, and their rescue dog Tron (Leon Towers) Nearly three decades later, Leon remembers every place he stayed. They were never homes; they were flats with a bed and sometimes a couch, rented for that sole purpose. Too young to understand what sex was, he believed these men were his friends. He was taken to nightclubs and made to feel like a celebrity. His abusers bought him clothes and played him tapes in the car between houses to make it feel like a holiday. Even when he was pushed against a wall and suffocated, or when a married man with children told him he would be killed if he ever spoke about the rapes, Leon still felt, in a distorted way, that he was being cared about for the first time. He did not realise he had been raped until he was 29. He later discovered that the man who kidnapped him went on to murder someone who had previously taken him to London and subjected him to the same abuse. After three months, Leon escaped and stayed with another boy in the same trafficking network. A few days later, he placed his trust in adults again and went to a police station for help, certain this would be a turning point. When I escaped that paedophile ring, I went to the police station... It was about five o'clock. It was pitch black, it was pouring down with rain, and I was drenched to the skin. I went into a police station in Newcastle, and I said, My name is Leon, and I think you're looking for me. They basically said, I haven't got a clue who you are. You've come to the wrong place, you need to go to social services. You better be quick, it shuts at half five. The panic of running through an unfamiliar city in the dark to find social services before closing time has never left him. I'd already been away a few days before I went to the police. I was having to eat out with dust bins. I remember eating a half-eaten burger out of a bin because I was starving. I had nowhere to go. I only had the clothes I was standing in. I'm 14. I'm terrified that they're gonna find me again and catch me, and I just didn't know what to do. Banging on the doors of social services in torrential rain, Leon was let in and placed in care for the night. The next day, he was taken back to his original foster home. For the first time, he wasnt scared of his carers. A few days later, he left again and was moved into residential care full-time. He spent the next two years trying to obliterate every memory: stealing cars, shoplifting, taking drugs. His turning point came at 18, when he became a father for the first time. Leons first time meeting his mother Audrey Clifford (Leon Towers) In 2009, he wrote Leon: A Lost Childhood, a book about his life. His mother, Audrey, bought it that year and read it without knowing her son had written it. Terrified that he wanted nothing to do with her, she had never dared get in touch. As a child, Leon convinced himself she was Audrey Hepburn, an idea sparked after watching Breakfast at Tiffanys. In my head, I built this story that she was in Hollywood making movies, and when she made enough money, she was going to come back and get me, he said. That's what kept me going through all of that trauma. He was always sure he would get a birthday card from her on his eighteenth birthday. When nothing arrived, it was the most upset he had ever been about her absence. After posting an appeal on Facebook for information about his father, he learned that his father had abused his mother and sold her to men to be gang raped to pay off his gambling debt. In March 2020, Leon messaged her. I'm so sorry for what you went through and what you've been through, and I'm reaching out to you to say I never knew any of this. I've always loved you, you're my mum. I always wanted to find you, but I didn't think you were looking for me. She replied within three minutes. They spoke every day until meeting in person that May. Forty-five birthday cards from Leons mother on his 45th birthday (Leon Towers) On his 45th birthday, she sent him 45 birthday cards. We've spoken every day ever since, and it's five years later We're a massive part of each other's lives. Leon is now a fierce advocate for children. He runs a YouTube channel, Lets Talk Trauma TV, discussing issues including child sex trafficking, domestic and sexual abuse. Next July, he will front a series investigating 10 unsolved cases of children disappearing from care homes. Somebody needs to be their voice... being brought up in the care system [I realised] that when people go missing, nobody's actively looking for them. A soon-to-be ambassador for Missing People, Leon says it is vital to break the cycle of children going missing and reminds people that no child disappears without a reason. Please donate now to The Independent and Missing Peoples SafeCall campaign, which aims to raise 165,000 to create a free, nationwide service helping vulnerable children find safety and support. For advice, support and options if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call the charity Missing People on 116 000. Its free, confidential and non-judgemental. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/get-help 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. If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call Childline free of charge on 0800 1111. You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adults on 0808 801 0331. Counter-terrorism officials are re-vetting Afghan evacuees who entered under Joe Biden - Akhter Gulfam/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Joe Bidens administration ignored counter-terrorism warnings to admit Afghans with terrorist links into the US, it has been claimed. Officials flagged more than 1,000 Afghans with ties to Islamic State (IS) and other terror groups who came over during Operation Allies Welcome, following the US bungled withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, a senior intelligence official told The Telegraph. But Mr Biden, the former president, is said to have prioritised mass migration over security and disregarded warnings from those within his administration who identified terrorist threats. US government reports have previously concluded the normal system of background checks was suspended because of the pressing need to evacuate Afghans following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. On Nov 26, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan soldier who fought alongside American forces and was granted humanitarian parole in the US under Mr Biden, shot and killed a National Guardsman and left another in critical condition. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her injuries on Thanksgiving. Andrew Wolfe, 24, is still recovering in hospital, but is expected to survive. Mr Lakanwal is thought to have been radicalised in the US. Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged with first-degree murder - Nathan Howard/Reuters According to a senior official with the ODNI (Office of the Director of National Intelligence), around 1,400 Afghan nationals were flagged up as potential terrorists. However, that figure has now been revised up to 2,000 by the National Counterrorism Centre (NCTC). This makes up two-thirds of the 3,000 known jihadists located in the US, according to the NCTC. Joe Kent, director of the NCTC, told Congress on Thursday that the number one threat to the US was that we dont know who came into our country in the last four years of Bidens open borders. Last week, immigration agents arrested Jaan Shah Safi, whom Donald Trumps administration claims is an unvetted Afghan who supported IS and had provided weapons to his father, a militia commander in Afghanistan. The day before the Washington DC shooting, authorities arrested Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, an Afghan national who allegedly posted a video on social media about building a bomb. Both men entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome. The deliberate decision was taken to evacuate tens of thousands of Afghan nationals and their immediate relatives on the premise that the principal applicants had rendered significant service to the US government effort in Afghanistan, said Simon Hankinson, a senior fellow with the Heritage Foundation and former diplomat. However, he continued, the US did not have the time or means to determine which evacuees had terrorist or Taliban links, or even their true identities. Watchdog reports have cast doubt on claims by Mr Bidens administration that it carried out comprehensive checks of the roughly 85,000 Afghans who entered in the wake of the evacuation. According to the FBI... the normal processes required to determine whether individuals posed a threat to national security and public safety were overtaken by the need to immediately evacuate and protect the lives of Afghans, an audit from June states. Afghans climb on to a plane as they wait to be evacuated from Kabul in August 2021 - Wakil Kohsar/AFP One review by the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) inspector general found border agents did not have critical data to properly screen, vet, or inspect the evacuees because they did not have even basic information, including peoples names and dates of birth, and did not have access to their travel documents. We also determined CBP [Customs and Border Patrol] admitted or paroled evacuees who were not fully vetted into the United States, according to the report, which was released in Sept 2022. In response, homeland security insisted it had screened all Afghan nationals prior to parole into the United States by working with intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism officials a claim contradicted by the senior ODNI source. The Biden administration prioritised mass migration over security, disregarding NCTC professionals who identified terrorist threats, to grant mass parole and admit violent extremists, dangerous criminals, and drug-traffickers into our country, they said. Mr Lakanwal, who settled in Bellingham, Washington, shouted Allahu Akbar before shooting the two National Guard members, according to court documents. He has been charged with first-degree murder, and Pam Bondi, the attorney general, has indicated she will seek the death penalty if he is convicted. Tributes left at the scene of the National Guard shooting in Washington DC. Sarah Beckstrom, was killed in the attack - Will Oliver/EPA/Shutterstock Mr Lakanwal, a former special forces commander, is said to have undergone tactical wartime vetting to fight alongside US forces in Afghanistan, the source said. However, the Biden administration allegedly tore up security protocols by using this vetting to determine his suitability to live in the US, providing him with a Special Immigrant Visa. Biden endangered national security by allowing this war zone vetting standard to be used to grant Afghans, like Lakanwal, access to live alongside the American people, the ODNI official said, adding this had never been used in this way before. Last month, Mr Kent said 85,000 Afghans, including those with backgrounds similar to Mr Lakanwal, had been admitted to the US without the rigorous vetting that has protected us in the past. Referring to the National Guard shooting, he added: Incidents like this arent isolated theyre the predictable outcome of prioritising speed and volume over security. Counter-terrorism officials are re-vetting Afghan evacuees who entered under Mr Biden, and have passed on a list of those with links to known or suspected terrorists to homeland security. Mr Bidens representatives were contacted for comment. The mystery of four airmen who vanished when their warplane ran into trouble over remote Papua New Guinea more than 80 years ago has finally been answered. Flight Sergeant John Eardley Kenny was piloting the No. 100 Squadron Beaufort A9-211 alongside navigator Flight Sergeant Arthur John Davies and wireless operators/air gunners Flight Sergeants Thomas Burrowes and Murray Fairbairn when it ran into adverse whether conditions while on a night mission on December 14, 1943. The aircraft, which had departed from Goodenough Island in the Solomon Sea, never returned and its four young crewmen declared missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, after 82 years, the family of the missing airmen may soon have answers after the Royal Australian Air Force identified the aircraft following extensive analysis of a wreckage found in the rugged Baining Mountains of East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea in 2021. The crew of No 100 Squadron Beaufort A9-211: Flight Sergeants John Kenny (Pilot), Arthur Davies (Navigator), Thomas Burrowes (Wireless Operator and Air Gunner) and Murray Fairbairn (Wireless Operator and Air Gunner). The aircraft was lost during a night-time mission against enemy forces at Rabaul on 14 December 1943. Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said the discovery was significant. (It) offers the chance to provide closure to families who have long wondered about the final resting place of loved ones, Mr Keogh said. The Australian Government is committed to honouring the service and sacrifice of Australian military personnel from all theatres of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a measure of who we are as a nation that we continue to strive to find, recover and identify our missing service personnel. Mr Keogh thanked authorities in neighbouring Papua New Guinea, including the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery, without which, he said, the investigation could not have taken place. A propeller from Beaufort A9-211 erected on the site by local villagers as a memorial to the crew. Look at a map and the challenge faced by investigators is immediately apparent. Located in the northeast corner of Papua New Guinea, the Bainang Mountains appear as a sea of green with seldom little settlement. Australian servicemen fought extensively alongside Papuan soldiers after the Japanese overran the then-Territory of New Guinea in 1942. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt until the Japanese surrender in 1945 that those forces left. The manufacturers compliance plate from the starboard aileron of Beaufort A9-211, indicating manufacture serial number 211. Like much of the Pacific theatre, it was disease and starvation that lead to a significant amount of Japanese casualties. Over the past decade, the RAAF have identified seven aircraft which went missing during World War II, recovered remains of two aviators, and accounted for 41 aviators deemed missing in action. The search continues, though, for the more than 3140 missing aviators with no known grave, involving more than 1000 aircraft missing from World War II and the Korean War. Eyewitnesses have recounted being shot as they grabbed their children and seeing bodies all over the floor as horror unfolded during the terror attack at Bondi beach on Sunday. Gunmen opened fire during a celebration on the first day of Hanukkah at the famous Sydney beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring a further 40 people, including two police officers. Australian officials described it as a targeted antisemitic attack and an act of terrorism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as an antisemitic act of evil. One of the suspected shooters was also killed, while a second was in critical condition. Police said the gunmen were father and son. A woman holds her baby in a blanket after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach (AFP via Getty Images) Australia, one of the worlds safest countries, has been left reeling as harrowing eyewitness accounts emerge from the mass shooting. A father-of-two was celebrating at the Hanukkah event with his wife and children when he said he was hit in the back with shotgun pellets. Dovey, who did not share his surname, told The Telegraph: I just ran, grabbed my kids and just ran down to the beach and hid behind the wall. My wife and two other children actually ran a different direction and were hiding somewhere else. It was a very stressful hour. None of us had our phones on us. So until we all managed to put it all back together and and then I was in the surf lifesavers club and I came back down looking for them. And theres bodies all over the floor, like it was not something that you would ever, in a million years, believe that this is Bondi Beach. I got a graze in the back, a bit of shrapnel in there. So I just came to the hospital. They dug that all out and bandaged it up for me. But Im one of the lucky ones. It was just a terrible event for everybody. Belongings left scattered on Bondi Beach (AP) Witnesses said the shooting at the famed beach, which was packed on a hot summer's evening, lasted about 10 minutes, sending hundreds of people scattering along the sand and into nearby streets and parks. Police said around 1,000 people had attended the Hanukkah event. Initially, you just think, it's a beautiful day down by the beach, said Bondi resident Grace Mathew. You sort of think that people are just having a good time. Then more people ran past and said there's a shooter, there's a mass shooting, and they're killing people. Tourists also described hearing what they thought were fireworks before everyone began to run for shelter. German tourist Marie told Australian outlet 9 News: We were sitting for two minutes, and it just started, the shooting. We thought it was fireworks, but at some point people started screaming and there were the police cars, so we took all our stuff and hid around the corner... [Then] we took off our shoes and just started running up the street... I thought we were going to maybe stay there and die. It was really, really scary. Police cordon off an area at Bondi Beach after the mass shooting (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) But amid the terror were some incredible acts of heroism. Authorities said far more people would have been killed were it not for a bystander, identified by local media as fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed. The 43-year-old was filmed charging at a suspected gunman from behind, grappling with him and wresting a rifle from his hands. "There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," said Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales state, calling the bystander "a genuine hero". A stranger also took a bullet for a three-year-old girl, according to her parents, who recounted the terrifying moment they could not find their child as bullets flew all around. Ambulances around Bondi Beach after the attack in which at least 11 people were killed (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Local Wayne, who did not share his surname, said he grabbed their other daughter Capri and just lay on top of her under a table when the shooting began. But his wife Vanessa, who was elsewhere at the beach, called a minute later, asking if he had their three-year-old Gigi. I'm like I don't have Gigi, she didn't have Gigi, and that's when the absolute panic just set in, he told Sky News Australia. Vanessa said she launched into a desperate search for her daughter. She told the broadcaster: There were bullets all around me. All I can do is scream: 'Where is my family? Where's my little girl?' When the shooting stopped, Wayne began looking for Gigi. There was just blood and bodies everywhere, he said. She was wearing a pink skirt, and I saw this lady lying on top of her. Bystanders stay where police cordon off an area at the Sydney beach (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The woman, called Jess, had herself been shot and was covered in blood. But thanks to her protection, Gigi was safe. I said: 'You've saved my daughter's life. I said: I'll be indebted to you for the rest of my life, Wayne said. Richard Hasten, who also attended the Hanukkah event with his family, recalled enjoying the festivities before he heard gunshots ringing out and ran to take cover. I was laying down and a woman was right in front of me and I could see she was bleeding right in front of me so I took my shirt off to stop the bleeding, he told Australian outlet ABC, adding that he believes she is now fine. People stand on a street in Sydney after the attack (AFP via Getty Images) People across the local area recounted the moment they heard the shots being fired and rushed for whatever shelter they could find. A Briton said he was in his apartment when he heard what he thought were fireworks going off, but when he looked out his window, he saw a man shooting from on top of a white car and people being gunned down. Fin Green told the BBC that he saw people "running and screaming", sprinting towards his building to take cover. He said he quickly shut his blinds and rushed to hide in his wardrobe. Naveed Akrams mother said she could not believe he would carry out a terror attack The two gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach shooting were a father and son, police have revealed. Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram have been identified as the attackers who opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, which killed 15 people. The 50-year-old father, who owned a fruit shop, died after being shot by police. His son remains in hospital under police guard. Their home in Bonnyrigg, 35kms west of Bondi, was raided by police hours after the massacre, Australias worst terror attack since the Port Arthur mass shooting in 1996. Speaking as officers surrounded their home, Naveeds mother, Verena, insisted her son is a good boy. Police searched the home of the two suspects in Bonnyrigg, Sydney, on Sunday night - JEREMY PIPER/EPA/Shutterstock She told the Sydney Morning Herald: He doesnt have a firearm. He doesnt even go out. He doesnt mix around with friends. He doesnt drink, he doesnt smoke, he doesnt go to bad places he goes to work, he comes home, he goes to exercise, and thats it. Anyone would wish to have a son like my son ... hes a good boy. The father and son told their family they were away on a fishing trip in Jervis Bay over the weekend, 200km south of Sydney. Ms Akram said she last spoke with Naveed on Sunday morning, hours before the attack. She said: He rings me up [on Sunday] and said, Mum, I just went for a swim. I went scuba diving. Were going ... to eat now, and then this morning, and were going to stay home now because its very hot. Social media posts from an Islamic centre in Australia show Naveed completed religious studies in 2022, raising questions about possible radicalisation and extremist networks operating in the country. Adam Ismail, the head of the Al-Murad Islamic Institute, where Naveed studied, declined to comment when contacted by The Telegraph. Naveed was laid off as a bricklayer when his company became insolvent and was looking for work in recent weeks. His mother said he had many friends as a teenager at Cabramatta High School, but was not especially social, preferring to spend his time fishing, scuba diving and swimming. Ms Akram is a carer for her elderly mother and a stay-at-home mother for Naveed and his younger sister, 22, and brother, 20. The suburb of Bonnyrigg is home to a large migrant population, with significant Chinese and Vietnamese communities. On Sunday night, chaos erupted near the home as police descended on the Sydney suburb. The street was cordoned off and a helicopter buzzed overhead as dozens of officers swarmed the house. Residents pleaded to get past the cordon to return home, but were kept away as investigators tried to gather information about the gunmen. After being told to move, a group of men became aggressive towards the officers, threatening a policewoman and placing their hands on her handcuffs, the Daily Mail reported. Credit: Sky News The attack is being treated as a terrorist incident and is one of the deadliest acts of anti-Semitic violence in Australian history. Video footage from the scene shows two men dressed in black firing rifles toward the beach from a bridge above a nearby car park at around 6:40pm on Sunday. Police have maintained a heavy presence at the site. Mal Lanyon, the New South Wales Police Commissioner, urged calm, saying investigators were working through multiple lines of inquiry. Authorities in Israel said they were examining responsibility for the attack amid concerns it may have been orchestrated by a foreign state or militant organisations. The shooting occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Australia and Iran, following a series of suspected Iranian-directed attacks on Jewish targets in the country. Australian officials have not publicly confirmed any foreign involvement. However, Israeli officials cited Iran as a primary suspect if a state actor was involved, while also examining possible links to groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, according to media reports in Israel. b' 1512 Bondi shooting ' A senior Israeli security official told Israel Hayom, a Hebrew-language newspaper, that there had been increased activity by Iran in recent months to orchestrate attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, adding that investigators believed the direction and infrastructure of the Bondi Beach attack originated in Tehran. An Israeli intelligence source cited by the newspaper said activity by Iran and its allies had markedly increased in recent months. Another Israeli official said Australia had been among the countries affected, noting that the Australian government had previously taken action against the Iranian embassy following specific intelligence warnings. There is no doubt that the direction and infrastructure for the attack originated in Tehran, the official said. The two suspects seen on a bridge overlooking Bondi Beach Isaac Herzog, Israels president, condemned the shooting as a cruel attack on Jews. At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney have been attacked by vile terrorists, he said. We are utterly shocked and bereaved. Meanwhile, some supporters of Irans regime celebrated the attack on social media. One post praised Naveed Akram as the most diligent member of the 2000s generation to date. Iranian state media reported the shooting using derogatory language, with Tasnim news agency describing the victims in terms similar to those used during recent hostilities between Israel and Iran. Australia formally listed Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation last month. Anthony Albanese, the prime minister, expelled Irans ambassador in August and suspended Australias embassy operations in Tehran, accusing the Islamic Republic of recruiting criminals to carry out anti-Semitic attacks on Australian soil. Paramedics and emergency services treat the injured amid chaos after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach Australias spy chief, Mike Burgess, said in August that Iran had lit the matches and fanned the flames of anti-Semitism in Australia. He said Tehran had directed at least two arson attacks in the past year, including incidents targeting a Melbourne synagogue and a Sydney Jewish restaurant. Iran and its proxies are directing, through a series of cut-outs, people in Australia to undertake these crimes, Mr Burgess said. Lewiss Continental Kitchen, a kosher cafe in Bondi, was targeted in an arson attack in October last year. An Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbournes south east, was also attacked in December. No injuries were reported. Mr Albanese said it was likely the Iranian government had directed further attacks on Jewish targets. These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil, he said. They were attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow discord in our community. Credit: Instagram/mian.ores - X The expulsion of ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi marked the most severe diplomatic crisis between Australia and Iran since the two countries established relations in 1968. Australia has also ordered embassy staff to leave Iran and advised citizens to depart if possible. An Israeli citizen was among those killed in the Bondi Beach attack, Israels foreign ministry confirmed. Gideon Saar, the Israeli foreign minister, urged Canberra to act against what he described as a surge in anti-Semitism during a phone call with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong. Since October 7 there has been a surge in anti-Semitism in Australia, he said, calling on the government to take stronger action against violent incitement. The Iranian foreign ministry on Sunday denounced a violent attack in Sydney. We condemn the violent attack in Sydney, Australia. Terror and killing of human beings, wherever committed, is rejected and condemned, Esmail Baghaei the foreign ministry spokesman, wrote on X. Fifteen people have been killed in a terrorist attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the start of Hanukkah. A 10-year-old girl is among those dead after the attack on more than 1,000 people attending a Jewish festival near the iconic beach at 6.47pm on Sunday. One gunman, aged 50, was shot by police and died at the scene, while a second attacker, 24, was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police said the gunmen were father and son. At least 40 people are receiving treatment in hospital, including three other children. It is the worst mass shooting in Australia since April 1996, when a man shot and killed 35 people and wounded 23 others during a shooting spree in Port Arthur, Tasmania. Here is everything we know about the attack in Sydney: Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after the attack on Bondi Beach (AP) What happened in the Bondi Beach shooting? Crowds had gathered at the popular tourist destination to attend an event called Chanukah by the Sea on Sunday evening. Emergency services were rushed to Campbell Parade at around 6.45pm local time after reports of shots being fired. The police warned members of the public to take shelter before later reporting that two suspects had been captured. Distressing videos circulating on social media appeared to show people on Bondi Beach scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens were heard. Other videos captured the gunmen carrying out the attack on a bridge near where the event was taking place. Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, was hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him (Social Media) Another video showed a heroic father-of-two, Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him. Mr Ahmeds family said the 43-year-old fruit shop owner remains in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, and called him a 100 per cent hero. New South Wales premier Chris Minns praised him as a genuine hero. Who are the victims? In an update on Monday morning, New South Wales Police said the age range of the victims ranged from 10 to 87 years old. Police investigators arrive at the scene of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney (Getty) A total of 14 people died at the scene, including one of the gunmen. A 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man later died in hospital. Police also said that 42 injured people, including four children, were taken to hospitals across Sydney. Five people remain in critical condition with the others remaining in serious and stable conditions, the force said. Two police officers a constable and probationary constable suffered gunshot wounds. Both remain in serious but stable conditions. British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of the victims. A woman wraps a child in a blanket as medical personnel attend to the mass casualty event in Sydney (AFP via Getty) The father-of-five, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London. Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, a colleague and family friend, paid tribute: If Rabbi Eli were here and you asked how to best honour him, he would say that Chanukah is when we light the menorah at the darkest time of the year. He would ask everyone to light the menorah every night of Chanukah and urge others to do the same. He would want us to increase the brightness. To become ambassadors of light. Bondi victim Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, had just welcomed his fifth child with his wife (Instagram) What do we know about the Bondi Beach shooters? Police have not yet formally named the suspected gunmen, but said they were a father and son. They have been named by local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid is thought to have been shot by police and died at the scene, while Naveed suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard. New South Wales Police said the attack has been declared a terrorist incident which specifically targeted the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said the countrys main domestic spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Agency, had investigated Naveed over his links to a Sydney-based Islamic State terrorism cell for six months in 2019. Mr Albanese said there was no evidence the pair were part of a cell or had help with the attack, but were clearly motivated by an extremist ideology. Beachgoers fled after hearing the sound of gunfire (UGC/AFP via Getty) What was the response to the attack? Shortly after the attack, prime minister Mr Albanese told the nation: The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension. We will dedicate every resource required to making sure you are safe and protected, he told Australias Jewish population. Anthony Albanese said his government will dedicate every resource to making Australias Jewish population safe (Reuters) New South Wales premier Chris Minns described the reports and images coming from the scene as deeply distressing. This attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community, Mr Minns said. Mr Minns told a press conference in Sydney that the attack represents some of our worst fears about terrorism. Leaders from across the world condemned the attack, including US president Donald Trump, who praised bystanders who intervened to stop the attacker. This is the moment a heroic bystander tackled a gunman to the ground during the Bondi beach mass shooting as Jewish families gathered to celebrate Hanukkah. Footage appears to show Ahmed el Ahmed tackling one of the suspected terrorists before wrestling a rifle from his hands and pointing it at him, forcing the alleged attacker to retreat. New South Wales Police have confirmed that 16 people have died in the shooting, including one suspected gunman. The other alleged shooter is in police custody and injured. A further 40 are being treated for a range of serious injuries, including two police officers, according to the force, who have confirmed the mass shooting was a terrorist incident that was designed to target the Jewish community. Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, told a press conference in Sydney that the attack represents some of our worst fears about terrorism. He hailed the bystander as a genuine hero as he described footage of the incident as unbelievable. A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people, he added. (AFP via Getty Images) That man is a genuine hero and Ive no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery. The hero, said to be a 43-year-old fruit shop owner from Sutherland Shire, sustained two bullet wounds to his arm and hand but is recovering well in hospital, according to reports. A family member, who was interviewed outside a Sydney hospital where victims from the attack were being treated, said relatives would be allowed to see him soon, adding: We hope he will be fine. He is a hero, 100 per cent, he is a hero. Terrified locals reported hearing up to 50 gunshots in the Archer Park area at around 6.45pm local time, where up to 1,000 people had gathered for an event to celebrate the first day of the Jewish holiday. New South Wales Police warned members of the public to take shelter as they responded to the developing situation. Horrifying footage shared on social media appears to show two shooters firing from a bridge at a beach car park, while members of the public can be heard screaming. Later footage appeared to show two suspects pinned to the ground by police, with shotgun cartridges littered on the floor. Police are investigating whether there was a third attacker or anyone else linked to the atrocity. Australias prime minister Anthony Albanese said: "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it. At least fifteen people were killed including a ten-year-old girl after a terrorist attack on Sydneys Bondi Beach targeted Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah, in what Australias prime minister described as an act of evil. A total of 40 people were hospitalised in the mass shooting after two attackers opened fire on crowds. Police said that the gunmen were father and son. One of the gunmen, aged 50, died while the second suspected gunman, aged 24, is in a critical condition. Mal Lanyon, New South Wales police commissioner, told a press conference in Sydney that he had declared the shooting a terrorist incident. Homemade bombs were also discovered in a car near the scene. Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said it was a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. Twelve people have been killed, including one gunman, while dozens more have been taken to hospital (AP) He added: An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it. One of those killed was London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, his cousin told Jewish News. He was a father-of-five who is reported to have welcomed his youngest child only two months ago. Another victim was an Israeli citizen, the countrys foreign ministry said. Terrified locals reported hearing up to 50 gunshots in the Archer Park area at around 1845 local time [GMT 0745], where up to 1,000 people had gathered for an event to celebrate the first day of the Jewish holiday. The police warned members of the public to take shelter, before later reporting that two suspects had been captured. Horrifying footage shared on social media appears to show two shooters firing from a bridge at a beach carpark, while members of the public can be heard screaming. Later clips appeared to show the two suspects pinned to the ground by police, with shotgun cartridges and shell casings littered on the floor. Police patrol in the early morning following a shooting Sunday at Sydney's Bondi Beach (AP) Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, said beachgoers dropped everything and sprinted towards safety after hearing the pop of gunfire. Everyone just dropped all their possessions and everything and were running and people were crying and it was just horrible, he said. Witness Harry Wilson, 30, told the Sydney Morning Herald he saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere. Relatives paid tribute to Schlanger, who loved helping people after he was named as one of the victims. He was an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, and grew up in Temple Fortune, north London. Schlanger and his wife, Chayala, are said to have celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago. His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, from Brighton, East Sussex, told Jewish News: How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way? We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy. Larisa Kleytman revealed her husband of five decades, Alex, was killed while trying to protect her as the shots rang out. The couple, who travelled from Matraville to celebrate Hanukkah, were in the crowd when Ms Kleytman heard the boom boom of gunfire. They have two children and 11 grandchildren. I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me, in the back of the head, she told the Daily Mail. A bystander has been hailed as a hero after he tackled the gunman (Reuters/Social Media) Separate footage captured the moment a bystander named by local media as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed wrestled a rifle out of the hands of one of the alleged shooters. The man leapt out from behind a car and tackled the gunman from behind, eventually pulling the firearm from his hands and turning it on the suspected attacker. Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, hailed him as a genuine hero as he described the footage as unbelievable. A man walking up to gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people, he added. That man is a genuine hero and Ive no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery. A woman cradles a child in a blanket after the Bondi beach shooting (AFP/Getty) A spokesperson for New South Wales Ambulance said more than 40 crews, including helicopter and road crews, had treated multiple casualties and taken them to hospital. A total of 40 people are being treated at hospitals in Sydney, with some in a serious condition. The wounded police officers condition was described as serious, verging on critical and both were in surgery, Mr Lanyon said. Homemade bombs were also found in a car linked to the deceased gunman. The police chief added: Shortly after the shooting occurred, police located a vehicle in Campbell Parade at Bondi, which we believe has several improvised explosive devices. We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that. Mr Lanyon said that the deceased offender had been known to the authorities, but there had been no specific threat. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News : This is the Jewish community at its best coming together to mark a happy occasion. If we were targeted deliberately in this way, it's something of a scale that none of us could have ever fathomed. It's a horrific thing. He said his media adviser had been wounded in the attack. Beachgoers fled after hearing the pop pop of gunfire (UGC/AFP via Getty Images) The UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer reacted to the deeply distressing news in a post on X, while King Charles, who visited Bondi Beach in 2012, said he and the Queen were appalled by the attack. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community, he added. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy. In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival will always triumph over the darkness of such evil. The Metropolitan Police is increasing its visibility in Jewish communities ahead of any Hanukkah events in the wake of the attack, the mayor of London has said. In a post on X, Sadiq Khan said: My thoughts and condolences along with the rest of London are with everyone affected by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia today. At least 15 people including a London-born rabbi have died and dozens more remain in hospital following a shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach. Armed with long rifles, the attackers, named as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, opened fire on people gathered in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach at 6.47pm on Sunday local time. The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, also known as Chanukah. Police said that the alleged offenders behind the attack at Sydney's Bondi beach were a father and son duo, and that they were not looking for a third offender. In London, the Metropolitan Police said it is boosting its security around Jewish communities following the antisemitic terror attack in Australia. Mourners pay respects on Bondi Beach (REUTERS) Naveed Akram, 24, has been named as one of the killers (.) While officers said there is no intelligence indicating an increased threat to the UK capital in the wake of the Sydney attack, they acknowledged there is a significantly heightened level of concern about safety. Dozens of people gathered outside Australia House in central London on Sunday night for a vigil in memory of the victims. Attendees at the gathering, organised by Stop the Hate UK, waved Israeli and Union flags and held electric candles. The crowd cheered for the hero who was filmed tackling a gunman and grabbing his gun during the mass shooting. He was named by relatives as father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed. Speaking at the vigil outside Australia House on Sunday night, Fiyaz Mughal from Muslims against Antisemitism UK said: "There was a member of the Jewish community, Ahmed al Ahmed, who risked his life." About a hundred people gathered outside Australia House. London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of the victims. He has been described by family as a "joyful rabbi". A Hanukkah menorah is projected onto the Sydney Opera House in memory of the victims (AFP via Getty Images) Eli Schlanger is among those killed in the Bondi Beach attack (Supplied) The father-of-five grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members at Kinloss Synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News. The 41-year-old and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago. His cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: "How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?" In a message to the people of Australia, the King said he was "appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack". Charles, who visited Bondi Beach in 2012, said in a statement: "My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach," his statement said. "Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. Police enforce a cordon after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach (Getty Images) "We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy. "In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia - and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival - will always triumph over the darkness of such evil." One gunman, aged 50, was shot by police and died at Bondi Beach while a second attacker, a 24-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard, New South Wales Police said. People were advised to avoid the area and take shelter as police responded. Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Victoria Starmer lit their family Chanukiah in the window of Number 10 as they sent "thoughts and prayers" to those murdered in the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach. Lady Starmer has Jewish ancestors on her father Bernard's side, and they often mark the beginning of Shabbat on Friday nights, Sir Keir said in a 2024 interview. People embrace after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach (AFP via Getty Images) Sharing a photo on social media, the Prime Minister said: "As we light the Chanukiah, Our thoughts and prayers are with those murdered in the terrorist attack on Bondi beach today, their loved ones and the whole Jewish community. "Light will always win over darkness." At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers, NSW police said in a statement on X. Ambulance crews treated multiple patients at the scene in Sydney, according to a spokeswoman for New South Wales Ambulance. She said: We were called to the scene around 6.45pm to reports of multiple people shot at Bondi Beach. We have got more than 40 resources there including helicopter and road crews and have treated multiple patients at the scene. We have so far transported 13 patients to various hospitals in Sydney. People attend the Menorah Lighting, celebrating the Festival of Chanukah in Islington (AFP via Getty Images) The New South Wales Police Force statement said that suspicious items at the scene on Bondi Beach were being examined. It said: Emergency services were called to Campbell Parade about 6.45pm (Sunday December 14 local time), responding to reports of shots being fired. Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended assisted by multiple resources across the city. A number of suspicious items located in the vicinity are being examined by specialist officers and an exclusion zone is in place. A multi-agency response is continuing. An extensive crime scene has been established and inquiries are now under way. There have been no reports of any other incidents in Sydney connected to this incident. Footage posted on social media appeared to show a man tackling another with a gun at Bondi Beach before wrestling the weapon away from him. Police attend the scene in east Sydney (.) The gunman then appears to back away as the person who grabbed him points the shotgun at him in a car park. The man who intervened, wearing a white T-shirt, is then seen raising his hand before resting the gun against a tree. Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of light. Bondi Beach is popular with tourists and expats. The UK Prime Minister sent his condolences following the shooting and said he was being kept informed about the latest developments. In a statement posted on X, Sir Keir said: Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach. Im being kept updated on the developing situation. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she would speak with her Australian counterpart later on Sunday about the incident on Bondi Beach. She told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show: Ive just seen the breaking news as Ive arrived into the studio here this morning. I can fully understand the anxiety this might be causing people here at home about relatives over in Australia, but first and foremost, our thoughts must be with the victims of this attack in Australia and with the Australian people as well. A member of a Jewish community reacts as he stands at the site of a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14 (AFP via Getty Images) We will obviously watch closely as details emerge of what exactly has happened, and Ill be talking to my Australian counterpart later on today. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I just have spoken to the AFP commissioner and the NSW premier. We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said Sunday had been a "dark day in our nation's history". He told reporters: "What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location." He said Bondi Beach is "associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations, and it is forever tarnished by what has occurred last evening". A body representing the British Jewish community has also offered its support after the attack. In a statement, the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: We are devastated to hear reports of a shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, with multiple fatalities at a Jewish Hanukkah event. While details emerge, we have been in touch with our Australian partners at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to express our solidarity and offer our support. We have also been in touch with the UK Government, who are monitoring the situation closely, to discuss the UK response. The scourges of terrorism and antisemitism are shared, international challenges and need concerted and determined action to defeat them. #BREAKING: WATCH: Police say theyre responding to a 'developing incident' at Bondi Beach in Sydney amid reports of a shooting - public should take shelter and avoid the area.#BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/E1kcbcDvuG Video Forensics (@Video_Forensics) December 14, 2025 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Bondi Beach as part of their 2018 tour, with Harry and Meghan announcing she was pregnant on the eve of a high-profile 16-day trip to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. In April 2024, a knife attacker killed six people and injured several others in a stabbing spree at a Sydney shopping centre before being shot dead by police. Speaking at the time, the King said he and the Queen were utterly shocked and horrified by the senseless attack in Sydney. Video footage shows two men dressed in black crossing a bridge at Sydneys Bondi Beach and opening fire. Twelve shots could be heard as people screamed and one man shouted "f**k". NSW premier Chris Minns said "the reports and images coming out of Bondi tonight are deeply distressing". "Police and emergency services are responding and the public should follow official advice," the premier said in a statement. "We will update the public as soon as more information becomes available." The shooting happened on the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. An event organised by Chabad of Bondi had been scheduled to start at 5pm. "Join Chabad of Bondi for our Annual Chanukah Festival as We Celebrate Jewish Life by lighting up the Iconic Bondi Beach," an advertisement for the event stated. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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." Andy Burnham, the former Cabinet minister, has been directly elected Mayor of Manchester since 2017 - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph Andy Burnham hopes to return to Parliament by next summer and is close to securing a deal to run in a safe Labour seat, it has been claimed. The Mayor of Greater Manchester has long been tipped to stand as an MP so he can take on Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. According to reports, his allies believe they have identified a constituency which will be available in the next few months and which he can win. There is a widespread expectation within Labour that the Prime Minister will face a challenge after next Mays local elections. Only sitting MPs can stand for the leadership, meaning Mr Burnham will have to secure a return to the Commons by then. There have been persistent rumours over the past few months about where a vacancy might come up. According to the Sunday Times, Mr Burnhams allies have now identified a nailed-on seat he can take over from a departing Labour MP. Sources close to the Manchester Mayor said the constituency was one in which polling showed that he could defeat Reform UK in a by-election. The claims will reignite persistent rumours about two seats to which Mr Burnham has been linked, one being Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester, where he is Mayor. The constituency is held Andrew Gwynne MP, a former minister who was suspended over remarks he made in a WhatsApp group and now sits as in independent. Credit: BBC Radio Manchester Mr Gwynne has denied that he plans to stand down to make way for Mr Burnham. The other seat is Norwich South, held by Clive Lewis, the Left-wing Labour MP. Mr Lewis has said he would be prepared to give up his seat for Mr Burnham. Labour is on course to see off Reform in both constituencies, according to the latest MRP poll by YouGov. Last week the Manchester Mayor fuelled rumours about his ambitions by saying that if the call came he would not turn away from it. Mr Burnhams allies are said to have approached Angela Rayner, a potential leadership rival, about forming a joint soft-Left ticket for the leadership. He also appeared to win the backing of Richard Burgon, a former shadow cabinet minister and leading member of the Left-wing Socialist Campaign Group. Mr Burgon told the BBC the next leader should be an outsider who isnt implicated in any of the unpopular decisions of the current Government. How to get a cancer screening as King Charles warns of missed opportunities King Charles has urged people to attend cancer screenings, as he opened up about his own diagnosis. The 77-year-old monarch said he had been deeply troubled to learn that at least 9 million people in the UK are not up to date with the cancer screenings available to them, warning of missed opportunities. In the personal message released on Friday in support of Stand Up To Cancer, he announced his own treatment would be rolled back in the new year in what he called a personal blessing following an overwhelming journey. Leading cancer charity Cancer Research UK said that the Kings candour about his experiences battling the disease can prompt others to check in on their health and speak to a GP if something is worrying them. Charles revealed he had been diagnosed with a form of cancer in February 2024. While Buckingham Palace has not specified what type of cancer he has, officials said it was discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate revealed a separate issue of concern. In his address, which was recorded at Clarence House two weeks ago, the King urged Britons to overcome embarrassment and make use of screening programmes, warning that early detection is key. The King has recorded a personal message as part of Stand Up To Cancer 2025 (PA Media) Here is everything you need to know about getting a cancer screening. Do I need a cancer screening? In his broadcast, the King unveiled a new national Screening Checker that allows people to check their eligibility online. The checker, provided by Cancer Research UK, can be accessed on the Stand Up To Cancer website here. Cancer Research UK warns that the checker does not provide medical advice and should be used for information purposes only. How can I get a cancer screening Eligible people are usually automatically invited to cancer screening programmes, which are run by the NHS and Public Health Agency (PHA) in the UK and Northern Ireland. But the Screening Checker can be used to see if you are eligible to take part in national programmes. If eligible, Cancer Research UK says you will receive a screening invitation in the post that will explain the test and the pros and cons, which should help you to decide whether to go ahead. Cancer Research UK says that cancer screening saves thousands of lives each year (PA Archive) It warns that while cancer screening saves thousands of lives each year, the tests are not perfect and there are some risks involved in taking part. The charity explains that cancer screening is for people without symptoms, with the aim of spotting the disease at an early stage when treatment has a higher chance of success, or even to prevent it from developing in the first place. What if I have symptoms? Cancer Research UK advises people with symptoms or health concerns to contact their GP. The checker and cancer screening are not for people who have symptoms. If you have noticed something unusual or that concerns you, the charity urges you not to wait for a screening but to talk to your doctor as soon as possible, even if you have recently been screened. It says: Theyll want to hear from you and you wont be wasting their time. In most cases, it wont be cancer, but if it is, spotting it at an early stage can make a real difference. A resident doctors' strike in the run-up to Christmas is set to go ahead. (Alamy) (Vuk Valcic) An NHS resident doctors' strike in the run-up to Christmas will go ahead after members of the British Medical Association (BMA) rejected a new offer from the government, the union has said. The BMA said 83.2% of those who took part in a poll rejected the offer, with a turnout of 65.34%. The offer made concessions on tackling the shortage of training places for resident doctors, but did not offer pay restoration. In a press release, the BMA said: "Weve been clear with the government that we need sufficient progress on both issues. The governments latest offer moved forwards on jobs but not on headline pay." Last week, NHS England said it was facing the "worst case scenario" after flu cases rose by more than 55% in a week. The government has previously warned that the NHS strikes will put lives at risk amid the wave of "superflu" cases. Ahead of the close of the vote, health secretary Wes Streeting ramped up pressure on the BMA, saying strikes would be the "Jenga piece that collapses the tower" of the health service. He also claimed the NHS doomsday clock is at "one minute to midnight", adding he, and NHS staff, would be in a "terrifying position" if the strike goes ahead at a time when flu is causing "probably the worst pressure the NHS has faced since COVID". The BMA in turn accused Streeting of "scaremongering", saying he has been acting in a "cruel and calculated" way and describing the government's offer as "poor". Dr Jack Fletcher, chair of the BMA resident doctors committee, said Streeting "fails to have any engagement with us outside strikes and then comes to us with an offer he knows is poor and expects us to just accept it within 24 hours". When is the strike? Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, who are members of the BMA, will stage a five-day strike in England from 7am on Wednesday, 17 December to 7am on Monday, 22 December. It is part of an ongoing dispute over pay and jobs and will be the 14th strike by the union since March 2023. Doctors have gone on strike over a dozen times in recent years. (PA) (Owen Humphreys, PA Images) How bad is the 'superflu' outbreak? The UK is currently in the middle of a major flu outbreak, with recent figures showing the number of people in hospital in England with flu jumped 55% in a week. Streeting said "there is a tidal wave of flu tearing through our hospitals" as an average 2,660 flu patients were in hospital each day last week, up from 1,717 the previous week. At this point last year, the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402. Some hospitals across the country have asked staff, patients and visitors to wear face masks to cut the spread of flu, while others have gone in and out of critical incident status due to the high number of people attending A&E. Flu hospital admissions in England. (PA) (PA Wire) Part of the problem is that the predominant strain of flu circulating this winter is different from those in previous years. According to the UK Health Security Agency, the drifted H3N2 strain is dominant, which means there is "less natural immunity in the community". "H3N2 flu strains typically affect older adults more severely than H1N1 strains, leading to more hospitalisations and deaths, creating further pressure on our NHS this winter." Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, warned the "unprecedented wave of superflu is leaving the NHS facing a worst-case scenario for this time of year" and there was no peak in sight. What was the BMA offered? The BMA said the government's offer included concessions "aimed at tackling the continuing shortage of training places for resident doctors in England". The government has pledged to introduce legislation to prioritise UK medical graduates for training places from next year, increase the number of specialty training posts from 1,000 to 4,000, and cover the cost of exam fees. The government has insisted that a further pay increase the reason why the BMA called the strikes earlier this month is off the negotiating table after resident doctors received pay rises totalling nearly 30% in the past three years. The BMA says real-terms pay has declined by about 20% over the last 17 years. Polling suggests public support for strikes is low, with a new YouGov survey showing 58% of respondents oppose the industrial action, while 33% support it. As the peak holiday season kicks off, tour guides and conservationists are urging Australians exploring the country to observe our spectacular native wildlife responsibly. Their advice follows a tour groups encounter with an exceptionally elusive and "incredibly rare" species in the tropical north. Nature photographer and Queensland local Matt Cornish is a seasoned wildlife guide. He shared footage this week of an encounter where a group caught a glimpse of the Lumholtzs tree kangaroo a sight few tourists ever witness in a residential street in Yungaburra in the Atherton Tablelands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The species, one of two types of tree kangaroos which inhabit the continent, is under threat by habitat loss driven by land clearing, collisions with vehicles and attacks from dogs. In an interview with Yahoo News, Matt said this makes seeing them in the wild all the more exciting. "It's only found in the Atherton Tablelands, and it's a very elusive species," he said. "Unfortunately, due to historic land clearing, finding these animals can be very, very difficult." Matt filmed the video last year but has shared it again to shine a spotlight on the importance of conserving this remarkable species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is particularly important, he said, because very few Australians even realise they exist. "I've worked in wildlife for most of my life, and Ive realised that probably 90 per cent of Australians dont know that we have two tree kangaroo species in the wild," he said. "And I would say even the 10 per cent that do, most of them dont know that we have them in Australia. "Most people assume that any tree kangaroo in the wild is found in Papua New Guinea." The Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo is found exclusively in Far North Queensland. Source: Getty (Thurtell via Getty Images) What makes tree kangaroos so unique? While Papua New Guinea is home to several species of tree kangaroo, Australia has its own unique residents. Two species, the Lumholtzs tree kangaroo and the Bennetts tree kangaroo, are found exclusively in the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though less well-known, these native species are just as remarkable and adapted to life in the treetops. "I have a pretty strong emotional connection with them. I think theyre incredibly unique animals," Matt said. "Through evolutionary periods, this particular animal has decided to move up into the trees, whether it be for protection or food, and has managed to evolve and adapt themselves for life in the trees." Their strong forelimbs, long tails for balance, and specially adapted feet allow them to climb, leap between branches, and navigate the rainforest canopy. He said the species is a "peculiar creature, unlike anything else", and believes that with greater awareness and education, we can help bring it back from its "near-threatened" conservation status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think the key to conservation is education," he said. "We need to make sure, first of all, people understand that these animals exist, and then from there we can educate them about the biology of these animals and the threats they face. With Christmas and the holiday season approaching, travellers need to be aware of their surroundings. Source: Getty (Frank Fichtmuller via Getty Images) "The state governments probably got to put a little bit more work into it as well. Reducing some speed limits around critical wildlife corridors would be the first thing that Id be doing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt said that with Christmas and the holiday season approaching, travellers need to be aware of their surroundings and slow down their cars. "Just in the last couple of years, Ive seen over 10 different Lumholtzs tree kangaroos being killed just in my local area, and this is directly from people driving too fast through the areas," he said. The veteran explorer said should the public want to get involved, there are numerous organisations to choose from that can always use a helping hand. "We have some amazing ambassadors in Far North Queensland working hard for this species and many others. Theyre doing work to revegetate the landscape, put in wildlife corridors, and obviously educate people visiting our area to be mindful that these animals are about," he said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Drunk raccoon that went on boozy rampage in Virginia liquor store is repeat offender, officials say A raccoon that broke into a Virginia liquor store, drank itself silly and passed out in the bathroom is a repeat offender, according to officials. Apparently, some animals never learn. The furry bandit made global headlines, sparked spin-off merchandise and even inspired a Saturday Night Live sketch after he was found sleeping off his stupor inside an Ashland ABC store November 29. Supposedly this is like the third break-in he's had, animal protection officer Samantha Martin told a local podcast host this week. She said that other businesses and organizations in the building complex have also been burgled. He was in the karate studio, Martin said. I think he got into DMV [and] ate some of their snacks one time. A drunk raccoon discovered passed out in a Virginia liquor store is believed to be a repeat offender, officials said. (Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter) She noted that animal control officers do not relocate the ring-tailed scavenger after his bouts of mischief because thats a death sentence for raccoons. Martin then provided more details about the now infamous break-in at the liquor store painting a picture of a sophisticated criminal who knew exactly what he was doing. On the Saturday after Black Friday, animal control officers received a call from the store manager informing them of an intruder in a, well, compromised state. When Martin arrived at the scene, she discovered numerous shattered bottles of liquor, leaving the floor sticky with drink. Then she found the culprit in the bathroom. The raccoon now affectionately referred to as the trashed panda was laying on the ground next to the toilet, with his limbs splayed in every direction. Once we figured out he wasnt going anywhere anytime soon, we chuckled and were taking pictures of him and the crime scene, Martin said. Hes a smart little critter, she said. He locked himself in the bathroom, so he knew what he was doing, he was protecting himself for the morning. Its not clear exactly how the animal gained access to the store, but Martin said its possible he fell through the ceiling. On November 28, the furry bandit broke into the liquor store, ransacked a few shelves and passed out in the bathroom. (Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter) The bizarre incident which has been the talk of the town and the broader country has had the unexpected effect of helping raise more than $200,000 for Hanover County Animal Protection and Shelter, the departments chief told The Washington Post. Its the largest amount of outside donations the department has received in 20 years. Its relatable and its hilarious. People can come together and laugh, Martin said. I think people can see the human side of it, she added. Everybody's been there, everybodys had a few extra and passed out by the toilet and hoped somebody can come and help you the next morning. The remains of fire-damaged homes sit in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on 1 December 2025. Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/AP (Photograph: Annika Hammerschlag/AP) Nearly a year after a mammoth wildfire tore through Pacific Palisades, leveling 7,000 structures and leaving many displaced, some residents watched as the mayor of Los Angeles hailed a major milestone in the effort to recover. A new home had been built, the first since the firestorms that killed at least 12 people in the Pacific Palisades and 19 people in Altadena, and the Los Angeles department of building and safety had issued a certificate saying it had passed inspection and was ready for people to move in. The Palisades community has been through an unimaginable year, and my heart breaks for every family that wont be able to be home this holiday season. But today is an important moment of hope, the LA mayor, Karen Bass, said in a statement at the time. With more and more projects nearing completion across Pacific Palisades, the city of Los Angeles remains committed to expediting every aspect of the rebuilding process, until every family is back home. But that milestone quickly proved more complicated amid reports the house, built by Thomas James Homes, wasnt meant to welcome a family. Its a four-bedroom, 4,000 sq ft model home, but its not, as some residents lamented, a true fire rebuild. Related: We call him ... unbearable: California homeowner laments uninvited beast As Politico reported, Bass quickly deleted her social media posts hailing the structure as the first development meant to signify a milestone in the recovery. For some residents who lost their homes and are in the long and arduous process of rebuilding, or others whose homes had survived the fires but are still uninhabitable, the announcement compounded frustrations. Jaimie Geller lived in Pacific Palisades for 30 years, where she runs a jewellery business with her husband. The pair had just finished remodeling their own home early this year, with a final inspection set for 9 January. It burned down the day before. The couple also lost their retail store as the fire tore through the neighborhood. Geller said she watched Basss pronouncement as she has spent months trying to get her own permits to rebuild, fighting with her insurance company for compensation while still paying a mortgage for a home that wasnt there. Bass noted in her statement that there are 340 homes actively being built across Pacific Palisades. That figure has expanded to 390 in recent weeks, with rebuilding plans approved for nearly 750 addresses, according to the mayors office. But that number, Geller says, is deeply disappointing when she considers the thousands of buildings that were lost, including schools, medical centers and businesses like hers. I think the number of permits is very discouraging. I feel like it is going to take a very, very, very long time to rebuild the Palisades, Geller said. Yes, houses are sprouting up, but its been a year It feels endless, she went on, saying every day had been a fight to navigate a complex permitting landscape despite Basss executive orders meant to streamline that process. The mayors office said in a statement that the Palisades community had been through an unimaginable year. She has issued a slate of executive orders meant to cut red tape and expedite planning, the office said, and has urged the banking and insurance industries to support residents seeking to rebuild. Many residents were able to get some short-term mortgage relief while they rebuild, according to the office, but those benefits are set to expire for many families a year after the fire tore through the area. Mayor Bass remains committed to restoring the community and expediting every aspect of the rebuilding process, her office said. Thomas James Homes said the project, which was completed in seven months after receiving the go-ahead on its permits, was meant to demonstrate whats possible when rebuilding is approached with disciplined execution and a clear understanding of todays fire safety and permitting requirements. The goal was to provide a tangible example of a compliant, ground-up rebuild that families in the Palisades can reference as they plan their own return home, the company said in a statement. Today, we are actively working with more than 30 Palisades families across planning, engineering, permitting and construction, helping them navigate a complex rebuilding process. Our focus has been on being a resource and a partner to the community, offering transparency, predictability and support during recovery. The rebuilding has been pretty much a patchwork. Some people relocated, some are rebuilding and developers are buying up land Minjee Kim of UCLAs Luskin School of Public Affairs Critics say the distinction between a house planned to be rebuilt by a developer before the fire is an important demarcation between one that is being rebuilt to replace a residents home. The group Pali Builds, which tracks rebuilding efforts and seeks to aid residents in navigating that process, said while the mayor was boasting about the number of active construction sites, the number of true rebuilds is what really matters. We want to give people hope. We want to show signs of life, progress, and momentum, the group wrote in a blog post. But we also need to be truthful about where the City is still falling short especially on the logistics needed to rebuild quickly and intelligently Rebuilding 5,500 homes in a dense coastal community each with its own owner, architect, budget, preferences, and challenges requires a level of coordination our City simply isnt equipped for. Minjee Kim, an assistant professor of urban planning at UCLAs Luskin School of public Affairs, was a participant on an independent commission into the sustainable rebuilding of Los Angeles after the fires. She said the body suggested earlier this year that the city adopt new local government rebuilding authorities to oversee a streamlined process for permitting that would support a resilient Pacific Palisades of the future, comparing a potential effort to rebuilding after the great fires of the 19th century in Chicago and Seattle. That obviously has not happened, and the rebuilding has been pretty much a patchwork, she said. Some people relocated, some are rebuilding and developers are buying up land. It is going back to exactly the way that it was, with no creative planning and development happening. The hope was that wed deliver these recommendations but I dont know if theres any or enough political will to make any large-scale change. LA county supervisor Lindsey Horvath, who convened the commission, did not reply to a request for comment. Kim said the city deserves credit for quickly moving to remove post-fire debris and getting sites across the Palisades ready for rebuilding. She also said that while Basss touted figure of 340 homes actively being rebuilt so far seems small compared with the thousands lost, that number should pick up exponentially as families navigate the permitting and approvals process. She added while that process could take five or 10 years, Pacific Palisades could look similar to how it was before the fire. The community core, she added, is key to that process as families that grew up in the enclave return, although the commission recommended several fire and climate adaptation measures to help inoculate the Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods from another calamity. Its all about the community and peoples attachment to their community, not just the physical infrastructure, but the social infrastructure, Kim said. I think theres enough core that remains in Palisades and enough families that really want to go back and rebuild it wont be a completely new neighborhood. For Geller, doubts remain about how long it may take for the neighborhood to restore its character. At the beginning I was thinking [the Palisades would recover in] maybe five years, but as we go on, I realize so many people dont know what theyre doing, Geller said. I think its probably 20 years, maybe even more. Which is terrible, because you want to stay positive. But you also have to be real. Real Palisadians, she added, will always have different motivations than companies building model homes. They arent emotional about where their fireplace is going, right? Fury after Met Police chief says shops need to step up to help tackle shoplifting A retail boss has said he could not believe comments made by the head of the Metropolitan Police, calling on the industry to step up and do better to help stop shoplifting. In an interview with The Telegraph, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said some stores needed to do more to help police tackle the issue. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association, acknowledged the recent police effort to crack down on such crimes, but said he was flabbergasted by the comments. It is slightly off field for him to come out and say we have done our bit now come out and do yours, he told the Mail Online. In an interview with The Telegraph, Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said some stores needed to do more to help police tackle the issue (PA Archive) I am really surprised he has come out with this. In fact, we have all been working hard together retailers, police and PCCs - as part of the Police and Retail Crime Action Group, which was set up two years ago by the last government to tackle shoplifting and it has been a collaborative effort to get to that point. We are grateful that police forces around the country have stepped up to use his words. Response times have improved, for example, and more recently, there have been high-profile raids on illicit shops. What disappoints me is that it has been collaboration that has got us to this point, not just him and police forces. He said the sector was still losing 2bn in stock a year, despite having spent 1.2bn on high-tech extra security measures in the last two years. Speaking to The Telegraph, Sir Mark said the retail industry was right to say to us, please step up more (PA Wire) Speaking to The Telegraph, Sir Mark said the retail industry was right to say to us, please step up more. He said: And we have done. They need to step up more. There are some of them who are fantastic and Im not going to name a good and bad list, that would be invidious. But Im just putting a marker down. He added: The retail sector, a couple of years ago, was right to be cross with policing across the country. But in London, over the last year or so, weve really doubled down on it. Were making a lot of progress, but I need to challenge back now to the retail sector. They now need to do better. He claimed that while some stores worked with the police to help solve crimes, others failed to provide images or statements, citing the cost. They can give them time to give a statement and they will pay them work time to go to court. Others wont do any of that, he told The Telegraph. So if theyre not prepared to roll up their sleeves as corporate victims, its going to be tough for us to make progress. Bondi Beach victims: Matilda, Dan Elkayam, Alexander Kleytman, Eli Schlanger, Reuven Morrison, Peter Meagher, Tibor Weitzen and Yaakov Levitan A 10-year-old girl is among 15 people who were shot dead in an anti-Semitic terror attack targeting Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. The world-famous beach became the site of a massacre on Sunday as more than 1,000 people had come together in Sydney, Australia, to celebrate the first night of the festival. Among the innocent lives lost was a Holocaust survivor who died protecting his wife and a British-born rabbi who had flown to Australia to ask the government to do more to stop anti-Semitism. The youngest victim was a joyful and spirited girl called Matilda, who was aged just 10. The two gunmen were a father and son. Naveed Akram, 24, is in hospital under police guard. His father, Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police. Matilda Matilda was the youngest victim of the terror attack The youngest victim of the terror attack was identified on Monday as 10-year-old Matilda. The schoolgirl died in hospital from her injuries and has been remembered as a bright, joyful and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her. In a social media post, her aunt announced the news of her death, writing: A great tragedy has happened to my family. Yesterday, my beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach. I dont know how we survive such grief. Matildas parents at a vigil at Bondi Pavilion on Monday - Audrey Richardson/Getty Images A GoFundMe set up by the schoolgirls language teacher, Irina Goodhew, for her mother Valentina, has raised more than 160,000. I was Matildas language teacher, and I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her, Ms Goodhew said. Rabbi Eli Schlanger Eli Schlanger was an assistant rabbi at a Bondi Jewish cultural centre Rabbi Eli Schlanger has also been named as one of the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The father-of-five, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News. The 41-year-old and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago. Following his death, it emerged through local reports that he had written a letter to the Australian prime minister weeks before the attack, asking him to provide greater support for Israel. Channel 12 broadcast excerpts from the letter read: As a rabbi in Sydney, I beg you not to betray the Jewish people and not God himself. Jews have been torn from their land again and again by leaders who are now remembered with contempt in the pages of history. You have an opportunity to stand on the side of truth and justice. His first cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way? We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy. Alex Kleytman Alex Klaytman died while trying to protect his wife - JewishCare The Holocaust survivor, who was shot in the head while trying to protect his wife, has been pictured. Alex Kleytman was shielding his wife Larisa when he was shot during the attack. The couple, who moved to Australia from Ukraine and have two children and 11 grandchildren, had come to the beach to celebrate Hanukkah. Mrs Kleytman, who was pictured with bloodstains on her clothing, said: I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me, in the back of the head. Both survived the Holocaust, recounting their experiences to Australian Jewish charity JewishCare in 2023. As children, both Larisa and Alexander faced the unspeakable terror of the Holocaust. Alexs memories are particularly harrowing; recalling the dreadful conditions in Siberia where he, along with his mother and younger brother, struggled for survival, the JewishCare annual report stated. The scars of the past, however, did not deter them from seeking a brighter future. They later made the move to Australia, immigrating from Ukraine. Tibor Weitzen Tibor Weitzen was fatally wounded whilst shielding loved ones from gunfire Tibor Weitzen, a 78-year-old great-grandfather and a member of the Chabad of Bondi community, which organised the Hanukkah event, has also been identified as one of the victims. Mr Weitzen, who was at the event with his wife and grandchildren, was fatally wounded whilst shielding loved ones from gunfire. His granddaughter, Leor Amzalak, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he was the best you could ask for, adding: He only saw the best in people and will be dearly missed. She added that he had migrated to Australia from Israel in 1988. In a tribute to Mr Weitzen, COLlive, an online Chabad news outlet, said: Tibor brought joy to everyone he met, especially the children at Shul, where he was famous for greeting them with lollipops and a smile A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Tibor lived fully and selflessly, always putting others before himself. He leaves behind a legacy of generosity, joy, and quiet courage, and will be deeply missed by his family and the entire community. Dan Elkayam Dan Elkayam had moved to Australia last year to pursue his career as an engineer The French IT worker, 27, who moved to Australia last year to pursue his career as an engineer, was also named among the victims. His death was confirmed by Jean-Noel Barrot, the French Foreign Minister. He said: Its with immense sadness that we have learnt that our compatriot Dan Elkayam was among the victims of the terrorist attack that hit Jewish families gathered on the beach at Bondi in Sydney. We mourn with his family and loved ones, with the Jewish community and the Australian people. According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Elkayam worked as an IT analyst for NBCUniversal and had moved to Australia last year. He was also a keen footballer, as well as an integral member of the premier league squad at the Rockdale Ilinden Football Club in west Sydney, according to its Facebook page. It described him as an extremely talented and popular figure amongst teammates. Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Dans family, friends and all that knew him. He will be missed May he Rest in Peace Memory be Eternal, the club wrote. Peter Meagher Peter Meagher was a former police officer The former police officer, known as Marzo, was working as a freelance photographer at the Hanukkah event when he was killed. He had taken up photography as a hobby in his retirement after serving in the police. For him it was simply a catastrophic case of being in the wrong place and at the wrong time, Mark Harrison, the general manager of Randwick Rugby Club, wrote on its website. Mr Meagher served as the clubs first-grade team manager and was a beloved member. Marzo, as he was universally known, was a much loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby, the club said. It added that he had spent almost four decades in the NSW Police Force where he was hugely respected by colleagues. The tragic irony is that he spent so long in the dangerous front line as a Police Officer and was struck down in retirement while taking photos in his passion role is really hard to comprehend, the club added. Reuven Morrison Reuven Morrison was trying to help people during the attack when he was shot The businessman migrated to Australia from the former Soviet Union in the 1970s as a teenager, according to an interview he gave to the ABC network a year ago. We came here with the view that Australia is the safest country in the world and the Jews would not be faced with such anti-Semitism in the future, where we can bring up our kids in a safe environment, he told the broadcaster. Confirming his death, Chabad the group that organised the event said he was a longtime resident of Melbourne, but he discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney. The organisation added on X: A successful businessman whose main goal was to give away his earnings to charities dear to his heart, notably Chabad of Bondi. He was an assistant at Bondis Wellington Street synagogue and had left the beach to meet his friend, Vladimir, in the car park when the shooting began. I saw everything and now my best friend is dead. He died in front of me, Vladimir told the Daily Mail. He explained how his friend was trying to help people get low to the ground to avoid gunfire, before trying to move towards the shooter to disarm him. That was when he was shot. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan Rabbi Yaakov Levitan was working at the Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach Rabbi Yaakov Levitans death was confirmed by Chabad, who described him as a popular coordinator of its activities in Sydney. The South African-born rabbi also served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, a religious court, and worked at the BINA Center, which describes itself as a centre of Jewish learning. He was working at the Hanukkah event when the terrorists opened fire, and was distributing tefillin, which contain Torah scrolls and are worn by male Jewish adults. Marika Pogany Marika Pogany, 82, was also among the victims Slovakian Marika Pogany, 82, was killed in the shooting while celebrating Hanukkah, according to friends. Peter Pellegrini, the president of the Slovak Republic, wrote on social media the grief of the attack has reached Slovakia as well among the victims of this senseless, violent rampage was a Slovak woman, Marika. On Facebook, her friend Martin Korcok described her as an energetic and happy woman who visited Komarno, Slovakia, every year to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. Ms Pogany had volunteered for 29 years at Centre of Activity, a Jewish meals-on-wheels service in Sydney, and had delivered more than 15,000 kosher meals, the organisation revealed. Irish president Catherine Connolly managed to join the chorus of world leaders appalled at the Bondi Beach events - Niall Carson/PA Wire Over the last few decades, a routine response to Islamist terror attacks by world leaders has become set in stone. The routine goes like this: hearts, solidarity, grief and condolences go out to the victims and their families as well as avowals that we stand against hatred, a grandiose and clearly untrue claim if ever there was one. And there is always a lot of shock so much shock! at the events of this dark day. What there never is, is a serious pledge to act, and act swiftly, harshly, and through the law, in part by changing legislation that prioritises the rights of terrorists and thugs over their victims. Perhaps the most galling bit of the Hearts-and-Grief routine is the reference to whichever mass-terror attack has just taken place as a tragedy... This makes clear that we are to think of these things as something landed on us from the heavens, not coming right from the minds and hands of actual men who subscribe to the tenets of Islamic jihad, large and growing cells of which have comfortable and welcoming homes in every Western country. Indeed, while the Wests prime ministerial hearts are busy going out to the victims, the truth does not evade the plain-sighted: that these attacks are a direct result of their leadership. Ranging from the useless (Keir Starmer) to the malignly incompetent (Emmanuel Macron) to the evil (Catherine Connolly), all of these leaders foster terror by refusing to crack down on it. So what many of us feel is this: world leaders, politicians and VIPs can take their heavy hearts and stow them somewhere the sun doesnt see. For the only assurance theyve given us that means anything is that innocent Jewish and non-Jewish peoples blood must go on being spilled in its gallons, at concerts, supermarkets, on the street, on the beach, so as to preserve multiculturalism and guard against racism, and to protect the free speech that upholds and glorifies Hamass aims. As the body count from Islamist terror has mounted over the years, Ive wondered if their tune might change and if they might get serious about the nature and scope of the threat. Sadly, the answer very much still appears to be no and its doubtful anything will change just because of another mass attack. And so, heigh ho, on we go: 7/7, Manchester Arena, Bataclan, London Bridge, Westminster, European Christmas markets, train stations, airports, embassies, and then, back in Blighty, the shocking (but not actually shocking at all) Yom Kippur murder spree for Palestine in Manchester, and now Bondi. The former Irish minister for justice Alan Shatter has spoken with admirable clarity on the despicable hypocrisy of governments. While Irish president Catherine Connolly managed to join the chorus of world leaders appalled at the Bondi Beach events, Shatter noted that the terror attack was a another warning of what anti-Semitic hate speech leads to and rightly accused the Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and Tanaiste, the finance minister Simon Harris of being directly complicit thanks to the Irish governments unbalanced toxic rhetoric and conduct relating to the Israel-Gaza war which he said has contributed to escalating anti-Semitism in Ireland. He spelt out all the elements that have been indulged by every single Western government, including ours. Toxic debates in our parliament, protests on our streets, the conduct of political parties, trade unions, university boards, the IPSC and its myriad sub groups have normalised anti-Semitic rhetoric and anti-Semitism, said Shatter. Irish social media posts are a cesspool of anti-Semitism, anti-Semitic abuse and threats. Irish sport is increasingly contaminated and Jewish children feel intimidated in our schools and are being bullied. And another point we have in common with Ireland: unprecedented security is needed to protect Jewish institutions. Irish leaders promptly pretended they had no idea what he was talking about. Thats to be expected. Just dont expect us to take the tsunami of crocodile tears poured forth as anything other than they are. We are waiting for signs that the problem Islamism and our refusal to take it seriously, especially its legitimisation through anti-Israel activism and networks is being handled. But we suspect we will be waking up (if we are one of the lucky ones) to many more breaking stories of mass murders of Jews and non-Jews alike at the hands of terrorists before that happens. Ms Mahmood has previously said that any politician who denies coveting the premiership is basically lying to you - Jeff Overs/AFP Shabana Mahmood has denied plotting to topple Sir Keir Starmer as speculation over his future continues to mount. The Home Secretary said her previous admission that all politicians wanted the top job did not mean she was plotting to overthrow a Prime Minister for Gods sake. She urged potential rivals in any future Labour leadership contest to focus on the day job rather than fuel speculation. The warning came as allies of Andy Burnham said he had identified a Commons seat which would allow him to return to the national political fray and take on the Prime Minister. One said there were a number of potential options open to him and he has identified one which is nailed on. Replacing the PM Speculation has been mounting following months of dire poll ratings for Labour and Sir Keir himself. Alongside Mr Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, frontrunners include Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister. Ms Mahmood also has her supporters, and earlier this year she said: You should not believe anyone in politics who says they are not ambitious about the top job, because they are basically lying to you. Asked on the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg whether these comments meant she wanted to replace the Prime Minister, she said: Keir Starmer is not going and I think theres a world of difference between saying that everyone who has ever been a politician or wants to be a politician has probably thought about the top job. Every single person has thought about it. But that is not the same as plotting to overthrow a Prime Minister, for Gods sake. The Prime Minister is getting on with doing his job. I am a member of his Government, I have a big job of my own to do and that is the only thing that Im focused on. Starmer laser-focused Ms Mahmood urged Labour figures to ditch leadership speculation and not waste a single second of the time that we have in Government. All of us in the Government and the Labour Party have a responsibility to focus on the day job and get on with delivering for the British people, she said. Every single minute you have in Government is precious. Its a huge privilege and honour to be the Government of your country and we mustnt waste a single second of it. Actually, this is on the whole of the Government and the Parliamentary Labour Party and the whole Labour movement to make sure we dont waste a single second of the time that we have in Government. I know that the Prime Minister is laser-focused on getting on with the job and focusing on the change that people rightly voted for. Allies of Mr Burnham, a former health secretary, are understood to have canvassed support from members of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, which includes Richard Burgon, Diane Abbott and John McDonnell. Speculation has been mounting for months that Mr Burnham is seeking a Westminster comeback. Asked last week about his ambitions, he told ITV News that if the call came to return to Government Im not going to just turn away from it. Lucy Powell, the deputy Labour leader, urged colleagues to get behind him and his Government because of what we fear may come if Labour does not succeed. She said the party must come together and focus on the narrative of how Labour is rewiring the country so it works more in the interest of ordinary people. Meghan Markle reportedly has no plans to meet with her father Thomas after he had surgery to amputate his left leg. Mr Markle underwent the emergency procedure below the knee as part of life-saving treatment after suddenly falling ill at home in the Philippines on Tuesday, December 2. The 81-year-old was rushed to hospital and doctors later described his condition as critical. The Duchess of Sussex was able to make contact with her father in hospital via a letter, her spokesperson confirmed last week, adding he had a reporter by his bedside broadcasting each interaction. But although she has written to him, Meghan does not plan to fly out to visit her father in person, The Sun reports. Mr Markle told the Mail on Sunday he does not want to die distanced from his daughter, and wishes to meet Meghans children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and her husband, the Duke of Sussex. Last Friday, the duchess spokesperson said she had reached out to her father, whom she has been estranged from since her 2018 wedding when he was caught staging paparazzi photos in the run-up to the big day. Mr Markle, who moved from Mexico to live in the Philippines, has never met his grandchildren Archie, six, and Lilibet, four. The retired TV lighting director is believed to have been treated at University of Cebu Medical Centre last Wednesday, as a photograph showed him in a hospital gown with its initials. It is reported he has since been moved from intensive care into a regular hospital room. Meghans two older half-siblings Thomas Jr, 59, and Samantha, 61, have appealed for her to get in contact. Thomas Jr told journalists how his fathers foot had turned black before it was surgically removed. He told the MailOnline : There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death. My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated. Mr Markle pulled out of attending Harry and Meghans wedding seven years ago after he was caught staging photographs for the paparazzi in the US, and then suffered a heart attack. Harrys father, now the King, stepped in to walk Meghan down the aisle. Mr Markle went on to repeatedly speak to the media and later claimed he had been shunned by Meghan. He criticised the duchess but still said he wanted to reunite with her, and publicly pleaded to be able to see Archie and Lili, saying in 2023: She is not the person I knew as my daughter. The duchess won a High Court privacy and copyright claim against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over articles that reproduced parts of a personal and private handwritten letter she wrote to Mr Markle in a bid to get him to stop talking to the press. A series of weather warnings are in place over the weekend. (PA Images via Getty Images) (Jacob King - PA Images via Getty Images) Danger to life weather warnings are in place on Sunday and Monday in parts of the UK, as the Met Office warns "very heavy and persistent rain" is expected to continue into next week. An amber rain warning - second on a severity scale of three has been in place in Cumbria, centred on Keswick, since 6am Sunday and will run until 6pm Monday. "Totals will be highest across Cumbria where over 200mm could accumulate over 48 hours where a separate amber warning has been issued. Strong southwesterly winds are also likely at times, the Met Office warning said. Another amber warning for rain will cover a large part of South Wales from 3am to 9pm on Monday, with 50-80mm of rain expected to fall widely. The Met Office has warned people in both areas to expect power cuts, homes being flooded, likely public transport delays, difficult driving conditions and the chance of communities being "cut off" by flooded roads. It also warns that fast-flowing or deep floodwater is "likely" in these amber areas, "causing danger to life". Warnings for rain in place on Sunday. (Met Office) (Met Office) Another amber rain warning covering much of southwest Scotland, which prompted a number of train cancellations and road closures, began at midnight and expired at midday on Sunday. However, a less severe yellow warning remains in place, with the Met Office warning that weekend accumulation could rise "to 100mm in the wettest spots". People affected by fast-flowing or deep floodwater should call 999 and wait for help, the Met Office said. It will be better to avoid travelling by road in some areas as conditions are expected to become "potentially dangerous" because of flooding. The Met Office advised people in affected areas to prepare a flood kit which includes insurance documents. Meanwhile, yellow warnings the least severe on a scale of three remain in place in: Dumfries and Galloway, and the Scottish Borders: 6pm Sunday to 3am Monday The North West: 6pm Sunday until end of Monday (15 December) North Yorkshire and County Durham: 6am Monday to 3am Tuesday The northwest of Wales: 6pm Sunday to 3pm Monday The southwest of Wales: 6pm to end of Monday The South West: 3am to end of Monday Another yellow rain warning covering Northern Ireland was cancelled on Sunday as the rain in the region eased, the Met Office said. Warnings affecting the South on Monday. (Met Office) (Met Office) Warnings affecting southern Scotland the the North of England on Monday. (Met Office) (Met Office) Though it is expected the weather will settle on Tuesday (16 December), the Met Office said the respite is likely to be brief, with more heavy rain set to come in from the west from Wednesday (17 December). Here, Yahoo News UK breaks down, using Met Office forecasts, what the weather will be like in each region of the UK over the coming days. London and the South East Monday Remaining cloudy on Monday but largely dry during the day, although a few outbreaks of rain possible during the morning. Breezy at times but winds becoming light overnight. Maximum temperature 12. Tuesday to Thursday Outbreaks of rain for much of Tuesday, but cloud clearing later with frost and fog overnight. Turning cloudy, windy and unsettled on Wednesday with outbreaks of rain, continuing through Thursday. South West Monday Persistent rain in the west for much of the day with heavy downpours at times. Drier, though rather cloudy further east, with rain arriving here later. Staying mild. Lighter winds. Maximum temperature 12C. Tuesday to Thursday Overnight rain giving way to more settled weather on Tuesday as high pressure builds in. However, further unsettled, wet and windy conditions return for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures above average. Racegoers at the bookies stands in the rain at Cheltenham Racecourse on 12 December. (PA) (David Davies/PA Wire) Midlands Monday East: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain continuing through much of Monday, remaining breezy but less windy than previous days. Cloud clearing overnight allowing for a frost to develop. Maximum temperature 11C. West: Largely cloudy, with some rain at times, mainly in counties in the north and west. Especially wet across the Peak District. Occasional brighter breaks elsewhere. Staying mild for December. Maximum temperature 11C. Tuesday to Thursday East: Rain initially on Tuesday, then dry with some sunny spells and a frost overnight. Conditions turn windy and unsettled through Wednesday, with cloudy skies and outbreaks of rain continuing through Thursday. West: Overnight rain giving way to more settled weather on Tuesday as high pressure builds in. However, further unsettled, wet and windy conditions return for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures above average. North East Monday Less windy but staying generally cloudy through much of Monday. Overnight rain largely clearing during the morning but expected to return into the afternoon and evening for southern parts. Maximum temperature 9C. Tuesday to Thursday Dry with sunny spells on Tuesday and a frost developing overnight. Conditions turn windy and unsettled through Wednesday, with cloudy skies and outbreaks of rain continuing through Thursday. North West Monday Another wet start to the day. Further outbreaks of rain developing during the morning and into the afternoon. Still the risk of flooding in places, but winds a lot lighter. Maximum temperature 11C. Tuesday to Thursday Things become more settled on Tuesday. High pressure builds in, giving a drier, sunnier day. However, more unsettled, wet and windy conditions return for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures above average. Heavy rain in the North-West could cause surface water flooding this weekend. Get flood warnings Plan journeys ahead Never drive or walk through flood water Stay safe and be prepared: https://t.co/XnuRoykfecpic.twitter.com/QaXo7e5G6S Environment Agency (@EnvAgency) December 14, 2025 Scotland Monday The day will be dry with sunny periods inland. Eastern parts will be dry but cloudy at times with only the odd bright spell. Maximum temperature 8C. Tuesday to Thursday Sunny spells and dry Tuesday becoming windy with outbreaks of locally heavy rain Wednesday. Dry and bright Thursday morning but cloudy with patchy rain later. Northern Ireland Monday A dry and bright day with some sunny spells. A chilly evening with some fog patches forming. Maximum temperature 8C. Tuesday to Thursday Sunny spells and dry Tuesday but some morning fog. Then windy with outbreaks of locally heavy rain Wednesday. Cloudy but dry at first Thursday with chance of rain later. Rain across Northern Ireland is now easing, leading to a cancellation of their yellow rain warning. The rain remains heavy across western Scotland, northern England and north Wales and here warnings are still in place. Keep up to date with all our warnings here pic.twitter.com/LyOYz6WIj8 Met Office (@metoffice) December 14, 2025 Wales Monday An unsettled day across the country, with cloudy skies and outbreaks of rain, some heavy, especially in the south and west. Local flooding possible. Remaining mild, with lighter winds too. Maximum temperature 12C. Tuesday to Thursday Things become more settled on Tuesday. High pressure builds in, giving a drier, brighter day. However, more unsettled, wet and windy conditions return for Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures above average. CCTV showed a man, wearing a black coat and trousers, leaving Browns engineering building - PROVIDENCE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER/Reuters Two students were killed and nine others were seriously wounded during a mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon. Police continued searching the streets of Providence for a gunman all dressed in black late into the night as they locked down parts of the Ivy League university and ordered residents to shelter in place. The shooter was last seen fleeing the campus after firing at students who were preparing for exams in the Barus & Holley building, a seven-storey complex that houses the School of Engineering and physics department, just after 4pm local time (9pm GMT). Footage of the suspect, captured by a camera outside the building, showed a stocky man dressed in a black coat, black trousers and a black hat. He appears to have a slight limp, and is seen swinging his right arm by his side and placing his hand in his pocket as he strolls down Hope and Waterman streets. Although multiple witnesses reported seeing a man wearing a grey camouflage mask, a face covering cannot be seen in the video and his face is not visible. Credit: Providence Public Information Officer Colonel Oscar L Perez Jnr, the chief of Providence Police, said the possibility that the shooting was targeted is under consideration. A student who had spoken to a teaching assistant who was present during the incident told the local TV station WPRI that the gunman entered the ground floor classroom where an exam review session was taking place and yelled something before opening fire. Christina H. Paxson, the university president, called it a deeply tragic day as she confirmed two students had died. There are truly no words that can express the deep sorrow we are feeling for the victims of the shooting, Ms Paxson said earlier in the night. We lost two community members today who were fatal victims of the shooting, and at this point, we know there are at least eight additional victims who were transported to the hospital... our hearts are with their families. FBI agents joined the search for the suspect - BING GUAN/AFP The ongoing manhunt remained a source of tremendous fear and anxiety across our community right now, she said, adding this is a day that we hoped never would come to our community. Theatres, restaurants and hotels across Providence were locked down. At least 400 police were on city streets and had cars stationed outside a number of venues to ensure safety, said Brett Smiley, the mayor. We have no reason to believe that there are any additional threats at this time, Mr Smiley added. Tim OHara, the police deputy chief, said the suspect was male, all dressed in black and could be in his 30s. No weapon was found at the scene and police were unable to say what kind of firearm was used. All we can do is pray Donald Trump issued a prayer for the victims and confirmed the FBI was assisting the investigation. Ive been fully briefed on the Brown University situation, the US president told reporters as he arrived at the White House. What a terrible thing it is, and all we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt. At least 400 police were on city streets and had cars stationed outside a number of venues JD Vance, the vice president, condemned the shooting in a statement on X and said he was thinking of and praying for the victims tonight. Mike Johnson, the US House Speaker, said he was praying for the safety of students and law enforcement at Brown University as we await more information. May God protect everyone affected and bring comfort to their families and loved ones, he added in a statement on X. Police and FBI officers have been searching for the gunman near Brown University in Providence - Steven Senne/AP Dan McKee, the governor of Rhode Island, said: Our capital city experienced an unthinkable tragedy today. Our hearts are with the people of Providence and all those impacted. A shelter in place remains in effect for the greater Brown University area, Mr McKee said. Were making every resource available as an active investigation continues. We hid under desks The shooting took place in a classroom where fourth-year students were preparing for a final exam, WPRI reported. Chiang-Heng Chien, an engineering PhD student at Brown, said he and his peers hid under their desks in the dark after hearing shots had been fired. We decided to turn the lights off and close all the doors and hide under our desks, he told local television station WJAR. Another student told The Brown Daily Herald that she was studying in the Engineering Research Centre when she heard gunshots at around 4.10pm (9.10pm GMT) and evacuated the building, leaving her belongings behind. It was honestly quite terrifying, she told the student newspaper. Students were evacuated on buses and sent to a safe area to be reunited with their families - BING GUAN/AFP Footage of the windows of one campus building seen by CNN seemed to show students hunkering down together, some making phone calls while watching as armed officers and ambulances arrived on the scene. Rodney Chapman, the chief of Brown Universitys police, said first responders had arrived within minutes after the first 911 call. Mr Chapman said the police received no warning or indication in advance that a shooting would take place. Derek Silva, the Providence Fire Department chief, initially confirmed 10 people were shot. Two people died at the scene, and eight were transported to hospital in critical but stable condition. It was later revealed that a ninth person had been injured during the shooting. They sustained non-life-threatening wounds caused by bullet fragments and were expected to make a full recovery. At least one of the seriously injured victims was still fighting for their life late on Saturday night. The FBI remained on the scene and will provide all capabilities necessary, Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, wrote on X. Please pray for all those involved. We will update with more information as we are able, Mr Patel added. A large police and ambulance presence at the university - Mark Stockwell/AP In his initial statement on the shooting, Mr Trump claimed the suspect had been apprehended before walking back those comments. I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island, he wrote on Truth Social. The suspect is in custody. God bless the victims and the families of the victims! He then corrected himself 20 minutes later, writing: The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement The suspect is NOT in custody. The confusion appeared to stem from an announcement by the university that initially claimed the suspect had been apprehended before later saying that police were still searching for a suspect or suspects, according to alerts issued through Browns emergency notification system. Mr Smiley said the initial alert of an arrest was caused by the detention of a preliminary suspect who was later determined not to be involved. Police officers and emergency service workers gather on Waterman Street, near where the suspect reportedly fled the building - Jen McDermott/AP Run, hide or fight The first reports of the incident emerged at 4.22pm local time (9:22pm GMT) when the university sent out an urgent alert urging people to lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. It added that people should run, evacuate safely if they could, hide, or as a last resort fight if necessary. The attack took place on the second day of final exams, with the university confirming that multiple assessments were scheduled to take place in the Barus & Holley building between 2-5pm local time (7pm-9pm GMT). The building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices, according to the universitys website. Brown University is ranked 13th in the world. Prominent alumni include John F Kennedy Jr, Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, and the actor Emma Watson. There are currently 11,005 students enrolled at the university, many of whom were on campus studying at the time of the shooting. Ms Paxson urged staff and students to remain vigilant by keeping doors locked and ensuring no movement across campus. Whether or not you spend any time in Barus & Holley, I ask all students, faculty and staff to please be in touch directly with your families to let them know you are safe, Ms Paxson added. They are worried about you. The Tom Cleary-trained Oh My Word added his name to an illustrious roll of honour in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Future Champions INH Flat Race at Navan. Just four runners went to post for a Listed contest trainer Gordon Elliott had won in eight of the last nine years, with the top-class trio of Samcro (2016), Envoi Allen (2018) and Sir Gerhard (2020) among his notable victors. Panjandrum, a narrow winner on his bumper debut at Clonmel, was the sole Cullentra representative this time around after his stablemate Keep Him Company was declared a non-runner and he set out to make all, but he was ultimately no match for the impressive winner. Oh My Word was a shock 33-1 winner on his racecourse debut over the course and distance four weeks ago but proved that to be no fluke, joining 6-4 favourite Panjandrum for the lead from the home turn under a motionless Derek OConnor and once given his head he fairly sprinted to clear to score by 11 lengths as an 11-4 shot. Athlone-based Cleary said: Hes a lovely horse and Im very happy with him. He was indeed (very impressive) and he definitely improved from the last day. We had a great man on his back as well. The ground and everything was in his favour today. That is my first Listed race, so it is good. Paddy Power cut Oh My Words odds for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham to 20-1 from 40-1. When asked whether Leopardstowns Dublin Racing Festival could be a possible target, Cleary added: We have no plans whatsoever. I have to have a chat with Mr Ross (owner). Unfortunately he couldnt be here today as he went to America yesterday to visit the family. While out of look in the feature event on the card, Elliott did not leave empty handed, with 13-2 chance Spinola Bay comfortably landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Sam Ewing. He travelled well, he made a couple of mistakes. We thought he was well enough handicapped, but he just had disappointed us. Id say he was a weak horse and just took a bit of time, said Elliott. I was under no pressure to run him off David (LEstrange, owner) and we just gave him all the time there was nothing wrong with the horse, he was just big and weak. Hopefully he will be able to defy a penalty. Trainer Martin Hassett enjoyed a double courtesy of victories for Battle Of Ridgeway (6-1) and Soloman Lane (22-1). It was also a first ever double for the rider of both horses, 5lb claimer Liam McKenna, who said: Battle Of Ridgeway is the kind of horse that if hes right he wins and if hes not, he just doesnt show up. Hes very uncomplicated. Sometimes he mightnt do a whole lot in front, but he didnt do that today. He galloped away down to the last and picked up. Soloman Lane probably needed it the last day and it left him spot-on for today. Quest For Speed was a 40-1 winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle for Shark Hanlon and Gavin Brouder, with the former saying afterwards: The boys had a right few quid on him they got 66-1. I rang the lads last night and said to bring a few quid. He ran in a Listed race the last time and he is 9lb lower over hurdles than he is over fences, and he wants heavy (ground). Youll see him at Limerick over Christmas. Ross OSullivans Found A Diamond (11-2) won under Shane Markey, while Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue combined to take the penultimate race of the afternoon with The Lovely Man (5-1), with stablemate Evies Vladimir filling the runner-up spot. Paul Mescal has revealed he would love" to portray Irish rebel leader Micheal Collins, a role he hopes to tackle one day. Speaking at the Irish premiere of his new film, Hamnet, the actor stated he has always been so interested in that period of Irish history, though he conceded Liam Neeson did a great job with that previously. Mescal stars as William Shakespeare in Hamnet, a film exploring the playwright's marriage to his wife, Agnes, and the profound grief following their young son's death. Jessie Buckley plays Agnes, with both Irish actors earning Golden Globe nominations for their performances in the historical drama. There has been significant Oscar buzz around her since Hamnet started screening at festivals (Agata Grzybowska/Focus Features via AP) There has been significant Oscar buzz around her since Hamnet started screening at festivals something she brushed off, saying: Whatever comes, well meet that in the moment. She did however describe the project as one of the most personal, intimate, significant jobs Ive done. She described the cast and crew as like family, saying we were like peas in a pod and it wasnt just camaraderie, it was a family, we lived like a family, the minute we got that set none of us wanted to leave. Coleraine-born Maggie OFarrell wrote the screenplay with director Chloe Zhao and joked with her collaborator about the Irish-heavy contingent in the cast, asking: Did you actually do any auditions, or did you just go to Ireland on holiday? The rave reviews for the film echo the critical reception the book received on publication, something which has astounded the novelist. Somebody asked me if it was a dream come true, and I said well no, because it didnt even occur to me, it was possible. She added she was too superstitious to discuss award speculation, saying she does not want to jinx anything. In 2021 Ms Zhao became the third woman, and first woman of colour, to win an Oscar for Nomadland. She says she has an interest in exploring some old, old Irish stories in future projects, adding she has previously celebrated Celtic holidays like Samhain and Imbolc. Hamnet will be in Irish and British cinemas on 9 January. Sir Sadiq Khan says he finds the racism allegations against Nigel Farage to be "incredibly credible and believable" based on his own experience. The Reform UK leader vehemently denies claims he was racist to fellow pupils at top private school Dulwich College in the 1970s and 80s, which a party spokesman has dubbed "a witch hunt". Mr Farage has faced repeated questions over the allegations, which include claims that he told a Jewish pupil Hitler was right and said to a black pupil: Thats the way back to Africa. The Clacton MP has denied the allegations, variously saying they were "categorically" untrue and at other times saying he "would never, ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way". Appearing on LBC's Sunday with Lewis Goodall, the Mayor of London was asked his opinion about claims made by Farage's former schoolmates. Sir Sadiq said: "I still remember now, and I'm 55 years old, how I felt being racially abused as a 11-year-old, 12-year-old, 14-year-old. "It doesn't leave you and it's difficult to articulate the impact it has on you, how it changes how you behave, how it changes how you present yourself. "So, when I hear the adults who talk about their experiences at the receiving end of alleged racism from Nigel Farage, I find it incredibly credible and believable from my own experience" Asked whether the passage of time meant claimants could be "misremembering" events, Sir Sadiq said: "As you asked me a question, I'm starting to feel how I felt. You don't forget it, Lewis. "And so, there are so many people I've seen on TV, I've heard on the radio, who were at the receiving end at Dulwich College, they're articulating feelings that I've got. They're behaving in a way that I relate to. "Yes, it was a long time ago, the response should be either an apology, I've changed my views, but to trivialise it by calling it banter is just so offensive to those of us who've been victims of racism. "Can I tell you, it didn't feel like banter when I was called the 'P' word, it didn't feel like banter when people made me feel unwelcome in a country I was born and raised in, and that is so offensive." At a press conference last week, Mr Farage continued to deny he ever made racist remarks in a "malicious or nasty way" while accusing broadcasters reporting on the claims of "double standards". He read out a letter from another former pupil saying Mr Farage was "neither aggressive nor racist". Reading from the letter, he said: "While there was plenty of macho tongue-in-cheek schoolboy banter, it was humour, and yes, sometimes it was offensive but never with malice. "I never heard him racially abuse anyone." A Reform spokesman said: "This witch hunt is merely an attempt to discredit Reform and Nigel Farage. "Instead of debating Reform on the substance of our ideas and policies, the left-wing media and deeply unpopular Labour Party are now using 50-year-old smears in a last act of desperation. The British public see right through it." Shark Hanlon has decided to keep his powder dry for the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with Hewick. The bet365 Gold Cup, Galway Plate, American Grand National and King George hero made a successful return from a break over the smaller obstacles at Thurles in October, but subsequently disappointed as the 2-1 favourite for the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. The 10-year-old switched back for the Coral Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month, but could only finish fifth, and Hanlon feels saving his stable star for the spring is the best course of action. Speaking at Navan on Sunday, the County Carlow trainer said: Hewick has gone on a break because of the way the weather is. We went to Newbury and the ground was way too soft for him. He ran well, he was there at the second-last. Ive decided he will go straight to Cheltenham for the Stayers (Hurdle). He runs well fresh and with the way the ground is at the moment, it could be March again before we get good ground! Thanks to one of Britains greatest philanthropists, Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett, The Independent has received a substantial donation to its SafeCall campaign. A major figure in the charity sector, Sir Thomas previously helped raise 130m a year as chief executive of Marie Curie and now serves as a life vice-president of the end-of-life charity. He is also the co-founder of the London School of Economics Marshall Institute for Philanthropy and Social Entrepreneurship, and an ambassador for the UK charity Helpforce. He said: This Christmas I have decided to support the amazing charity, Missing People, and The Independent to try to help the 70,000 children missing at any one time in the UK. I spent 12 years of my life running Marie Curie and seven years as chair of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett has spent decades supporting the charity sector (PA) In both organisations I witnessed grief and separation at Christmas time. It is so hard to even understand the loneliness of a missing person and the desperation that their families and friends must feel at this damp and cold time of year. SafeCall will fund a new service that aims to reach the 70,000 children reported missing in the UK each year. Sir Keir Starmer and Sir David Beckham have also thrown their support behind the campaign. Donate here or text SAFE to 70577 to give 10 to Missing People enough for one child to get help. Sir Thomas has urged people to support The Independents SafeCall campaign (PA) Sir Thomas was knighted in 2012 for his services to philanthropy and received a Beacon Fellowship for Philanthropic Advocacy the following year. His career has been defined by a longstanding commitment to healthcare, charitable giving and improving the lives of others. He joined Marie Curie in 2000 and, by the time he stepped down as chief executive in 2012, the charity was supporting around 10,000 more patients and families through its nursing services than when he began. Continuing his work in healthcare, Sir Thomas went on to chair the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust from 2014 to 2021. After being shocked to learn how few people were volunteering to support patients and staff, he launched Helpforce UK in 2017, which now works with hundreds of healthcare organisations across the country to establish and expand volunteering services. Sir Thomas is also closely involved with The John Innes Centre (JIC), an independent research institute focused on plant science, genetics and microbiology. The Norwich-based centre is internationally recognised for its work on food security, sustainable agriculture and microbial science. His generous donation comes after The Independent passed 100,000 in donations last week, marking a significant step towards creating a vital lifeline for missing and vulnerable children through the SafeCall campaign. Sir Thomas added: We must all do what we can to get behind and support those who are affected so many must be frightened and worried. Dont wait for new policies. Dont wait for somebody else to step in. If you can, give from your heart and from your wallet. It is my privilege to be able to make a meaningful donation to this year's Independent Christmas Appeal. Please donate now to The Independent and Missing Peoples SafeCall campaign, which aims to raise 165,000 to create a free, nationwide service helping vulnerable children find safety and support. For advice, support and options if you or someone you love goes missing, text or call the charity Missing People on 116 000. Its free, confidential and non-judgemental. Or visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/get-help A London-born rabbi has been named as one of the victims of the Bondi beach terrorist attack which saw 15 people killed. Relatives have paid tribute to Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old father of five, as a man who loved helping people after he was killed when two gunmen opened fire on families celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney. Rabbi Schlanger, who worked at Jewish cultural centre Chabad Bondi, grew up in Temple Fortune in north London, his cousin said. Rabbi Zalman Lewis, from Brighton, discovered his loved one was among the victims when he received a list of names of people to pray for following the atrocity. We are just beginning to process this, Rabbi Lewis told Jewish News. It makes no sense at all. How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way? We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy. To keep generating light. Rabbi Eli Schlanger was full of energy and life, his cousin said (Sourced) He said Rabbi Schlanger and his wife had welcomed their youngest child, a baby boy, two months ago. He described him as vivacious, optimistic and full of energy and life, adding: Eli loved helping people, encouraging people to do mitzvot. He was so bubbly, almost eccentrically so. Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, a colleague and family friend, added: If Rabbi Eli were here and you asked how to best honour him, he would say that Chanukah is when we light the menorah at the darkest time of the year. He would ask everyone to light the menorah every night of Chanukah and urge others to do the same. He would want us to increase the brightness. To become ambassadors of light. According to The Australian Jewish News, Rabbi Schlanger had recently uncovered a lost chapter in his familys history, including a great-uncle who had tragically been murdered in the Holocaust. Another great-uncle, the late Reverend Leslie Olsberg, had also previously served as rabbi at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, where two congregants were murdered in a terror attack during Yom Kippur in October. The Metropolitan Police said it was stepping up patrols in the wake of the Sydney attack, as Jewish communities across London celebrate Hanukkah. One suspected shooter has been killed and another wounded (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) One suspected gunman was killed by police and another was wounded, New South Wales Police Force said, adding that the gunmen were father and son. In total, 15 people were killed after the attackers opened fire on around 1,000 people who had gathered for the first day of Hanukkah at around 6.45pm. Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said the attack was an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, he added. An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated [by] this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it. For two Brown University students, receiving a campus-wide emergency text message of an active shooter triggered memories of school shootings they experienced as children. Mia Tretta, 21, a junior at the university, survived a gunshot wound to the stomach in 2019 when a boy began firing at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. Her best friend, Dominic Blackwell, was killed. Tretta said she spent Saturday evening locked down in her dorm room, learning that two students were killed and nine others were injured in a mass shooting at the Rhode Island university. This is not how I imagined my life when I was [a] little girl, Tretta wrote on X. I miss that carefree child I once was. Zoe Weissman, 20, a sophomore at Brown, witnessed the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, from her middle school next door. Weissman said Saturdays shooting brought back feelings of numbness. Brown University students were sent into an hours-long lockdown December 13 when a shooter opened fire on campus. For at least two students, it brought back reminders of previous school shootings (Getty Images) At first I was panicked, Weissman told NBC News. Once I knew a little more and I didnt feel there was imminent danger, I felt numb exactly how I did when I was 12. Im angry that I thought Id never have to deal with this again, and here I am eight years later, she added. Mia Tretta, who survived a school shooting in 2019, addressed a White House event on gun violence in 2022. She was locked in her dorm during the mass shooting at Brown (AFP via Getty Images) A gunman opened fire in a classroom in the engineering building amid finals week at the Ivy League university in Providence. Local, state and federal law enforcement officers spent hours looking for a suspect as students in lockdown barricaded themselves in buildings with desks and chairs. A man in his mid-20s was apprehended at a hotel in Coventry in the early morning hours Sunday, roughly 12 hours after the attack and a several miles from the schools campus. The incident has rocked the city of Providence, which hasnt experienced a mass shooting since 2021, when two rival groups opened fire in Washington Park. Flowers containing a Brown University pennant flag are laid in the snow less than a day after two students were killed in a mass shooting that injured nine others (AP) For Weissman and Tretta, not only are they part of a generation of Americans who have become accustomed to school shootings in the United States, but they have also spent years rebuilding a sense of security that was ripped away by previous shootings. Ever since that day, Ive kind of tried everything I could to figure out this new normal life, Tretta told MSNOW on Saturday as hundreds of law enforcement officers were hunting down the suspected shooter. Tretta indicated she never thought shed experience a school shooting again, citing the statistical unlikelihood. She picked Brown University because she felt safe at the school and in Rhode Island, she said. Weissman expressed deep frustration with the lack of gun violence prevention legislation in the United States, telling CNN it was too frustrating to put into words. The common denominator ... is inaction on the part of Congress, said Weissman, referring to failures among lawmakers to implement gun reform in the wake of previous school shootings. I think weve seen time and time again, Congress has shown they dont care about their constituents, and if they did, they would immediately pass comprehensive gun violence prevention bills, she added. Israeli intelligence said the planning of the attack by Naveed Akram and another gunman bore the hallmarks of Iranian involvement The Sydney terror attack may have been carried out by an Iranian-backed foreign terror cell, Israeli authorities believe. Officials cited Iran as a primary suspect, and said possible links to groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba were also being investigated, according to Israeli media reports. Australian officials have not publicly confirmed any foreign involvement in the atrocity. At least 15 people were killed in the countrys worst mass shooting in decades, which targeted a Jewish gathering to celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights. Intelligence sources said the attack on the Bondi Beach celebration appeared to be sophisticated and well-planned, and carried the hallmarks of Unit 910, Hezbollahs feared external operations arm. An Iranian link to the attack would follow a pattern of terror plots and attacks in Australia in recent years. Israels Mossad intelligence revealed in October that it had thwarted dozens of terror attacks around the world on Jewish and Israeli targets since Oct 7 2023, in countries including Greece, Germany, Belgium, Sweden and Australia. Naveed Akram. one of the alleged shooters In August, Australia ordered Irans ambassador to leave the country after alleging Tehran had directed attacks against Jewish targets in Sydney and Melbourne, an arson attack on a cafe in Sydney in October 2024, and another on a synagogue in Melbourne in December. Mike Burgess, head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio), said at the time that his teams had uncovered links between the alleged crimes and the commanders in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC. Intelligence services also said they had found evidence Iran was likely to be behind other anti-Semitic incidents in Australia, including attacks on Jewish schools, homes, vehicles and synagogues since the Oct 7 attack on Israel by Iran-backed Hamas, and the subsequent war in Gaza. A member of the Jewish community reacts with disbelief and horror as he walks with police towards the scene of the mass shooting on Sunday - David Gray/AFP via Getty Images Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert from the Institute of National Security Studies in Israel, said it was too early to jump to conclusions but added: Given the short history of Iranian activity and 910 in Australia, they are definitely suspects and high on the priority list. Australia has long been known to be a hub for Hezbollah and Irans sleeping cells, so it could even be a joint operation between Hezbollah and Quds Force, Ronen Solomon, an Israeli intelligence expert on Hezbollah, told The Telegraph. But this will mean its going to be very hard to pin this incident on them as Iran will want to cover this up as an anti-Semitic incident. If the investigation incriminates Iran or Hezbollah, Israel will respond, which will also make things much more complicated. Mr Solomon said the attackers managed to bypass local security, gathering detailed information on the target and thoroughly planning the way to attack. Mossad foiled Iran-funded attacks in Brazil Before the attack this morning, the Australian governments national security website listed the threat from Hezbollah on Australian soil as probable, writing that it is possible that Australian interests could be harmed by future attacks. In November 2023, just weeks after the outbreak of the Gaza war, Mossad released a statement saying that they had thwarted a Hezbollah plot directed and financed by the Iranian regime targeting Israeli and Jewish targets in Brazil. Given the backdrop of the war in Gaza against the Hamas terrorist organisation, Hezbollah and the Iranian regime are continuing to operate around the world in order to attack Israeli, Jewish and Western targets, the statement warned at the time. Mr Citrinowicz, who formerly headed the Iran branch of Israeli defence intelligence, added: It can also be theyre hiring proxies, criminals or those in the local community, which is the modus operandi of Iran. But Irans involvement targeting Jewish facilities in Sydney and Melbourne really points that way. We cannot rule out the Sunnis, however. We know that Al-Qaeda and IS have also been active in Australia. This isnt going to be an easy investigation if its Iran or Hezbollah, as they will be covering their tracks very well. Police cordon off the area around the scene of the shooting, described by analysts as extremely well organised by a coordinated group - George Chan/Getty Images He said the attack on Sunday looked sophisticated and well-planned, as opposed to an opportunistic killing. Its not something you do now to now and it seems that they were very capable of using their weapons. It looks very organised. An Israeli intelligence source, who asked not to be named, told The Telegraph that officials are keeping an open mind, but the operation appears to have the hallmarks of a state-sponsored event. It was extremely well organised by a coordinated group, and from way ahead of time, and the amount of ammunition and long-range weapons all point to this, the source said. Mossad said in October that it had identified senior IRGC-Quds Force commander Gen Ammar as the mastermind behind a transnational network responsible for anti-Semitic attacks in several Western countries, including Australia. Mossad claimed the network intensified its activities following the Oct 7 Hamas terror attack, targeting Jewish and Israeli sites worldwide. Syrian soldiers on the streets of the city of Homs. The new government has faced a daunting task to rebuild the security services after the fall of Assad - Abobaker Alsaka/Anadolu via Getty Images The gunman who killed three US citizens in the Syrian desert on Saturday was a newly employed security guard under investigation over suspected links to Islamic State. Two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in the attack near Palmyra. Six other people were wounded, including three members of the Syrian security forces who had clashed with the gunman, Nour al-Din al-Baba, an interior ministry spokesman, said. The attacker was among 5,000 recruits to a new division in the internal security forces in the desert region known as the Badiya, one of the places in Syria where remnants of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group have remained active. Nour al-Din al-Baba, the Syrian interior ministry spokesman, acknowledged the shooting was a major security breach - Izettin Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Images Mr Al-Baba said the forces leadership had become suspicious that there was an infiltrator leaking information to IS, and had begun evaluating all members in the Badiya area. The probe raised suspicions last week about the man who later carried out the attack, but officials decided to continue monitoring him to determine if he was an active member, and identify the network with which he was communicating. As a precautionary measure, the man was reassigned to guard equipment at the military base at a location further from the leadership and from US-led patrols. But on Saturday, he stormed a meeting between US and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together, and opened fire after clashing with guards, Mr Al-Baba said. He was shot and killed at the scene. Mr Al-Baba acknowledged that the incident was a major security breach but said that in the year since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the former dictator, there have been many more successes than failures by security forces. Syrians marked the first anniversary of the overthrow of Assad earlier this month - Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters He added that Syrias new government, headed by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, had faced shortages in security personnel and had to recruit rapidly after the unexpected success of their offensive in overthrowing Assad last year. In the wake of the shooting, he said, the Syrian army and internal security forces launched wide-ranging sweeps of the Badiya region and broke up a number of alleged IS cells. Five people suspected of having links to the shooting have been arrested. The attack occurred barely a month after Syria announced it had signed a political cooperation agreement with the US-led coalition against IS. It followed a visit by Mr Al-Sharaa to the White House. Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrias new leader, met representatives of the UN Security Council in Damascus this month - Khalil Ashawi/Reuters The coalition has carried out air strikes and ground operations in Syria targeting IS 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. The United States has troops stationed in northeastern Syria as part of a decade-long effort to fight IS, which held large areas of Syria and Iraq from 2014 to 2019. Credit: Instagram/mian.ores - X Families were tucking into jelly-filled doughnuts and children clutched balloons when the first gunshots pierced the sound of music in the park behind Bondi Beach. Dressed in black and carrying long-arm rifles, two gunmen opened fire on hundreds, turning Chanukah by the Sea into a war zone. It was 6:47pm, just before sunset, when the white sands and clear waters suddenly emptied. Thousands abandoned towels, surfboards, and beach bags, fleeing in shorts and swimwear. At the festival, which organisers had hoped would fill Bondi with joy and light, the attackers fired more than 50 shots in less than ten minutes. Where moments earlier families queued for ice cream, witnesses later described bodies all over the floor. Chilling footage shows the assailants walking calmly over a white footbridge from Campbell Parade toward the crowd, firing one by one. Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, Sajid Akram, 50, were seen aiming black hunting rifles, reloading, and turning to the next target as festival-goers ran for cover. Credit: X/@AustralianJA All of a sudden, its absolute chaos, said Arsen Ostrovsky, a Jewish leader who was struck in the head. Theres guns, fire everywhere, people ducking. We didnt know where the gunfire was coming from. I saw blood gushing in front of me, people falling to the ground. My only concern was: Where are my kids? Wheres my wife? I saw children falling to the floor. Arsen Ostrovsky, a lawyer who lived in Israel until recently, was left bleeding heavily after the shootings On the beach, witnesses could only watch and run. Mike Ortiz, 30, filmed crowds sprinting toward him. It happened so fast. Children were crying, people screaming, he said. Hundreds of people flee Bondi Beach as two gunmen fire 50 shots on the crowd - AFP Closer to the park, victims hid behind palm trees or cars. Others lay bloodied on the ground as sirens wailed and police raced in. Nearby diners ducked under tables as restaurants went into lockdown, while lifeguards pulled swimmers from the water. b' 1512 Bondi shooting ' Lives were saved by acts of extraordinary bravery. Ahmed Al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old father and fruit shop owner, tackled one of the gunmen. Footage shows him hiding behind a parked car before lunging and wrestling away the firearm. Credit: X People can be heard shouting, Get back, get back, as the second gunman ducks shots. Mr Al-Ahmed was shot twice in the arm and hand and was later taken for surgery. The hero bystander was identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, a local greengrocer and 43-year-old father of two Others sacrificed themselves to protect loved ones. Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman was shot in the back of the head shielding his wife, Larisa. A festival-goer named Jess took a bullet for a three-year-old girl, Gigi, who had been separated from her family amid the chaos. Naveed Akram, one of the gunmen, on the bridge Around ten minutes after the attack began, police shot the assailants, who were later photographed lying face down on the bridge amid red cartridges, guns, and backpacks. Suspicious items, including an improvised explosive device, were found nearby. One suspect was confirmed dead, the other is in custody. X/@bonusik28 via Reuters In the aftermath, footage shows bodies strewn across the park. Emergency services desperately attempted resuscitation beside abandoned prams and picnic benches. Survivors held up blood-soaked tallit, ritual prayer garments, as mothers carried children wrapped in foil blankets and injured victims were rushed away on stretchers. A blood-soaked blue-and-white tallit Among the dead was Eli Schlanger, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, which had opened just over a year ago as a welcoming community centre. Rabbi Schlanger, a father of five, had spoken earlier this year about the resilience, continuity, and enduring spirit of the Jewish people. Emergency services desperately attempted resuscitation beside abandoned prams and picnic benches Kobi Farkash, an Israeli backpacker, described the scene as a sunny day turned to terror. Boom, and in one second, everything is gone. I ran, hearing children crying, people screaming. It reminded me of October 7 at the Nova festival in Israel. The massacre left 16 dead, 38 injured, and Sydneys Jewish community reeling from one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks in Australian history. President Donald Trump offered his condolences following shootings at Brown University, Bondi Beach and in Syria before his unscripted remarks at a Christmas reception at the White House. The president addressed a room full of supporters for more than 40 minutes Sunday as First Lady Melania Trump stood by his side. I just want to pay my respects, unfortunately, Trump said. Two who are no longer with us. Brown University, nine injured. Two are looking down on us from heaven. The shooting, which took place on the Ivy League colleges Providence campus on Saturday, left two dead and nine people wounded. After embarking on a multi-agency manhunt, authorities said they have a person of interest in custody. Likewise in Australia, as you know there was a terrible attack, the president added. That was an antisemitic attack, obviously. I just want to pay my respects to everybody. On Sunday evening, 15 people were killed and at least 29 were injured when two gunmen opened fire at an event called Chanukah by the Sea in Bondi Beach, Sydney. One of the suspected attackers was detained and the other is dead. President Donald Trump offered his condolences to the victims of the shootings at Brown University and Bondi Beach, Australia, during a Christmas reception at the White House December 14 (Fox News) On Saturday, a man killed two U.S. service members and one American civilian and wounded three others in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra. Trump has vowed to retaliate. I must say, in Syria, also, we had an attack in Syria, Trump continued. We had three great patriots terminated by bad people ... But I just want to pay my respects to the families. People placed flowers at the gates of Brown University December 14 as officials announce a interest is in custody following a mass shooting on campus that killed two students and injured nine others (Reuters) After addressing the three incidents, the president delved into a lengthy, off-the-cuff rant, and at one discussed venomous snakes for roughly 10 minutes. He told the story of a White House physician, Dr. James Jones, who was bitten by a viper while hiking in Peru with former President Barack Obamas daughters. Jones lost consciousness several times but eventually recovered after months of rehabilitation. Its known for being a rather rough place in terms of physical creatures crawling around, the 79-year-old president said of the South American nation. Its funny when you talk about snakes and things like that, people find it interesting, Trump said to a hushed room. Would anybody like to go to Peru and walk around the forest? No thank you, Ill say no thank you. He acknowledged the snake anecdote was a terrible Christmas story, but its a hell of story. Im fascinated by stories of wildlife because I have a theory: wildlife always wins, he said. The power is incredible of animals. Later in his speech, he again brought up false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and rigged against him. The election was rigged in 2020, Trump said. We have all the ammunition, all the stuff, and youll see it come out. Its coming out in truckloads. Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the election which he lost to former President Joe Biden was fraudulent. Minutes later, he boasted that he could win the state of California, a reliable Democratic stronghold, if not for Democratic meddling. If the vote in California was legitimate, which its not its a rigged election in California because we would win California by a lot, Trump said. California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly responded to the remark in a post on X, writing, Hahahahahahahahaha ok. Trump again veered off script when he noticed a woman in the audience, whom he said bore a striking resemblance to his eldest daughter. Boy do you look like Ivanka, has anyone ever told you that? Trump said, pointing at the woman and asking her to turn around for the camera. Its the most unbelievable thing. You look just like Ivanka, which is a great compliment. The term premium SUV usually conjures up images of complex engineering, specialty parts, and exorbitant dealership service bills. For this article, a premium SUV is defined as a vehicle that offered near-luxury or high-end features and styling when new. When we say one is "shockingly cheap to maintain," we mean its ownership costs are higher than those of a mainstream economy vehicle but are significantly lower than those of its European or exotic competitors. Finding the right used premium SUV means knowing which models offer strong value without the punishing repair bills. These ten options are known for delivering accessible maintenance and reliable performance. Lexus RX 350 (Third Generation, 20102015) Image Credit:Lexus. The RX 350 is the gold standard for blending luxury features with renowned dependability. It offers a smooth ride and upscale cabin without relying on overly complex, specialized systems that inflate repair costs. Used models are widely available, with clean examples often listing in the low-teens to high-teens depending on mileage, condition, and region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason for its low cost is its engineering: the V6 engine and automatic transmission are shared with many mainstream Toyota products, meaning parts are readily available and mechanical work can be handled by almost any trusted mechanic, not just a specialized dealer. Acura MDX (Second Generation, 20072013) Image Credit:Acura. When new, the MDX offered excellent performance and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system that rivaled German competitors. It features Honda's strong 3.7L V6 engine, which is well-regarded for its durability when maintained, though any high-mileage example can develop wear- and age-related issues. This generation is often found in the low- to mid-teens depending on mileage and condition. Routine maintenance is moderate for a vehicle of this size, but major repairs are infrequent. The simple fact that it shares engineering DNA with the Honda Pilot keeps the cost of replacement parts down, preventing the massive bills associated with bespoke European engineering. Infiniti FX35 / QX70 (20092017) Image Credit:Infiniti. This crossover, later renamed the QX70, stood out for its unique, sporty styling and driver engagement. It uses Nissans widely used VQ-series V6 (VQ35HR in FX35 years), a well-proven design found across Nissans lineup for years, which significantly simplifies maintenance. This model has developed a strong following among enthusiasts for its distinctive design and proven powertrain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its mechanical durability means that even high-mileage versions can be found at relatively accessible prices for a premium crossover, yet the VQ engine is generally dependable, but age/maintenance history still matters. This makes maintenance costs higher than those of mainstream cars but nowhere near exotic-car territory. Porsche Cayenne (First Generation, V8 Models) Image Credit:Porsche. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first-generation Porsche Cayenne V8 models offer performance and prestige without the extreme ownership costs often associated with high-end German SUVs, provided buyers go in with realistic expectations. While maintenance is more involved than with Japanese rivals, much of the routine service centers on standard wear items such as ignition coils, spark plugs, and suspension components rather than exotic or one-off parts. Early V8 models are known for issues with plastic coolant pipes that can fail with age, but updated metal replacements permanently address the problem. Once these known weak points are sorted, the V8 Cayenne engines themselves are generally robust and capable of high mileage. For shoppers willing to use a knowledgeable independent specialist instead of relying solely on dealership service, the Cayenne can deliver genuine Porsche performance and all-weather usability at a maintenance cost that is reasonable for its class, rather than prohibitively expensive. Lexus GX 470 / GX 460 (GX 470, 20032009) Image Credit:Lexus. The GX 470 is based on Toyotas Land Cruiser Prado (J120) architecture, closely related to the 4Runner of the same era, which underpins its outstanding long-term reliability. Its 4.7L V8 engine is known for lasting hundreds of thousands of miles with just basic care, a primary factor in its low running costs. This generational model has maintained a strong market value and generally commands higher prices than many rivals, with clean examples often listing well into the teens. Owners should budget for periodic timing-belt service, commonly performed around 90,000 miles, which is a significant job but nowhere near the cost of a catastrophic engine failure seen in some complex European rivals. Lincoln Navigator (Third Generation, 20072014) Image Credit:MercurySable99 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons. The Navigator offers massive comfort and luxury, using readily available, affordable truck components for repair. It uses Fords 5.4L three-valve Triton V8, which is widely supported but has known issues such as cam-phaser noise and spark-plug service complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This generation launched steadily and is perceived today as a highly competent, value-focused alternative to high-end European full-size SUVs. Used pricing is very attractive, with many versions often trading at very accessible prices for a full-size luxury SUV. Volvo XC90 (First Generation, 20032014) Image Credit:Volvo. The first-generation XC90 was an initial sales hit that later declined, but it has developed a cult following for its safety and functional design. The common five-cylinder and six-cylinder engines can be durable, but ownership costs vary widely by year, engine choice, and maintenance history. Used examples offer great value, with with pricing that can be very affordable depending on condition and year. It is important to note that the uncommon V8 model and early six-cylinder engines with internal oil issues require more scrutiny. Sticking to well-maintained examples and avoiding known problem years helps keep service costs more predictable, though transmission issues are well documented on first-generation models. Cadillac Escalade (Third Generation, 20072014) Image Credit:IFCAR - Own work, Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Advertisement Advertisement The Escalade stands out as a well-known high-end ride, based on GMs tough full-size truck frame. It needs average upkeep for something this big - thanks to using the same V8 motor and most key parts found in the Silverado and Tahoe. While the interior feels luxurious, the underlying mechanicals are shared with GMs full-size truck lineup. The optional Magnetic Ride Control system adds expense because the electronically controlled dampers are costly to replace, yet the engine setup stays basic and tough. Prices on the used market change a lot; cars with more miles can go for just over ten grand, while better-kept ones sell for more. Mercedes-Benz ML 350 (Second Generation, W164) Image Credit:M 93 - Self-photographed, Attribution/Wiki Commons. Though fixing a Mercedes isn't usually cheap, the W164 ML 350 from 2006 to 2011 tends to be more wallet-friendly. The M272 V6 can be durable over time, but buyers should be aware of known issues such as oil leaks and early balance-shaft or idler-gear wear on certain engines. Performance-wise, it keeps pace with other European models while being less tech-heavy than newer luxury SUVs, though still more complex than most Japanese rivals. Because it avoids some newer complexity, repairs can be more manageable than on later Mercedes models. Youll typically find used ones priced anywhere from $8,000 up to $16,000. Advertisement Advertisement Still, drivers should know about possible oil cooler gasket drips - an expected problem needing careful fixes, yet nothing deadly. Tackling small glitches early keeps the car from facing big, pricey breakdowns down the road. Toyota Land Cruiser (200 Series, 2008-2015) Image Credit:Toyota. The Toyota Land Cruiser occupies a unique space in the premium SUV world, offering genuine luxury alongside legendary durability. While it was expensive when new, its reputation for reliability and overbuilt engineering makes it surprisingly reasonable to maintain compared to similarly sized European luxury SUVs. Under the hood is Toyotas 5.7-liter V8, a naturally aspirated engine known for longevity rather than cutting-edge complexity. Despite its premium interior and advanced four-wheel-drive system, the Land Cruiser relies on proven mechanical components shared across Toyotas global truck lineup. This means parts availability is excellent and long-term ownership costs are far more predictable than those of rival luxury off-roaders. Routine maintenance and suspension wear are the primary expenses, not catastrophic drivetrain failures. On the used market, early 200-series examples often represent strong value considering their original price and capability. For buyers who want true luxury, serious off-road competence, and a platform designed to last hundreds of thousands of miles, the Land Cruiser delivers a level of dependability that few premium SUVsat any pricecan realistically match. Smart Money on the Used Market Image Credit:Lexus. These SUVs can offer a premium driving experience without the worst-case ownership costsespecially when they share widely available parts, have predictable service schedules, and have known weak points that can be inspected upfront. Even the cheaper to maintain options here arent economy vehicles, so the smartest buys are those with documented maintenance histories and proof that major issues have already been addressed. At least two people were killed and nine more critically injured in a shooting on Saturday at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, with the suspect still at large hours after the first shelter in place orders were issued. Police scattered across the campus and into an affluent neighbourhood filled with historic and stately brick homes, searching academic buildings, back yards and porches for hours late into the night after the shooting was first reported in the afternoon. Related: Brown University shooting: two dead and eight in critical condition as suspect remains at large live updates The deputy chief of the Providence police, Timothy OHara, said that the suspect was a male dressed in black. The suspect is believed to have exited the Barus and Holley campus building where the shooting took place on Hope Street. OHara said officials were utilising every resource possible to find this suspect. Police released footage of the man they suspected to be behind the shooting late on Saturday, adding that some witnesses reported that the man, who could be in his 30s, may have been wearing a camouflage mask. University president Christina Paxson confirmed that 10 people who were shot were students, including the two killed. Another person was injured by fragments from the shooting, authorities said. Officials initially said a suspect was in custody, before saying that was not in fact the case and a manhunt was ongoing. Providence mayor Brett Smiley told CNN that the doors of the engineering and physics building were unlocked because many final exams were under way there. Based on what we heard from officials at Brown, anybody could have accessed the building at that time, he said. We are a week and a half away from Christmas. And two people died today and another eight are in the hospital, Smiley said earlier in the evening. So please pray for those families. Brown is on College Hill in Providence, Rhode Islands state capital. The university has hundreds of buildings, including lecture halls, laboratories and dormitories. The Rhode Island governor, Daniel McKee, said the unthinkable has happened. This is the day one hopes never happens, and it has, Paxson told reporters. We know our community wants answers, and we will provide them as soon as we can. For now, please know we are doing all we can to keep our community safe and have mobilized support for the students and their families, Paxson said. The search for the suspect was hampered in part because downtown Providence was crowded with holiday shoppers and thousands of people attending concerts, local media said. Federal law enforcement and police from surrounding cities and towns were assisting in the search, officials said. According to local news reports, venues across the city were bringing in extra security. In remarks to reporters at the White House, Donald Trump said hed been fully briefed on the situation. What a terrible thing it is. And all we can do right now is to pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt it looks like, he said. Well inform you later as to whats happening. Its a shame. Its a shame. Just pray. US attorney general Pam Bondi said on X that the FBI and ATF agents are on the scene of the tragic shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island. Please pray for all involved. The incident was reported near the Barus and Holley building, a seven-story structure that houses the school of engineering and physics department, according to the schools website. It includes 117 laboratories, 150 offices, 15 classrooms and 29 labs. Brown student Chiang-Heng Chien told local media he was working in a lab with three other students when he saw the text about the active shooter situation a block away. They waited under desks for about two hours, he said. 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 4pm. 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. The Ivy League school is a private, non-profit institution with about 7,300 undergraduates and just more than 3,000 graduate students, according to its website. Saturday was the second day of final exams for the fall semester. WH Smith is set to shed light on the state of its finances next week after its annual results were delayed following accounting errors which led to the resignation of its boss. The historic retailer, which is now focused on travel stores, will reveal results for the year to August 31 on Friday. It is expected to reveal a drop in profits, driven by significantly weaker profits for its North American business, which had originally been overstated due to issues in the audit process. The release of the results was initially due to take place on November 12 but this was pushed back to December 16 as a result. On Friday December 12, the group said this would be delayed again to Friday December 19. The WH Smith name is disappearing from high streets (Mike Egerton/PA) (Mike Egerton) WH Smith told shareholders the delay would give auditor PwC further time to complete the required audit procedures. The delay comes after Carl Cowling resigned as WH Smiths chief executive last month after a report by Deloitte confirmed the accounting problems. The retailer, which sold its UK high street stores earlier this year to focus on its travel locations, first revealed accounting issues in August. Its shares tumbled by as much as 40% after it discovered trading profit in North America had been overstated, when reviewing its finances. The business cut its profit forecasts as a result. Last month, an independent review by Deloitte found a number of shortcomings as the group overstated profits in the US business by as much as 50 million. WH Smith warned that it expects profits in its US business for delayed full-year results in the range of 5 million to 15 million down from the 55 million originally expected in the market and the 25 million revised guidance when the accounting issue was first uncovered. WH Smith is focused solely on its 1,300 shops in global travel locations such as in airports, train stations and hospitals after selling its high street chain of about 480 shops to Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital in June. As part of the deal, the WH Smith name is disappearing from British high streets and being replaced by brand TGJones. Next week, WH Smith is expected to reveal pre-tax profits of between 100 million and 110 million for the past year. This will represent a slump from a 171 million profit a year earlier. The winter solstice, a phenomenon revered by ancient civilisations, continues to hold profound significance today as it heralds the official start of winter. This annual event marks the shortest day of the year, characterised by the fewest hours of daylight, and conversely, the longest night. It is also the precise moment when the sun reaches its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky. The term "solstice" itself is rooted in Latin, combining "sol," meaning sun, with "sistere," which translates to "to come to a stop" or "make stand." When is the winter solstice? While the Southern Hemisphere embraces the onset of summer, those residing north of the equator will observe the opposite the inaugural day of winter. This year, the celestial event is set to occur on Sunday 21 December at 3:03 pm. Depending on where you are in the UK, the exact length of the day will differ. In London, there will be 7 hours 49 minutes and 42 seconds of daylight. That means it is 8 hours and 49 minutes shorter than the June solstice. While that means that the day is likely to be dark and dreary, the good news is that it also means that the days will get progressively longer, with more hours of daylight until the climax of the summer solstice. The variation happens because the Earth orbits the sun at an angle of 23.4 degrees on its axis, according to the Royal Museums of Greenwich. Arriving on the same day across the globe, a solstice occurs when the sun reaches its lowest or highest point in the sky during the year as a result of the Earths axis tilting to or away from the sun. For the Southern Hemisphere, its the opposite case, as 21 December marks the one day of the year with the longest period of sunlight. What is the history of the winter solstice? Historically, the winter solstice has been of great importance to many cultures, such as Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome, often as a marker for the passing seasons, and a possible time of rebirth. In northern Europe, from the Faroe Islands to Estonia, Germanic peoples have long celebrated the event, which became known as Yule. While Yule dates back to the Norse people, who celebrated the suns rebirth for 12 days, it was also celebrated by Anglo-Saxon pagans. According to Pliny the Elder, in Britain, druid priests would mark the important date by gathering mistletoe and sacrificing bulls which was also likely a practical measure to limit the number of mouths to feed during months of famine. What is the equinox? During the equinox, the Earths axis and its orbit align so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight. During the warmer periods, the North Pole is tilted towards the sun in the northern hemisphere, meaning longer daylight hours, while the southern hemisphere experiences the opposite. During winter the situation is reversed as the North Pole tilts away from the sun for the northern hemisphere. The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. Thats because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of time though one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet. The Northern Hemispheres fall or autumnal equinox can land between Sept. 21 and 24, depending on the year. Its spring or vernal equinox can land between March 19 and 21. People take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at Glastonbury Tor in Somerset. (PA Wire) Whats the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons? These are just two different ways to carve up the year. While astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun, meteorological seasons are defined by the weather. Meteorologists break down the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. By that calendar, spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, autumn on Sept. 1 and winter on Dec. 1. Additional reporting by AP. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Labours rush to net zero was having a disastrous effect on the UK car industry. Photograph: Darunrat Wongsuvan/Shutterstock (Photograph: Darunrat Wongsuvan/Shutterstock) The Conservatives have announced proposals to end the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars and cut the legal requirement on car manufacturers to sell electric vehicles. A Conservative government would abolish the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, ending the legal requirement for manufacturers to sell a fixed rising percentage of zero-emission vehicles each year 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035. It would also completely end the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. A future Conservative government would also scrap all of the non-research and development subsidies associated with the ZEV mandate to relieve manufacturers of more costly regulatory obligations, which the party estimates would save 3.8bn over the next decade. Ministers would retain infrastructure funding to continue developing the electric vehicle market. Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative party, said: Labours rush to net zero is having a disastrous effect on the UK car industry. The Conservatives will ensure that we protect the environment, but we will do so without forcing families to bear the brunt of the costs, and forcing carmakers to meet deadlines that dont reflect consumer demand. By scrapping the ZEV mandate and the ban on petrol cars, we are putting fairness and common sense back into the system and saving money for taxpayers. Britain succeeds when we back business and support innovation thats our plan for a stronger economy. Related: If we delay the UKs drive for electric vehicles, our rivals will overtake us | Jonathan Reynolds Writing in the Telegraph, Badenoch said she was inspired by the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and her commonsense approach to net zero, which required that any push to tackle carbon emissions must not degrade Italys economy. The previous Conservative government delayed the ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 in 2023. However, Labour reinstated the ban and will require every new car to be zero-emission by 2035, on the grounds that the timeline will provide certainty to manufacturers and consumers. The ZEV mandate is a result of the Climate Change Act and its 2050 net zero duty, which the Conservatives have pledged to repeal. Doug Parr, the Greenpeace UK policy director, said: Nothing the Tories suggest is likely to take effect before 2029, one year from when the ban takes effect. A U-turn now would create chaos after years of preparation for electric cars, wasting effort, risking jobs and leaving Britain stuck in reverse while the rest of the world accelerates towards cleaner, cheaper cars. If ever a political party wanted to sow confusion and uncertainty into one of Britains most important manufacturing industries, this is how you do it. Its the opposite of whats needed to cut pollution, lower running costs for drivers and secure long term jobs. Chinese electric vehicles will soon be better and cheaper than anything coming out of Europe or the UK. A phaseout date to incentivise UK manufacturing has to be part of the response. Scrapping rules would be a total disaster. It would undermine investment and leave manufacturers facing uncertainty in a rapidly changing global market. The Tories introduced this policy, and they should leave well alone. A government spokesperson said: We remain committed to phasing out all new non-zero emission car and van sales by 2035. More drivers than ever are choosing electric, and November saw another month of increased sales with EVs accounting for one in four cars sold. Were investing over 7.5bn to support drivers and manufacturers make the switch to zero emission. This includes 4bn investment to back British manufacturing and R&D, create jobs and drive growth in the sector. Our electric car grant is making it cheaper than ever to choose an EV, with over 40,000 drivers saving up to 3,750 since launch, backed by an extra 1.3bn announced at the autumn budget. The affected students are at institutions around Britain including University College London. Photograph: Maddie Red Photography/Alamy (Photograph: Maddie Red Photography/Alamy) Students from Ghana at UK universities say they are in danger of being deported after being stranded by their own government without promised scholarships or tuition fee payments. The group representing more than 100 doctoral students has petitioned Downing Street and Keir Starmer asking for help to persuade the Ghanaian government to pay the backlog of tuition fees and living allowances running into millions of pounds. Prince Komla Bansah, the president of the group of students, said some have already been deported by the Home Office after their universities withdraw their registrations for non-payment; while others have been evicted from their accommodation or forced to borrow money to survive. Related: Home Office grants extra visas for UCL international students told to defer Bansah said: For most of these students, I dont know how they survive. Some of them may be working part-time but its very hard to do that while studying for a PhD. From what I can gather from our meetings with the students, a lot of them are in debt and getting loans from back home. The petition sent to Downing Street says the funding crisis is so severe that some colleagues are now facing court cases over unpaid rent. To survive, some have had to depend on food banks because they have no money to feed themselves. The students affected are at institutions spread across Britain, including University College London, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and the universities of Nottingham, Bradford, Warwick, Lincoln and Liverpool. Ghanaian authorities said that after President John Mahamas new administration was sworn in last January, it found inherited debts to about 110 institutions in the UK worth an estimated 32m. Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, the registrar of the Ghana scholarship secretariat in Accra, said an audit of all scholarships given out by the last administration was continuing while a pause had been placed on new scholarships to the UK. After his appointment, Asafo-Agyei said he went on a fact-finding mission to the UK in April and drew up instalment plans with some of the institutions. But he said some of the universities had since rescinded the agreements. Asafo-Agyei said Ghana had made significant payments to our partner institutions in the UK and we have agreed to amicably resolve these issues so that our students are not at a loss. He added that he was not at liberty to make such disclosures without express approval from above. Asafo-Agyei declined to answer how much of the debt has been paid so far. About 30 of the Ghanian PhD students said the scholarship secretariat had failed to pay their tuition fees since 2024, with some barred from officially graduating, submitting work or accessing their universitys facilities. Others have missed support payments for more than three years, while Bansah said the government had also failed to renew its letters of support for scholarship holders already studying in the UK. Related: Home Office tells foreign students they will be removed if they overstay visas Bansah said: We all agree that the new government only came into power in January but the reality is that the government was already aware of the situation and it still hasnt made the payments. Meanwhile, there is evidence that they have still awarded foreign scholarships, so why are they still awarding scholarships when they know there is still a major problem with the UK? Earlier this year, more than 180 Ghanaian students at the University of Memphis in the US complained about missing payments from the secretariat. Students from other countries have also struggled with the same problems. In 2020, Nigerian students protested outside their high commission in London after some students lost course places. More recently, hundreds of South African students in Russia faced eviction from campus after delays in receiving government scholarships. Shabana Mahmood called violence against women and girls a national emergency - Getty Images /Raid Necati Aslm The human rights of foreign sex offenders have been prioritised over the safety of British women and girls, Shabana Mahmood has said. The Home Secretary pledged to strip foreign sex offenders of refugee protections and make their deportations easier under sweeping reforms to human rights laws. She said the changes, along with measures to tackle sex assaults and domestic abuse, would help Labour meet its target to reduce violence against women and girls within a decade. In an interview with The Telegraph before tougher restrictions on rapists and domestic abusers are unveiled this week, Ms Mahmood said: For too long, the human rights of foreign sex offenders have been prioritised over the safety of British women and girls. I share the publics fury at such outrageous abuses of our legal system and will bring this circus to an end. We will introduce new laws to make this country and its citizens safer, ensuring perpetrators of sexual violence are swiftly removed from British soil. Ms Mahmood cited a case, first revealed by The Telegraph, of a violent Polish serial criminal whose deportation was blocked under human rights laws when he claimed to be a father figure to his nephew. Under new legislation, the Home Secretary proposes to reform how article eight of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is applied, putting the safety of the British public above foreign criminals rights to a family life. The definition of family connection will be tightened to mean immediate family only, such as parents or children, preventing dubious or distant relations being used to block deportations. Poor conditions in home country Ms Mahmood is also working with 26 other EU countries to prevent article three of the ECHR being used to block deportation or extradition of criminals who claim that poor prison conditions or medical care in their home nation would breach their human rights. She cited the case of a Pakistani paedophile who sexually abused an underage girl. He successfully challenged his deportation on the grounds he would face inhuman or degrading treatment on return to Pakistan as a result of a highly likely criminal prosecution and imprisonment for his uncontrollable alcohol consumption. A Home Office source added: Such decisions are evidence the interpretation of article three has strayed far beyond reasonable common sense, which is why Britain will work with like-minded allies across Europe for reform. Sex offenders have already been stripped of the right to claim refugee protection under Labours borders laws. The Government is also taking on the power to remove all foreign criminals from the UK, not just those sentenced to more than 12 months as under current law. Ms Mahmood said the violence against women and girls strategy would mean sexual predators would have nowhere to hide. She has ordered all 43 police forces in England and Wales to set up specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams by 2029 to catch vile perpetrators. She is prepared to legislate if forces drag their heels, after an independent report found a quarter (26 per cent) of constabularies had not implemented basic policies for investigating sexual offences since the murder and rape of Sarah Everard four years ago. Domestic abuse protection orders will also be rolled out to impose curfews, electronic tags and exclusion zones on abusers with breaches leading to up to five years in prison. New crack police squads comprising covert online investigators will be set up to target online abusers, backed by 2m in Home Office funding. The moves are part of a three-pronged strategy on violence against women and girls which aims to halve rapes and sexual assaults within a decade. It will focus on the education of boys and young men to steer them away from toxic misogyny, tougher enforcement and improved support for victims. Police recorded nearly 210,000 rapes or sexual assaults in the year to March 2025, up 11 per cent on the previous year. However, only 2.8 per cent of these resulted in a charge. This was up from 2.6 per cent one year before, but was still only one third of the 8.5 per cent rate a decade ago. Forces have been rolling out Operation Soteria, an investigative model under which officers adopt an offender-centred approach that focuses on suspects patterns of behaviour before, during and after reported attacks. It shifts the spotlight from investigating the credibility of victims, which has been partly blamed for more than 60 per cent of rape complainants withdrawing from cases and a consequent collapse in conviction rates. Efforts to improve rates of prosecution and conviction have been hampered by crown court backlogs which have meant victims have had to wait as long as five years for their cases to come to trial. 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. The Home Office claims it will be the largest crackdown on violence perpetrated against women and girls in British history. Officials have admitted that the tools and tactics used by law enforcement to pursue abusers and killers are outdated, too often leaving men and boys to wreak havoc without any consequence. After the 2021 murder of Everard by Wayne Couzens, a Metropolitan Police officer, Lady Angiolini conducted an inquiry. She recommended that police forces should ensure they had a specialist policy on investigating all sexual offences, including non-contact offences like indecent exposure, by September 2024. Sarah Everard was murdered in March 2021 by a serving police officer with a history of indecent exposure - PA Her follow-up report found 26 per cent of forces had not done this and she warned that tackling violence against women and girls would not credibly be called a national priority until forces had implemented her recommendation. A watchdog report last year also found that half of police forces rape investigators were trainees because of a shortage of detectives. It said officers were delaying arresting suspects because they had other duties and did not specialise fully in rape cases. Domestic abuse protection orders will be rolled out across England and Wales, placing mandatory curfews, electronic tagging, exclusion zones and notification requirements on abusers, with offenders who break orders facing up to five years in jail. The Labour Government has expanded the powers under the orders to enable not only the police but also victims, their family, friends and other third party agencies to apply to the courts for indefinite bans on abusers making contact with victims or going within a certain distance of them or their homes. They can also be compelled by law to notify police of any name or address change, could be electronically tagged in the most serious cases and face up to five years in jail for any breach of the orders. For the first time, the orders cover all types of domestic abuse including physical, psychological, stalking, and coercive control. The orders will also be handed out by all courts family, civil, and criminal which will mean more domestic abusers will be forced to live under restrictions. Previously, the orders were limited to 28 days but, under the changes made by Labour, they can be sought for an indefinite period. Police forces are trialling AI technology that enables them to identify and track suspicious journeys by drivers on Britains road network. They are using an app which analyses data collected by automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, using artificial intelligence to identify vehicles that may be linked to county lines activity, whereby criminal gangs move drugs across the road network. Police have until now used the UKs network of more than 12,000 fixed and nearly 1,900 mobile ANPR cameras to generate alerts when a vehicle of interest passes a particular location or confirm whether a car with a specific known registration number has been recorded in the area of a crime. The new find and profile app goes further in that it uses machine learning to analyse data recorded by the cameras and can track routes to identify suspicious journeys and vehicles to be stopped. Police plan to use AI to analyse data recorded by ANPR cameras to identify suspicious journeys and vehicles to be stopped - Alamy While the tool has so far been used to identify county lines suspects, documents obtained by Liberty Investigates and The Telegraph show police believe the technology could be deployed more widely, noting its potential to be leveraged for different crime types. The documents do not specify what types of crime but a National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) data protection assessment also notes: It is possible that millions of [vehicle registrations] will be collected. ANPR cameras record more than 100m vehicle locations a day. The NPCC also notes that the project aims to test the technical possibilities which will inform decision-making about investment in further capability development and inform the ethical decision about the use of this technology. The app was first trialled by the North West regional organised crime unit which covers Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and North Wales with funding from the Home Office. It has since been rolled out across three of the nine regional organised crime units in England and Wales. Mission creep The documents show plans are under way to roll out the tool nationally, as part of a project dubbed Operation Ignition, raising concerns from privacy campaigners over mission creep that could expose innocent drivers to intrusive surveillance. Jake Hurfurt, head of research and investigations at Big Brother Watch, said: The UKs ANPR network is already one of the biggest surveillance networks on the planet, tracking millions of innocent peoples journeys every single day. Using AI to analyse the millions of number plates it picks up will only make the surveillance dragnet even more intrusive. Monitoring and analysing this many journeys will impact everybodys privacy and has the potential to allow police to analyse how we all move around the country at the click of a button. Everybody wants county lines gangs to be tackled but there is a real danger of mission creep ANPR was introduced as a counter-terror measure, now it is used to enforce driving rules. The question is not should police try and stop gangs, but how could this next-generation use of number plate scans be used down the line? Jake Hurfurt of Big Brother Watch, said: The UKs ANPR network is already one of the biggest surveillance networks on the planet - Alamy Dr Xavier LHoiry, a senior lecturer at Sheffield University who has studied police use of the ANPR system, said many people would be unaware of the technologys surveillance potential. Most people would be fine with targeted surveillance of bad actors but this indiscriminate application is when it starts to ring alarm bells, he said. The find and profile app is the first to be made available on the National Police Capabilities Environment, which offers police forces access to digital policing tools. It was developed with help from the British AI start-up Faculty, which worked with Dominic Cummings on the Vote Leave campaign and has since won a series of UK government contracts with clients including the NHS and the Ministry Of Defence (MoD). Faculty declined to comment on its role in the project. Chief constable Chris Todd, chair of the NPCCs national police data and analytics board, said: The National Data and Analytics Office is piloting a small-scale, exploratory, operational proof of concept looking at the potential use of machine learning in conjunction with ANPR data. The tooling is not integrated to the national ANPR service and is working with a very small subset of ANPR data to test the proof of concept. Its purpose is to identify vehicles of interest to support detection and enforcement action. He added: Data protection and security measures are in place, and an ethics panel has been established to oversee the work. ANPR is used by policing to aid the prevention and detection of a variety of crime types. The current pilot is testing use of machine learning to support policings response to serious and organised crime. If the pilot proves to be successful, other crime types may be considered as use cases. Biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner William Webster said: The Home Office is currently consulting on a legal framework to support the police use of digital and biometric technologies, which includes ANPR. Oversight is a key part of this framework, and I would argue that any future oversight regime should incorporate a safe space and mechanisms for policing agencies to trial and pilot new technology initiatives. This would ensure for the future that there is transparency and accountability at the outset, and ethics and fundamental rights are integrated at the earliest possible opportunity. A Home Office spokesman said: This is a policing tool designed to support investigations into serious and organised crime, which is currently being tested on a small scale. The application uses a small subset of data collected by the national ANPR network to help indicate criminal activity, with strong security and data protection measures in place. British soldiers train in Finland as military chiefs warn about the threat from Vladimir Putins Russia - Chris Fletcher/MoD The head of the Armed Forces is to warn the price of peace is increasing and more money is needed to defend Britain. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the chief of defence staff, will say in a speech on Monday that the international situation is now the most dangerous I have known in his 37-year military career. His intervention comes days after Mark Rutte, Natos secretary-general, warned the West must be prepared for conflict on a scale not seen since the days of our grandparents and great-grandparents, with Vladimir Putin having chosen Nato as his next target. In his first lecture at the Royal United Services Institute, Sir Richard is expected to warn: I find myself in a position that none of my predecessors during my career have faced, looking at the prospect of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. The international situation is the most dangerous Sir Richard Knighton has known in his 37-year military career - Andrew Wheeler/MoD But warning that the the price of peace is increasing, Sir Richard will add: Its about our defence and resilience being a higher national priority for all of us. An all-in mentality. And that will require people who are not soldiers, sailors or aviators to nevertheless invest their skills and money in innovation and problem solving on the nations behalf. A new era for defence doesnt just mean our military and government stepping up as we are it means our whole nation stepping up. Senior military officials have grown increasingly anxious about the amount of money being spent on the Armed Forces. Sir Richard and his fellow defence chiefs were last month reported to be so concerned with the situation they were due to write to the Defence Secretary, warning the Governments military plans were not achievable without greater spending. Shortly after the claims emerged, Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the head of the Navy, insisted Britain must step up defence spending or risk losing control of the seas to Russia, which has increased the number of ships entering UK waters by 30 per cent in the past year. The number of Russian ships entering UK waters has increased by 30 per cent in the past year - Edward Jones/MoD Earlier this year, Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, announced defence spending would rise from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent by 2027. Looser pledges were also made in his Strategic Defence Review in the summer to hit 3 per cent in the early 2030s and 3.5 per cent by 2035. However, defence analysts say the spending increase will not come quickly enough to effectively aid Britain in re-arming, amid fears the UK could soon be dragged into a major conflict. On Thursday Adrian Bird, chief of defence intelligence, also said attacks by hostile intelligence agencies had stepped up by 50 per cent in the last year, with hundreds more incidents this year compared with 2024. Al Carns, the Armed Forces minister, warned war was inching ever closer to the UK, with Russia actively targeting Britains critical underwater cable network. The shadow of war is knocking on Europes door once more. Thats the reality, Mr Carns warned. Weve got to be prepared to deter it. Sir Richard will announce 50m for five new defence technical excellence colleges, which will support thousands of short courses with a focus on jobs that can support the defence industry. Building on the Strategic Defence Review, he will also outline the need for a whole society approach to defence and deterrence, which will involve not only the military but universities, the NHS and industry, to build a national resilience to threats. Hundreds of shoplifters could escape justice because of a legal ruling that hampers private prosecutions of store thieves, the Government has been warned. Scores of shoplifters have been caught and prosecuted in London in the past two years by a specialist team of private security staff and lawyers operating on behalf of leading stores in the West End and across the capital. The private bobbies on the beat operate like ordinary police officers to arrest shoplifters before taking them to court, prosecuting them and securing orders banning them from entering the stores in future on pain of prison if they breach them. However, a Court of Appeal ruling threatens to destroy such private prosecutions by requiring private security companies to first offer police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) the chance to take them over before they go to court. David Mckelvey, a former Scotland Yard chief inspector whose company TM Eye mounts the shoplifting prosecutions for stores, said the complexity and bureaucracy of seeking approval threatened to make them unviable by delaying the process for months if not years. The waiting time for police and the CPS to review private prosecutions is 12 months, said Mr Mckelvey, who has successfully prosecuted 300 shoplifters with a 100 per cent conviction rate. The CPS will never take it over because they are too busy. The police dont even turn up with most shoplifting cases. The knock-on effect of that is that it is going to destroy private prosecutions when you link it to the failure of the court system to deal with cases quickly. Growing delays in magistrates courts Londons crown courts are listing some cases for 2030 because of record backlogs while nationally there have been growing delays in magistrates courts, which primarily hear shoplifting prosecutions. Official figures show the average time it takes for a shoplifting case to be dealt with from offence to completion in a magistrates court in England and Wales rose from 32 days in 2014 to 59 days in 2024. The threat to private prosecutions has emerged two days after Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police Commissioner, told retailers they need to do more to help police catch shoplifters. He revealed that the Met has halted the inexorable rise in shoplifting, with a 4.5 per cent fall in offences in the past year, but he said that too many retailers were failing to provide CCTV or other evidence that could help police catch and prosecute more store thieves. b' ' Shoplifting across England and Wales hit a record 529,994 thefts reported to police in the year to June, up 13 per cent in a year. That is thought to be a significant underestimate as a study by the British Retail Consortium put the true scale at 20 million cases. Any individual or company can bring a private prosecution under a common law right allowing citizens to seek justice if the state refuses or fails to do so. However, the CPS reserves the right to take them over and go ahead with them or stop them if they are judged not to be in the public interest or lack any proper evidence. The prospective restrictions stem from a Court of Appeal judgment which capped the legal costs in a private prosecution because the organisation behind it failed to ask the CPS in advance whether it could take over the case and then ran up hefty bills. Anyone taking a private prosecution can seek to be reimbursed for at least a portion of their reasonably incurred costs if it is successful. Companies such as TM Eye are concerned that the ruling sets a precedent by forcing them to formally consult police and CPS before prosecuting suspects in order to recoup any costs. TM Eye largely funds its cases itself, often securing only a fraction of the costs back from the state, because its main income comes from the companies or organisations for which it is working. It launched its My Local Bobby service two years ago to provide residents, local firms and shops with neighbourhood policing to combat thefts, criminal damage and other anti-social behaviour. Its bobbies, who are uniformed with magenta vests and caps, provide security cover 24/7 for up to 250 houses and businesses on each beat. It promises to have a response at the scene within five minutes, for a fee per customer. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: This ruling was made by the independent Judiciary and it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment. We are making bold changes which have been backed by the Magistrates Association to deliver once in a generation reform while also increasing magistrate recruitment and investing 450 million in our courts to help reduce delays and put victims at the heart of the justice system. Flu vaccination rates among care home residents have fallen, despite warnings of a super strain sweeping the country. A total of 56.7 per cent of residents in older adult care homes had received the flu jab by Nov 14, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency. This is fewer than the 63.4 per cent at the same time last year. It leaves more than 110,000 elderly people living in care homes vulnerable. A tidal wave of flu has seen record numbers of patients and particularly those aged over 75 admitted to hospital. It has been driven by low vaccine uptake among children with hundreds of outbreaks occurring across schools, with some temporarily closing. Stuart Andrew, MP for Daventry, has criticised the Governments lack of preparedness for this years flu season - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Stuart Andrew, the Conservative shadow health secretary, said the figures were very worrying. On the face of it, it seems that there has been a real lack of preparedness for the winter pressures and this fall in the number of vaccines for residents of care homes seems to point to that, he said. We will certainly be seeking to find out why the Government has allowed this to happen when we knew there would be pressures this winter. The early surge in flu has created a worst case scenario with health officials recommending people with symptoms to wear face masks in public or stay at home to reduce the spread of the virus. Fewer than half of NHS staff have also taken up the offer of a flu jab, the latest figures show, although the rate is higher than the same time last year. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, warned that the NHS might collapse from a double whammy of flu and strikes. The results of a ballot by the British Medical Association on whether junior doctors, now called resident doctors, should accept a deal to call off the planned five-day walkout will be published on Monday. Carers doling out death instead of tablets Denis Reed, the director of Silver Voices, which campaigns for the over 65s, said: The number of residents receiving a flu jab should be much higher but it is the tiny proportion of care staff being vaccinated which is the shocking figure. It should be mandatory for NHS and social care staff caring for very vulnerable and frail patients to be vaccinated for both Covid and flu, unless exempted on medical grounds. We cant have superspreaders in uniforms wandering around care homes, doling out death instead of tablets, he said. Health officials have also been criticised for rolling out the flu vaccine too slowly given the warning signs from abroad. While schools began vaccinating in September, adults, including those in care homes, were not able to get them until October. Pharmacy leaders have criticised this years vaccine rollout, saying it came too late and was botched by poor communication, meaning many of those eligible did not come forward. They said a patchy rollout of the programme to vaccinate children in schools meant many were now turning up at chemists in search of vaccines they should already have been given. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation opted to push back the start of the rollout by a month October instead of September last year and recommended the same this year. The rationale is that most adults would be vaccinated closer to the time the virus is most likely to be caught and so protection is stronger. However, it is not clear if they factored in or anticipated the earlier surge in cases in recent years. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: We used to start earlier and there were no problems; we got mobilised early. This year it started in October and they did a botched job communicating it. There just was not enough awareness among the public so people were not coming forward. Starting in October was too late, but also didnt allow for teething problems, and there were a lot of them. A Department of Health spokesman said: The figures cited do not reflect the true picture. Monthly data published by NHS England, which is drawn directly from the vaccination record, shows that 271,000 care home residents have received a flu vaccination - around 70 per cent of the total. Across the NHS, we have delivered over 17 million flu vaccines this autumn hundreds of thousands more than this time last year, with over 60,000 additional NHS staff vaccinated. Jameel Motors, the UK distributor of Farizon electric vans, is already thinking of an expansion with a possible new car franchise. The Saudi Arabian firm is currently a major distributor for Toyota, Lexus and BYD in more than 10 countries, from Japan to the UAE, as well as Geely-owned Farizon in the UK. According to CEO Jasmmine Wong, the introduction of Farizon into the UK will act as a stepping stone for future car brands as Jameel looks to broaden its automotive portfolio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The passenger car market is far bigger [than the commercial vehicle market], so we believe that this is the right moment to come in and establish ourselves, she said. Of all the markets that have gone through so far, the UK is the toughest, but UK buyers focus is on technology and price, rather than brands. "There's not much competition [for the Farizon SV], which gives us time. All you need to do is make sure that you get the fundamentals right. "Our key strength is that we're very good in aftersales and customer satisfaction. One of our philosophies is that we make sure that everybody who buys a car from us they will never be disappointed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want to take this as our first two years of learning, to get ready, and then eventually it scales up. If you come in fast and furious, you can get burned, big time. Wong said that launching the SV has enabled Jameel to understand the UK market, establishing itself with the partners, staff and customers, but she wouldn't be drawn on which brand would be targeted for expansion. Jameel has existing relationships with several Chinese manufacturers, including MG, Omoda/Jaecoo and Geely, all of which have already entered the UK market. Other distribution agreements are in place with GAC and Changan, which are in the process of launching here. We have another joint venture coming up, which will be announced with another brand, which is a passenger vehicle [venture], so we see that as an opportunity [for the UK]," said Wong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It allows you to learn and invest, as it goes, because if I were to launch a car, I would be facing major problems from multiple competitors and would need, in a quick period of time, to find 30 to 50 dealerships across the country. For commercial vehicles it's a bit different. You need to make sure that you get the customer and solve their problems. Its a question of credibility, meaning to say that if you fail them once, your reputation will be tarnished. "We are very determined that we don't want to get it wrong, and then we [should] slowly see that credibility increase." Jameel has just opened its new flagship Farizon dealership and headquarters in Park Royal, London. The 1.3 million investment includes a workshop space for servicing and repairs, as well as sales and aftersales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wong also hinted that the Farizon commercial vehicle line-up could one day include an electric heavy truck taken from the Farizon International portfolio, as well as a smaller electric van already confirmed for the UK next year. George Barrow is the editor of van reviews website Van Reviewer and the International Van of the Year jury member for the UK ]]> Eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce - Food is Love/Shutterstock Just as it takes creativity to invent a new dish, some chefs employ the same creative liberty when naming their dishes. A surprising number of foods are named after places other than where they originated like French fries, which were conceptualized in Belgium. Today, we're taking a closer look at another geographically-titled food, and unlike fries, it's actually French. Despite its Dutch-sounding name, hollandaise sauce was created in France, a hairpin balance of room-temperature egg yolks, warm butter, lemon juice, and pepper. Hollandaise is so French, in fact, that it holds a position of esteem as one of French cuisine's five fundamental "mother" sauces, alongside bechamel, espagnole, veloute, and sauce tomate. Perhaps perplexingly, the word "hollandaise" is French for "from Holland," yet the condiment originated in northern France's Normandy. Initially, it was known as "sauce Isigny," a nod to the Normandy town of Isigny-sur-Mer and the Calvados region's dairy farming tradition, known especially for its butter (Normandy remains the cream capital of the country today). So, why the name change? Two dominant theories have emerged as to why the French mother sauce earned its Dutch-inspired moniker. The first theory posits that the name change happened during World War I, when France had to import its butter from Holland due to domestic production issues. The second theory places the name centuries' further back, during a period of diaspora. Read more: How Scrambled Eggs Are Different Around The World Hollandaise hails from France, despite its Dutch name Chef pouring hollandaise sauce over a salmon filet - geodragiana/Shutterstock Per the lore, during the 1500s and 1600s, hollandaise sauce was brought from Normandy to Holland by fleeing Huguenots. Huguenots followed the teachings of French Protestant Reformationist John Calvin, and left France en-masse to escape severe persecution from the staunchly-Catholic French government, culminating in St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572. Many Huguenots fled to the nearby Netherlands, blurring the geographical origin of the lush, creamy sauce. It's worth noting that the hollandaise sauce foodies were enjoying in the 1600s might have looked a little different from the sauce epicures know today. The first recorded recipe for hollandaise includes vinegar, making it closer to a modern-day bearnaise sauce (a hollandaise variation that adds white wine or vinegar, diced shallots, tarragon, and peppercorns into the mix). A 1651 sauce recipe printed in Francois Pierre de La Varenne's seminal "Le cuisine franis (The True French Cook)" describes a similar proto-hollandaise makeup, calling for butter, vinegar, salt, nutmeg, and egg yolk as a binder. It's an interesting full-circle culinary moment, considering bearnaise wouldn't be officially "invented" for 200 more years in the 1800s, when chef Jules Colette of Le Pavillon Henry VI restaurant in Paris ceremoniously named the sauce after Henry VI's birthplace of Bearn, France. Whatever the name, to serve, glossy, silky, brightly acidic, hollandaise is customarily draped over eggs, fish, or vegetables and it tastes just as good. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Police officers escort former President Luis Arce to San Pedro Prison after his arrest as part of a corruption investigation in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) 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. 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. 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. 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. US President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable discussion with business leaders at the White House in Washington DC, on December 10, 2025. - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters 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 Epsteins estate. But Epsteins associations with these men none of whom has been accused of wrongdoing by law enforcement have been a matter of public record, and the pictures by themselves dont tell us a whole lot. Indeed, the more surprising news on this front Friday morning might have come from a different source: a poll. The survey reinforced how troublesome impending document drops could be for Trump, especially ahead of next Fridays big deadline for the Justice Department to turn over what it has to Congress. And thats because lots and lots of Americans and even Republicans are inclined to believe, or at least entertain the idea, that Trump was aware of something unsavory. The Reuters-Ipsos poll asked whether Americans believed that Trump was not aware of Epsteins alleged crimes before they became public. Just 18% said it was somewhat or very likely that Trump didnt know. Fully 60% said it was not too or not at all likely that Trump didnt know. Thats a 3-to-1 margin believing Trump knew something. Even among Republicans, slightly more felt Trump was probably aware (39%) than leaned toward him not knowing (34%). Trump, again, has not been accused of wrongdoing in the Epstein case, and he has denied involvement. But its not just this poll that has suggested the public believes he has something to hide. A Yahoo News-YouGov survey back in July asked not just whether Trump knew about Epsteins alleged crimes, but also engaged in crimes with Epstein. Around half of Americans (48%) said they believed Trump had. But perhaps more remarkably, only 24% of Americans doubted that he had. The rest were neutral. And again, even many Republicans werent ruling it out. Just 55% of Republicans rejected the assertion out of hand. (13% thought Trump had committed crimes with Epstein, while one-third were neutral.) Just to underscore the remarkable things these polls are telling us: Three-quarters of Americans suggested they remained open to the possibility that the president of the United States knew about or even engaged in crimes with a notorious pedophile. And even many Republicans thought he knew something about what Epstein was up to. That suggests that, even if there is no smoking gun linking Trump to wrongdoing, the impending release of more documents could be bad for the president, to the extent they keep mentioning Trump or including photos of him like they have before. (As for the photos and emails from the estate that House Oversight Committee Democrats have released, the White House has claimed a Democrat hoax, said the emails prove absolutely nothing, other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong and said the administration has done more for Epsteins victims that Democrats ever have.) There are some key caveats to what the polling shows. One is that the poll questions didnt specify what kind of crimes. Certainly, Epstein is known for one very specific type of crime. But perhaps the large number who entertain the idea of Trump being implicated in crimes owes in part to Americans largely just believing that very powerful people are liable to commit some kinds of crimes. Indeed, weve even seen this before with Trump specifically. Polling during the 2024 campaign showed that voters said 54%-38% that they believed Trump had committed serious federal crimes. Even long before his indictments, a poll conducted amid the scandal in which Trump was impeached for apparently pressuring Ukraine for election help in 2020 showed 63% believed Trump had at least probably done illegal things during his political career. So some of this could be baked in. But as for the Epstein crimes, there isnt solid evidence of Trumps involvement or knowledge, unlike his indictments or the Ukraine scandal. And its also likely that some of this owes to the way Trump has handled the Epstein files and what weve learned so far. The president has, quite simply, done a bunch of things that sure made it look like he had something to hide. That includes a series of misleading statements about his past relationship with Epstein, as well as his slow disclosures about knowing Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell recruited a minor employee from Mar-a-Lago, Virginia Giuffre. There are also multiple data points that suggest Trump knew that Epstein had a particular interest in young females, at least. And thats not just his infamous 2002 quote about Epstein liking women on the younger side. The Epstein emails released last month even showed Epstein suggesting in private that Trump knew something about Epstein and girls. Of course he knew about the girls Epstein said at one point in 2019, in apparent reference to Maxwells recruitment. In another email from 2011, Epstein called Trump the dog that hasnt barked and said Giuffre had spent hours at my house with Trump. Given all of that, it shouldnt be too surprising that lots of Americans believe the worst and that many more seem to at least be keeping an open mind that Trump was implicated in or aware of Epsteins crimes. But with less than a week to go until the Friday deadline for the release of the DOJs files, these arent the kinds of numbers Trump would like to see. And they reinforce the very real political danger in all of this for the president. After all, Americans have been assuming the worst about the Epstein files for a while. Trump just gave them reason to believe he had something to hide. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish holiday event at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, in what officials have described as the deadliest mass shooting to hit Australia in 30 years. The shooting, which Australian authorities have declared a terror attack, targeted hundreds of people celebrating Hanukkah at the beach. One witness said people who were not part of the Hanukkah event were ushered aside by the shooters. The victims were aged between 10 and 87. Authorities identified the suspects as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram. The 24-year-old suspect is an Australian-born citizen, while his father arrived in the country on a student visa in 1998 and later transferred to a partner visa in 2001. The 50-year-old suspect has since been on resident return visas following overseas trips. At least 40 people were confirmed wounded in the shooting, which began around 6.45 p.m. on Sunday at one of Sydney's most popular tourist destinations. One gunman was shot and a second was arrested. Police said at a press conference on Monday, before naming the suspects, that the father, a 50-year-old, was killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was in critical condition in the hospital. The father had legally purchased six guns, according to police, which were found at the crime scene. Police also said they disarmed two explosive devices found in the suspects car parked at the scene of the shooting. These devices were described as improvised and active by New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon. Read more: How We Must Continue to Fight Antisemitism 80 Years After the Liberation of Auschwitz Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said that theres no evidence that these people were part of a cell and that its extreme perversion of Islam that has resulted in these catastrophic consequences. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, Albanese said, adding, An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. The national cabinet agreed during a Monday meeting that immediate action should be taken to strengthen the countrys gun laws, according to a press release from Albaneses office. Mourners gathered on Monday at the scene of the shooting to pay tribute to the victims of the attack, hanging Israeli and Australian flags, laying flowers, and lighting candles. Rabbi Levi Wolff lit a menorah. Photograph by James D. MorganGetty Images Long queues formed at Sydney blood donation centers, where people arrived to show support for injured victims of the shooting. Around 40,000 people booked appointments to donate blood across Australia on Monday, the Australian Red Cross told CNN in an email. President Donald Trump said Sunday that people celebrating Hanukkah should not fear for safety following the shooting. Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, who spoke with Trump by phone, shared the presidents message to Americans observing Hanukkah: Straight from the president, his message to people celebrating Hanukkah today, he said, they do not need to be worried. They should celebrate proudly, and they should be proud of who you are. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned the attack on Sunday, as several major U.S. cities increased police presence at synagogues following the shooting. "Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia," Rubio wrote in a post on X. The Bondi Beach Chanukah celebration was organized by a local Chabad group, which promoted the event online with free donuts, a petting zoo, and a giant menorah lighting. Video footage from the event, corroborated by witnesses, showed a mixed festive crowd with visibly Orthodox members distributing food to beachgoers, including Jews and non-Jews. Chabad is known for its global outreach efforts, and the Hanukkah festival is an annual tradition for the group. Although the police are in the process of naming the victims of the shooting, Chabad confirmed that Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who helped organize the event, was killed in the attack. In a post on X, Chabad said Schlanger had served as a rabbi and chaplain in the Bondi community for 18 years, since marrying his wife, Chaya. The post also quoted his recent warning about antisemitism, saying In the face of darkness, the way forward is to be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish. New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani posted on X that Schlanger had deep ties to Crown Heights, a neighborhood in Brooklyn. He called the attack a vile act of anti-Semitic terror and said it was merely the latest, most horrifying iteration in the growing pattern of violence targeted at Jewish people across the world. Holocaust survivor, Alex Kleytman, was identified as a victim of the attack. His wife, Larissa Kleytman, also a Holocaust survivor, confirmed his death to The Australian, saying she heard loud boom sounds before seeing him fall. He came to Bondi Beach to celebrate Hanukkah. For us, it was always a very, very good celebration for many, many years, she said, adding that she is still seeking answers, His body is still there, and I am sitting there and dont know what I have to do. Hero bystander Dramatic footage of the attack showed dozens of beachgoers scattering as shots rang out. Another showed one of the gunmen opening fire for minutes from a bridge while the sound of sirens raged. Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, told The Associated Press that he ran for his life when he heard shots ring out. "You heard a few pops, and I freaked out and ran away. ... I started sprinting. I just had that intuition. I sprinted as quickly as I could," Moran said. "Everyone just dropped all their possessions and everything and were running and people were crying and it was just horrible," Moran said. One video that has been broadcast across Australian television channels and viewed millions of times on social media showed a bystander tackling and disarming one of the gunmen before pointing the mans weapon at him. Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, described the video as the "most unbelievable scene I've ever seen". "A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people." "That man is a genuine hero, and I've got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," he said. An infographic showing the location of the shooting that left at least 12 people dead at Bondi Beach on Sunday. Mehmet Yaren BozgunAnadolu via Getty Images) Witnesses said a police officer who happened to be nearby returned fire on the attackers, leading to a shootout that lasted for 10 minutes. Mass shootings are extremely rare in Australia. A 1996 massacre of 35 people in Port Arthur led to a dramatic tightening of gun laws in the country, making it much more difficult for Australians to acquire firearms. Muslim groups in Australia condemned the shooting. "These acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society. Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law," the Australian National Imams Council, the Council of Imams NSW and the Australian Muslim community said in a statement. "Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those who witnessed or were affected by this deeply traumatic attack." A rise in antisemitism The shooting follows a steady rise in antisemitic attacks in Australia since the beginning of Israels war in Gaza in October 2023. Figures from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) show that antisemitic incidents in Australia reached historically high levels, at almost five times the average annual number before October 7, 2023. The group documented 1,654 antiJewish incidents across Australia between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025, in addition to 2,062 incidents nationwide the year before. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had warned his Australian counterpart that the country's policies fuel antisemitism. "Three months ago I wrote to the Australian prime minister that your policy is pouring oil on the fire of antisemitism," he said, referring to a letter he sent to Anthony Albanese in August following Canberra's announcement that it would recognise Palestinian statehood. "Antisemitism is a cancer that spreads when leaders are silent and do not act," Netanyahu added during a televised public address at an event in southern Israel. Yad Vashem, Israels official Holocaust memorial center, has repeatedly raised concerns about a dangerous rise in antisemitic attacks in Australia, including in personal meetings with the premiers of Victoria and New South Wales. Following an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne in July, the center said that "not enough is being done." It called on Australian authorities to "implement robust educational initiatives to combat hatred and to teach about the dire dangers of unchecked antisemitism." Jewish leaders from the world's seven largest diaspora communities convened in Sydney earlier this month to call for action against antisemitism in Australia. Pope Leo responded to the shooting in Bondi Beach on Monday, calling for an end to antisemitic violence and offering prayers for the victims. Let us #PrayTogether for all those who suffer due to war and violence. Today I particularly wish to entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist massacre carried out yesterday in #Sydney against the Jewish community, Leo wrote on X. Enough with this antisemitic violence! Let us eliminate hatred from our hearts. Contact us at letters@time.com. Nancy Pelosi isn't given to regrets, but she now finds herself preparing to return to California while President Donald Trump remains in power in Washington. And there still hasn't been a woman elected president. "I always thought that a woman would be president of the United States long before a woman would be speaker of the House," Pelosi told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview after announcing her retirement, the end of nearly 40 years in Congress. The men who ran things "poor babies," she called them weren't exactly welcoming when she tried to join their ranks. "It's not a glass ceiling, it's a marble ceiling," she recalled. "I thought certainly the American people are far ahead of the Congress in terms of their acceptance or their enthusiasm for a woman to be president of the United States." Since she was elected the first female speaker nearly two decades ago, though, the two women nominated for president, Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Kamala Harris in 2024, have both been defeated, both by Trump. Indeed, his unexpected victory over Clinton prompted Pelosi to set aside her tentative plans to retire then. All that has tempered Pelosi's optimism, or at least her timetable, for seeing a woman in the Oval Office. "I think it's probably maybe not in my lifetime, but within this next generation, there'll be a woman," she said. More: 'We ain't ready.' Michelle Obama says the country doesn't want a woman president. After nearly 40 Years, Pelosi closes a historic chapter in Washington At age 85, Pelosi's gait has slowed, but her posture remained ramrod straight during an hour-long conversation with Page. She wore a fire-engine red pantsuit and her signature stiletto heels, back after recovering from a fall and hip replacement surgery a year ago. Was former first lady Michelle Obama right when she said last month that America wasn't ready for that idea? "I don't know," Pelosi mused, then acknowledged, "I respect what she said, and I see the evidence of the two campaigns." Even though Clinton carried the popular vote, winning the Electoral College has proven to be "a tall order." After decades of friendship, a breach with Biden Democrats nominated Harris for president after President Joe Biden withdrew just 107 days before the election amid concerns about his age and mental acuity. Pelosi played an important role in that decision, meeting with Biden and citing polls that challenged his belief he could win in November. He heeded her counsel, but despite decades of political friendship, the two have never spoken again. "I'm saddened by it because I love him and I respect him, but I respect his decision in that regard," Pelosi said. She added, "He did make a lovely statement when I announced my future plans, and I am grateful to him for that." Biden's written statement called Pelosi "the best Speaker of the House in American history." U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) applaud as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 1, 2022. Meanwhile, Trump told reporters she was "an evil woman" who "did the country a great service by retiring." In the end, Pelosi said, the decision to retire from Congress after 20 terms 20 TERMS wasn't hard to reach. "It was time," she said in the Dec. 11 interview. "I mean, I've been ready for a while." While she kept her decision secret until dramatically revealing it in a video last month, "I thought that I probably wouldn't run again" for some time. There was a reason she kept that quiet, she added, as though stating the most obvious thing in the world: "You can't make yourself a lame duck." Not if you're Nancy D'Alesandro Pelosi, the daughter of a three-term Baltimore mayor who became the most powerful woman in the history of the United States. She negotiated passage of historic legislation with Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Biden, and she was the nemesis of Republican ones, of President George W. Bush over the Iraq war and of Trump over, well, everything. But if Democrats regain control of the House in next year's midterms a prospect Pelosi describes as a certainty, given the president's sagging approval ratings she doesn't think impeaching Trump should be on the agenda. She led two impeachments against him during his first presidential term. "No," she said. "That's not an incidental thing, to say we're going to do that. No, there has to be cause; there has to be reason." Instead, what congressional Democrats should do during the last two years of Trump's second term is hold the line and pave the path for regaining the White House in 2028. "We won't be able to get his signature on things, maybe," she said of Trump, "but we'll be able to slow down the terror that he is inflicting on the country." A slower gait, a less glorious view She is 85 now. "I'm old!" she exclaims at one point, sounding slightly surprised. Her gait is a bit more uncertain these days, but her posture during an hour-long conversation was as ramrod straight as when she arrived in town in 1987. She wore a fire-engine red pantsuit and her signature stiletto heels, back after recovering from a fall and hip replacement surgery a year ago. Being "speaker emerita," the honorific she devised for her unique status, lacks the power and perks that came with being speaker or Democratic minority leader. She had led the party in one post or the other for two decades, from 2003 to 2023. Consider: The speaker's suite, steps off the House floor, commands the best view in Washington, a sweeping vista of the National Mall. Now her quarters in the Longworth House Office Building, as the representative of the 11th district of California, offer a view of the wall of the Rayburn House Office Building next door. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, rips up President Donald Trump's speech following his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in 2020. The first thing visitors see is a framed poster that then-Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy gave her, showing a smiling Pelosi surrounded by pictures of the 51 male House speakers who preceded her. In the hallway outside is a large bronze plaque honoring the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the ceremonial counting of Electoral College votes that would affirm Biden's victory over Trump. "Their heroism will never be forgotten," it reads. Pelosi's contempt for Trump, on public display when she stood behind him and shredded his speech text after the 2020 State of the Union, hasn't cooled. She calls his administration "corrupt, incoherent, chaotic, cruel" and his political priorities "sick." As for her legacy, she calls the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 her proudest achievement, and the failure to enact gun legislation to curb mass shootings at schools and elsewhere her biggest disappointment. 'Not so fast on the epitaph' She acknowledges that her days of wielding power are over. "I have, shall we say, no power right now, nor would I I'll have even less when I'm not in Congress," she said. "But that doesn't mean I'm without influence." She will continue to press the issues she cares most about, and she'll be ready to offer "advice, if people want it." She doesn't dismiss speculation that she is likely to endorse Connie Chan, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and a candidate in a crowded field to succeed Pelosi in Congress. "I don't plan to do anything right now," she replied. The state Democratic convention is in February, "and we'll see how that goes." Pelosi expressed confidence that her daughter, Christine, will win her bid for a California state senate seat in November and that Democrats will regain control of the U.S. House. "We only need three seats for Hakeem [Jeffries, the Democratic leader] to be speaker," she said. "I want more like 30." President Barack Obama signs the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House in 2010. But her agenda ahead sounds more personal than political. Her husband, Paul, is "doing OK" but still dealing with the trauma from the brutal assault at their San Francisco home by a hammer-wielding assailant, now sentenced to life in prison. "I feel terrible because they were looking for me; they get him," she said. "He pays the physical price; our children pay it in trauma." She also wants to be more available to friends who are having "ups and downs." People "say, well, what are you going to do next?" she said with an edge of exasperation. "And how about, would you consider this or that? And I said, 'I don't have to do anything; I'm old! I don't have to do anything else.'" Years from now, what epitaph would she like on her tombstone? "Not so fast on the epitaph," she replied crisply. But she noted that on Veterans Day, she had placed flowers on the gravesite of her friends and predecessors, Phil Burton and Sala Burton, and admired the messages they had chosen. "His life was service; his love was the people," his epitaph read. Hers: "She cared." Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief of USA TODAY, is the author of "Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nancy Pelosi on impeaching Trump, electing a woman president The policy of strategic decoupling from China, initiated under the premise of national security and economic resilience, has become one of the most defining and contentious features of 21st century global commerce. Almost a decade after the first major tariffs were imposed, the results are becoming clear: the strategy is profoundly confusing American allies, penalizing American innovation, and inadvertently accelerating Beijings technological independence. The rhetoric out of Washington suggests that these policies are necessary surgical strikes intended to de-risk critical supply chains. The reality, however, looks less like surgery and more like a series of erratic, self-inflicted wounds. The decision in November 2025 to ban the sale of Nvidias scaled-down B30A AI chips to China a response to Chinas own counter-ban on the previously compliant H20 chips epitomizes the failure of this approach. It highlights a policy loop where restrictions lead to Chinese retaliation, which in turn leads to further, more restrictive American bans. This is not a sustainable strategic framework. It is a tit-for-tat economic skirmish that demands American companies shoulder billions in losses while simultaneously bolstering the resolve of their primary competitor. The financial cost to American industry is staggering. Nvidia, the key innovator in the artificial intelligence sector, is a prime example. The on-again, off-again chip restrictions imposed throughout 2025 have already cost the company billions in anticipated revenue. The firm faced a charge of approximately $4.5 billion earlier in the year linked to unsold inventory of chips designed specifically to comply with previous U.S. regulations. Forecasts predicted an additional revenue loss of up to $8 billion in the subsequent quarter. These are not trivial numbers. This revenue, which American firms would typically reinvest in domestic research, development and high-wage jobs, is now simply vanishing from U.S. balance sheets. The immediate effect of protectionism, particularly in high-tech fields, is to reduce the scale and market access of American leaders, which in the long run hinders their ability to maintain their global technological edge against emerging rivals. Furthermore, the policy of decoupling is causing significant friction with U.S. treaty allies. The strategy is only taking hold in industries where American firms can find alternative suppliers in countries that are both economically capable and geopolitically aligned with Washington. When potential suppliers are in non-aligned states, U.S. firms often prefer to absorb the political risk and remain in China, demonstrating that the rift is often political expediency rather than a supply chain necessity. Countries like Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, integral to the global semiconductor supply chain, are incurring substantial financial losses as they are compelled to relocate manufacturing and abandon existing facilities in China due to U.S. export controls. The lack of a consistent, predictable U.S. policy the back and forth over which chip is banned this month creates immense uncertainty. This uncertainty undermines the grand strategy of forming a unified front against Beijing, pushing allies toward pursuing independent strategies that prioritize stability over loyalty to an erratic Washington. The lack of clarity around the U.S. position encourages other nations to diversify their alliances and pursue trade agreements that bypass American influence. But the greatest paradox of the current protectionist approach is that it is funding and accelerating the very outcome it was designed to prevent: Chinese technological self-sufficiency. Each new ban on advanced U.S. components gives Beijing a clear, undeniable mandate to pour billions of dollars of state support into domestic champions like Huawei and their AI chip development arms. When the U.S. cut off the most advanced Nvidia chips, China responded by prioritizing indigenous alternatives. When the U.S. then supplied a scaled-down, compliant chip (like the H20), China quickly banned its use in strategic data centers to avoid becoming reliant on what U.S. officials openly described as addiction to obsolete American technology. The subsequent ban on the B30A in November 2025 merely hardens Beijings resolve. Washington is effectively outsourcing its competition policy to Beijing, allowing the Chinese Communist Party to set the terms of engagement and mobilize its vast state resources to fill the market gaps created by American withdrawal. The architect of the original tariff strategy, former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, is correct in arguing that the post-war global trade system is broken. But attempting to fix it through a strategy of unilateral retreat and domestic market protection is proving costly, confused and ultimately self-defeating. Instead of slowing Chinas rise in strategic technologies, the U.S. is simply ensuring that when China finally achieves independence in AI and chip manufacturing, it will be a competitor forged in the fire of necessity, owing nothing to American systems or standards. It is time for the White House to recognize that the current decoupling strategy is failing its own objectives. The path forward must involve coordinated, targeted restrictions built on international consensus, not broad, inconsistent bans that only wound American businesses and hand a strategic advantage to Beijing. Imran Khalid is a physician and has a masters degree in international relations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new religious charter school fight is brewing in Tennessee that has the potential to challenge a deadlock vote at the Supreme Court earlier this year that denied the creation of a similar institution in Oklahoma. A lawsuit was recently filed in Tennessee to challenge a state law that bans religious charter schools after the state attorney general issued a legal opinion in favor of such institutions, which opponents argue flagrantly violate the separation of church and state. Back in May, the Supreme Court deadlocked on the constitutionality of a religious charter school in Oklahoma, which would have been the nations first, after Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case due to personal connections to one of the plaintiffs. But this new effort could allow for all the justices to vote if it is eventually taken up by the high court. Obviously, the Supreme Court did not come to a decision in the Drummond case. They were split evenly. And so, this case is a live issue. This matter is a live issue that the court, I think, wants to address, but is obviously going to have to have a vehicle by which to address it, which requires a lawsuit. Maybe this will be the one or not, said Jeremy Dys, senior counsel at the First Liberty Institute. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmettis legal opinion released late last month argues the Supreme Court held that excluding religious entities from a public benefit solely because of their religious character penalizes free exercise and triggers the most exacting scrutiny. Only a few days later, Christian nonprofit Wilberforce Academy sued the Knox County School Board for alleged discrimination over a ban against religious charter schools. While the process in Tennessee has only just begun, legal observers say it could follow a similar path to the one in Oklahoma, where state officials were at odds over a virtual Catholic school that was set to see taxpayer funding. I think there are certainly activists on the right that are looking, that were disappointed that one of the conservative justices had to recuse herself, and are looking for another way for the court to say, Hey, this is fine, right? So, the court doesnt always take cases that are very similar back-to-back, but I could see this being possible, said George Theoharis, a professor at the School of Education at Syracuse University. The conservative members of the Supreme Court, apart from Chief Justice John Roberts, had been friendly to the idea of a religious charter school, while the liberal justices balked at the idea. Theyre not asking for special treatment. Theyre not asking for favoritism, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said during oral arguments. Theyre just saying, Dont treat us worse because were religious. Charter schools present themselves as another public school option and receive public funding but are run independently and have more freedom in terms of enrollment and curriculum. Opponents say a religious charter school could fundamentally change how the country approaches public education. I think it becomes a really slippery and dangerous slope for our public schools in our schooling system this country was built on the idea of religious liberty, religious freedom, and that means that the government doesnt take a position on religion, and publicly funding religious schools is a reversal of that, said Theoharis. The next step in Wilberforce Academys lawsuit will be arguments and a decision from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. And there is no guarantee the case will reach all the way to the nations highest court. I think its speculative to say that this case would make it to the Supreme Court. We dont really know whether the Supreme Court would be interested in a case like this. There are a number of reasons why this case wouldnt be appropriate for Supreme Court review. For one, at this point, there does not appear to be a split among lower courts, said Patrick Elliott, legal director for the Freedom from Religion Foundation. Secondly, this issue really relates a lot to state law. And so, there may be state law reasons why this type of charter school couldnt form, regardless of if its affiliated with a particular religion or religious institution. And so, I think this case hopefully would end at the district court with the Knox County Board prevailing, he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A house is seen damaged following a Thai soldier said was a Cambodian artillery strike in Sisaket province, Thailand, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) KANTHARALAK, Thailand (AP) Thailands government said a rocket attack from Cambodia on Sunday killed a 63-year-old villager, its first civilian death reported as a direct result of combat over the past week along the border of the two Southeast Asian nations. Both countries confirmed that large-scale fighting, which was set off by a skirmish on Dec. 7 that wounded two Thai soldiers, continued Sunday. The two sides are battling over longstanding competing claims to patches of frontier land, some of which contain centuries-old temple ruins. More than two dozen people on both sides of the border have officially been reported killed in the past weeks fighting, while more than half a million have been displaced. Reporters from The Associated Press arrived at the scene of Sundays rocket impact in Sisaket provinces Kantharalak District about 10 minutes after it hit. They witnessed the body of a man totally wrapped in bandages being put on a stretcher that was taken to an ambulance. A house a couple of hundred meters (yards) away was in flames, with village volunteers attempting to put out the fire with buckets of water. A piece of shrapnel believed to be from the same rocket was embedded nearby in the road. The victim, identified as Don Patchapan, was killed in the heart of a residential area near a school, according to a Thai Army statement. Thai Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat condemned Cambodia for deliberately firing into civilian areas, saying that such an action was cruel and inhumane. Thailand earlier reported civilian deaths during the renewed conflict, but most of them already had underlying health issues and died during an evacuation. Cambodia has deployed truck-mounted BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 30-40 kilometers (19-25 miles). Each can fire up to 40 rockets at a time but cannot be precisely targeted. They have landed largely in areas from where most people have already been evacuated. Thai authorities say Cambodia has launched thousands of the rockets on virtually a daily basis. Thailand, meanwhile, has been carrying out airstrikes with its fighter planes, with Cambodia saying the bombing continued on Sunday. Both sides have employed drones for surveillance and delivering bombs. Residents in another village in Kantharalak said several houses there were damaged by a rocket attack Saturday. Kanbancha Charoensri, who was in the village during the attack, said several rockets landed nearby and injured a few people. Houses that were hit directly were totally destroyed," he said. The ground was shaking so much. It was so scary. The Thai military has acknowledged 16 of its troops have died during the fighting, and estimated Sunday that there have been at least 221 fatalities among Cambodian soldiers. Cambodia denounced the Thai count of its dead as disinformation but has not yet acknowledged any military casualties. It has said at least 11 civilians have been killed and more than six dozen wounded. Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered a morale-boosting message to his countrymen on Sunday, writing on social media that he is proud to see this nation's strength "in this situation where our country is facing difficulties due to aggression from neighboring countries. The new fighting derailed a ceasefire promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump that ended five days of earlier combat in July. It had been 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. Trump announced this past Friday that the two countries had agreed at his urging to renew the ceasefire, but Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul denied making any commitment and Cambodia announced it was continuing to fight in what it said is self-defense. A Thai Navy warship in the Gulf of Thailand joined the fighting on Saturday morning, trading fire with guns based in Cambodia's southwestern province of Koh Kong. Each side blamed the other for initiating the exchange on a new front. Jintamas reported from Surin, Thailand. Sopheng Cheang contributed from Preah Netr Preah, Cambodia. As the Trump administration escalates its pressure campaign against Venezuela, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee on Sunday demanded officials provide more information to Congress about the administration's ultimate objective with the Latin American country. "What is President Trump's theory of the case? Is it regime change? We've got -- an amassed force almost unprecedented in the region, and I think the president needs to come to Congress and the American people if his goal is to further increase pressure on Maduro and potentially launch forces," Virginia Sen. Mark Warner told ABC News' "This Week" co-anchor Martha Raddatz. "I do not know what this president's goal vis-a-vis Venezuela is," Warner added. "We all know the history of American intervention in Central America and South America over the last 100 years has not been a great story." Oil tanker seizure ratchets up pressure on Maduro: Analysis Ohio Rep. Mike Turner, a Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, also took issue with the lack of information the administration provided. ABC News - PHOTO: Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., appears on ABC News' "This Week" on Dec. 14, 2025. "The president has not been, been clear, and he's not certainly been communicating with, with Congress, and I think he has been certainly escalating, both the rhetoric and certainly the presence in the area," Turner said. While Turner said he agreed with the administration's focus on Venezuela, he concurred with Warner that the case needs to be made to Congress. "I think the administration, though, is being slow to tell Congress because they don't want to tell everybody what they're doing. They don't want to show their hands as they're increasing this pressure," Turner said. Last week, the Coast Guard seized a U.S.-sanctioned oil tanker the U.S. said was shipping Venezuelan oil. The vessel, called The Skipper, is now on its way to Texas. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the court-approved seizure an act of "criminal piracy." The administration also slapped sanctions on six additional vessels shipping Venezuelan crude oil, suggesting additional seizures could follow. Turner defended the seizure, noting it was "done consistent with valid legal processes." ABC News - PHOTO: Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, appears on ABC News' "This Week" on Dec. 14, 2025. "It certainly puts additional pressure upon Venezuela, upon Maduro, but also upon all of these [shadow oil] systems. This sends shock waves around the world to all of these, these groups that are using these illegal systems to move money, to move oil," Turner told Raddatz. "This is a very important move." The seizure comes amid a massive buildup of military assets and troops around Latin America. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the most lethal aircraft carrier in the world, was spotted in satellite imagery about 215 miles from the coast of Venezuela, closer than previously seen. Some 15,000 U.S. troops are also positioned in the region. White House says US intends to keep seized tanker's oil, hits Maduro family with new sanctions And while the U.S. has conducted 22 lethal strikes on alleged drug trafficking boats mostly in the Caribbean Sea, President Donald Trump last week again raised the possibility of expanding the strikes. "And now we're starting by land, and by land is a lot easier, and that's going to start happening," Trump said Friday. "It's not only land strikes on Venezuela, it's land strikes on horrible people that are bringing in drugs and killing our people." The actions together appear to amount to a pressure campaign on Maduro, who the administration has said is an illegitimate president of Venezuela. Maduro has denied accusations that the tally showing he won the country's presidential election in 2024 was fraudulent; he says he was legitimately elected. The Biden administration also said his opponent won by "millions of votes." "I agree that the Venezuelan people want Maduro gone," Warner said, adding that he doesn't believe the Biden administration put enough pressure on Maduro to get him out of office. But the senator noted he also has concerns about what would happen if Maduro was "pushed out," including whether it would lead to a U.S. troop presence in the country. Seizing the tanker, Turner said, gives "Maduro the pause to see that the administration is not stopping, both as they have this military presence, but also economic pressure, that's going to put this regime, certainly in a very compromised position." But on the question of regime change, Warner did not definitively answer whether he supports it when pressed by Raddatz. "I think Maduro is a bad guy. There's plenty of other bad leaders around the world where we don't have this level of massed forces," Warner said. "I do fear that boots on the ground in Venezuela could be a disaster." This file photo shows an abandoned, burned-out tank in the middle of a desert near the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. - Ghaith Alsayed/AP President Donald Trump said Saturday that there will be very serious retaliation after two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush in Syria on Saturday. Three others were wounded in the attack, which was carried out by a single ISIS gunman, US Central Command and the Department of Defense said in statements Saturday. We will retaliate, Trump told reporters at the White House. He said the country is mourning the loss of the three great American patriots and praying for the three wounded, who seem to be doing pretty well. The president noted the US cooperation with Syrian forces. Syria, by the way, was fighting along with us, Trump said, adding that Syrias new president is devastated by what happened. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds office said in a statement late Saturday that the soldiers were members of the states National Guard. The statement said the soldiers names will be released at 5 p.m. Sunday. Reynolds office said three additional Iowa National Guard members were wounded, two of whom were immediately evacuated to a medical facility. Our hearts are heavy today, and our prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of our soldiers killed in action, Reynolds said. I ask that all Iowans stand united in supporting them and lifting them up in prayer during this incredibly difficult time. The statement said about 1,800 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers began deploying to the Middle East in late May to support Operation Inherent Resolve, the US mission to defeat ISIS. The soldiers mission was in support of on-going counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region, wrote Sean Parnell, chief spokesperson for the Pentagon, in a statement on X. He added that the names of those killed were being withheld until next of kin are notified. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the attacker 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, Hegseth wrote on X. Minutes after Trump spoke to reporters, he repeated his warning of retaliation in a social media post, calling the incident an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them, and saying Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation, Trump wrote. ISIS has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attack. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned the attack on Saturday. We extend our condolences to the victims families and to the US government and people, and we wish the wounded a speedy recovery, al-Shaibani wrote on X. In November, al-Sharaa became the first Syrian head of state to visit the White House, as Damascus seeks closer ties with the US after the fall of the Assad dictatorship last year. Hes a very strong leader, Trump told reporters at the time, calling al-Sharaa a tough guy from a tough place. The visit came after the US partially lifted sanctions on Syria earlier this year, marking a major shift in relations between the two countries. The deadly attack comes a month after Syria joined the US-led coalition, which was formed in 2014. The coalition has conducted military operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq with the participation of multiple countries. US troops have operated for years across multiple locations in Syria, including at the Al-Tanf garrison in Homs province, where they trained Syrian partner forces as part of the wider fight against ISIS. American personnel have previously come under attack, and Saturdays incident is the deadliest since a 2019 blast in the northern town of Manbij that struck a patrol, killing two US service members and two US civilians. A Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson said Syrian forces had issued intelligence warnings to US-led forces and that the assailant was known to authorities ahead of the deadly attack. Nour Eddin al-Baba told Syrian state television that leadership in the countrys Internal Security Forces in the Badia region had alerted the US-led international coalition against ISIS in Syria about preliminary information indicating a possible breach or expected ISIS attacks. However, (coalition) forces did not take the Syrian warnings into account, al-Baba said. He said the attack happened as leaders from the coalition and Syrias Internal Security Forces carried out a joint tour earlier Saturday in the Badia region. The delegation later entered a fortified command facility belonging to the Syrian Internal Security Forces leadership, where the assailant opened fire at the gate. The attacker exchanged fire with Syrian and coalition guards before being neutralized, al-Baba said. The spokesperson said an assessment taken on Wednesday indicated the attacker may have held extremist ideas. The result of that test was due to be issued on Sunday, but fate decreed that the attack took place on Saturday, which is an administrative holiday, al-Baba said. CNN has reached out to US Central Command for more information on the incident. Traffic on the highway between Deir Ezzor and Damascus was halted on Saturday in connection with the incident, and video showed US combat aircraft overhead. U.S. helicopters intervened to evacuate the wounded to the al-Tanf base following the shooting incident, official Syrian national news agency SANA reported. Al-Tanf is a US base in eastern Syria on the border with Iraq. This story was updated with additional information. CNNs Alejandra Jaramillo contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A wooden bowl of white rice. - meowwelove/Shutterstock Rice may be the most popular grain in the world, but when it comes to American cuisine, it's somewhat overshadowed. When the lyrics of "America the Beautiful" speak of "amber waves of grain," they're talking about wheat, not rice; Kansas is referred to as the "breadbasket of America," not the rice bowl. Still, rice has a long history in the United States, and America grows plenty of rice for domestic and international use, so it's not like it's slacking off. As for which state grows the most rice, the answer might surprise you. It's not California, Iowa, or any other agricultural powerhouse, but Arkansas a state perhaps best known as the birthplace of U.S. president and noted enchilada lover Bill Clinton. The Natural State produces 93.2 million hundredweights of rice a year, over twice as much as the second-place finisher, California. The Golden State produces 44.8 million CWT a year, with over 498,000 acres of land devoted to the crop well behind Arkansas' 1.156 million acres (but impressive nonetheless). The other major rice-producing states are Louisiana (whose Cajun cuisine, including the classic dish jambalaya, famously makes use of rice), Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas. Together, these six states produce twenty billion pounds of rice. Read more: 13 Mistakes People Make With Baked Potatoes Arkansas is ideal for rice growing A farmer tending to a field of rice. - Okugawa/Getty Images So what makes Arkansas, as well as other states in the so-called "Rice Belt" like Mississippi and Louisiana, ideal for rice growing? Well, there are two things rice loves: warm temperatures and water. (In fact, it's a semi-aquatic crop.) The South, with its warm, humid climate, is just right for rice production to say nothing of the Mississippi River, which provides crucial irrigation for many kinds of crops, including rice. But why is Arkansas the nation's leading rice producer (and by such a commanding margin)? It has to do with the efforts of one William H. Fuller, a farmer looking for the state's next cash crop. A hunting trip in 1896 brought him to Louisiana, where he got a look at the state's prosperous rice farms and was convinced to bring the crop back to his home state. Almost 150 years later, Arkansas is an absolute rice powerhouse so every time you take a bite of perfectly fried rice, you may have Fuller to thank. For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter and add us as a preferred search source. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Key Points Germany has asked permission to buy 750 air defense missiles from RTX. The $3.5 billion purchase price appears unusually large for the missiles in question. RTX profit margins may improve if this massive missile sale goes through. 10 stocks we like better than RTX A new Cold War has begun in Europe, which has implications not just for historians, soldiers, and geopoliticians, but also for investors in the defense industry. The Russian bear is growling, and Germany is rearming -- buying $3.5 billion worth of missiles for missile defense from defense contractor RTX (NYSE: RTX). Last month, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency -- or DSCA, the U.S. Department of Defense division responsible for coordinating foreign arms sales -- notified Congress of a German request to purchase: Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks 173 Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles. Up to 577 Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC missiles. Multiple MK 21 and MK 13 Vertical Launch Systems for same. RTX has been named principal contractor on the sale, meaning that -- assuming Congress approves the sale (and Congress has never not approved a sale notified to it by DSCA) -- the entirety of the $3.5 billion price tag on these missiles will go to RTX. SM-6 missile launch from a warship. Image source: RTX. Why does Germany want missiles from RTX? Despite the "Standard" name, the missiles in question are anything but ordinary. Raytheon, which is now the name of RTX's defense division, calls the SM-6 "three missiles in one ... the only weapon that can perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense or sea-based terminal missions." It's designed primarily for use aboard U.S. Navy warships, and that's how Germany plans to utilize it as well, defending German Navy F127-class frigates in the North Sea. The SM-2 is similar. Raytheon calls it "the world's premier surface-to-air defense weapon," with over 12,000 SM-2 units sold worldwide. SM-2 is used for defense against both anti-ship missiles and aircraft, and "a primary weapon for the U.S. Navy." It saw heavy use in the Red Sea area in early 2024, defending commercial shipping from Houthi drones and anti-ship missiles. In both cases, DSCA assures Congress that "Germany will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces." (Germany does not appear to have ordered any of Raytheon's SM-3 missiles, which are specifically designed for exoatmospheric ballistic missile defense). How profitable is this for RTX? You may think this is just another arms sale for RTX, but the numbers tell a different story: RTX has sold 12,000 SM-2 missiles globally. Germany wants to buy nearly 600 of them at one go. Meaning that, in just one sale, RTX is about to grow the number of SM-2 missiles sold -- ever -- to just one single customer. And how profitable will these sales be? According to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, RTX's Raytheon division, which makes all variants of the Standard missile, generated $26.7 billion in revenue last year and earned an operating profit of $2.6 billion on those sales. That's very close to a 10% operating profit margin. Therefore, $3.5 billion in missile sales to Germany should yield operating profit of about $350 million for RTX, or about $0.26 per share. It should generate that much profit, except for one thing: Publicly available data indicate that the average cost of an SM-2 missile is slightly over $2 million, while each SM-6 costs between $4 million and $5 million. Tallying up the total number of missiles being sold suggests the cost to a U.S. buyer of the 750 missiles involved in this sale would be roughly $2 billion -- but Germany will pay nearly twice that. Conclusion: This sale will probably be more than ordinarily profitable for RTX, and RTX's profit margins will move higher. Is RTX stock a buy? Will this be enough to move the needle for RTX stock? Possibly, but not necessarily. Even if operating profit margin on this international sale does in fact turn out to be substantially (say, 75%) higher than what RTX would earn for a sale to the U.S. military, we're still probably talking no more than $0.45 per share in extra pre-tax profit -- and it's unlikely all this profit will land within a single fiscal year, much less a single quarter. Most likely, it will be spread out over several years of missile deliveries -- perhaps as much as a decade. For a defense contractor as big as RTX, earning $6.6 billion in annual net profit ($4.87 per share), this would still be a noticeable boost to earnings. But it's probably not going to be -- in and of itself -- enough to turn RTX stock from a "hold" into a "buy." Priced at 35 times earnings, but paying only a miserly 1.6% dividend yield and expected by most analysts to grow earnings no faster than 10% annually over the next five years, I cannot yet recommend buying RTX stock. Should you invest $1,000 in RTX right now? Before you buy stock in RTX, 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 RTX 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. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 8, 2025 Rich Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends S&P Global. The Motley Fool recommends RTX. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rosie O'Donnell has been facing criticism as her daughter lands in jail while she remains in Ireland.@ROSIE/INSTAGRAM Funnylady Rosie O'Donnell is keeping her distance from jailed daughter Chelsea O'Donnell as the troubled addict awaits transfer to Wisconsin's notorious Taycheedah Correctional Institution after violating her probation from drug-related arrests, RadarOnline.com can reveal. Rosies Distance Sparks Fresh Outrage Friends said Rosie O'Donnell is emotionally exhausted after years of trying to help daughter, Chelsea O'Donnell, through addiction struggles.MEGA Now, sources said Hollywood is shocked that the former TV chatterbox, 63, is simply sending online support from her new home in Ireland instead of rushing to the U.S. to console the 28-year-old in person. However, pals are defending TheView alum, saying the heartbroken mom is emotionally exhausted from the battle to save her beloved girl from her demons. "She's tried everything," a longtime confidant shared. "Years of rehab bills, interventions, tough love. Rosie's drained." But others said the distance looks like abandonment. "Most parents would be camped outside the prison gate," noted an insider. Digital Support Sparks New Backlash Rosie's social media prayer requests are viewed by some insiders as insufficient support for her daughter.MEGA Rosie has requested prayers from her social media followers as Chelsea who is a mom of four young children herself faces a "scary future." But sources said the digital love may feel like a cold shoulder. "Instagram emojis don't hug you on intake day," another friend said. "Chelsea doesn't need likes. She needs her mother." by Giorgio Bernardelli The recent congress held by the Churches of Asia in Malaysia was also an opportunity for many young people from the continent to exchange their experiences. Some have recently discovered Jesus, others grew up in Christian families but are now called to give reason for their faith, and others are young Christian migrants. From Taiwan to India, a snapshot of the generation looking forward to the return of WYD to Asia in 2027. Penang (AsiaNews) - Among the delegates of the Churches of Asia who gathered in Penang from November 27 to 30 for the Great Pilgrimage of Hope, the missionary congress of the Churches of Asia, lay people were in the clear majority. The presence of young people was very significant. Coming together from very different contexts was for them a preview of what WYD in Seoul will represent for this continent. In 2027, it will bring back to Asia the great gathering of young Catholics from around the world with the Pope, more than thirty years after the only previous one in Manila in 1995. This is one of the reasons why one of the most interesting moments of the recent event in Malaysia was listening to the stories of these young men and women. For example, Malin, a young Cambodian woman, now married and the mother of a child, grew up in a Buddhist family. I studied at a Salesian school, she says, "and that's where I first got to know Christians. Little by little, I began to attend church activities until, at the end of university, I decided that I wanted to be baptized. At first, my parents didn't want me to, they said, We are a Buddhist family. But when I explained to them what I was experiencing in church, they understood. And they began to say, After all, they are like us...." Jeremiah, on the other hand, comes from Arunachal Pradesh, one of the states in northeast India. I come from the Mishmi tribe, one of the most radical in maintaining animism and rejecting Christianity, he explains. "Some of my ancestors killed two missionaries in 1850... I studied in Bangalore, where I began to build my career: going to the office, earning money, being with friends, shoppingthat was my life." Until physical suffering changed everything. Seeking every possible way to overcome her excruciating pain, a friend took her to a retreat house in Kerala. There I received something much greater than healing: I discovered Jesus Christ and felt liberated in knowing the truth, she recalls. So Jeremiah also asked to be baptized: she chose to take the name of that prophet, thinking of her people. I responded to God's call: I left Bangalore to return to Arunachal Pradesh to do what He wanted me to do, she comments. I returned to rural life and full-time apostolate, to pray for those who suffer like me and to help them. Jesus has given meaning to my life. Chang, on the other hand, grew up in Taiwan in a Catholic family but experienced the difficulty of being Christian in a society where many people do not even know what your religion is. I no longer went to church; I preferred to go out with my friends, he says. "It was my sister who insisted that I join her in worship. I said yes, thinking I would only go once: I wasn't interested. But that evening, praying and singing together, I felt that Jesus was calling me. I felt the need to go before the Eucharist. And that's how I started attending the youth group again." Communal prayer before the Eucharist is also a cornerstone of the experience of Loc Nguyen, a young Vietnamese man. "In my country, there are more than 7 million Catholics, and the Church has a long history. But even among us, there are many young people who today look elsewhere: they say they have too many things to do or that they are not interested. Getting them involved again is a responsibility entrusted to us. How? First of all, with joy: it is the first gift we have to offer. But also the experience of silence: it is there that you really look inside your life and can discover what God wants from you." Sadhana, finally, is Filipino but has been living in Japan with her family for ten years now. At the Penang Congress, she brought the story of the faith of young migrants, who are many in a continent like Asia. And in the Church, they often find a starting point in a new context that is in many ways full of difficulties. Today, she looks at the other young people she meets in Japan: Many build their identity based on what is trending on social media and see themselves as the only measure of success. But the Church can help us discover that there is something deeper. Young missionaries among young people in today's Asia. ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE CHURCH IN ASIA WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY SUNDAY IN YOUR INBOX? SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AT THIS LINK 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. 14 December 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has signed new procurement contracts with two foreign companies. As reported by Azernews, the agreements cover the purchase of specialized protective clothing sets intended for mine clearance operations. Under the contracts, ANAMA signed an agreement worth 150,000 manats with Israel-based Cortex Engineering Ltd. for the procurement of full-body armored protective suits. In addition, a contract valued at 265,306 manats was concluded with Norways Rofi a.s. for the delivery of individual armored protective clothing sets. As a result, a total of 415,306 manats will be allocated for the acquisition of these specialized protective gear sets. 14 December 2025 13:21 (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. According to information, this represents a 4.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. 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! 14 December 2025 11:18 (UTC+04:00) A literary and artistic evening dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of prominent Azerbaijani poet Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh was held at the Heydar Aliyev Palace. As reported by Azernews, the event featured recitations of the poets immortal verses, reflecting his rich literary legacy, strong national spirit, and deeply rooted patriotic ideals. Poems by Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh were performed by Peoples Artist Mehriban Zaki, Honored Artist Elshan Rustamov, recitation master Sabira Abdullayeva, and artistic reader Khazar Suleymanli. As part of the evening, songs composed to the poets lyrics were also performed, adding a musical dimension to the commemoration. It is worth noting that the event was organized in line with a decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev on celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Peoples Poet Bakhtiyar Vahabzadeh, one of the most distinguished figures in Azerbaijani literature. 14 December 2025 12:38 (UTC+04:00) On December 13, the presentation ceremony of the electronic book Western Azerbaijan in Documents and Sources by historian and writer Afgan Valiyev, Head of Sector at the Social Research Center, was held at the Litera Book House, Azernews reports. The book was prepared within the framework of a grant competition of the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations and is part of the Ancient Homeland project implemented by the National Heritage Cultural Historical Research Foundation. The event brought together representatives of state institutions, heads of NGOs, members of the scientific and public community, and media representatives. Opening the event, Asad Aslanoglu, Director of MIMTA Publications, spoke about the essence of the work, the process of developing the e-book, and the significance of Azerbaijans historic Victory. Executive Director of the MIMTA Foundation, Parviz Amirov, highlighted the development of the Ancient Homeland project, noting that the book was also prepared in electronic format in both Azerbaijani and English to ensure global accessibility of this valuable research. Chairman of the Public Union Baku Resource and Training Center of Non-Governmental Organizations, Rauf Zeyni, welcomed such initiatives, emphasizing that these research projects are among the achievements realized after Azerbaijans historic Victory and reaffirming readiness for a return to Western Azerbaijan, described as the nations ancestral homeland. Sharing her views on the publication, Irada Rzazade, Chairperson of the Public Union For Citizens Social Welfare, stated that the book represents an integral part of national history and expressed hope for an increase in similar NGO-led initiatives focusing on Western Azerbaijan. President of the Public Union Support for the Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis, Tofig Alizade, noted the resilience and heroism of the Azerbaijani people, underlining that the nation not only confronted enemies in Armenia but also overcame broader lobbying efforts, adding that the implementation of such projects deserves strong support. Within the framework of the event, legal researcher Samad Vakilov, Honored Art Worker Shafaq Sultan Alikhanli, and other speakers expressed their gratitude to the MIMTA Foundation and Afgan Valiyev for their contributions. 14 December 2025 11:41 (UTC+04:00) A delegation led by senior officials of the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan, along with prominent figures from the arts community and leading artistic ensembles, has arrived in Azerbaijan. As reported by Azernews, citing the Azerbaijan Ministry of Culture, as reported by Report, the visit is taking place within the framework of the Uzbekistan Culture Days, scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan from December 14 to 20. As part of the program, the first meeting of the UzbekistanAzerbaijan Joint Culture Commission will be held on December 15, marking an important step in strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries. The Culture Days will feature performances by the Navruz Dance Ensemble and concert programs by the Uzbekistan State Symphony Orchestra, showcasing Uzbekistans rich cultural heritage. The closing ceremony of the Uzbekistan Culture Days will be held at the Mirza Ulugbek Secondary School in Fuzuli, which was built and inaugurated by Uzbekistan in 2023 as a symbol of brotherly ties and post-conflict reconstruction efforts. It is worth noting that Uzbekistan Culture Days were held in Baku in 2023, while Azerbaijan Culture Days took place in Tashkent in 2024, reflecting the growing cultural exchange between the two friendly nations. 14 December 2025 16:40 (UTC+04:00) Aynel Mashadiyeva, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Linguistics named after Nasimi at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and Mesut Gulact, Head of Foreign Organization of the Turan States United Confederation, held a meeting with prominent Azerbaijani cultural figures, including Peoples Artist of Azerbaijan, Professor, and member of the World Academy of Arts and UNESCO Artists Union, Sakit Mammadov, as well as Peoples Artist of Azerbaijan, distinguished composer, and professor Siyavush Kerimi. As reported by Azernews, according to the Confederation, the discussion focused on Azerbaijans achievements in culture and the arts, as well as ongoing efforts to expand creative cooperation within the Turkic world. Participants emphasized that such meetings strengthen ties between artists and academic and cultural institutions. The meeting also highlighted the importance of further consolidating relations between Azerbaijans artistic and scientific communities and the Turan States Confederation, and promoting the shared Turkic cultural heritage on an international level. During the event, Mesut Gulact presented thank-you plaques to Sakit Mammadov and Siyavush Kerimi, recognizing their contributions to Azerbaijani culture and the arts. 14 December 2025 10:35 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A meeting between Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov and his Pakistani counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has taken place. As reported by Azernews, Ishaq Dar shared information about the meeting on the social media platform X. The talks were held in the United Arab Emirates on the sidelines of the Sir Bani Yas Forum, where the ministers discussed bilateral relations as well as regional issues of mutual interest. High-level visits and ongoing political dialogue continue to strengthen ties between Baku and Islamabad. It should be noted that the two countries maintain active cooperation in defense, energy, trade, education, and diplomacy, while regularly supporting each other within the UN, OIC, and other international organizations. 14 December 2025 12:20 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of Azerbaijan continues its public awareness efforts on fire safety across the country, including in the liberated territories, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry. According to information , as part of these activities, staff of the Garabagh Regional State Fire Supervision Department under the State Fire Supervision Service of the MES have conducted preventive awareness sessions with citizens living and working in the liberated areas, as well as with those visiting the region. The latest outreach activities were carried out in Shusha city and the Aghdam, Fuzuli, Khojaly, and Lachin districts. During the sessions, residents, construction and reconstruction workers, employees of public catering facilities, and individuals visiting forests, open areas, and agricultural lands for recreational or business purposes were provided with detailed explanations of essential fire safety regulations. Informational materials and visual aids were also distributed. The Ministry of Emergency Situations once again called on citizens to strictly comply with fire safety requirements in the liberated territories, emphasizing the importance of preventing fire-related incidents in these areas. 14 December 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) 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, Azernews reports, citing Arab News. Poland, a strong supporter of Ukraine in its fight against Moscow, announced plans in May last year to bolster a long stretch of its border that includes Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The main task of the German soldiers in Poland will be engineering activities, a spokesman for the defense ministry in Berlin said late Friday. This could include constructing fortifications, digging trenches, laying barbed wire, or erecting tank barriers, he said. 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 modernized its army and hiked defense 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 defense systems to armored vehicles. 14 December 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously renewed the mandate of the panel monitoring sanctions on Somalia-based Al-Shabaab, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. All 15 members voted in favor of the measure, which extends authorization for naval inspections to enforce an arms embargo on Somalia, as well as a ban on charcoal exports and controls on improvised explosive devices (IEDs), until Nov. 30, 2026. Other sanctions measures, including travel bans, asset freezes and general arms embargoes, remain open-ended. We thank all Council members for their constructive approach to negotiations, which enable us to arrive at this consensus outcome, said James Kariuki, Britain's charge d'affaires to the UN. The UK, as penholder on Somalia, led talks on the text. He welcomed the adoption of the text, telling Council members that it strengthens efforts to constrain the terror groups access to arms, disrupt its finances and support Somalia to enhance its capabilities. Al-Shabaab has been pursuing an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials and civilians. Since late 2024, the Somali National Army and security forces in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland have stepped up air operations against Al-Shabaab in the south and central provinces, and ISIS (Daesh) in the northeastern Bari region, with support from international partners. Last month, the government said 220 precision airstrikes had been conducted, killing 868 militants since February. 14 December 2025 18:23 (UTC+04:00) France has won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which was held in Georgia, Azernews reports. Lou Deluiz claimed first place after receiving 152 points from the professional jury and 96 points from the online public vote, securing an overall victory. Based on the final results, Azerbaijans representative Yaghmur Nasrullayeva finished the competition in 15th place. The voting process revealed several noteworthy aspects. In the online audience voting (televoting), Azerbaijans entry received 54 points, sharing 8th place with Spain. This result demonstrated that the performances energy, positive spirit, and child-friendly style were highly appreciated by viewers. At the same time, certain differences were observed between the professional jury scores and the public vote. Azerbaijan received a total of 12 points from the jury, including 2 points from Albania, 7 points from Malta, and 3 points from the Netherlands. Sharing the stage with Yaghmur, Ali Ocaqverdi, Melisa Soltanova, and Nargiz Nasibova also won audience appreciation with their dynamic performances. The choreography was prepared by Emin Huseynov, the stage direction was designed by Danish specialist Mads Enggaard, and the stage costumes were created by designer Leyli Polayeva. The diversity of voting mechanisms and perspectives in international competitions contributes to varied and dynamic outcomes. In this context, strong public support indicates that Azerbaijans representative successfully connected with a broad audience and conveyed the spirit of the contest. For Azerbaijan, the primary goal of participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest is to prepare talented children for international stages, enhance their experience, and promote them globally. From this perspective, Yaghmur Nasrullayevas performance is regarded as a notable achievement for the country. 14 December 2025 13:43 (UTC+04:00) NATO should reassess its strategic framework and prepare for potential confrontations with Russia that go beyond the fight for the Atlantic or land operations in Europe, according to a recent review by the NATO Military College. As reported by Azernews, the document highlights that the development of a nations naval forces is a key feature of Moscows strategy. According to the author, NATO Military College researcher Andrew Monaghan, this approach allows Russia to assert itself as a leader in the era of geoeconomic competition. The review redirects NATOs orientation from the restored fight for the Atlantic or Northeast European land operation scenarios toward a global, multi-domain response to diverse Russian challenges, the document states. Alliance analysts also noted that crisis scenarios often focus on rising tensions along a continuous strategic axis from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, emphasizing the need for NATO to adapt to evolving security threats. 14 December 2025 22:23 (UTC+04:00) Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that Moscow is primarily focused on engagement with the United States rather than European countries in efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, Azernews reports. Speaking to reporters, Peskov claimed that European states are pursuing their own agenda and suggested that they are inclined toward prolonging the war. The Europeans are playing their own game. It still looks like they want the war to continue, but we are naturally more oriented toward our counterparts in Washington, he said. Peskovs remarks came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signaled Kyivs willingness to abandon its bid for NATO membership in exchange for security guarantees from the United States, European nations, and other partners. The statements highlight differing diplomatic approaches among key actors as discussions around potential pathways to end the conflict continue to gain momentum. 14 December 2025 23:30 (UTC+04:00) Irans Foreign Ministry has dismissed renewed remarks by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, regarding Tehrans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent, saying they do not alter the existing reality, Azernews reports. Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Grossi has repeatedly raised the same issues and reports, adding that such statements do not change the facts on the ground, according to Trend. Baghaei stressed that Iran remains a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has fully complied with its obligations under the safeguards agreement. Iran understands its commitments within the framework of the NPT and has fulfilled them, he said. He also criticized the IAEA leadership for failing to address what he described as the root causes of the current situation. Baghaei argued that the IAEA Director General and the agencys Board of Governors have refrained from even briefly condemning US and Israeli strikes on Irans peaceful nuclear facilities, calling the agencys position unfair and one-sided. Such approaches cannot help resolve the problem, Baghaei said, adding that the IAEA chief should focus on his technical mandate in line with the agencys statute and emphasize the importance of his defined responsibilities. The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions. On June 13, Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran, killing several senior military officials, generals, nuclear scientists, and other high-ranking figures. Iran responded later that day with True Promise III, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at targets across Israel, including Tel Aviv, causing civilian casualties and widespread damage. On June 22, the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, reportedly destroying key sites. Iran retaliated the following evening by striking a US military base in Qatar. On June 24, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced that Israel had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran brokered by US President Donald Trump. Irans Supreme National Security Council later confirmed that hostilities had been halted. Fiery High-Speed Chase on Oregon Coast: More Revealed on How It Began Published 12/13/25 at 6:35 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Newport, Oregon) Lincoln County authorities have revealed more on the high-speed chase between Newport and Lincoln City Thursday that resulted in the suspect zooming down the highway with one wheel sparking into flames. (Photos and video Ian and Jenny Nelson) The dramatic scenes were caught by a dozen or so witnesses recording or taking pictures, including Ian and Jenny Nelson, who provided these images and video. The latest: it all started with a burglary in Waldport and then became a multi-agency pursuit, vehicle crash and arrest. Lincoln County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) said they responded around 9:00 a.m. to reports of a break-in at a local business in Waldport. Surveillance footage showed a red Dodge Ram arriving at the scene. The driver exited the vehicle, spray-painted over two of the three working security cameras, and forced entry into the building. Authorities said the suspect stole an electronic bicycle and an undisclosed amount of cash before leaving. Indeed, footage of the chase shows a large e-bike in the back of the pickup. Oregon Coast Beach Connection created a slow-motion replay of the chase, at the end of the video. The investigation and its scope widened to other areas of the Oregon coast and revealed something new. Deputies with the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office worked with Coos Bay Sheriffs Office, Coos Bay Police, and North Bend Police and learned the registered owner of the truck sold the vehicle earlier that morning in the Coos Bay area, LCSO said. See previous story Dramatic Oregon Coast Police Chase Includes Flaming Wheel Through Lincoln City - Video - Chase began in Newport and ended in Lincoln City, over 70 mph At approximately 11:45 a.m., Newport Police officers located the red Dodge in the Fred Meyer parking lot. When officers attempted contact, the driver fled, prompting a pursuit northbound on Highway 101. Oregon State Police, Lincoln County deputies, and Lincoln City Police assisted in deploying stop sticks. At this point, two of the suspect's tires blew and one wheel came off, yet he continued surging forward, causing the dramatic display of hard metal on pavement from about Gleneden Beach into Taft. The chase ended when the truck crashed near SE 51st Street and Highway 101. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was quickly subdued by bystanders and taken into custody without further incident. Other local witnesses report those bystanders wanted to remain anonymous. Authorities identified the suspect as 33-year-old Tyler Mullen, who was booked into the Lincoln County Jail. Charges include a parole warrant, attempting to elude both in a vehicle and on foot, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, multiple counts of criminal mischief, failure to perform the duties of a driver, burglary, and theft. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) 'Old Oregon Coast' Feel Meets Modern Swank at Manzanita Charmer Hotel Ocean Inn at Manzanita is woodsy yet bougie. Manzanita hotels, lodging reviews Dreamy Port Orford's Hotels, Rentals, Inns - Unique Rooms of the South Oregon... Variety of hotels, vacation rentals and BnB's that stand out. Hotel reviews Nye Beach Condos and Cottages - Vacation Rentals, Newport Oregon Coast Adorable cottages with a somewhat historic vibe to sleek, modern units ? all with ocean views or at least a quick beach access. They offer a variety of rentals, ranging from studio condos with one king bed or two queen beds, while the cottages vary in size and configuration. Newport hotel reviews Manzanita Hotel Review: Oregon Coast Inn A New Hotel Nehalem River Inn is nearly 100 years old. Nehalem Hotel Review More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Oregon Coast's OR229 Shut Down Indefinitely by Severe, Chasm-like Landslide Published 12/12/25 at 8:35 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Depoe Bay, Oregon) This week's floods on the Oregon coast took to Highway 229 with a special zeal, causing a massive landslide on the rural road between Kernville and Siletz at about milepost 14, one that opened up an enormous chasm. (Photo Jenny Rae Nelson) Jenny Rae Nelson lives about 10 miles down the road from the slide and caught this video and some photos. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) said the highway is shut down indefinitely. Because the slide has taken out a portion of the road, this will be a long-term closure, ODOT said. At this time, it is not known whether the closure will last days, weeks, months, or longer. ODOT said travelers will need to use U.S. Highway 101 as a detour. The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office reported damage to about five residential properties, with at least three sustaining substantial impacts. Two displaced residents have been connected with the American Red Cross for assistance. No injuries have been reported, and all affected individuals have been safely evacuated. The event follows severe weather earlier in the week that triggered catastrophic flooding in southern and western Washington and major floods along the Oregon coast. Indeed, more atmospheric river conditions are headed for Washington and with it more flooding. The region just qualified for federal disaster relief. Photo ODOT Our geotechnical crews will need time to assess the slope and determine next steps before a timeline can be established, ODOT said. The slide follows several days of heavy rain and high water in the area. Our maintenance crews have been responding to weather-related impacts along OR 229 in recent days, including emergency repairs to a sunken grade area near MP 9 on Wednesday. Nelson and her husband Ian encountered much of the flood conditions, and provided photos of the event to Oregon Coast Beach Connection. She said water was thigh-high for her at some points, and she is six feet tall. The landslide began on property owned by Weyerhaeuser above Highway 229 and extended down to homes and the Siletz River, carrying earth, structural debris, and possible vehicle wreckage into the waterway. Governor Tina Kotek said state agencies are working quickly to support emergency responders near Siletz and that her office is monitoring the situation closely. She urged residents to follow official instructions, subscribe to alerts at ORAlert.gov, and remain aware of changing conditions. See Oregon Coast Highway 101 / Coast Range Traffic You can see more Oregon coast weather and Washington coast weather here, including any flood alerts. Washington Coast Weather -- Oregon Coast Weather - Oregon Inland Weather - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) From Oregon Coast Swank to Sweet Beach Abode: Lincoln City Rental with Oceanf... Moonbreaker sits right on the surf with a private stairway down. Lincoln City lodging reviews Retro Beach Rental in Newport a Tiny, Cozy Oregon Coast Gem A little vacation rental called View House Cottage. Hotel reviews, Newport lodging, Newport hotel reviews, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Newport vacation rentals Manzanita Hotel Review: Oregon Coast Inn A New Hotel Nehalem River Inn is nearly 100 years old. Nehalem Hotel Review Manzanita Hotel Review: Oregon Coast Inn A New Hotel Sitting quite a ways off the beaten path that is teensy Mohler and this highway, the Nehalem River Inn has returned. Now, at nearly 100 years old, the inn has gotten a new look and vibe. Nehalem Hotel Review More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Australians are already fed up with the immigration polities of its Labour government. A poll earlier this month showed the anti-immigration One Nation Party led by Senator Pauline Hanson, would receive 17% of the vote if an election were held today. That is up from the 5% they received in the last election. Now, a terrorist incident involving Islamic terrorists at Australia's famous Bondi Beach is likely to push support for Seantor Hanson's party even higher. Two Islanic terrorists opened fire on Jewish beachgoers celebrating a Jewish holiday, killing 11 and wounding 29. Both were foreign, with one identified as a Pakistani and the other from an as yet unknown country. Their immigration status has not been revealed but one had an Australian dri vers license. A homemade bomb was also found at the scene. One of the gunmen was also shot dead by police and the other wounded. https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/12/14/ten-people-including-one-gunman-shot-dead-at-sydneys-bondi-beach/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15382321/Bondi-shooting-terror-attack.html https://www.rebelnews.com/exclusive_bondi_terror_tragedy_survivor_relives_horrific_ordeal UPDATE: The death toll now stands at 16, which includes one of the terrorists, with 38 wounded, which also includes one of the terrorists. https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/evil-act-anti-semitism-terrorism-12-dead-after-shooting-australian-jewish-event Meanwhile in Germany, five Muslims have been arrested who were plotting to attack a German Christmas market by driving a vehicle into the crowd to kill and injure people. The ringleader is an Egyptian who is an imam an a German mosque, and the others were a Syrian and three Moroccans. Immigration statuses have not yet been revealed. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2146068/germany-christmas-market-attack-arrests https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/12/14/new-islamist-vehicle-plot-busted-germany-halts-christmas-market-massacre-n2197120 Next door, in France, the traditional New Years Eve concert has been cancelled due to concerns about migrant violence. A large percentage of the migrant population in France is Muslim. https://dailycaller.com/2025/12/13/paris-france-nye-concert-migrant-crisis-champs-elysees/ Speaking at the Irish premier of Hamnet, the star of the film said he has always been so interested in that period of Irish history but conceded Liam Neeson did a great job with that. A stock picture of a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) logo badge in Belfast Northern Ireland (PA) Two people have been extradited from Malta to Northern Ireland by the Police Services International Policing Unit. Police said a 27-year-old man and 58-year-old woman were extradited to Northern Ireland yesterday, Saturday December 13. The man is wanted to stand trial in Northern Ireland for two offences of rape, and six offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Meanwhile, the woman is wanted to stand trial for three offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and three offences of child cruelty. A PSNI spokesperson said the offences occurred in the Enniskillen area between February 2020 and June 2021. The pair was initially arrested in the Gozo area of Malta on September 10, they added. Both suspects are expected to appear before Enniskillen Magistrates Court tomorrow, Monday December 15. Sergeant Davey from the International Policing Unit said: This double extradition from Malta demonstrates our commitment to tracking down those wanted for crimes here in Northern Ireland. In this case we worked closely with the UKs Joint International Crime Centre and authorities in Malta to arrest and extradite these suspects a first for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. We appreciate the assistance and cooperation provided by Maltese authorities in this case. Our message is clear to anyone who has left Northern Ireland to the consequences of their actions. "We will relentlessly pursue those that are trying to delay or deny justice to victims of crime. We will continue to work with our national and international partners to make sure offenders are brought before the courts. Police will put more officers into Jewish communities after an antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia. Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights also known as Chanukah, begins on Sunday evening, with celebrations planned across the UK in the coming days. The Metropolitan Police will increase patrols around synagogues and other community venues, and Hertfordshire Constabulary said it would have a visible presence at key events in the county following the attack in Sydney, which left 12 people dead and 29 injured. In a statement, the Met said: While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days. We always encourage the public to be vigilant at events and in public places. If you see anything suspicious, trust your instincts and tell us. A menorah is lit in Edinburgh last year as part of Hanukkah celebrations (PA) Police Scotland said it was already carrying out additional and dedicated patrols around synagogues and other Jewish venues and is actively communicating with faith leaders after the attack. Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: While there is no intelligence to suggest any specific threat in Scotland, I want to take this opportunity to ask the public to remain alert but not alarmed. You should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police Scotland. A body representing the British Jewish community offered its support to the Australian Jewish community. The Board of Deputies of British Jews said: We are devastated to hear reports of a shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, with multiple fatalities at a Jewish Hanukkah event. While details emerge, we have been in touch with our Australian partners at the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to express our solidarity and offer our support. We have also been in touch with the UK Government, who are monitoring the situation closely, to discuss the UK response. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent his condolences, posting on X: Chanukah should be a time of celebration and joy. The news that the Bondi beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. We are actively working with Community Security Trust on the policing of Chanukah events. Sir Keir is understood to have been in touch with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told any British people caught up in the Bondi Beach shooting to contact the consulate for support. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content In a post on X, she said: The scenes from Bondi Beach are deeply shocking and distressing. My thoughts are with everyone affected and Australias emergency services. British nationals should follow local police and authorities advice and can contact the British Consulate General Sydney for support. Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, said our community is once again mourning. Im on my way to a Chanukah event. It should be a celebration, but instead our community is once again mourning, he added. I will be thinking of everyone in Australia and those around the world in the Jewish Community who know this fear and loss. In October, worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed when 35-year-old Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, drove his Kia Picanto into the gates of a Manchester synagogue and began attacking with a knife while wearing a fake suicide belt. An Adelie penguin with the new postbox in the Antarctic (British Antarctic Survey/Martin Allen/PA) 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. Station support assistant Kirsten Shaw, who wrote to the King, and station leader Aurelia Reichardt with the post box (British Antarctic Survey/Jake Martin/PA) 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. 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. The post box at Rothera, in front of the bases new Discovery Building (British Antarctic Survey/Jake Martin/PA) 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. 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. Kirsten Shaw with the post box which arrived via the RRS Sir David Attenborough (British Antarctic Survey/Matt Hughes/PA) 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 post at Rothera was 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. The previous handmade post box at Rothera (British Antarctic Survey/Aurelia Reichardt/PA) 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. A pair of Adelie penguins pass the post box (British Antarctic Survey/Martin Allen/PA) 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. Hero who tackled gunman named as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed 10-year-old girl who died in hospital is among the 16 who died British-born rabbi also among casualties as Jews targeted in terror attack Police respond to suspected improvised explosive devicesKing appalled and saddened as world leaders react to shooting horror Police vehicles are seen after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Photo: Getty People stand on a street after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach. Saeed Khan / AFP via Getty Images Police and health workers gather on a road after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach. Saeed Khan / AFP via Getty Images People vehicles are seen after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP via Getty Images) A health worker moves a stretcher after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP via Getty Images) A 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi are among 15 innocent people killed in a terrorist attack on a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney. One of the two gunmen, a father and son, also died. The attackers, armed with what police described as long guns, opened fire on the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday. The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a celebration on the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. A total of 42 people were taken to hospital where the 10-year-old girl was among those who died, according to New South Wales Police. One of the gunmen, a 50-year-old man, was shot by police and died at the scene, while the second attacker, his 24-year-old son, suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard. The 50-year-old was a licenced firearms holder and had six guns believed to have been used in the attack linked to him. Two active devices of fairly basic construction were also found at Bondi Beach and were removed and made safe. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said: We will look at the motives behind this attack. Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher at Bondi Beach. AP Photo/Mark Baker Video captures the moment a bystander disarms one of the Bondi Beach attackers This evening Australias Prime Minister said pure evil would not be allowed to divide the country. The 15 victims were aged between 10 and 87, police said. British-born Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, was named as one of those killed. Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, was hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him. Video shared online shows the gunman then backing away. In a message to the people of Australia, the King said he was appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack. Charles, who is head of state in the Commonwealth nation and visited Bondi Beach in 2012, said: My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy. In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival will always triumph over the darkness of such evil. The Prince and Princess of Wales said: Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and stand with the Jewish community in grief. We are also thinking about the bravery of the emergency responders, particularly the two injured officers. Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill said the scenes were heartbreaking. I want to extend my thoughts, support and solidarity to the families and friends of the victims, to the Jewish community, and to all the people of Sydney, she added. Sydney holds a very special place in the hearts of many here in Ireland, and we stand with them at this devastating time. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said she was truly appalled at the terrible antisemitic, violent attack. What was a festival and occasion of joy and of celebration, of light in the darkness has, through evil, has become a day of grief, loss and horror, she added. Irish President Catherine Connolly said she wished to offer my deepest sympathy to the Jewish community everywhere at this time, mindful of the beginning of this Hanukkah period. I offer these condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Australia, especially all who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured. Archbishop Eamon Martin, the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, said a day of celebration had been overshadowed by the darkness and evil of a terror attack. I know that many Irish families have sons and daughters living in the Sydney and Bondi Beach area, as well as countless others in other parts of Australia, and no doubt everyone is deeply impacted by the awful attack which must have been terribly shocking and frightening for everyone present, he said. Gardai said they are increasing patrols at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community after the terror attack. Police vehicles are seen after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Photo: Getty As details of the victims emerged, the family of Mr Schlanger described him as a joyful rabbi. The father-of-five grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family at Kinloss Synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News. The 41-year-old and his wife Chayala celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago. His cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way? Bondi beach in Sydney. Stock photo/Getty Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said Sunday had been a "dark day in our nation's history". He told reporters: "What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location." He said Bondi Beach is "associated with joy, associated with families gathering, associated with celebrations, and it is forever tarnished by what has occurred last evening". Mr Albanese continued: "The Jewish community are hurting today. "Today, all Australians wrap our arms around them and say, 'we stand with you'. "We will do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism. It is a scourge, and we will eradicate it together. "Yesterday was indeed a dark day in our nation's history, but we as a nation are stronger than the cowards who did this." The Australian prime minister said flags will fly at half-mast, and thanked world leaders who had sent their condolences. People stand on a street after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach. Saeed Khan / AFP via Getty Images Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: Chanukah should be a time of celebration and joy. The news that the Bondi Beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. How NI entrepreneurs fashion label proved a knockout with Mike Tyson Gym boss seized chance to get the former world champ to model his sportswear when he was over recently John Neill and Mike Tyson David O'Dornan Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 08:00 Mike Tyson hit the headlines with a visit to Belfast last week, but that is not his only connection to the city. exclusive | Killers and perverts enjoy taxpayer-funded Christmas party with prison chiefs: Its a slap in the face to victims Senior civil servants tucked into turkey with depraved offenders at NIs only open jail Burren House. Inset bottom left: Director of prisons David Kennedy and director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service Beverley Wall. Inset right top to bottom: Serial sex attacker Tom Ward, glued lips killer Adrian Hayes and cut-throat murderer Andrew Robinson. Ciaran Barnes Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 08:00 Murderers and sex offenders enjoyed a taxpayer-funded Christmas party with the top civil servants responsible for running Northern Irelands jails. 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. Business / Companies by Thobekile Zhou The controversial Dema Diesel Power Plant is consuming 25 million litres per month which is all imported duty free, a parliamentary committee heard today (Monday).However, the Dema project consumes 12 million litres of diesel per month to produce 100MW.The multimillion dollar Dema Diesel Power Plant was meant to consume 24 million litres of fuel per month.The plant is said to be a priority under Zim-Asset.However, during the commited session, Zanu PF Zvishavane-Ngezi MP John Holder queried why the 25 million litres for Dema project is being permitted to be imported duty free instead of the prescribed 12m litres.In response, a Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Agency ( ZERA) official said the "extra" fuel is for emergency purposes.Sakunda Holdings, which has partnered with President Robert Mugabe's in-law Derrick Chikore, brother to Simba was awarded the contract, initially pegged at $194 million a year, without going to tender.The project was mooted by government last year as a measure to ease acute power shortages which saw households and industry endure rolling power cuts that helped decimate local industry. Monday, December 22, 2025, 5:58 a.m. According to investigators, the two perpetrators of the terrorist attack on a Jewish festival in Sydney meticulously planned the crime over a period of months. The father and his son had practiced with their weapons in a rural region of Australia. This is according to police court documents released for publication and reported by local media. The two had killed 15 people during a Jewish festival on Sunday a week ago. The father was shot dead by the police and the son was taken to hospital with serious gunshot wounds. Police found a video from October on the son's cell phone showing the two perpetrators in black T-shirts sitting in front of a picture of a flag of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia, with four long guns and ammunition next to them. According to the police, the son can be seen reciting from the Koran in Arabic. Afterwards, both men are said to have spoken in English about their motive for the planned attack on the famous Bondi Beach and condemned the actions of "Zionists", among other things. When they arrived at the scene on December 14, the father and son threw four homemade explosive devices towards the crowd. However, the explosive devices did not detonate. Another homemade explosive device was found in the car the perpetrators had used to drive from Campsie, where they had rented a house, to Bondi Beach. Nearly 120 gardai travelled on a charter flight to Georgia that cost nearly 190,000 and carried just 52 deportees. Just one of the passengers had a long history of criminality, while one other had committed a theft offence, and two had minor traffic convictions. Briefings for Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan detail how 35 men, ten women, two girls, and five boys were on board the flight in November. He was told that four family groups had been removed and that the 52 deportees had an average time in the State of two years and eight months. The family groups included three mothers travelling alone, two of whom had two children and one who had three. The briefing on Operation Trench said that 119 members of An Garda were on board the flight as well as a translator, a human rights monitor, a doctor, and a paramedic. Advertisement A Q&A sheet prepared for Mr OCallaghan said that 41 of the 52 on board were held in custody in the heavily overcrowded Irish prison system prior to departure. It said that individuals could be held for up to eight weeks to ensure a deportation could be carried out successfully. The briefing document said: Any children removed were part of family groups and were not detained. The Q&A said sometimes lengthy periods of detention were required because otherwise people may abscond. A suggested answer for the minister said: The legislation provides that people can be held for up to 56 days but it is usually significantly less than that and we would seek to minimise it. The briefing document also revealed that some of those on board had open applications for revocation of their removal order. If asked about that, Mr OCallaghan was advised to say that an application of that type does not suspend deportation. The Q&A included suggested answers for what to say if asked about the presence of young children on the flight. It said it could be emphasised that all were travelling with a parent and that the human rights monitor would keep a close watch. The briefing said: These families will have been encouraged to take the option of voluntary return; that would have both avoided this outcome and given them significant support in the form of a reintegration grant. On whether it was a good use of the time of nearly 120 gardai, the minister was told deportations were a difficult experience for those involved. Advertisement One suggested answer said: These operations require highly skilled and trained people to ensure the safety of everyone on the flight. The briefing claimed the cost of charter flights was generally comparable to removal operations on commercial flights. Ireland Ireland increased immigration enforcement at fastest rate in EU last year, figures show Read more However, it said there had never been a specific cost-benefit analysis for the flights. Asked about the records, a spokesman said they could not yet provide details on costs aside from the 187,625 bill for the aircraft. He said: The removal of persons who have been refused permission to remain is an essential requirement for the immigration system to work effectively and to ensure that the public has confidence in the application of our laws in this area. Without enforced removals, the incentive to comply with deportation orders or to take up a voluntary return option prior to a deportation order being made would be greatly undermined, and the overall level of returns would be far lower. The Department of Foreign Affairs is not aware of any citizens who have been impacted directly the gun attack on Sydneys Bondi Beach. In a statement on Sunday morning, Helen McEntee said: Our consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally. The Minister for Foreign Affairs said she was in shock and horror at the antisemitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating the first day of their Hanukkah festival of lights. I want to express my shock and horror at the incident which took place at Bondi Beach in Sydney over recent hours. All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia. Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) December 14, 2025 She added: All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia. New South Wales Police confirmed at least 12 people have been killed in the attack which was targeted at the Jewish community. In a statement on the social media site X, the Taoiseach said he shocked and appalled by a gun attack. Shocked and appalled by the gun attack that left ten people dead at Sydneys Bondi Beach. Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated. Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 14, 2025 Micheal Martin said: Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated. Advertisement Taniste Simon Harris said he was horrified by the incident. In a social media post he said: Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families, with the people of Australia and the Jewish community during this time of profound pain. The spectre of hate and violence must never be tolerated. Britain's King Charles will be deeply touched by the positive reaction to his message about his cancer recovery journey, Buckingham Palace has said. Charles announced in a video message on Friday his cancer treatment is being reduced in the new year, adding the good news was down to early diagnosis, successful care and following doctors orders. The British head of state, who has been receiving cancer treatment as an outpatient since early February 2024, also urged millions to take up available screenings for the disease. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said on Saturday it has been delighted by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction, and is most grateful for the many kind comments we have received for the King, both from those working in cancer care and from the general public. I know His Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated, the spokesperson added. He will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programmes. Advertisement 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. Britain's King Charles following an Advent Service at Westminster Abbey (Yui Mok/PA) Delivering his 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. He went on to say he was troubled to learn that nine million people around the UK are not up to date with cancer screening available to them. That is at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed, he said. He added: Too often, I am told, people avoid screening because they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable. If and when they do finally take up their invitation, they are glad they took part. A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are either told either they dont need further tests or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow. Charles urged people to use the online screening checker, screeningchecker.co.uk, which enables them to discover if they are eligible for screening. At least 11 people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday event at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian officials said. An Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he was "shocked and appalled" by the attack, which targeted Sydneys Jewish community. "Our thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, the first responders, and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time. "There can be no place for hatred or violence anywhere, in particular at a time of celebration for many as people gathered to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach. "At a lecture honouring the historian Dermot Keogh just two days ago, I noted that antisemitism has been one of the most consistent and pernicious prejudices throughout history, providing the foundation for murderous outrages in many eras and many places. Advertisement "This latest evil act in Sydney is a further manifestation of the murderous hate spawned by antisemitism," he said. Statement by Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Sydney attack. pic.twitter.com/4tj41tLxst Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) December 14, 2025 Meanwhile, Uachtaran na hEireann, Catherine Connolly, said she was deeply shocked and saddened following the appalling and antisemitic attack on a Jewish community at Bondi Beach in Sydney. "I wish to offer my deepest sympathy to the Jewish community everywhere at this time, mindful of the beginning of this Hanukkah period. "I offer these condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Australia, especially all who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured. "I particularly join with all those Irish people living in Sydney who will be appalled by this horrific act of violence. Such violence is to be utterly condemned and has no place for all of us who are committed to peace in our world," she said. Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, said: "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. "At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage." Britain's King Charles said: "My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach. "Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy." Advertisement Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said, "In Sydney, an antisemitic terrorist attack struck families gathered to celebrate Hanukkah. France extends its thoughts to the victims, the injured and their loved ones. "We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred, which hurts us all, wherever it strikes." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia." German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said: "The antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah leaves me utterly shocked. Ireland Cannabis worth 3 million discovered at Dublin Airport Read more "My thoughts are with the victims and their families. This is an attack on our shared values. We must fight antisemitism - here in Germany and around the world." Finally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "A few months ago, I wrote a letter to the prime minister of Australia. I told him that their policies pour fuel on the antisemitic fire. It encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets. Antisemitism is a cancer. It spreads when leaders stay silent, and you must replace weakness with action. "This didn't happen in Australia, and something terrible happened there today: cold-blooded murder. The number of those murdered, sadly, grows with each moment." Additional reporting Reuters Australian police said on Monday that the alleged offenders behind the attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach were a father and son duo, and that they were not looking for a third offender. Police said during a media briefing that investigations showed only two offenders were responsible for the attack at a Jewish holiday celebration that killed 16 people and injured 40. A post on X did not specify whether a suspected gunman initially killed on Sunday, or another who had been described as being in a critical condition, was included in that toll. ***IMPORTANT INFORMATION*** Police can confirm 16 people have died and 40 people remain in hospital following yesterday's shooting at Bondi. More information will be made available soon. NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) December 14, 2025 One of the suspected gunmen was also killed. A second gunman was in critical condition, and police were investigating whether a third attacker was involved, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference. Two police officers were among 40 people taken to the hospital with injuries, he said. Authorities said far more people would have been killed were it not for a bystander, identified by local media as fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, who was filmed charging a gunman from behind, grappling with him, and wresting a rifle from his hands. Advertisement "There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," said Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales state, where Sydney is located, calling the bystander "a genuine hero". A bomb-disposal unit was working on several suspected improvised explosive devices, Lanyon said. Mike Burgess, a top Australian intelligence official, said one of the suspected attackers was known to authorities but had not been deemed an immediate threat. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a meeting of the country's national security council and condemned the attack, saying the evil that was unleashed was "beyond comprehension". "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith," he said. "At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage." Armed police work at the scene after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14th, 2025. (Photo by Da / AFP via Getty Images) Witnesses said the shooting at the famed beach, which was packed on a hot summer's evening, lasted about 10 minutes, sending hundreds of people scattering along the sand and into nearby streets and parks. Police said around 1,000 people had attended the Hanukkah event. "We all panicked and started running as well. So we left everything behind, like flip-flops, everything. We just ran through the hill," said Bondi Junction resident Marcos Carvalho, 38, who had been packing up after a day at the beach when he heard what he estimated were 40-50 gunshots. Advertisement Bondi resident Grace Mathew said people ran past her and she heard gunshots. "Initially, you just think, it's a beautiful day down by the beach," she said. "You think that people are just having a good time. Then more people ran past and said there's a shooter, there's a mass shooting, and they're killing people." Sunday's shootings were the most serious of a string of antisemitic attacks on synagogues, buildings, and cars in Australia since the beginning of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023. Australia's Jewish diaspora is small but deeply embedded in the wider community, with about 150,000 people who identify as Jewish in the country of 27 million. About one-third of them are estimated to live in Sydney's eastern suburbs, including Bondi. "If we were targeted deliberately in this way, it's something of a scale that none of us could have ever fathomed. It's a horrific thing," Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News, adding his media adviser had been wounded in the attack. A member of the public leaves the scene with her child, who is covered in an emergency blanket, after a shooting at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, in Sydney.Photo by George Chan/Getty Images Mass shootings are rare in Australia, one of the world's safest countries. Sunday's attack was the worst since 1996, when a gunman killed 35 people at a tourist site in the southern state of Tasmania. "Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack "cold-blooded murder" and said he had warned Albanese about antisemitism before Australia, along with Britain, Canada, and France, recognised a Palestinian state in September. Advertisement "Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire. It rewards Hamas terrorists. It emboldens those who menace Australian Jews and encourages the Jew hatred now stalking your streets," Netanyahu said he had written to the Australian leader in August. The Australian National Imams Council condemned the shooting in a statement: "These acts of violence and crimes have no place in our society. Those responsible must be held fully accountable and face the full force of the law." News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe's gold production rose sharply by 29 percent in the first ten months of 2025, reaching 41.8 tonnes, up from 32.4 tonnes during the same period last year, according to figures from Fidelity Gold Refinery, the country's sole gold buyer.The growth was driven largely by artisanal and small-scale miners, who contributed 30.99 tonnes-up from 20.4 tonnes a year earlier-now accounting for roughly 74 percent of total national output. Analysts attribute this performance to government incentives and formalisation efforts that have boosted productivity in the sector.Conversely, output from large-scale producers dipped slightly to 10.79 tonnes from 11.7 tonnes in the same period last year.Gold continues to be Zimbabwe's top export earner, with foreign currency receipts soaring 88.9 percent to US$3.76 billion in the 10 months to October 2025, compared to US$1.99 billion in the corresponding period in 2024, according to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.Officials say the surge is also supported by record international gold prices, which have provided a significant boost to the country's foreign currency inflows. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and US envoys have arrived in Berlin for another round of talks intended to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine as Moscow and Kyiv stuck to their sharply opposite views of a prospective peace deal. US president Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Mr Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner were spotted entering a hotel in central Berlin on Sunday. Responding to journalists questions in audio clips on a WhatsApp group chat, Mr Zelensky emphasised the need for Ukraine to receive firm guarantees from the US and European allies that would be similar to those offered to Nato members, after the US and some European countries stonewalled Ukraines bid to join the military alliance. US president Donald Trump has been pressing for months for a swift end to Russias war and grown increasingly exasperated by delays (Alex Brandon/AP) These security guarantees are an opportunity to prevent another wave of Russian aggression, he said. And this is already a compromise on our part. Mr Zelensky emphasised that any security assurances would need to be legally binding and supported by the US Congress, adding that he expected an update from his team following a meeting between Ukrainian and US military officials in Stuttgart. Advertisement He said that he would meet separately with German chancellor Friedrich Merz and, possibly, other European leaders later in the evening. He said he had not yet received any response from the US to Ukraines latest proposals on the peace plan. Washington has 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. Jared Kushner, right, was seen entering a hotel in central Berlin on Sunday (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP) The search for possible compromises has run into major obstacles, including control of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region, which is mostly occupied by Russian forces. Russias president Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw its forces from the part of the Donetsk region still under its control among the key conditions for peace a demand Mr Zelensky again rejected on Sunday. Mr Zelensky said that the US had floated an idea for Ukraine to withdraw from the Donetsk and create a demilitarised free economic zone there, a proposal he rejected as unworkable. I do not consider this fair, because who will manage this economic zone? he said. Advertisement If we are talking about some buffer zone along the line of contact, if we are talking about some economic zone and we believe that only a police mission should be there and troops should withdraw, then the question is very simple. If Ukrainian troops withdraw 510 kilometres, for example, then why do Russian troops not withdraw deeper into the occupied territories by the same distance? US special envoy Steve Witkoff, right, and Jared Kushner, second left, at previous talks held in Russia (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Mr Zelensky described the issue as very sensitive and insisted on a freeze along the line of contact, saying that today a fair possible option is we stand where we stand. Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov told the business daily Kommersant that Russian police and national guard troops would stay in parts of eastern Ukraines Donbas even if they become a demilitarised zone under a prospective peace plan a demand likely to be rejected by Ukraine as US-led negotiations drag on. 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. Speaking to Russian state TV in remarks broadcast on Sunday, Mr Ushakov said that the contribution of Ukrainians and Europeans to these documents is unlikely to be constructive, warning that Moscow would have very strong objections. Mr Ushakov added that the territorial issue was actively discussed in Moscow when Mr Witkoff and Mr Kushner met with Mr Putin earlier this month. The Americans know and understand our position, he said. Russian president Vladimir Putin has denied plans to restore the Soviet Union or attack any European allies (Alexei Nikolsky/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Mr Merz, who has spearheaded European efforts to support Ukraine alongside French president Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, said on Saturday that the decades of the Pax Americana are largely over for us in Europe and for us in Germany as well. He warned that Mr Putins aim was a fundamental change to the borders in Europe, the restoration of the old Soviet Union within its borders. Advertisement If Ukraine falls, he wont stop, Mr Merz warned on Saturday during a party conference in Munich. Mr Putin has denied plans to restore the Soviet Union or attack any European allies. Ukraines air force said overnight that Russia launched ballistic missiles and 138 attack drones at Ukraine. In its daily report, the air force said 110 had been intercepted or downed but missile and drone hits were recorded at six locations. Since yesterday, all our services have been working to restore electricity, heating, and water supply to the regions following Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. The situation remains difficult hundreds of thousands of families are still without electricity in Mykolaiv, pic.twitter.com/vZotX4Zxal Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2025 Mr Zelensky said on Sunday that hundreds of thousands of families were still without power in the south, east and north-east regions and that work was continuing to restore electricity, heat and water to multiple regions following a large-scale attack the previous night. The Ukrainian president said that in the past week, Russia had launched more than 1,500 strike drones, nearly 900 guided aerial bombs and 46 missiles of various types at Ukraine. Ukraine needs peace on decent terms, and we are ready to work as constructively as possible. These days will be filled with diplomacy. Its very important that it brings results, Mr Zelensky said. Russias defence ministry said that air defences had downed 235 Ukrainian drones late on Saturday and early on Sunday. 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 NSW Premier Chris Minns has followed the Prime Minister on the ABCs 7.30 program, where he was asked if it was a mistake not to have more security and armed police in place for the first night of Hanukkah in Bondi. Im sure if we had our time again, we would have responded differently, as would police, as would our entire public order and safety organisations, Minns said. Thats the truth of the matter. We dont get a second chance, unfortunately, and we need to make sure that we make changes from today to protect communities across NSW, but in particular the Jewish community of Sydney, who have had to deal with anti-Semitism and rising violence now for the last two years. NSW Premier Chris Minns laying flowers outside Bondi Pavilion on Monday. Edwina Pickles Minns said an investigation was under way into how many police officers were deployed at Bondi on Sunday evening, and an investigation into how a terror attack of this scale could take place. What I can promise is a comprehensive investigation, a full independent inquiry into exactly what has happened, and well act on the terms of that investigation, he said. We will act on the recommendations. This is a devastating, devastating event for the people of NSW. Its particularly devastating for the Jewish community, and its my responsibility as the Premier of NSW to rebuild social and public life for the Jewish community, because it is not an option for them to hide or pretend that theyre not Jewish in this beautiful city. Weve got to do everything so that they can live their lives in peace. Britain is checking on the security of its Chanukah events after the Bondi terror attack, as European leaders express their dismay at the antisemitism and pledge to stand with Australia against religious hatred. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was working with the Jewish community in the UK in the wake of the Bondi attack, given that similar ceremonies are planning within hours in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other national leaders all expressed their sympathy for the victims of the Australian shootings. The news that the Bondi Beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening, said Starmer. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. We are actively working with the CST UK on the policing of Chanukah events. The Community Security Trust in the UK is the peak Jewish group that counter antisemitism and seeks to prevent attacks on countrys Jewish people. It played a key role in responding to the terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester in October when two worshippers were killed. A Chanukah event is being held on Sunday in Trafalgar Square in the centre of London. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his countrys condolences. Ukraine stands in solidarity with Australia in the face of the brutal terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, which targeted the Jewish community at the start of Hanukkah, he wrote on X. Terror and hatred must never prevail they must be defeated everywhere and every time. Macron said France shared the pain of the victims, the injured and their loved ones. We share the pain of the Australian people and will continue to fight relentlessly against antisemitic hatred, which hurts us all, wherever it strikes, he said. Parisians will mark Chanukah on Sunday night at the Eiffel Tower at 8pm (6am Monday, AEDT). Two women killed in horror crash on NSW Central Coast Two friends heading home from the Lady Gaga concert in Sydney were killed on the NSW Central Coast after a head-on collision with a Mercedes. A red goshawk female with chicks in its nest on Dambimangari Country in WAs north. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A The hunt for Australias rarest bird of prey, the red goshawk, has delivered an early Christmas gift. Just when it was feared that these superbly patterned raptors were disappearing from Australian landscapes, theyve been spotted thriving in the remotest parts of the Kimberley, in WAs north-west. Finding the red goshawks nest has been a feat in itself. A few weeks ago, bird ecologists and Kimberley Indigenous rangers took turns to peer down from a tiny hovering helicopter, necks craned as they scanned the treetops below. Loading Suddenly, they spotted a large stick nest, a plump mother bird and her white fluffy chicks. And then another, and another, until the jubilant crew had spotted five red goshawk nests in just two days. I think I went into a bit of shock, says ecologist and survey co-leader Jessica Rooke. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, but after we spotted the first nest, we just kept finding them. It was phenomenal. I still cant believe it. Advertisement The multiple finds are astonishing in light of the fact only 15 to 20 active red goshawk nests have been previously recorded across the entirety of mainland Australia. Five years ago, we did a Kimberley survey and didnt find a single nest, says species expert Chris MacColl, who co-led the latest survey. We believe that time we were too far inland, where the landscape is drier and with less suitable habitat. A red goshawk female on a nest with a chick. Jessica Rooke The excitement of finding this rare bird in the act of nesting was a thrill for the survey team Rookes organisation Birdlife Australia, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and Indigenous rangers who live and work in rugged country extending out from the spectacular Mitchell Plateau. Kane Nanowatt, a Wilinggin Wunggurr ranger said his sightings from the helicopter of both birds and nests was a first. Only seen them in books before made me happy to see them there, he said. Joyce Malay, a Dambimangari ranger, said she learned so much about how to identify red goshawks from other birds of prey and about their nesting habitat. Advertisement Rooke says the R44 helicopter had been flying for only three hours on the first day, along creek lines and over stands of tall paperbark trees before pilot Ryan made the first sighting. Wed seen other nests already lots of whistling kite nests so everyone in the chopper was getting their eye in on what to look for. Then Ryan piped up I think that looks different. Its bigger, its positioned on a horizontal branch. I raised my binoculars and, sure enough, not only is the nest the right shape, but theres a beautiful red goshawk female calmly looking up at us with her big golden yellow eyes. Related Article Biodiversity Its gruesome work, but on Kangaroo Island, its one of the best things an animal lover can do Her colleague MacColl said they checked all the nests by landing the helicopter at a distance and using binoculars. Three of the nests had one or two beautiful, fluffy, white chicks about two weeks old at most and two contained a pair of eggs. We were pinching ourselves; it was like a dream. The red goshawk sightings are a welcome sign for those devoted to saving it. They fill a major knowledge gap about a bird species once known along the eastern seaboard but now found only on Cape York Peninsula, around the Top End and in the Kimberley. Advertisement The red goshawk is one of 110 priority species listed under the nations Threatened Species Action Plan. Yet it was one of the first birds of prey encountered by Europeans, because someone nailed a specimen to a settlers hut in Botany Bay, says Rooke, Birdlifes Threatened Species coordinator. Since then, a dramatic contraction of range means they are presumed extinct in NSW, southeast and central Queensland. Now its not until you get to northern Australia where theyre persisting. The recently observed chicks have a good chance of growing to adulthood in a remote wilderness with few feral cats and other introduced threats. Their chances are helped by Aboriginal ranger programs to manage wildfire risk, tackle weeds and cull feral animals. This discovery is a major step forward for one of Australias most elusive birds of prey, says Threatened Species Commissioner Dr Fiona Fraser. Ryan Jason, ranger Jason Wungundin from Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation and Jessica Rooke in the helicopter used to search for the red goshawks nests. Jessica Rooke/Australian Wildlife Its a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaboration with traditional owners, scientists and conservation partners. Advertisement Advertisement PoliticsQueenslandSunshine Coast Car attack allegedly followed confrontation at pedestrian crossing William Davis Updated December 14, 2025 4:03pm ,first published 10:17am 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 man that allegedly ploughed his car into eight pedestrians on the Sunshine Coast causing life-threatening injuries was involved in a confrontation minutes earlier with some of the group. A white Toyota Yaris hatchback allegedly struck the crowd near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Aerodrome Road at Maroochydore just before midnight on Saturday. The 38-year-old driver fled the scene and dumped the car nearby, but was tracked by police to an apartment on Alexandra Parade along the beachfront a short time later. Aerodrome Road at the Fourth Avenue intersection in Maroochydore. Google Maps On Sunday afternoon police confirmed he had been charged with eight counts of attempted murder. The man was scheduled to appear at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. Advertisement Police said he was not an Australian citizen, but had been living on the Sunshine Coast. A 23-year-old woman from New South Wales was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with critical injuries immediately after the crash, before being airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital. A male teenager suffered potentially life-threatening head injuries and was also taken to the Sunshine Coast hospital with two others, who were in a stable condition. Detective inspector Peter Hocken revealed on Sunday afternoon police believed the man had clashed with some of the injured men earlier in the night, while they were attempting to cross at a pedestrian crossing. He may have been impacted by alcohol. Its completely unexplainable, Hocken told reporters in Maroochydore. Advertisement He was obviously aggrieved at the first incident and has returned with his vehicle. The woman fighting for life was unknown to the men, and just happened to be walking near them with a friend. She was visiting family on a surprise visit before Christmas. She was minding her own business walking on the side of the road when she was struck, Hocken added. I believe hes made an overt action to get in front of them. Hes then mounted the curb and driven a period of distance on the footpath. 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 Analysis TechnologySocial media Desperate vibes as under 16s crowd into Yope and Lemon8 Tim Biggs December 14, 2025 11:05am 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 Previously little-known social media platforms are stuck at the top of app store charts as young Australians seek shelter from the social media ban in places they previously tended to ignore. So, what are the vibes like inside these refuges? Lemon8 is the most prominent of the alternative apps. It feels a lot like a TikTok take on Instagram, as it should, given its powered by TikTok parent company Bytedance. You have grids of images and videos posted by people you follow, as well as an endless scroll of algorithmic for you content. It has even more of a Wild West feel than Instagram, fairly innocuous skincare and food posts mixed with extreme sports, highly sexualised engagement bait, lewd jokes and plenty of fake news. Lemon8 claims to have more lifestyle, fashion and wellness content than TikTok, but its very similar. I could feel the algorithm trying to grasp on to the kind of content I wanted over the course of the day I used it, and although I was mainly trying to find new Australian users escaping the social ban, I was also getting increasingly aggressive generic rants and gun, motorbike and military content. Advertisement There are many recent posts discussing the desperate move from TikTok to Lemon8 to dodge the ban, some of them charmingly optimistic and others from people who clearly cannot stop turning their every idea into melodramatic content. (And also some with AI-generated Albanese replies, which are fun.) Coverstar is another app rising the charts following the social media ban. Its basically TikTok with an extra focus on safety. There are no direct messages, all content is moderated before it can be viewed, kids need parental permission to start posting, and there is a hardline stance against bullying, sexualised content or aggression. You can still save or duet videos that others post. Loading To be honest, I felt pretty awkward looking through it as Im nearly 30 years older than most the people starring in the videos, and its weird that theyre all posting publicly. But the overall vibes are of funny kids showing off their own takes on various challenges and trends. The lack of edgy content is probably a negative for young teens looking for a new doomscroll, and there are still influencers, ads and algorithms here. Overall, young Australians on these apps have the energy of a gleefully dancing dodgeball player whos just missed being hit, even if they know their time is coming soon enough. At least, thats the vibe of the ones bold enough to announce themselves as young Australians on social media. Advertisement I also tried Yope, but theres less to say about that one because there isnt public content at all. You set up private groups of your friends and send photos directly to them, with the app very keen to plaster these pics all over your home and lock screen. I can see it being a great fit for people who want to move entire group hangouts from another app, since its a lot like Snapchat but without the public posts. Editor's pick Opinion Social media Social media ban shouldnt be judged by its impact on day one Tim Biggs Consumer Technology Writer All three experiences were very pleasant compared to the awfulness of starting a new account on X, which I did this week as part of a story to test if it would quiz me on my age. As a new X user who was following nobody and hadnt declared any interests, my feed was filled with horrifically racist posts. Most of them videos showing black or brown people appearing to commit crimes with no context, and long comment threads about the need to deport all Somalis or all Afghans from the United States. The only respite from these kinds of posts were sketches of pranks that tended to involve people pretending to have sex. Advertisement It was also weird starting again in Metas apps because without all the data from my current profiles, they didnt know what I like or who I should follow. Editor's pick Analysis Social media Cat and mouse: How under-16s are circumventing the social media ban So if I were an under 16 trying to sneak onto social media, I could see myself moving to a totally new app that might not be cracking down as hard, rather than trying to sneak through an alt on my existing platform of choice. But as comparatively pleasant as the new apps are, theyre still subject to the social media age restrictions. That means theyre required to self-assess and, if they meet the description of an age-restricted platform, start identifying and blocking under 16s. Coverstar explicitly alerted me to the Australian law and said my account would be limited until I verified my age. But then it also encourages adults to set up accounts to use with their kids, so I suppose thats a grey area. Advertisement Its understood that Lemon8 is considering itself an age-restricted platform and is beginning to block under 16s. It has updated its website in a way that doesnt say that explicitly, only that it intends to comply with the law and that any feedback about that should go to eSafety. Yope would appear to be exempt, as primarily a messaging service like WhatsApp. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe's national chiefs council has publicly endorsed Zanu-PF's controversial "2030 resolution," which seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond constitutional limits. Council president Chief Mtshane Khumalo stated that traditional leaders have no grounds to oppose the ruling party's push, asserting that the matter originates from Zanu-PF and not from the chiefs themselves.Speaking on the sidelines of the annual chiefs' conference, Khumalo said: "The 2030 issue is not derived from chiefs; it is from the ruling party Zanu-PF itself. So, if Zanu-PF decided that, then the chiefs have nothing else to do, but to follow what the ruling government would have decided."The ruling party has reportedly courted chiefs with gifts, including US$1,500 in cash and high-end Samsung and iPhone handsets valued at around US$1,000, days after Mnangagwa's donation of heifers under the Presidential Livestock Empowerment Programme in Masvingo. Critics have described these gestures as attempts to secure loyalty ahead of 2030, although Khumalo rejected claims that the gifts constituted political inducements.During the conference, Mnangagwa praised chiefs for their "unwavering and gallant support" of Zanu-PF and pledged further incentives, including vehicles, mobile phones, and improved provisions for electricity, water, sanitation, medical aid, and funeral insurance.Political analysts, however, warned that the chiefs' support underscores the ruling party's politicisation of state institutions. Rejoice Ngwenya, a political analyst, argued that the 2030 issue is fundamentally a constitutional matter for citizens to decide via referendum, not a decision to be made on their behalf by chiefs.The endorsement by the national chiefs council adds another layer of controversy to the 2030 agenda, highlighting the intersection of traditional authority, political patronage, and constitutional governance in Zimbabwe. Advertisement Updated WorldNorth AmericaViolence Authorities to release person of interest detained in US university shooting Kimberlee Kruesi and Jennifer McDermott Updated December 15, 2025 3:20pm ,first published December 14, 2025 8:49am 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 Providence: A person of interest detained after a shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island that killed two students and injured nine will be released after an investigation took law enforcement authorities in a different direction, officials said. The disclosure, made at a hastily convened news conference, represents a stunning turn of events in an investigation into killings that rattled the Ivy League campus and came more than 12 hours after officials had announced that they had taken a person into custody in connection with the attack. The release means that whoever is responsible for the shooting may remain at large. People hold candles during a vigil in Providence for the victims. AP We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said. Advertisement The attack on Saturday afternoon (Sunday morning AEDT) set off hours of chaos across the Providence campus and surrounding neighbourhoods as hundreds of officers searched for the shooter and urged students and staff to shelter in place before lifting the lockdown on Sunday. On Sunday morning, officials took a person into custody who two people familiar with the matter identified as a 24-year-old man from Wisconsin. That individual, whose name was never released by authorities, is now being released. Loading Ive been around long enough to know 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, Rhode Island Attorney-General Peter Neronha said. Officials declined to elaborate on why the man was detained in the first place. Advertisement There was a quantum of evidence which justified detaining this person as a person of interest, Neronha said. Authorities said they believed an unidentified man dressed in black and pictured walking from the scene in surveillance footage to be the person they were still looking for. They are yet to release information about a potential motive. Police tape off hotel rooms where a person of interest was arrested. AP FBI director Kash Patel said earlier on Sunday in a post on X that the person of interest had been detained in a hotel room in the Rhode Island town of Coventry, a 30-minute drive from the Brown campus. The shooting occurred during one of the busiest moments of the academic calendar, as final exams were under way. Brown cancelled all remaining classes, exams, papers and projects for the semester and told students they could leave campus, underscoring the scale of the disruption and the gravity of the attack. Advertisement As police scoured the area for the shooter, many students remained barricaded in rooms while others hid behind furniture and bookshelves. One video showed students in a library shaking and wincing as they heard loud bangs just before police entered the room to clear the building. University president Christina Paxson teared up while describing her conversations with students both on campus and in the hospital. They are amazing and theyre supporting each other, she said at a news conference. Theres just a lot of gratitude. The gunman opened fire inside a classroom in the engineering building, firing more than 40 rounds from a 9mm handgun, a law enforcement official told AP. Advertisement One of the nine wounded students had been released from the hospital, Paxson said. Seven others were in critical but stable condition, and one was in critical condition. Durham Academy, a private K-12 school in Durham, North Carolina, confirmed that a recent graduate, Kendall Turner, was critically wounded. The school said her parents were with her. Our school community is rallying around Kendall, her classmates, and her loved ones, and we will continue to offer our full support in the days ahead, the school said. On Sunday evening (Monday AEDT), city leaders, residents and others gathered at a park to honour the victims. The event originally was scheduled as a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting. For those who know at least a bit of the Hanukkah story, it is quite clear that if we can come together as a community to shine a little bit of light tonight, theres nothing better that we can be doing, Smiley said at a news conference earlier in the day. Advertisement Smiley said he visited some wounded students and was inspired by their courage, hope and gratitude. One told him that active shooting drills done in high school proved helpful. The resilience that these survivors showed and shared with me is frankly pretty overwhelming, he said. A bouquet of flowers left on the campus not far from where a shooting took place. AP Investigators were not immediately sure how the shooter got inside the first-floor classroom at the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the school of engineering and physics department. The building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices, according to the universitys website. Outer doors of the building were unlocked but rooms being used for final exams required badge access, Smiley said. Advertisement Emma Ferraro, a chemical engineering student, was in the lobby working on a final project when she heard loud pops. Once she realised they were gunshots, she darted for the door and into a nearby building where she waited for hours. Eva Erickson, a doctoral candidate who was the runner-up earlier this year on the CBS reality competition show Survivor, said she left her lab in the engineering building 15 minutes before shots rang out. A police officer hangs yellow crime tape at the university. AP The engineering and thermal science student shared candid moments on Survivor as the shows first openly autistic contestant. She was locked down in the campus gym following the shooting and shared on social media that the only other member of her lab who was present was safely evacuated. Brown senior biochemistry student Alex Bruce was working on a final research project in his dorm across the street from the building when he heard sirens outside. Advertisement Im just in here shaking, he said, watching through the window as officers surrounded his dorm. Brown, the seventh-oldest higher education institution in the US, is one of the nations most prestigious colleges, with roughly 7300 undergraduates and more than 3000 graduate students. AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Violence USA University The Carlow County Council Environmental Network held a "meet your local producers" event in October at Tinryland Community Hub. The event gave locals the chance to sample the produce from growers, bakers and cheese makers across Carlow. Tasters of cheese from Elizabeth Bradley of Carlow Farmhouse Cheese, Cormac Larkin of Borris Cheese, and Tom Burgess, who was awarded the World's Best Cheddar Award for his raw milk Mount Leinster, were available for locals. Peter Lee and Mikael Galvez delight at the #FirstNameFood sandwich made at the Tinryland Hub that evening with local produce Mikael Galvez, co-founder of Gaelic Fungi Farm, and organic grower Peter Lee make up a sandwich together for First Name Food credentials. The First Name Food initiative is an effort to promote local producers and their ingredients, so people get to know the first name of the person producing their food. Molly Ayelesbury was emcee for the evenings discussion about how local food supports a healthier planet and a resilient economy. Mikael, who set up Gaelic Fungi Farms in Ballon with his partner Eilis after moving from California, said it was cool to be able to tell his family back home, I know a cheese guy. Like, I know a cheese guy! Guests on that night, 10 October, were invited to sample a sandwich arranged by chef Derek Oman, with bread from Seamus Jordan, of Plur Mill and Bakery in Borris, cheese from Elizabeth Bradley or Tom Burgess; and fresh leaves from Peter Lee of Bird and Blossom farm in Knockullard. Organic farmers Niall Whelan and Alison Murphys Sile Farm & Nursery contributed the peppers, onions, herbs and pear. Cormac Larkin and Derek Oman put the finishing touches on delicious Carlow-grown nibbles. Hub volunteers Mary Ryan and Mary Foley also served tea, coffee, and their own fresh baked scones and pies. In conversation about the business of local produce, Tom Burgess noted we have the most fertile land in Europe and mustn't be shy to put ourselves forwards. He produced 20 tons of cheese this year and sells most of it through cheese mongers, with the exception of SuperValu in Tullow. Other producers shared insights from their years of organic farming. Niall Whelan told the group that he started with strawberries and has already expanded to growing celery and cabbage. To remain organic, he must test his produce for 147 chemicals. A MUSICAL staged by Colaiste Aindriu in Bagenalstown had the entire student population singing, dancing, acting and generally living their best lives recently when they staged Take a chance on me. Based on the musical Mama Mia, which features songs by Abba, Colaiste Aindrius version saw the action transferred from the heady Greek islands to the windswept Arran Islands! And with only 140 students in the school, students from every year had important roles to play in it from the first years to the sixth years through to some Spanish students who are attending the school. Leah Regan as Peggy, Paula Henriquez as Molly and Iris Del Pino as Roisin Gabriela Delgado as Aoife The students put a huge amount of work into the play The setting for the musical was the Arran Islands, not the Greek ones! There was some great talent on stage that night! The students had a ball onstage! It was well adapted so it really worked, said school principal Sarah Kennedy. Were only a small school so every year had their part to play in it. It was a whole school project which involved everyone, from the woodwork to the art departments. The wonderful choreography, which played such a big part in the musical, was arranged by Robyn Curran of Dance Republic, while retired teacher and student favourite Maire Lee came back to the school to help out the three teachers, Amy Williamson, Jacqueline McGuill and Colin Hynes, who were the main driving forces behind the production. The place was buzzing with excitement when the musical was on, and still is, even now. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the talents that our students have. Were very proud of them all, said Ms Kennedy. James Cox Ireland's security vulnerabilities and hospitals under pressure due to flu outbreaks are among the stories that feature on Sunday's front pages. Taoiseach Micheal Martin is to bring a new focus to national security, The Sunday Times reports. The Sunday Independent leads with a story on flu outbreaks in Irish hospitals. The State is set to seek a 1 billion loan, the Business Post reports. The Sunday World leads with a story on Michael Lynn. The UK front pages lead with a range of stories. The Conservative Party would ditch a ban on petrol cars if in power, the Sunday Telegraph reports. Sunday's TELEGRAPH: Tories will ditch ban on petrol cars #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/vU7p29eKyo Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) December 13, 2025 Britain's King Charles has encouraged thousands of people to seek cancer screening, The Sunday Times reports. The UK Metropolitan Police 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. The Sun on Sunday leads with the story. The Mail on Sunday leads with a story on rumours of a coup against UK prime minister Keir Starmer. Sunday's MAIL: Starmer rocked by new Andy Burnham coup plot #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/jLwMO7UrTM Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) December 13, 2025 The Daily Star leads with a story on Jeremey Clarkson. The Daily Mirror leads with a story on new laws to combat sex offenders. Sunday's MIRROR: No place to hide for sex offenders #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/eKQ8Tk86BR Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) December 13, 2025 The New York Times leads with a story on US soldiers killed in Syria. Sign up to get our news digest delivered directly to your inbox twice a week. The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839, has officially chimed in on the recent announcement of a billion-dollar partnership between The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI, under which Disney content would be licensed for use in Sora, OpenAIs short-form generative video platform, and ChatGPT, which can generate still images. The agreement has prompted significant blowback from the industry, from fans, from just about everyone. TAG is, of course, primarily concerned with the monumental implications this deal raises for its members, but it also argues that the partnerships potential negative impact will extend to consumers and families worldwide. According to the guild, as a company built on carefully stewarded intellectual property and trust with audiences, Disneys embrace of genAI introduces uncertainties around creative integrity, data use, and the protection of user likenesses particularly those of children within AI-driven systems. Its also striking, though entirely unsurprising, that Disneys release was careful to include that The agreement does not include any talent likenesses or voices. Live-action performers, then, are protected, while animators work is not. The open letter calls on both Disney and OpenAI to provide transparency and accountability regarding how creative work is used, how artists are protected, and how safety and privacy risks will be addressed. The full post is on TAGs Instagram, and transcribed here: John "Jack" Phillip Cook, 91, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on December 10, 2025. Born on July 28, 1934, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Eleanor (Watts) and Watson Dale Cook, and by his brother Watson Dale Cook Jr., and by his son Thomas Dale Cook. He is survived by his wife Linda Sue (Suzy) Cook, daughter Loraine (Joe) Young of Ringgold, son, Bradley (Susan) Humble of Indialantic, Fl., Brandon Humble of Chattanooga, his grandchildren, Emily (Jacob) Crider of Ringgold, Micah Young of Augusta, Ga., Devin Humble of Chattanooga, Gabby (Austin) Cowden of Chattanooga, his great-grandchildren, Birdie Crider and Goldie Crider and his two sisters, Gene Layfield of Adams, Tn., and Susan (Allen) Walters, Loretto, Tn. Jack was a member of the Tennessee National Guard while he was in high school and after graduating from Tullahoma High School in 1952, he continued his education in a co-op fashion between the Tennessee Air National Guard and attending classes at Tennessee Tech. He left Tennessee Tech to do a two-year stint in the Army, then went back to school and completed his Mathematics and Engineering degree in 1962. He later served in the Army Reserves from 1974 to 1977. Jack had a very long career working in Design and Nuclear Engineering. He started his career working for ARO, Inc. at the Arnold Air Force Station in Tullahoma, Tn., then he moved to Texas to work for Brown and Root at the Johnson Space Flight Center. From there he moved to Huntsville, to work for Boeing Aerospace Company where he helped design parts for the Lunar Roving Vehicle (Moon Buggy). Due to funding cuts in the space program, he moved to Chattanooga, and began working for Combustion Engineering in the nuclear field. Combustion was acquired by Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) and then ABB was acquired by Westinghouse Electric. Jack retired from Westinghouse Electric in 2001. He later went to work for Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo, Ca., and stayed there for four years. He ended his career working for McLaughlin Boatworks measuring racing boats to make sure they were built to regulation specifications. Outside of work, Jack enjoyed sailing, yacht racing, singing with the Choo-Choo Chorus, serving in the Chattanooga Power Squadron, and leading the singing for this Clear Creek Church small group. In addition, he was a magnificently talented musician playing the piano, the guitar, the banjo, the ukelele, and the harmonica. He was also a talented sewist. He will be remembered as a thoughtful, charitable, brilliant, godly man by all those who knew and loved him well. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 19, at the Lane Funeral Home Coulter Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415 with visitation between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. Memorial services will be held at the funeral home beginning at 12:30 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. committal service at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404. Arrangements are entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, 423 877-3524, lanefh.com. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) has sounded the alarm over what it describes as a siege on the country's workforce by politically connected elites, military figures, and foreign investors. In an interview, ZFTU secretary-general Kennias Shamuyarira accused unscrupulous actors of dominating industry while exploiting workers through low wages and unsafe working conditions."We are under siege from neoliberals. We are under siege from politicians who have become employers. We are under siege from scrupulous employers who are coming in disguised as investors, but are taking our people into cheap labour and slavery," Shamuyarira said, highlighting the growing entrenchment of political and military interests in Zimbabwe's labour market.Shamuyarira specifically singled out Chinese-owned Dinson Iron & Steel, alleging that the company enjoys political protection while undermining workers' rights. "They are protected by politicians. We are told: you cannot recruit here, you cannot set foot there. Where are we going? This is going to be resisted, fought vehemently. There is no place that is untouchable," he said.The union warned that Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 development goal cannot be achieved without ensuring decent work, safe working environments, and fair wages. Shamuyarira emphasised that rapid industrial expansion is unsustainable without robust labour protections, describing the current situation as a "political capture of the labour market," with political and military ownership of mines, factories, and farms shifting power away from workers.Dinson Iron & Steel has denied the accusations, with project manager Wilfred Motsi asserting that the company operates within the law. "Each worker has the right to join any trade union they prefer and pay their union subscriptions themselves. Why should we interfere?" he said, disputing claims that the company restricts labour freedoms.The ZFTU is preparing to escalate its concerns internationally, signalling growing tensions between Zimbabwe's development ambitions and the realities facing its workforce. The federation insists that foreign investment must be balanced with strong labour protections to prevent exploitation. Home News Bondi Beach massacre: Death toll rises to 16, 40 wounded after gunmen opened fire on Hanukkah celebration 50-year-old suspected shooter counted among 16 killed Updated at 3:25 p.m. EST on Dec. 14, 2025: At a press conference, Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, said the wounded range in age between 10 to 87. He added that the government will be looking at passing new gun law reforms after this incident. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the Bondi Beach massacre as "an attack deliberately targeted at the Jewish community." NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon did not identify the two suspects by name but said they are a father and son, ages 50 and 24. The 50-year-old is deceased, and the 24-year-old is in critical condition at a local hospital. The father had a gun license for 10 years. He confirmed the investigation has found that only two suspects were involved in the attack, and not three as some had initially speculated. Lanyon added that two police officers were also wounded and are in critical but stable condition. He added that two improvised explosive devices were also found at the scene, and he was relieved that neither was detonated. Updated at 3 p.m. EST on Dec. 14, 2025: The death toll from the Bondi Beach terror attack rose to 16, including one child who died at Sydney Childrens Hospital, New South Wales Police have confirmed. The number of wounded also rose to 40, according to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, who added that four of the wounded are children. Speaking at the White House during a Christmas event Sunday, President Donald Trump said the attack was "purely antisemitic." Original report: Australian authorities have identified one of the gunmen who opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi Beach as 24-year-old Naveed Akram, as new details emerge about the targeted attack that authorities are treating as terrorism. Eleven people were killed and 29 others were wounded in the shooting, which targeted the Jewish community, police said. The death toll rose to 12 after one of the alleged attackers was killed by police. A second suspect remains hospitalized in critical condition, and investigators are continuing searches amid reports of a possible third attacker, The Telegraph reports. Video footage shared by Sky News shows two men dressed in black firing rifles toward the beach from a pedestrian bridge above a nearby parking area at about 6:40 p.m. Sunday. In the footage, one of the gunmen is tackled by a bystander before retreating to retrieve another weapon and resuming fire. The bystander, later identified by 7 News Australia as 43-year-old Ahmed Al-Ahmed, is a local shop owner and father-of-two who decided to step in and grab the rifle from one of the gunmen. Police later confirmed they recovered an improvised explosive device from a vehicle linked to the deceased suspect. Authorities also said they had previously been aware of one of the offenders, though they did not provide further details. The attackers targeted an event marking the start of Hanukkah that drew families to the popular beach. Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, who was helping run the event, was wounded in the shooting, according to his father, Yossi Lazaroff, the campus rabbi at Texas A&M University. In a social media post, he asked people to pray for his son. "Please say Psalms 20 & 21 for my son, Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, who was shot in a terrorist attack at a Chanukah event he was running for Chabad of Bondi in Sydney, Australia. The Chabad Rabbi he was working with Rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed. Praying for all the victims and their families," he shared on X. A Holocaust survivor was also among the dead. Larisa Kleytman said her husband, Alex, was shot in the back of the head while trying to shield her during the attack. The couple had immigrated to Australia from Ukraine and were attending the celebration together. Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it an act of evil antisemitism and said it had struck the heart of our nation," in an official statement shared on X. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the violence, saying in part, "Antisemitism has no place in this world. Our prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack, the Jewish community, and the people of Australia." This is a fast-developing story and some details might change as authorities release new information. Home News Brown University shooting: 2 students killed, 9 injured, suspect at large Quick Summary AI Summary Two students were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting at Brown University. A person of interest is in custody, police said at a Sunday press conference. The Ivy League university has canceled classes and exams for the rest of the semester An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary Updated at 4 p.m. EST on Dec. 14, 2025: The person of interest was interviewed by authorities and released. The search for the suspect shooter is ongoing, as authorities ask the public to release any camera footage they might have of the suspect walking the neighborhoods after he fled the university on foot. Updated at 12:30 p.m. EST on Dec. 14, 2025: At a noon press conference, police announced that a person of interest is in custody in connection with Saturdays shooting at Brown University. The shooting occurred at around 4 p.m. as students were in final exam review sessions at the Ivy League university. Two students were killed and nine others wounded. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said he met with the victims who remain hospitalized Sunday. And a campus-wide shelter-in-place order has been lifted, according to the university. The university has also canceled all remaining classes and exams, papers and projects for the rest of the fall semester. "In the immediate aftermath of these devastating events, we recognize that learning and assessment are significantly hindered in the short term and that many students and others will wish to depart campus. Students are free to leave if they are able. Students who remain will have access to on-campus services and support," Provost Francis J. Doyle III wrote in a note to the school community, which was among several continuous updates. Original report: A gunman who opened fire on students at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, killing two and injuring nine others during a final exam review, remained at large late Saturday as hundreds of officers searched for him. Police said the suspect fled on foot. The attack began around 4:05 p.m. EST inside a first-floor classroom during a final exam review for a large economics course, according to The New York Times. Law enforcement described the suspect as a man dressed in dark clothing, possibly in his 30s, last seen leaving the area without his face visible on security footage. Authorities released video footage showing the man leaving the engineering building, but said his face was not clearly captured. Investigators asked anyone who might recognize his gait or outfit to come forward. Brown University confirmed that the two people killed were students. Officials said at a press briefing that all nine injured individuals were in stable condition at nearby hospitals. Though they could not yet verify that all of the wounded were students, early indications pointed to that. Police said no weapon had been recovered. One person was initially detained during the response but was later released after being cleared of involvement. Authorities locked down the campus and issued a shelter-in-place advisory for the surrounding College Hill neighborhood. The order also includes dormitories, libraries, lecture halls and labs. Though the advisory applied only to the university area, many local restaurants, shops and even the Providence Place Mall closed early. Firefighters were dispatched to public gathering spots to assist in safety efforts. Mayor Brett Smiley said more than 400 law enforcement officers were working in the area to investigate the attack and secure the campus. He added that the outer doors to the building had been unlocked at the time of the shooting, and that investigators were still reviewing available video, though footage of the gunman inside the building had not yet been located. Students described panic and confusion as news of the shooting spread. Chiang-Heng Chien, a Brown student, told local station WJAR that he was working in a lab with three classmates nearby when the university alert was issued. The group hid under desks for roughly two hours, he said. Federal agencies and police from nearby cities joined the search. Officials said crowded downtown streets and large public events, including holiday concerts, made the search more difficult. Law enforcement teams were seen going door to door and inspecting cars parked near the campus, which spans hundreds of buildings across the College Hill area of Providence, the Rhode Island state capital. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he had been briefed on the situation and called it terrible. He added, All we can do right now is pray for the victims and for those that were very badly hurt, as reported by Reuters. Officials have not released the names of the victims. Investigators said they had received several tips about the suspect, but none had yet led to an identification. As police continued their investigation into the night, the area around the engineering building remained cordoned off. Roads were closed and officers maintained patrols as the search continued. Brown University, founded in 1764, is one of eight Ivy League institutions and enrolls roughly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Its main campus sits atop College Hill in Providence and has more than 230 buildings. The country has recorded 389 mass shootings so far in 2025, including at least six involving schools, according to the Gun Violence Archive, the newswire noted. The nonprofit defines a mass shooting as any incident in which four or more people are shot. This is a fast-developing story, and some details might change as authorities release updated information. Home News Nicaragua bans tourists from bringing Bibles into the country Tourists entering Nicaragua are no longer allowed to carry Bibles. The restriction, which also applies to other printed materials and electronic equipment, is part of a growing list of prohibited items at the border and comes amid tightening limits on civil liberties and an ongoing crackdown on Christians. Notices displayed at Tica Bus terminals in Costa Rica list Bibles, newspapers, magazines, books, drones and cameras among banned items alongside sharp objects and perishable food, according to the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide. A representative from the regional transport company Tica Bus in El Salvador confirmed that passengers traveling to Managua are not permitted to bring Bibles, newspapers, magazines, books of any kind, drones and cameras, CSW said. A second representative from the companys Honduras office said the restrictions had been in effect for more than six months. The ban follows years of escalating limits on civil liberties and religious expression in Nicaragua. Thousands of civil society groups have been shut down, and religious organizations have faced surveillance, detention and the cancellation of public events. Since April 2018, more than 5,000 independent civil society organizations have had their legal status revoked, including over 1,300 religious groups. Restrictions on media, such as customs controls on ink and paper, led to the 2019 shutdown of El Nuevo Diario, a prominent independent newspaper. Public religious processions have been banned unless organized by groups aligned with the government. In several documented cases, religious leaders have been detained arbitrarily, their movements restricted, and their activities subject to state approval. The church has remained one of the few institutions openly critical of President Daniel Ortegas government. During mass protests in 2018 against pension reforms, clergy, including Palacios Vargas, a Protestant pastor and founder of the La Roca de Nicaragua Church Association in Jinotepe, condemned police violence against students. In 2019, the Association had its legal status revoked, part of a trend of legal and bureaucratic targeting of faith-based organizations. The Nicaraguan government has also imposed tighter financial and legal constraints on NGOs. A 2018 foreign funding law has allowed officials to shutter thousands of organizations, disproportionately affecting Catholic institutions that previously provided refuge for protestors. In a March withdrawal from the U.N. Human Rights Council, Nicaragua responded to a critical report released two days earlier. The U.N. report accused the Ortega administration of systematically dismantling democracy, violating human rights and targeting religious freedom. One of the U.N. investigators, Ariela Peralta, stated that the government seemed to be at war with its own people. Vice President Rosario Murillo, who is also the presidents wife, rejected the report as slander and part of a coordinated smear campaign. A 2024 report by CSW, titled Total Control: The Eradication of Independent Voices in Nicaragua, documented 222 cases of religious persecution, including event cancellations, police monitoring and mandatory weekly check-ins for religious leaders. The same report found that 46 religious leaders were detained during 2024. Some were released quickly, while others remained in custody for extended periods. Anna Lee Stangl, CSWs director of advocacy and Americas team leader, said the ban on religious and printed material was highly concerning given the current context of repression, adding that it should be lifted and freedoms restored. The latest restrictions show Nicaraguas efforts to control the flow of independent voices and information into the country. Home Opinion Nick Fuentes is selling feminism for men Over the last several decades, radical feminist ideas have successfully convinced generations of young people that women dont need men, that children should never come before a womans career, that masculinity is toxic, that sex is free, and that a woman can do anything a man can do, and with heels on. As a result, fewer young women aim to be wives or mothers, and many who do are ashamed to admit it. Instead, women have been taught to see the procreative aspects of who they are as problems rather than gifts. According to Pew Research, women now account for record shares of chief executive and board positions, but nearly twice as many high school girls as boys say not enough women are in the workforce. Pew also reports that the number of young women who support abortion continues to increase. In 2024, 76% of young women between the ages 18 to 29 were pro-abortion. And, as more young men and dads return to church, more young women and single moms are staying away. Today, young women who align with feminist ideology are the majority. Theyve been taught to put themselves before faith or family. Theyve been taught that certain vices are virtues, that they are the victims of a male-dominated society, and that men are their enemies. And now, a similar interloper movement is seeking to change the hearts and minds of men just as the sexual revolution did for women. In one sense, this movement is a reaction to the excesses of Covid lockdowns, the #MeToo movement, and DEI. It is a movement much like feminism, only for men. A growing segment of Gen-Z males, particularly among those who lean conservative, are following extremist influencers who teach that vices are virtues, that men are victims, and that women are enemies. For example, theres Andrew Tate and his chest-thumping, self-focused hyper-masculinity. More recently, especially in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Nick Fuentes has gained the market share of lost boys who are looking to believe in something. Fuentes focuses on national, political, and racial preservation, with a call to burn the rest down. His is a Nietzschean call to power, which involves Jew hatred, the mocking and threatening of women, and an allegiance to white, American men. Before it was taken down for violating hate speech policies, Fuentes America First was the number one trending podcast on Spotify. His followers, known as Groypers, are growing, even though Fuentes was also de-platformed by YouTube and Apple. Fuentes livestream following the assassination of Kirk attracted over 2.5 million views. Recently, podcaster Liam Deboer attempted to explain the Fuentes phenomenon: Nick Fuentes is the end product of a decade that told a generation of young men that their very being was a problem to be solved. The deal once made to menwork hard and earn respect was torn up. In its place came scorn When every fair complaint from a moderate was branded as hate speech, many stopped trying to prove their innocence. For years, moderates believed debate could bridge the divide. But when [Kirk] was gunned down, a dark realization set in. These people were celebrating blood Thats when many young men realized, if you can murder someone for talk, then theres nothing left to talk about. Fuentes rose in that void, not as a mastermind, but as a symbol of what happens when shame and exclusion curdle into fury. Fallen people, especially young men, are quick to accept explanations that excuse their own sin and treat them as victims. This is a big part of Fuentes appeal. A bigger part is that there is a group of young men who believe that life has no meaning and no moral structure. They are looking for identity in all the wrong places. Parents and pastors should ask young men who they are following and what their vision is for being a man. The biblical vision of masculinity is big and focused outward: loving God, protecting others, caring for families, working and providing, defending the weak, looking after widows and the fatherless, and leaving things better than they were found. It stands in stark contrast to a vision of the perpetually adolescent male, which mocks everything and neither builds nor defends anything. It is built on outrage and frustration, which, though often appropriate, cannot offer a vision for life. Rather, it is essentially feminism for men. It will cause as much damage to them as its counterpart has to women. This Breakpoint was co-authored by Hayley Wilson. Originally published at BreakPoint. News / National by Staff reporter Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) faction leader Jameson Timba has sharply criticised President Emmerson Mnangagwa's administration, accusing it of institutionalising corruption while seeking to extend the president's tenure beyond constitutional limits. Timba condemned the gap between the government's anti-corruption rhetoric and Zimbabwe's lived reality, where accountability and transparency remain largely absent."A government that cannot account for taxpayers' money is not combating corruption; it is entrenching it," Timba said, linking alleged efforts to delay the 2028 elections or extend Mnangagwa's term to a strategy designed to shield a corrupt political economy from democratic oversight. He called on citizens to defend the Constitution, warning that a government unwilling to confront corruption cannot be trusted with constitutional amendments.Timba pointed to the Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga's raised corruption complaints, which he argued should have prompted police investigations, immediate action by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, and protective measures by the Prosecutor-General. Zimbabwe currently ranks 158th out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting the systemic nature of graft.He further condemned the 2026 National Budget, describing it as a blueprint for continued mismanagement, citing US$2.4 billion in unaccounted-for spending. Critics have long accused the ruling party of fostering a culture of impunity, where political patronage is financed through corrupt dealings.In a related appeal during International Human Rights Day in Harare, civil society organisations highlighted ongoing violations of fundamental rights. ZimRights' incoming national director, Gillian Chinzete, emphasised shortcomings in education, water, and electricity access, as well as a lack of protections for informal traders and youth employment. She described the PVO Amendment Act as severely limiting civic space by imposing restrictive registration and reporting requirements on civil society organisations.Shadreck Vengesai of the Zimbabwe Peace Project presented data revealing 1 235 documented rights violations in 2025 alone, affecting over 44 000 individuals, including women, men, and persons with disabilities. Vengesai warned that the figures, while partial, indicate a troubling rise in persecution, intimidation, and the curtailment of ordinary citizens' rights.Timba's critique, combined with the human rights findings, paints a stark picture of governance challenges in Zimbabwe, with corruption, political patronage, and restricted civic space undermining both democracy and citizens' everyday rights. CLEVELAND, Ohio The plastic showing up in the Great Lakes doesnt arrive in one dramatic spill. It slips in piece by piece blown off land, flushed through sewers, shed from everyday products and often weathered to bits until it becomes nearly impossible to track. Scientists agree on the source of the pollution: people. What remains far less clear is how microplastics move through the Great Lakes system, where they collect, and why some waters appear far more contaminated than others. Right now, we have enough of a picture to say we need to be worried, said Rebecca Rooney, an ecology professor at University of Waterloo. Studies across all five lakes have generated their share of water quality data, but whats missing is regular monitoring and standardized reporting that will permit place-to-place comparisons and allow for trends to emerge, according to experts. What we know is that the bulk of the pollution is primarily generated locally from population centers around each lake, though it can also move from one lake to another. In many cases there are hotspots, dictated by where the plastic is coming from, along with the dominant currents in the lakes and even the presence of algae that can collect microplastics and then release them when the vegetation dies, said Sherri Mason, a researcher who conducted a noteworthy survey of Lake Erie in 2024. Mason trawled sites previously sampled in 2014 and found the number of tiny plastic particles floating on the surface had increased astronomically over the decade. But the study was not as rigorous an endeavor as she would have liked, said Mason, who now conducts research for Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, as it only included five sample locations. Still, the report was eye-popping, said Andrea Densham, a policy analyst who consults with the Alliance for the Great Lakes, a nonprofit devoted to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Her impression: We are going absolutely in the wrong direction. Mason said the apparent increase in plastic in Lake Erie can be attributed to a combination of factors, including more manufacturing of plastic products bolstered by the COVID-19 pandemic and usage by consumers. But some of the detritus flows into Lake Erie from lakes further upstream, she said. It is a complicated story, but the numbers tend to bear out that you are seeing an increase as you move through the Great Lakes, said Mason. Comparing the lakes A 2024 report prepared by a microplastics work group for the International Joint Commission, a binational organization that monitors U.S.-Canada boundary waters, looked at several years of prior research. It found the highest concentrations in Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario, with lesser amounts in Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Erie. A prior compilation of research by Mason and others had Lake Erie second to Lake Ontario in estimated microplastics, but everyones data is relatively old, she said. Plus, the IJC report took into account plastics found in feeder streams and rivers. Higher concentrations in some lakes stand to reason, given the number of people living around them, said Chelsea Rochman, an associate professor of aquatic biology at University of Toronto and co-author of the IJC report. Lake Michigan has two major cities, Chicago and Milwaukee, while Lake Ontario is home to Toronto, with a metro population of more than 7 million people. The Lake Erie watershed has close to 12 million inhabitants, mostly in the United States. Lake Ontario not only has a lot of people living around it, but it is the final collection point for water flowing through all five of the Great Lakes. Lake Superior flows into Lake Huron and from there into Lake Erie before cascading over Niagara Falls, or stair-stepping down the Welland Canal, into Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario gets it all and it is the most contaminated of the five, Rochman said. While the downstream effect is a factor, it is tempered by the fact that microplastics dont necessarily move with the flow of water, said Rooney, the University of Waterloo professor and an IJC report co-author. They can sink to the bottom of the lake and become buried in sediment or gobbled up by fish. There are far more microplastics on the bottom of Lake Erie than floating on the water, said Mason. Pathways for plastic Plastic gets into the Great Lakes in a variety of ways. Boaters may chuck their refuse overboard, but more likely it blows off the land, flows down tributaries, or is flushed from storm and sanitary sewers, which can go untreated during heavy storms. Rochman said it may be that Canada contributes less than the U.S. to the overall plastic problem in the Great Lakes. But thats certainly not the case in Lake Ontario, where Toronto sends large amounts of plastic into the water despite efforts to trap the trash before it gets there. She said Toronto is probably as big a contributor to the plastic in Lake Ontario as Chicago is to the pollution in Lake Michigan. Rochman said the primary culprits are the same all over, namely single-use containers such as coffee cups, drink bottles, clamshells, straws, cutlery and plastic bags. Cigarette butts, which include plastic filters, are also commonly found along beaches. Another major contributor is foam from the construction industry that gets cut away and discarded, eventually winding up in storm drains and then the lakes. Also found in the lakes and beaches are tiny industrial pellets that are produced by petrochemical companies and then melted down by manufacturers into plastic parts. The pellets have been given the cute name nurdles, said Densham. And these are anything but cute. They are especially toxic because of the chemical coatings designed to give certain properties to the plastic parts. Nurdles get into the environment when they spill from train cars and large trucks while being transported to factories that convert them into products. If this were oil they would be getting fines on it, she said. Better monitoring needed The International Joint Commission report has called on both the United States and Canada to coordinate efforts to better monitor microplastics in the Great Lakes. That includes amending their Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to have microplastics categorized as a chemical of mutual concern, similar to PFAS, mercury, PCBs and other hazardous contaminants. Whats needed is an ability to make apples-to-apples comparisons, Rooney said, and until that happens, its hard to draw definite conclusions. News / National by Staff reporter Nicholas "Madzibaba" Zakaria, legendary frontman of the Khiama Boys, passed away yesterday at Chitungwiza Central Hospital after a long battle with diabetes. He was 69.Madzibaba, hailed as a mentor, icon, and hero of Zimbabwe's music industry, made significant contributions to the growth of the arts and played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous stars, including Alick Macheso. He will be laid to rest at a family shrine in Chiweshe on Sunday.Tributes poured in from fellow musicians, fans, and neighbours, who gathered at his home in Chitungwiza A Extension to celebrate his life and legacy. Macheso described Madzibaba as a "bridge" in the sungura genre, guiding many emerging artists to success. "I am who I am because of his generosity and mentorship. He was a bridge to some of us who passed through his hands and class," Macheso said, fighting back tears.Madzibaba's younger brother, Zachariah Zakaria, reflected on the profound influence his elder brother had on his life, calling him "a pillar and a guide who shaped my career." His widow, Margaret Gweshe, expressed her heartbreak, noting, "We have lost a father and a pillar who served as our shield. We did our best, but sadly, there was nothing we could do to save him."Veteran arts promoter Barbara "Mama Red Rose" Chikosi remembered Madzibaba as a humble role model who instilled discipline and focus in upcoming musicians. Simon Mutambi and Nasho Azatti, among others, echoed these sentiments, crediting him for shaping their musical and professional journeys.Madzibaba's health struggles had been publicly reported in January last year, with complications from hypertension and diabetes affecting his mobility and daily life. Despite offers of support, he continued working on his 30th album until his passing.Over his illustrious career, Madzibaba nurtured a host of talents, including the late Cephas Karushanga, Amon Mvula, Aaron Chinamira Chakanyuka, System Tazvida, and Alick Macheso. His contributions as a composer, songwriter, choreographer, and left-handed lead guitarist left an indelible mark on Zimbabwe's music industry.The funeral wake was attended by the Orchestra Mberikwazvo ensemble and notable artists such as Simon Mutambi, Spencer Khumulani, Lioness Gwenyambira, Francis "Slomo" Dakha, and Loveness Mainato, ensuring that Madzibaba Zakaria's legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Bank of America discussed a bunch of stocks recently that it likes for 2026, especially those leveraged to trends like the high-end consumer. The Wall Street investment bank likes positive trends emerging for names such as Visa, Penske, Ollie's and Goldman Sachs . Penske Automotive Group Analyst Alexander Perry reinstated coverage of the auto retailer earlier this week. The firm says it likes the company's exposure to one of the most important demographics, which is the higher-end consumer. The largest segment of Penske's business is luxury vehicles, Perry added. "We consider this an advantage as it reduces the risk associated with price increases related to tariffs and enhances growth opportunities for parts and service given increases in vehicle complexity & technology," he wrote. Perry also says Penske's penchant for engaging in M & A leaves it well positioned for growth. "We think that PAG's selective approach to acquisition targets and low net leverage position enable growth both domestically and abroad," he went on to say. The stock is up 9% this year. Goldman Sachs The investment bank is firing on all cylinders heading into 2026, the firm says. Recent meetings with the CFO "in the Middle East highlighted the significant momentum on revenue growth and productivity," analyst Ebrahim H. Poonawala wrote. The firm also raised its price target to $900 per share from $850 and says the stock has plenty more room to run. "We see the YTD move in the stock as anchored in fundamentals given a positive EPS revision cycle driven by rebounding M & A/IPO activity," he said. Shares are up 55% this year. Read more. Ollie's Analyst Lorraine Hutchinson is standing by the discount retailer following earnings earlier this week. The firm raised its price target to $150 per share from $145 and says Ollie's continues to take advantage across retail with new locations and accelerating growth. "Most of the new stores are former Big Lots locations that were acquired on the open market rather than as bankruptcy leases," she wrote. In addition, Ollie's is well positioned to bring in consumers from all demographics, the firm says. "Customer growth was 12%, driven by strength in high-income and younger customers, who responded well to shifts from print ads to digital and social media marketing," Hutchinson said. Meanwhile, shares are up 4% this year. "We view Ollie's as well positioned within retail, as it offers less discretionary products at prices 20-70% lower than peers," she went on to say. Visa "Following recent underperformance, we believe Visa shares offer very attractive return potential, and we are upgrading to Buy from Neutral. We view stablecoins as an opportunity, regulatory/litigation risks as manageable, and Visa as a premier business. Current valuation is close to a 10yr trough driven by overblown disruption concerns and a rotation into AI/risk-on stocks, in our view." Nvidia "NVDA remains a full generation ahead of competition. ... .Our $275 PO is based on 28x CY27E PE ex cash, within NVDA's historical 25x-56x forward year PE range, which we believe is justified by NVDA's leading share in fast-growing AI compute/networking markets, offset by lumpiness in global AI projects, cyclical gaming market, and concerns around access to power." Ollie's "Most of the new stores are former Big Lots locations that were acquired on the open market rather than as bankruptcy leases. ... .Customer growth was 12%, driven by strength in high-income and younger customers, who responded well to shifts from print ads to digital and social media marketing. ... .We view Ollie's as well positioned within retail, as it offers less discretionary products at prices 20-70% lower than peers." Penske "We consider this an advantage as it reduces risk associated with price increases related to tariffs & enhances growth opportunities for parts & service given increases in vehicle complexity & technology. ... .We think that PAG's selective approach to acquisition targets and low net leverage position enable growth both domestically and abroad." Goldman Sachs "Our recent investor meetings with CFO Denis Coleman and Head of IR Jehan Ilahi in the Middle East highlighted the significant momentum on revenue growth and productivity. ... .We see the YTD move in the stock as anchored in fundamentals given a positive EPS revision cycle driven by rebounding M & A/IPO activity." Sometimes the stakes are so high, the degree of difficulty so immense, that it simply may be too hard to game. When thats the case, no amount of formal research will help you fathom the stock implications. Yet, you have inherited the issues and they must be dealt with or you are too at sea to judge them. We have not one, but two situations and potentially three that concern me especially because the price-to-earnings multiples are very high. The two stocks in question? Broadcom and Costco . Broadcom, the nervous system for many of the hyperscalers, is trying to encroach upon fellow Club name Nvidia , the leading AI chipmaker whose fast processors are at the heart of so many artificial intelligence data centers. Lets take Broadcom first. For its custom AI chip business, Broadcom's list of clients include Alphabet -owned Google, Meta Platforms , TikTok parent ByteDance, and OpenAI . Additionally, AI startup Anthropic also was recently revealed as a $10 billion customer . Meanwhile, Broadcom is rumored to be talking with Microsoft about shifting its business away from its director competitor in the custom chip design space, Marvell Technology . And there were also concerns that Marvell was losing some business from Amazon. Importantly, Marvell CEO Matt Murphy, whom I trust implicitly, came on Mad Money and said he hadn't lost any business. I believe him. At the same time, Bloomberg News on Friday reported that Oracle pushed back the opening date for some of the data centers its building for OpenAI, the giant startup run by Sam Altman. OpenAI happens to be committed to spending $300 billion over five years for computing power from Oracle. That figure is thought to be rock solid because it is in Oracles RPO, or remaining performance obligations. It represents more than half of Oracle's $523 billion RPO. Anything that indicates that OpenAI is not money good could cause a tremendous negative ripple for this entire ecosystem not just OpenAI, although OpenAI is at the center of the debate. According to Bloomberg, the timeframe for the pushout is from 2027 to 2028, with labor and material shortages cited as the reason. Importantly, Oracle said in a statement there have been no delays to any sites required to meet our contractual commitments, and all milestones remain on track. Oracle is to be trusted because it is Larry Ellisons company and Ellison doesnt make false claims. But is Sam Altman to be trusted? We dont know enough about him and his company is private. Bloomberg could be wrong in its story. But maybe it isnt. Many took the story as gospel despite Oracles response in that statement. It is possible, however, for everyone to be right. We know from Coreweaves quarterly report that these sites can have problems being built . They are very complicated and companies are all fighting for the same components. Oracle holds itself out as an expert in building them. What happens, however, if Oracle has problems building the data center sites for OpenAI and that is the source of the pushout? What happens to the pace of chip orders from Nvidia, which is almost always a part of every data center? These are the fundamental questions that must be answered. We thought we would get some clarity on the broader state of the AI buildout when Broadcom reported quarterly results Thursday night. But the answer was obscured by an issue identified by CFO Kirsten Spears on the Broadcom conference call. At the beginning of the call, Broadcom said it had some $73 billion in AI backlog, including orders for its AI server systems that contain its custom chips and other components. That number excited Wall Street and initially drove the stock up about $15 a share in after-hours. But later on the call, Spears said the AI system business was less profitable than other chip-only orders because of some pass-through costs with lower margins. When Spears revealed that, Broadcoms stock did the dreaded pirouette and it fell to about $380, giving up a frightening $35 from its overheated after-hours level. When that happens its a nightmare, which is why the stock fell even more during Fridays regular session and ended the day at $359.93. Some of that additional decline came from the first issue I mentioned, the possible delay related to Oracles work for OpenAI. The rest was from the pass-through issue. AVGO YTD mountain Broadcom's year-to-date stock performance. Now lets go back to the first issue. I never like to be in a battleground because the possible results are too murky. These issues created their own battleground. They cant really be resolved because OpenAI is private. When we hear about potential delays involving OpenAI, even if other reasons are cited in the article, we cant help but wonder whether it will have the money to meet all its obligations in the coming years. How do we know if Broadcoms business is not as robust as we thought? We do know OpenAI has access to $40 billion in capital , or at least that it says it has that access. We do know that it just landed a billion dollars from Disney for a stake in the company. It was all very odd. Why didnt OpenAI have to pay Disney and not vice versa? Was it really about making sure OpenAI was able to get the characters for its AI video generation tool Sora and while blocking Google? Still, I found the deal murky and very similar to the kinds of crazy deals I heard about in 2000, deals that everyone told me were smart and I thought were preposterous. All of this is very theoretical. I dont like theoretical. Who wants to be caught in this web of intrigue? Not me. Not anyone else. Hence the collapse in Broadcoms stock. I can go round and round about how OpenAI is worth more than we thought because of this business-to-business deal. Enterprise business is worth more than business-to-consumer deals, the current focus model of OpenAI. Thats more like the aforementioned Anthropic, whose heavyweight investors include Amazon, Microsoft and Google. Anthropic is loved by the Street. OpenAI is not as trusted because of the craziness we have seen from the firm, including CFO Sarah Friars odd comment that the government could always backstop the company . Thats been denied later on by Friar, but its kind of a genie-out-of-the bottle comment. Again, its all too hard. Which means that Broadcoms stock is worth less than we thought, at least around this one issue. Once again, we have to play a game of who do you trust? I trust Hock Tan, the longtime CEO of Broadcom, which means you shouldnt be bailing from the stock. Others clearly have less faith, or else the stock wouldnt have come down a horrendous $46, or 11.4%, on Friday. This is not the first time Hock has been doubted by the market. It is also not the first time that the market has been wrong. I am with Hock. We are, of course, standing by Broadcom, which even with Fridays pullback remains up 55% year to date. However, because its price-to-earnings ratio is so high, at almost 42 before earnings, theres not much room for error. Thats just how it goes with high-multiple stocks. So, its fraught and we dont like fraught the battleground. We do think Hock will be right, just as we did a few years ago when the stock broke down after another quarter and it turned out to be a false worry accompanied by a huge amount of insider buying . Could that happen again? I think so. We just dont know yet. To sum up, my judgment is that Broadcom is fine, but the position is a lot harder to defend at this moment. We will defend it by owning it, not buying more. Now, lets cover Costco. The first, and most salient, issue is the P/E multiple, and yes it almost always comes back to the multiple. At 43 times next years earnings, it is high versus the S & P 500, which trades at roughly 22 times forward earnings. But Costco's valuation being well above the market is not unusual historically speaking. In fact, at this time a year ago, Costcos P/E ratio was north of 50 while the S & P 500s was still around 22, according to FactSet data. Costcos multiple coming down would be fine if the stock werent near its lows. What were seeing now indicates that the fear is the stock must go lower because investors are not as willing to pay up as much for future earnings that is how you get multiple compression. To be sure, Costcos quarter was solid, in line with the estimates. But it wasnt better than the estimates. The earnings have to be better than the estimates to maintain its high multiple: witness Walmart with a 40 multiple, as close to Costco as I can recall. That, in and of itself, is telling. Why is that? Theres a couple of reasons. First, customers arent renewing their membership as they used to. We have seen this impact for several quarters, and it is quite unusual. The company has an excuse: These are mostly younger people who get their membership online versus warehouse signups. But I dont care about the excuse. It is a red flag. Further, there was lumpiness to the quarter, something I dont like but I think got better as the quarter ended. Third, Costco CFO Gary Millerchip a rather new hire from Kroger brought in to replace the irreplaceable long-time finance chief Richard Galanti once again used the word choiceful about the consumer. Choiceful, I think, is a code word for too expensive. I dont associate that word with Costco. Suboptimal. COST WMT YTD mountain Costco's year-to-date stock performance versus Walmart. So, what to do? As I said during a Morning Meeting last week , I am very concerned about this and about how the analysts seem to be focused more on Costco's technology initiatives although two analysts on the conference call did ask on about the renewal rate, and the answer was that thanks to some targeted initiatives, the renewal rate for online members will be a little better than it was. That wasnt reassuring. Unlike Broadcom, the high multiple here cant stay high when the comparable sales arent much better than expected. This distresses me. I have been kind of possessed by it. Is Walmart catching up? Is Walmart passing it? Is Walmart better than Costco? Comparisons, as I know from my mother, are odious. But its a real worry. I was thinking Costco would go up when it reported that quarter because there was progress with online and there was additional talk about bolstering its advertising initiatives like Walmart has. But they are so far behind, that, again it is worrisome. I play with an open hand. I weigh all of this against a long history of being special. I dont think it helps that Costco is tussling with the administration over tariffs and, before that, diversity efforts . Whether you like or agree with Costco, you have to accept that some people might be turned off by these stances. As a shareholder, I am not happy about this because I am trying to figure out the real reason why there is a lower renewal rate, especially among young people. Why be as concerned as I am? Because of Target , thats why. Many stuck with Target long after things went awry there. Its retail. Retail is one of the hardest businesses. You can slip. You can fall. Thats why you should not be surprised if we take action on the position. I hate to ever sell this stock. The company is so amazing. My trips to the stores remain exciting. But we cant afford a Target. We just cant. That said, you have to expect some action. I cant lose sleep over this one. So, sigh. Its not what we want. But it almost has to happen. Correction: Broadcom's chief financial officer is Kirsten Spears. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long COST, AVGO, NVDA, AMZN, MSFT and META. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with Turkey's President following their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on November 19, 2025. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered to drop Ukraine's aspirations to join the NATO military alliance as he held five hours of talks with U.S. envoys in Berlin on Sunday to end the war with Russia, with negotiations set to continue on Monday. Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff said "a lot of progress was made" as he and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met Zelenskyy in the latest push to end Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II, though full details were not divulged. Zelenskyy's adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said the president would comment on the talks on Monday once they were completed. Officials, Lytvyn said, were considering the draft documents. "They went on for more than five hours and ended for today with an agreement to resume tomorrow morning," Lytvyn told reporters in a WhatsApp chat. Ahead of the talks, Zelenskyy offered to drop Ukraine's goal to join NATO in exchange for Western security guarantees. The move marks a major shift for Ukraine, which has fought to join NATO as a safeguard against Russian attacks and has such an aspiration included in its constitution. It also meets one of Russia's war aims, although Kyiv has so far held firm against ceding territory to Moscow. "Representatives held in-depth discussions regarding the 20-point plan for peace, economic agendas, and more. A lot of progress was made, and they will meet again tomorrow morning," Witkoff said in a post on X. The talks were hosted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who, a source said, had made brief remarks before leaving the two sides to negotiate. Other European leaders are also due in Germany for talks on Monday. "From the very beginning, Ukraine's desire was to join NATO, these are real security guarantees. Some partners from the U.S. and Europe did not support this direction," Zelenskyy said in answer to questions from reporters in a WhatsApp chat. "Thus, today, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the U.S., Article 5-like guarantees for us from the U.S., and security guarantees from European colleagues, as well as other countries Canada, Japan are an opportunity to prevent another Russian invasion," Zelenskyy said. "And it is already a compromise on our part," he said, adding that the security guarantees should be legally binding. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine officially renounce its NATO ambitions and withdraw troops from about 10% of Donbas, which Kyiv still controls. Moscow has also said Ukraine must be a neutral country and no NATO troops can be stationed in Ukraine. Russian sources said earlier this year that Putin wants a "written" pledge by major Western powers not to enlarge the U.S.-led NATO alliance eastwards - shorthand for formally ruling out membership to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics. Sending Witkoff, who has led negotiations with Ukraine and Russia on a U.S. peace proposal, appeared to signal that Washington saw a chance for progress, nearly four years after Russia's 2022 invasion. Under pressure from Trump to sign a peace deal that initially backed Moscow's demands, Zelenskyy accused Russia of dragging out the war through deadly bombings of cities and Ukraine's power and water supplies. A ceasefire along the current front lines would be a fair option, he added. China's slow ramp up of U.S. soybean imports this year underscores how Beijing has gradually increased its domestic production, thanks to policy support. "The course of improvement in food self-sufficiency mirrors the efforts in China's energy and chips security," Goldman Sachs analysts said in a Dec. 9 report about China agriculture stock plays. Beijing's top policy documents, especially in recent years, have highlighted the need to support domestic agriculture. Soybeans are particularly important as a key ingredient in livestock feed. Thanks to sweeping improvements in arable land and management of animal feed demand, the Goldman analysts expect China can drastically reduce its need for imported soybeans. In particular, they predict China's corn and soybean yield can jump to 80% to 85% that of the U.S. by 2035, up from around 50% currently, while reducing soybean content in animal feed by 25%. It's a big shift, considering that China is the world's largest soybean importer and has been the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans until pausing those purchases for much of this year as trade tensions escalated. After both sides reached a trade truce in October, China has resumed buying U.S. soybeans, but so far at a smaller volume than initially expected . China has "stabilized its reliance on [grain] imports for the first time in two decades," the Goldman analysts said, "and is now potentially reversing, or building the capacity to reverse, the course ahead." The analysts also noted that China's average annual public sector spending on agricultural research and development reached $6.6 billion from 2019 to 2021, five times more than two decades ago and more than major peers. Here are three of Goldman's buy-rated stock plays by theme: Biotech seeds: Shenzhen-listed Dabeinong, with a price target of 7.5 yuan ($1.06). "Seeds are at the core of crop production, the 'chips' for food production, where its quality and traits directly affect yield performance," the report said. The analysts expect Dabeinong's dominance in domestic bio-tech seeds will enable the company to capture significant potential in the market for genetically modified crops. Agricultural machinery: Hong Kong-listed First Tractor, with a price target of 14 Hong Kong dollars ($1.80). Goldman initiated coverage of China's largest agricultural tractor producer by 2024 sales revenue. "We view First Tractor as well positioned to capture the structural growth opportunities brought by China's tractor upsizing (towards high-HP tractors) and upgrading (towards intelligent tractors) trend in light of China's transition towards agricultural modernization to achieve food security," the report said. Slow-release fertilizer producers, and product upgrades: Shanghai-listed Yunnan Yuntianhua, with a price target of 45 yuan. The stock analysts also initiated coverage of Yuntianhua as China's top fertilizer producers with 10% of the domestic market and 20% of the market for fertilizer inputs. "As one of the few major domestic producers with 100% self-sufficiency in upstream resources, we expect YTH to well capture upstream profits for its fertilizer production in 2025-2030E," the analysts said, noting the stock offers the highest dividend yield among its China agriculture coverage. *At the square of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, thousands dressed in dark attire gathered with white flowers pinned to their chests. China's national flag was flown at half-mast in front of the crowd that included survivors of the massacre, local students and international friends. *Eighty-eight years have passed and the Japanese government still has not officially acknowledged the Nanjing Massacre. If they refuse to face the crimes they committed, how can we guarantee such atrocities won't happen again? *Acknowledging these facts is not about assigning collective guilt to any people today. Instead, it's about respecting truth and honoring the victims by ensuring that their suffering is not erased. 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. (Xinhua/Li Bo) NANJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Xia Shuqin, 96, sat eagerly in front of the television early Saturday morning, eyes fixed on the live broadcast of the 12th national memorial day ceremony in her hometown Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. Eighty-eight years ago, in that brutal, freezing winter, seven members of Xia's family -- her parents, grandparents and sisters -- were among the 300,000 lives lost in the Nanjing Massacre. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. At the square of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, thousands dressed in dark attire gathered with white flowers pinned to their chests. China's national flag was flown at half-mast in front of the crowd that included survivors of the massacre, local students and international friends. "Eighty-eight years have passed and the Japanese government still has not officially acknowledged the Nanjing Massacre," said Xia. "If they refuse to face the crimes they committed, how can we guarantee such atrocities won't happen again?" 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 (WWII). One person was killed every 12 seconds. Nanjing Massacre survivor Xia Shuqin uses a black pen to renew the names on the "wailing wall" outside the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 30, 2025. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua) TO FORGET AKIN TO KILLING SECOND TIME Xia Shuqin still treasures a faded group photo taken 80 years ago to celebrate the victory, a photograph capturing only a part of her family. At the age of eight, she witnessed seven members of her nine-person household tortured and killed by invading Japanese soldiers who broke into her home. She herself was stabbed three times and lost consciousness, only to awaken to the sound of her four-year-old sister crying among the bodies. "As long as I live, I will seek justice for the 300,000 compatriots who were slaughtered," said Xia, who became the first Nanjing Massacre survivor to travel to Japan after the war to testify to the crimes by Japanese troops. She was smeared as a false witness by Japanese right-wing groups and won a lawsuit against them in 2009. Over the years, Xia has recounted her heart-wrenching story countless times, each retelling reopening old wounds. In 2025 alone, eight Nanjing Massacre survivors passed away, leaving only 24 registered survivors still living, according to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. In San Jose, California, a public memorial will be held in a park named after Iris Shun-Ru Chang, the author of The Rape of Nanking, a bestselling non-fiction book detailing the massacre and atrocities committed by invading Japanese forces. "In 1997, she 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," said Iris's mom, Ying-Ying Chang. 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." British poet W. H. Auden, who was in China during WWII, drew a parallel between what was happening in Europe and China in a poem. "And maps can really point to places, where life is evil now: Nanking; Dachau." Dachau was the location of the first Nazi concentration camp in Germany. Two books of Iris Chang's "The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II" are displayed at a reading room of the San Francisco WWII Pacific War Memorial Hall in San Francisco, the United States, Aug. 20, 2022.(Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Thomas Rabe is the grandson of German businessman John Rabe, who joined other foreigners to establish an international safe zone during the massacre, saving over 250,000 Chinese lives. "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," he said. Chang said her late daughter aimed to advocate peace and urge Japan to confront its wartime history. "Apparently, certain Japanese politicians haven't reflected at all," she told Xinhua. This year's memorial day came when China-Japan relations face renewed tensions following recent provocative actions by some Japanese politicians. Chang saw Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks as "much more outrageous than when Iris wrote the book." Takaichi has hinted that the country could intervene militarily in the Taiwan question. It's clear that the Japanese right-wing figures want to resurrect militarism, probably wage another war on China, and that leaves China no choice but to be more vigilant, Chang said. Zhang Sheng, head of the Research Society of the History of Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, said that Japan has revised its textbooks and systematically distorted narratives of WWII history since the 1990s to downplay or even whitewash the country's war crimes. "Such historical distortion has led to a notable decline in the number of Japanese people with an accurate understanding of the massacre," he warned. This photo taken on Nov. 9, 2019 shows a written message and flower bouquets presented to Iris Chang at a memorial park named after the late Chinese-American author in San Jose, California, the United States. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua) PASSING ON MEMORY TO LATER GENERATIONS The truth of the massacre was not only witnessed by survivors and rescuers, but also captured and documented by international individuals residing in Nanjing at the time. During the Tokyo trial, a large amount of evidence of the Nanjing Massacre was confirmed, and the culprit, general Iwane Matsui, was sentenced to death. Evidences show that the Japanese army used brutal methods such as mass shootings, live burials, knife strikes, and arson to kill Chinese unarmed soldiers and civilians. They carried out massive rape, looting, burning and destruction simultaneously. According to records, eight charitable organizations participated in the recovery and burial of bodies after the massacre. The Nanjing branch of the World Red Cross alone collected and buried 43,123 bodies, while the charity organization Chongshan Hall in Nanjing collected and buried a total of 112,266 bodies. In 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec. 13 as the national memorial day to mourn those killed by Japanese invaders and expose war crimes committed by the Japanese. That year, Xia helped unveil a memorial ding, a traditional cauldron symbolizing state authority and prosperity. Throughout the years, China has intensified efforts to preserve historical memory through lectures, books and films. "Dead to Rights," a film screened in July based on verified photographic evidence and survivors' accounts, has grossed 3 billion yuan (about 425 million U.S. dollars) and will represent the Chinese mainland in the Best International Feature Film race at the 98th Oscars. "With this film I am not trying to sow hatred," said the director Shen Ao. "Instead, it is our wish that the history is never forgotten, reminding people today to cherish their lives, and cherish peace." A woman looks at a board of "Dead to Rights" at a cinema in Sydney, Australia, Aug. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) Survivor testimonies have been inscribed into UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, and exhibitions have been held in countries such as France. As the number of living survivors declines, the task of remembrance is shifting from relying on their personal accounts to a more systematic, institutionalized form of social transmission, said Wu Minchao, a professor in modern history at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Megan Brady, 23, great-granddaughter of American surgeon Richard Brady, who served in Nanjing during the war and witnessed the atrocities, became one of 38 officially recognized inheritors of the Nanjing Massacre memory. She composed a song Mercy in 2019, and participated in a workshop on the translation, publication and international communication of the Nanjing Massacre history. "Acknowledging these facts is not about assigning collective guilt to any people today. Instead, it's about respecting truth and honoring the victims by ensuring that their suffering is not erased," Brady said. In the "mass grave" of the massacre memorial hall, the remains of 208 victims lie preserved in their final postures. "Wars are more cruel than we can imagine," said a young man surnamed Yu from Shanghai. "Looking at the skeletons here, we can see that the Nanjing Massacre is far more than just some figures or several lines in history books." The Gen-Z visitor told Xinhua that, like many of his peers, he enjoys Japanese animation such as Spirited Away and Demon Slayer, which have recently been released in China. "But it doesn't mean that we could forget the tribulation of our nation inflicted by Japanese invaders," he said. The ability to "distinguish and reflect," he added, is a sign of maturity among China's younger generation. Many visitors shared this sentiment. "We believe that in the future the Chinese and Japanese people will maintain friendly relations. Our common enemies are the right-wing forces and anyone who opposes world peace," wrote visitors Gao Junfeng and Wang Lili in the memorial book. People visit the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 2, 2025. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua) Xia Shuqin's granddaughter, Xia Yuan, volunteers as a guide there, recounting her grandmother's story twice a month. In July, she traveled to Japan with a photo of Xia Shuqin and delivered an emotional speech at a university event. Ahead of the national memorial this year, she and her son carefully retraced the names of their murdered family members on the "wailing wall" outside the memorial hall with black ink. "The color of their names must never fade, and neither should their stories," she said. (Reporting by Bai Xu, Qiu Bingqing, Jiang Fang, Gui Tao, Lou Chen, Rong Jiaojiao, Yang Xuan, Cheng Lu, He Leijing, Chu Yi, Li Chao and Ning Ning; video reporters: Li Guangzheng, Yang Zhixiang, Wang Nan, Li Ziyue, Lin Kai, Bai Xu, Yang Xuan, Qiu Bingqing, He Leijing, Xia Peng, Mao Jun, Chen Si and Huang Peifeng; video editors: Zhou Yang and Liu Xiaorui) News / National by Staff reporter Tobacco farmers in Headlands were left reeling last week after a violent hailstorm destroyed irrigated tobacco crops valued at more than US$4 million, just days before harvest.What began as welcome rainfall quickly turned catastrophic, shredding 387 hectares of flourishing tobacco - predominantly on large-scale commercial farms - leaving leaves pockmarked, torn, and beyond recovery.While most large-scale producers had insured their crops, small-scale farmers in Bingaguru, whose rain-fed tobacco was also damaged, were not as fortunate.Among the hardest hit were some of Zimbabwe's top growers, including Denfrod Mutwiwa of Mutwiwa Farm, Felix Kamusasa of Dzikiti Farm, and Monica Chinamasa of Tsukumai Farm.Mr. Mutwiwa, last season's crowned best tobacco grower by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), described the destruction as catastrophic."At one of my leased farms, all 120 hectares of prime tobacco were shredded in less than 10 minutes, inflicting losses of about US$1 million," he said. "My tobacco was insured. You cannot grow tobacco at large scale without insurance because it is suicidal. Imagine 120 hectares of ripening tobacco gone in just 10 minutes how do you recover from that if you are not insured?"Mr. Kamusasa reported losses of 140 hectares valued at approximately US$1.9 million. "All in all, I lost about 140 hectares of ripening tobacco, which was due for harvesting on December 5. The whole crop was shredded and cannot recover. Being a contracted crop, it means I had borrowed, and that was a huge blow," he said.ZNFU president and grower Mrs. Monica Chinamasa had 40 hectares affected, primarily losing the top seven leaves of her crop. "We lost about half of the leaves that were exposed to the hailstorm. We grow tobacco under contract, and it is mandatory that we insure our crop. Farmers should always insure their crops because you never know what will happen," she said.Beyond hailstorms, tobacco farmers face multiple risks, including fires during curing, theft, and robbery during transport to auction floors. In response, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has mandated that tobacco bales be transported only by registered transporters with goods-in-transit insurance.The hailstorm has sent shockwaves through the farming community, underscoring the vulnerability of agriculture to extreme weather events and highlighting the critical role of crop insurance in protecting livelihoods. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco (ZLT) has dismissed its Blending and Classification Manager, Stephen Taruona, following a disciplinary process that found him guilty of sexual harassment.The decision comes after allegations surfaced that Taruona sent inappropriate WhatsApp and text messages and made verbal comments of a sexual nature to female subordinates.ZLT's Human Resources Director, Ed Chisi, confirmed the dismissal in a letter dated December 8, 2025."Following allegations of sexual harassment received by the company and a full disciplinary process, we write to advise that Mr Stephen A. Taruona was found guilty and dismissed from employment," the letter stated.The victims reportedly came forward after ZLT management assured them protection, reflecting the company's commitment to addressing such allegations seriously. Last month, Assistant Managing Director Paul Grainger reiterated the organisation's stance on handling sexual harassment claims with utmost seriousness.Employees welcomed the outcome, crediting media coverage for ensuring accountability."Our fear was that the case was likely to be swept under the carpet," said one middle manager, speaking anonymously. Another added: "We are grateful that your reportage made an impact. Without your intervention, ZLT, it was going to be swept under the carpet."Taruona had two stints at ZLT, spanning nearly four years in the late 1990s, and returned after Tribac Tobacco Company, where he worked as leaf manager, folded six years ago. 3i Infrastructure plc (LON:3IN Get Free Report)s share price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 352.04 and traded as high as GBX 373.50. 3i Infrastructure shares last traded at GBX 369.50, with a volume of 5,353,518 shares traded. 3i Infrastructure Trading Up 0.4% The firms 50-day simple moving average is GBX 360.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 352.58. The firm has a market capitalization of 3.43 billion, a PE ratio of 8.12 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 15.26. Get 3i Infrastructure alerts: 3i Infrastructure (LON:3IN Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 11th. The company reported GBX 28 EPS for the quarter. 3i Infrastructure had a return on equity of 10.77% and a net margin of 92.78%. Equities analysts expect that 3i Infrastructure plc will post 2039.0836962 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at 3i Infrastructure 3i Infrastructure Company Profile In other news, insider Milton Fernandes bought 6,927 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 360 per share, with a total value of 24,937.20. Also, insider Lisa Gordon purchased 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 376 per share, with a total value of 37,600. Over the last 90 days, insiders purchased 19,927 shares of company stock worth $7,354,720. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. (Get Free Report) 3i Infrastructure plc is a Jersey-incorporated, closed-ended investment company, an approved UK Investment Trust, listed on the London Stock Exchange and regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. The Companys purpose is to deliver a long-term sustainable return to shareholders from investing in infrastructure. 3i Investments plc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 3i Group plc, is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority and acts as Investment Manager to 3i Infrastructure plc. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for 3i Infrastructure Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for 3i Infrastructure and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. L3Harris Technologies Inc (NYSE:LHX Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the nineteen brokerages that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $295.50. A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on LHX. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $325.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. UBS Group increased their price target on L3Harris Technologies from $318.00 to $323.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a hold rating on shares of L3Harris Technologies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $302.00 to $353.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of L3Harris Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Get L3Harris Technologies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on L3Harris Technologies Insider Activity at L3Harris Technologies Hedge Funds Weigh In On L3Harris Technologies In other news, CEO Christopher E. Kubasik sold 14,171 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $301.05, for a total transaction of $4,266,179.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 144,426 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,479,447.30. This represents a 8.94% 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 . Corporate insiders own 0.72% of the companys stock. Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of LHX. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 0.5% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,170,042 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,811,973,000 after acquiring an additional 121,619 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in L3Harris Technologies by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,833,024 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,058,151,000 after purchasing an additional 181,550 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in L3Harris Technologies by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,874,482 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,226,075,000 after purchasing an additional 105,402 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in L3Harris Technologies by 12.2% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,132,140 shares of the companys stock worth $1,074,208,000 after purchasing an additional 557,610 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in L3Harris Technologies by 0.8% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,948,981 shares of the companys stock worth $1,236,410,000 after purchasing an additional 38,820 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.76% of the companys stock. L3Harris Technologies Stock Performance Shares of LHX opened at $286.84 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $53.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.81, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.95. L3Harris Technologies has a one year low of $193.09 and a one year high of $308.12. The business has a fifty day moving average of $287.77 and a 200 day moving average of $274.41. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $2.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.60 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $5.66 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.51 billion. L3Harris Technologies had a return on equity of 11.08% and a net margin of 8.09%.L3Harris Technologiess revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.34 earnings per share. L3Harris Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.500-10.700 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that L3Harris Technologies will post 11.12 EPS for the current year. L3Harris Technologies Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. L3Harris Technologiess payout ratio is presently 51.56%. About L3Harris Technologies (Get Free Report) L3Harris Technologies, Inc provides mission-critical solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. The company's Integrated Mission Systems segment provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, passive sensing and targeting, electronic attack, autonomy, power and communications, and networks and sensors, as well as advanced combat systems for air, land, and sea sectors. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for L3Harris Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for L3Harris Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (NYSEARCA:OWNB Get Free Report) were down 1.3% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $24.91 and last traded at $25.90. Approximately 2,067 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 93% from the average daily volume of 29,305 shares. The stock had previously closed at $26.24. Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF Trading Down 4.1% The firms fifty day moving average price is $30.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $31.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.57 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.01 and a beta of 5.30. Get Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brookwood Investment Group LLC bought a new position in Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF during the third quarter worth $233,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF during the third quarter worth $934,000. Jane Street Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,085,000. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF by 64.5% in the 3rd quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 92,895 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,103,000 after buying an additional 36,413 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,245,000. About Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF The Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF (OWNB) is an exchange-traded fund that trades on the NYSEARCA exchange in the United States. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bitwise Bitcoin Standard Corporations ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter The City of Harare has moved to remove street vendors selling maize cobs, citing concerns over littering and blocked drainage systems that contribute to flooding during heavy rains.A city official said the action also targeted street children who were reportedly harassing residents."We have to take action. We want to clean up our city and do everything possible to restore order," the official said.He added that vendors were storing maize cobs in drainage channels, creating both a health hazard and obstruction to stormwater flow."We cannot allow people to continue selling roasted maize in the Central Business District and vandalising our drainage systems. They are storing their maize cobs in our drainage systems and storm drains, which poses a health hazard to residents," he said.Residents have been urged not to buy maize from street vendors, with authorities emphasizing that the storage and handling of the maize by these sellers is unsafe. Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust (NYSE:BMN Get Free Report) shares rose 0.9% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $25.37 and last traded at $25.37. Approximately 3,688 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 72% from the average daily volume of 13,206 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.14. Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust Stock Performance The business has a 50-day moving average of $24.92 and a 200 day moving average of $24.73. Get Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust alerts: Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.0938 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.5%. Insider Activity Institutional Investors Weigh In On Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust In related news, major shareholder Of America Corp /De/ Bank sold 1,164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.56, for a total transaction of $28,587.84. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 24,048 shares of the companys stock valued at $592,000 after purchasing an additional 2,848 shares during the last quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust during the 1st quarter valued at $659,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in shares of Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust by 5.4% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 104,095 shares of the companys stock worth $2,611,000 after buying an additional 5,290 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust by 5.6% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 32,904 shares of the companys stock worth $825,000 after buying an additional 1,746 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust by 11.7% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 78,694 shares of the companys stock worth $1,974,000 after buying an additional 8,216 shares during the period. Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust is an close-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Blackrock, Inc The fund is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets. The fund primarily invests in n investment grade municipal securities that are rated BBB- or above by S&P and Fitch or Baa3 or above by Moody's. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackrock 2037 Municipal Target Term Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Telefonica Brasil S.A. (NYSE:VIV Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the eight brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, four have issued a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $13.12. Several research analysts have weighed in on VIV shares. Citigroup began coverage on Telefonica Brasil in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Telefonica Brasil in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Morgan Stanley set a $12.00 target price on Telefonica Brasil in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Telefonica Brasil from $11.40 to $12.60 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 19th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Telefonica Brasil from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Get Telefonica Brasil alerts: Read Our Latest Report on VIV Telefonica Brasil Stock Performance Shares of Telefonica Brasil stock opened at $12.34 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The firm has a market cap of $20.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.69. The stocks 50-day moving average is $12.54 and its 200-day moving average is $11.96. Telefonica Brasil has a one year low of $7.47 and a one year high of $13.31. Telefonica Brasil (NYSE:VIV Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Telefonica Brasil had a return on equity of 8.67% and a net margin of 10.37%.The company had revenue of $2.81 billion for the quarter. Equities analysts predict that Telefonica Brasil will post 0.6 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Telefonica Brasil Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 337.7% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,233 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 3,266 shares in the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Telefonica Brasil during the first quarter worth about $41,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Telefonica Brasil in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $52,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Telefonica Brasil by 214.0% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,766 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 3,248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in Telefonica Brasil by 543.7% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 4,918 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 4,154 shares in the last quarter. 5.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Telefonica Brasil Company Profile (Get Free Report) Telefonica Brasil SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a mobile telecommunications company in Brazil. Its fixed line services portfolio includes local, domestic long-distance, and international long-distance calls; and mobile portfolio comprises voice and broadband internet access through 3G, 4G, 4.5G, and 5G, as well as mobile value-added and wireless roaming services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Telefonica Brasil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telefonica Brasil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. (NYSE:BAMR Get Free Report) shot up 1.5% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $47.6350 and last traded at $47.39. 24,393 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 16% from the average session volume of 20,993 shares. The stock had previously closed at $46.68. Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Stock Down 1.6% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.28 and a quick ratio of 0.28. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $47.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $58.64. The firm has a market cap of $497.89 million, a PE ratio of 8.22 and a beta of 1.43. Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Company Profile (Get Free Report) Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides annuity-based reinsurance products to insurance and reinsurance companies. The company operates in two segments, Reinsurance and Pension Risk Transfer. It also acts as a direct issuer of pension risk transfer products for pension plan sponsors. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund (NYSE:IGR Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $4.98 and traded as low as $4.22. CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund shares last traded at $4.25, with a volume of 1,728,248 shares trading hands. CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund Stock Down 0.6% The stocks 50 day moving average is $4.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $4.97. Get CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund alerts: CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.06 per share. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 17.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 19th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows About CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund in the third quarter worth about $34,000. Atticus Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund by 41.0% during the 2nd quarter. Atticus Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,340 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 2,136 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. bought a new position in shares of CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund during the first quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Finally, Balboa Wealth Partners acquired a new stake in CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $65,000. (Get Free Report) CBRE Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund specializes in investments in various property types, including office, retail, diversified, apartments, industrials, hotels, healthcare, and storage. It invests in the public equity markets across the developed markets of North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Churchill China plc (LON:CHH Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 463.21 and traded as low as GBX 342.15. Churchill China shares last traded at GBX 350, with a volume of 9,712 shares. Churchill China Stock Performance The stocks 50 day simple moving average is GBX 364.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 460.69. The company has a market capitalization of 37.43 million, a P/E ratio of 7.38, a P/E/G ratio of 4.81 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 4.18 and a quick ratio of 2.22. Get Churchill China alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Mark Moore acquired 730 shares of Churchill China stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 360 per share, with a total value of 2,628. 24.35% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Churchill China Churchill China plc manufactures and sells ceramic and related products in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the United States, and internationally. The company provides plates, bowls, trays and boards, crates and carriers, stands and risers, cookware, counter serving ware, cups, mugs, saucers, beverage pots, jugs, chip mugs, dip pots and sauce dishes, lids, glassware, cutlery, utensils, and accessories, as well as raw materials for the ceramics industry. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Churchill China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Churchill China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Klarna Group (NYSE:KLAR Get Free Report) and Cloudflare (NYSE:NET Get Free Report) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and risk. Institutional & Insider Ownership 82.7% of Cloudflare shares are held by institutional investors. 10.9% of Cloudflare shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Klarna Group alerts: Profitability This table compares Klarna Group and Cloudflares net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Klarna Group N/A N/A N/A Cloudflare -5.12% -6.54% -1.80% Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Klarna Group 1 8 11 0 2.50 Cloudflare 2 10 18 1 2.58 This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Klarna Group and Cloudflare, as reported by MarketBeat. Klarna Group currently has a consensus price target of $47.07, indicating a potential upside of 51.67%. Cloudflare has a consensus price target of $235.33, indicating a potential upside of 16.27%. Given Klarna Groups higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Klarna Group is more favorable than Cloudflare. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Klarna Group and Cloudflares revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Klarna Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Cloudflare $1.67 billion 42.46 -$78.80 million ($0.30) -674.70 Klarna Group has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Cloudflare. Summary Cloudflare beats Klarna Group on 6 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Klarna Group (Get Free Report) Our mission is to reimagine how consumers spend and save in their daily lives. We help people save time, money and put them in control of their finances. Our vision is a world where Klarna empowers everyone, everywhere, through seamless commerce experiences-as a personalized, trusted assistant making financial empowerment effortless. We are a technology company building the next-generation commerce network. We have built one of the largest commerce networks in the world, measured by the number of consumers and merchants, serving approximately 111 million active Klarna consumers and approximately 790,000 merchants in 26 countries as of June 30, 2025, and facilitating $112 billion of GMV in the last twelve months ended June 30, 2025. Our flexible and personalized products, trusted consumer brand, global distribution and proprietary scalable infrastructure are the foundations enabling us to become our consumers everyday spending and saving partner, available everywhere and for everything. Through our history, we have consistently innovated and challenged the status quo, evolving our network from a consumer-focused payments tool to a global commerce network that enables merchant success. Klarna was built to address the manifold pain points in commerce today, including inefficiency, lack of trust, prevalence of fraud, impersonal relationships between consumers and merchants and high interest and credit-related fees that are harmful to consumers, merchants and society at large. We began by pioneering a new approach to online payments, designed to bridge uncertainty in the transactions between consumers and merchants by providing short-term flexible credit that is predominantly interest-free and accelerating growth for merchants. Our approach leverages differentiated underwriting capabilities, utilizes bank deposits and other low-cost funding sources and is monetized primarily by driving increased GMV for merchants on our network rather than from only charging interest to consumers. In the last twelve months ended June 30, 2025, 98% of transactions conducted on our network were interest-free. This results in lower fees, which we believe drives consumers and, in turn, our merchants, to shift more of their commerce activity onto our network, aligning the financial success of our consumers and merchants with our long-term ambition of durable growth. We have also built a unique advertising solution, connecting engaged consumers to advertisers in a personalized, commerce-centric environment. Consumers come to Klarna to pay flexibly and securely, to find goods, services and experiences that are relevant to them, and to manage their purchases and savings, all in a trusted environment. We designed our network to provide consumers with more control and flexibility over their payments, to save them time and money and to effortlessly put them in control of their finances. This allows us to become an important growth partner for merchants of all sizes, enabling them to grow their businesses and acquire new customers, convert more transactions with higher AOVs and retain customers with increased loyalty, all while establishing and fostering personal relationships with their customers. Just as card networks revolutionized the way merchants and consumers received and made payments decades ago, we have created a new type of network built upon fairness, sustainability and innovation, while removing intermediaries, complexity and fees along the way. We accelerate commerce by connecting consumers and merchants with comprehensive payment and tailored advertising solutions, both online and offline. Our payment options provide consumers with the choice to pay however they prefer: Pay in Full settles transactions instantly, Pay Later allows consumers to complete a purchase today while deferring payment to a later date or into installments and Fair Financing allows consumers to settle payments over a longer period of time. We offer the benefits of both open and closed networks. We open our network to a broad consumer and merchant ecosystem, similar to Visa, MasterCard and Amex, but also benefit from our proprietary closed-loop network where we issue, fund, process and settle the entire payment, while retaining a direct relationship with our consumers. Payment options are facilitated across numerous channels, including directly at our merchants online or in-store checkouts, in the Klarna app, with the Klarna card or using Apple Pay or Google Pay. We have achieved global consumer and merchant scale. Our 111 million active Klarna consumers are diversefrom a wide range of income levels and educational backgroundsand representative of the broader population. In Sweden, our most mature market, approximately 83% of adults were active Klarna consumers as of June 30, 2025, according to our estimates. Our consumers are financially responsible, tooin the last twelve months ended June 30, 2025, 99% of the consumer loans that we extended were paid on time. Merchants view Klarna as an important growth partner because of our consumer scale and global reach. Our approximately 790,000 merchants include some of the largest global brandson average, 48% of the top 100 merchants in each of the major markets we serve, which include the United States, the U.K., the Nordics, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland (based on data from eCommDB and Digital Commerce 360) used Klarna in the last twelve months ended July 31, 2025 to facilitate payments, while an even greater percentage (66%) advertised on our network during the same period. Our broad adoption across merchants contributes to our GMV diversification, with no single merchant representing more than 10% of our GMV in any of our major markets in the last twelve months ended June 30, 2025. Through both our payment and advertising solutions, we help our merchants attract new customers, drive higher AOV with higher purchase frequency and offer frictionless commerce and higher conversion rates. We do all of this while allowing merchants to seamlessly integrate Klarna into their existing operations and infrastructure, retaining full control over their brands. Klarna sits at the center of a global ecosystem. We connect an array of different financial services and commerce organizations, from PSPs, traditional banks, card networks and open banking providers, to commerce enablers, technology partners, in-store payments providers and shipping and return logistics providers, to improve the commerce experience for our consumers and merchants through a unique global network. We continue to grow our network across verticals and geographies to better serve consumers and merchants. We believe that our credit underwriting capabilities, enabled by our proprietary data from approximately 3.0 million transactions made on average per day on our network from 111 million active Klarna consumers in the last twelve months ended June 30, 2025, differentiate us from other networks. We are able to make underwriting decisions in seconds with our fully automated processes and underwrite every transaction in real time. We also provide a small spending capacity that gradually increases as consumers responsibly spend more with Klarna, and clear and transparent repayment terms that encourage borrowers to repay on time. All of this distinguishes our financing solutions from market alternatives. In the last twelve months ended June 30, 2025, our average balance per active Klarna consumer was $80 (Pay in Full: $0; Pay Later: $88; Fair Financing: $408) (compared to an average balance per credit card of approximately $6,730 in the United States in 2024, according to Experian), and average loan duration was approximately 40 days (38 days for Pay Later and 180 days for Fair Financing) (compared to a typical loan duration of more than five years at a typical Nordic bank in 2024, according to publicly available information, and an average of 2.9 years of a typical U.S. personal bank loan in 2022, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve). This allows us to quickly react to market changes and efficiently manage credit risk. Our underwriting process results in credit losses that are generally lower than the industry average: for example, our provision for credit losses represented 0.52% of GMV in the last twelve months ended June 30, 2025, while the loan losses as a share of total loans averaged 2.6% for our main competitors in Sweden in 2024, based on publicly available information of Swedish banks and payment solutions providers, and 2.92% for commercial banks in the United States in 2024, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. In addition to lower credit losses, we believe that our underwriting process provides more value to consumers and merchants than alternative payment methods, which helps drive our financial performance. We have been a constant pioneer in our industry. In 2005, when online shopping was still nascent and marked by distrust, we launched Pay Later products to guarantee consumers would pay only after they had received goods, while also pioneering a new approach to credit. In 2010, we launched our Pay in Full product to give consumers more choice and control over how they pay. In 2017, we started building a disruptive brand to help people streamline their financial lives. As we learned that consumers wanted to use Klarna everywhere, we launched the Klarna card in 2018. That same year, we launched the Klarna app, which enables our consumers to track all their purchases in one place, track their shipments, assist with errands and much more. While we began with payments innovation, in 2019, we started to meaningfully scale our advertising solutions, which personalize the commerce experience for our consumers by using our vast proprietary data set, including data they entrust to us. In 2023, we developed an AI assistant powered by OpenAI, which meaningfully streamlines the commerce experience, and in 2024, introduced Klarna balance, which makes commerce even more effortless by allowing consumers to Pay in Full or Pay Later without connecting to a bank account or card. In 2025, we continued to expand and introduce more digital finance products to help our consumers save time and money and effortlessly put them in control of their finances. For example, we enhanced the Klarna card with real-time transfer and deposit features to create smarter wallet features, and we have begun its roll-out in the United States. This upgrade builds on the success of Klarna balance and our savings accounts, underscoring our growing role in everyday financial management. At the same time, we continued reshaping access to credit through the expansion of our Fair Financing offeringa transparent, non-revolving alternative to traditional creditnow available at a broader merchant network, including major partners like Walmart. These innovations are all built on our AI-enabled, cloud-native and global technology platform to which merchants can connect via a single API. Every product we bring to market can be launched globally, allowing merchants to reach millions of consumers worldwide almost instantly once connected to our network. We began operations in Sweden in 2005, and rapidly expanded through the rest of the Nordics. By 2010, we operated in the Nordics, Germany and the Netherlands. By 2016, we were established in nine markets, including Austria (2012), Switzerland (2014) and the U.K. (2014). Since inception, we have strived to maintain a deliberate balance of growth and profitability. We remained profitable for the first 14 years as we scaled our operations in Europe. In 2019, we strategically decided to expand our successful operating model into additional geographies, with a particular focus on the United States, and in the following three years expanded into 12 additional markets. While our expansion in the United States has contributed to an increase in our GMV, it has also led to net losses in recent periods. In 2023, our operating loss started to decline and we began generating positive transaction margin dollars in the United States, while continuing to grow our GMV and the number of active Klarna consumers and merchants worldwide. Our registered office is located in London, United Kingdom. About Cloudflare (Get Free Report) Cloudflare, Inc. operates as a cloud services provider that delivers a range of services to businesses worldwide. The company provides an integrated cloud-based security solution to secure a range of combination of platforms, including public cloud, private cloud, on-premise, software-as-a-service applications, and IoT devices; and website and application security products comprising web application firewall, bot management, distributed denial of service, API gateways, SSL/TLS encryption, script management, security center, and rate limiting products. It offers website and application performance solutions, including content delivery, load balancing, DNS, agro smart routing, video stream delivery, web optimization, cache reserve, cloudfare waiting room, and cloudfare data localization suite; SASE platform through cloudfare one that provides a cloud-based network-as-a-service; network services which deliver network connectivity, security, and performance, including magic WAN, magic transit, magic firewall, cloudflare network interconnect, and spectrum. In addition, the company provides zero trust services, such as cloudflare access, cloudflare gateway, remote browser isolation, cloud access security broker, cloud email security, and data loss prevention products that protects, inspects, and provides privilege rules to grant access to data and application. Further, it provides developer-based solutions consisting of cloudflare workers, R2 object storage, workers KV, durable objects, cloudfare pages, cloudfare stream, and cloudfare images; and consumer products comprising of 1.1.1.1, a DNS resolver, WARP, a virtual private network, and cloudfare registrar that secures registration and management of domain names. The company serves customers in the technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and retail, industrial, and non-profit industries, as well as government. Cloudflare, Inc. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Receive News & Ratings for Klarna Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Klarna Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Decisive Dividend Co. (CVE:DE Get Free Report) Director Gerald Terence Edwards purchased 1,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$7.00 per share, with a total value of C$11,200.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 287,295 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$2,011,065. This trade represents a 0.56% increase in their position. Decisive Dividend Price Performance DE stock remained flat at C$7.10 during trading on Friday. 18,797 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 19,281. The company has a market capitalization of C$142.16 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.30 and a beta of 0.19. Decisive Dividend Co. has a 12 month low of C$5.81 and a 12 month high of C$8.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 126.64, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.54. The stocks 50-day moving average price is C$7.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$7.56. Get Decisive Dividend alerts: Decisive Dividend Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading Decisive Dividend Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells wood burning stoves, fireplace inserts, and gas fireplaces in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Finished Product and Component Manufacturing. The company also designs, manufactures, and markets air blast sprayers for use in agricultural industry under the Turbo Mist brand; and wastewater evaporator systems that are used in mining, oil and gas, and waste management industries. Receive News & Ratings for Decisive Dividend Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Decisive Dividend and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ELC Group Holdings Ltd. (ELCG) is planning to raise $9.50 million in an initial public offering on the week of December 22nd, IPO Scoop reports. The company will be issuing 1,900,000 shares at $4.00-$6.00 per share. In the last year, ELC Group Holdings Ltd. generated $6.07 million in revenue and $470 thousand in net income. The company has a market-cap of $100 million. D. Boral Capital (ex-EF Hutton) served as the underwriter for the IPO. ELC Group Holdings Ltd. provided the following description of their company for its IPO: (Incorporated in the Cayman Islands) We are a manpower service provider based in Singapore. Manpower service providers (asMSPat) serve as a bridge between job seekers and businesses to meet each otheras recruitment needs. Typically, MSPs create a platform whereby employers can list job opportunities and recruit individuals looking to secure full, temporary or part-time employment meeting their respective criteria. For companies, MSPs assist the recruitment process to meet particular staffing needs, saving companies time, money, and effort. For job seekers, MSPs help them find an appropriate job matching their skill sets as quickly as possible, and exposing them to more opportunities through their vast network. Our customers fall into a wide range of industries, including warehouse and logistics, food and beverage, cleaning, manufacturing, retail and events. To provide better service to our customers, we pay close attention to the changing needs of our customers, including new developments in their respective industries, which helps us anticipate the specific roles and skills that they will need. We believe this attention to detail gives us a significant competitive advantage and improves customer loyalty. We have developed a proprietary platform that connects job seekers and employers through a unique matching program using specific character and skill recognition matrices. Our platform operates a comprehensive database that records the skill preferences and requisite applicant characteristics of our business customers and the job criteria of job seekers, thereby reducing reliance on subjective human analysis which can be extremely time consuming and inefficient. While many MSPs offer similar services, we believe our model is more specifically focused on our customersa individual criteria, therefore we tend to deliver a more tailored approach, rather than providing a one-size-fits-all service. Job SeekersA We believe we stand out to job seekers in two important ways: (i) we have developed a mobile app to enable clients real-time access to the data and therefore opportunities, and (ii) we are the first manpower provision company operating with an app platform in Singapore that is compensating part-time workers on the very same day they finish their jobs. We have artificial intelligence (asAIat) technology integrated into our asEL Connect Appat to create a positive user-friendly experience for part-time job seekers. EmployersA For employers, in addition to the EL Connect App, we have also developed our asTaskforce App.at Our TaskForce App is a smart platform to digitalize building and property operations management. Our TaskForce App integrates internet of things (asIoTat) sensors, facial recognition systems and robotics into facilities and workforce management in buildings and properties. TaskForce App bridges the gap between the employees of our customers, such as site supervisors who oversee property management, and contractors or crews of our customers, who perform individual duties and tasks, addressing inefficiencies in traditional and paper-based processes of property management. Our TaskForce App seeks to achieve optimal performance and productivity for our customers by enabling their employees to have real-time monitoring of facilities and workforce management and providing them instant access to a variety of information ranging from attendance records of contractors or crews to real-time usage of consumable supplies in a facility. This has become an invaluable tool to our customers which has prompted us to monetize its application by opening it up to customer subscriptions and licensing, which we expect will become a growing revenue stream. We derive our revenue primarily from the following sources: (i) manpower supply services which provides part-time manpower to customers on our employment and recruitment portalA asEL Connect Mobileat; (ii) manpower contracting services which provides cleaners for cleaning services; (iii) software as a service (asSaaSat) sales, which grants users the right to access our asTaskforceat app; (iv) software licensing sales, which grants clients the right to use the Taskforce app customized to their specific requests (updates and maintenance included); and (v) project management services. Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars for the 12 months that ended Dec. 31, 2024. (Note: ELC Group Holdings Ltd. increased its IPOs size again this time to 1.87 million shares up from 1.7 million shares and kept the price range modest at $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $9.35 million, according to an F-1/A filing dated Aug. 25, 2025.) (Note: ELC Group Holdings Ltd. raised the size of its IPO to 1.7 million shares up from 1.25 million shares originally and kept the price range at $4.00 to $6.00A to raise $8.5 million. Background: ELC Group Holdings Ltd. disclosed the terms for its small IPO 1.25 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $6.25 million, if priced at the $5.00 mid-point of its range, according to an F-1/A filing dated June 27, 2025. Initial Filing: ELC Group Holdings Ltd. filed its F-1 on March 4, 2025.) . ELC Group Holdings Ltd. was founded in 2020 and has 25 employees. The company is located at c/o 745 Lor 5 Toa Payoh, #03-02 The Lifeline Building, Singapore 319455 and can be reached via phone at +65 6802 9119 or on the web at https://elconnect.sg/. Receive News & Ratings for ELC Group Holdings Ltd. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ELC Group Holdings Ltd. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (NYSEARCA:EMLP Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $37.82 and traded as high as $38.35. First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund shares last traded at $38.24, with a volume of 212,242 shares trading hands. First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $3.34 billion, a PE ratio of 17.59 and a beta of 0.65. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.23 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $37.83. Get First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cresset Asset Management LLC raised its position in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 4.9% during the first quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 2,256,786 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $84,607,000 after purchasing an additional 104,591 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its stake in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 6.1% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 621,546 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $23,302,000 after buying an additional 35,680 shares during the period. Tyler Stone Wealth Management increased its position in First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 23.4% during the first quarter. Tyler Stone Wealth Management now owns 7,514 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $282,000 after acquiring an additional 1,427 shares during the last quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 12.1% in the first quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC now owns 628,878 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $23,577,000 after acquiring an additional 67,871 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Analysts LLC boosted its stake in shares of First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund by 8.0% during the 1st quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 15,845 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $594,000 after purchasing an additional 1,170 shares during the period. First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Company Profile The First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Alerian MLP index. The fund is an actively managed fund that invests in North American energy infrastructure MLPs and LLCs. EMLP was launched on Jun 21, 2012 and is managed by First Trust. See Also Receive News & Ratings for First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China Digital TV (OTCMKTS:STVVY Get Free Report) and CCC Intelligent Solutions (NYSE:CCCS Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and risk. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for China Digital TV and CCC Intelligent Solutions, as reported by MarketBeat. Get China Digital TV alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score China Digital TV 0 0 0 0 0.00 CCC Intelligent Solutions 1 2 4 0 2.43 CCC Intelligent Solutions has a consensus price target of $11.38, indicating a potential upside of 48.11%. Given CCC Intelligent Solutions stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe CCC Intelligent Solutions is more favorable than China Digital TV. Valuation and Earnings Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio China Digital TV $6.20 million 0.10 -$3.06 million N/A N/A CCC Intelligent Solutions $996.96 million 5.02 -$92.48 million N/A N/A This table compares China Digital TV and CCC Intelligent Solutionss gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. China Digital TV has higher earnings, but lower revenue than CCC Intelligent Solutions. Institutional & Insider Ownership 95.8% of CCC Intelligent Solutions shares are held by institutional investors. 6.0% of CCC Intelligent Solutions shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares China Digital TV and CCC Intelligent Solutions net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets China Digital TV N/A N/A N/A CCC Intelligent Solutions 5.02% 5.35% 3.23% Volatility and Risk China Digital TV has a beta of 1.26, suggesting that its share price is 26% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CCC Intelligent Solutions has a beta of 0.72, suggesting that its share price is 28% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary CCC Intelligent Solutions beats China Digital TV on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About China Digital TV (Get Free Report) China Digital TV Holding Co., Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides cable television (TV) value added services, which enables cable TV and Internet protocol television network operators to offer various TV content services in the People's Republic of China. The company offers cloud platforms with embedded gaming and other applications that provide cloud computing technology-based digital video delivery solutions to television and telecommunication network operators. Its cloud platforms enable television and telecommunication network operators to use their two-way set-top boxes to run various value-added applications, such as video games, 3D games, educational applications, and business service applications, which are accessible on smart phones, tablet computers, personal computers, Internet TVs, and other devices. The company also provides 1+ Cloud Gaming cloud platform that offers 2D games, 3D games, motion-sensing games, and customized games; and interactive education application on the cloud platform primarily through cloud television programs, including nursery rhymes, early education, English language education, and online drawing for children of age 2 to 10. In addition, it offers cloud virtual reality (VR) services that enables users to access cloud server and use various VR applications, such as games, education, and media players; and technical support and services. Further, the company provides cloud platform system integration services, such as cloud computing software, hardware, and post-contract customer support services; and system development services comprising the development of customized cloud-based software applications. China Digital TV Holding Co., Ltd. was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. About CCC Intelligent Solutions (Get Free Report) CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc., operates as a software as a service company for the property and casualty insurance economy in the United States and China. The company's cloud-based software as a service platform connects trading partners, facilitates commerce, and supports mission-critical, artificial intelligence enabled digital workflow across the insurance economy, including insurers, repairers, automakers, parts suppliers, lenders and more. It offers CCC insurance solutions, including CCC workflow, CCC estimating, CCC total loss, CCC casualty, CCC subrogation, and CCC claim handling; CCC repair solutions, such as CCC network management, CCC repair workflow, and CCC repair quality; CCC other ecosystem solutions, which includes CCC parts solutions, CCC automotive manufacturer solutions, CCC diagnostics service provider solutions, and CCC payments; and CCC international solutions. The company was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Receive News & Ratings for China Digital TV Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Digital TV and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter Police have raised alarm over a sharp rise in human trafficking cases, warning that increasing numbers of Zimbabweans are being lured abroad with false promises of lucrative employment, only to find themselves trapped in abusive and degrading conditions.Authorities say trafficking syndicates are aggressively targeting desperate jobseekers through social media platforms, fake recruitment agencies and fraudulent employment contracts. Victims are often enticed with claims of high-paying jobs in countries such as South Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia.However, upon arrival in the destination countries, many victims are allegedly subjected to forced labour, confinement, physical abuse and other forms of exploitation. Graphic videos and testimonies circulating on social media have exposed the harsh and often violent environments in which trafficked Zimbabweans are held.Government officials say the trend is deeply worrying, noting that traffickers have become increasingly sophisticated, using digital platforms to appear credible and trustworthy.National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi described the situation as disturbing."Our citizens are being deceived with false promises of high salaries and better living conditions, only to end up in foreign countries where they endure severe abuse," Comm Nyathi said. "We are intensifying awareness campaigns, strengthening inter-agency co-ordination, and working closely with foreign governments to rescue and repatriate victims."He urged Zimbabweans to exercise extreme caution when responding to online job advertisements, particularly those that demand upfront payments for travel, visas or processing fees. Jobseekers were also warned against dealing with unregistered recruitment agents and advised to verify all offers with the relevant authorities.According to Comm Nyathi, cybercrime experts have observed that traffickers exploit economic hardships by creating social media profiles that project luxury lifestyles and fabricated success stories to lure unsuspecting victims. Many survivors have reported suffering long-term psychological and physical trauma as a result of their ordeals.In a post on X, Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana warned that human trafficking poses a serious threat to citizens' safety."Traffickers are exploiting social media with false promises of jobs abroad, leading to forced labour and servitude. We must unite in vigilant public engagement and action," he wrote.The Government, working through Zimbabwe's embassies, has facilitated the safe return of several citizens stranded after falling victim to trafficking rings. Some returnees have recounted traumatic experiences, including working close to 20 hours a day, sleeping in overcrowded conditions and being denied access to medical care.Comm Nyathi said investigations are under way to dismantle the cross-border syndicates behind the trafficking networks."The public is urged to report suspicious recruitment activities to law enforcement agencies. No Zimbabwean should risk their life by pursuing employment through unsafe channels," he said."We encourage citizens to verify all overseas job offers and consult relevant authorities before making travel arrangements. Your safety comes first." IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (OTCMKTS:IAALF Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $0.13 and traded as high as $0.17. IBC Advanced Alloys shares last traded at $0.1660, with a volume of 108,573 shares changing hands. IBC Advanced Alloys Stock Performance The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $0.13 and a 200 day simple moving average of $0.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.78, a current ratio of 0.62 and a quick ratio of 0.17. The firm has a market cap of $17.60 million, a PE ratio of -5.13 and a beta of 1.29. Get IBC Advanced Alloys alerts: IBC Advanced Alloys (OTCMKTS:IAALF Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, December 1st. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. IBC Advanced Alloys had a negative net margin of 17.02% and a negative return on equity of 95.16%. The company had revenue of $4.17 million for the quarter. IBC Advanced Alloys Company Profile IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. develops, produces, and sells specialty alloy products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Copper Alloys and Engineered Materials segments. It offers various copper alloys as castings and forgings, such as beryllium copper, chrome copper, oxygen-free high conductivity copper, and aluminum bronze in the form of plates, blocks, rounds, discs, bars, rings, tubes, rods, and other custom forgings, as well as specialty copper alloy forgings for plastic mold tooling and resistance welding applications. See Also Receive News & Ratings for IBC Advanced Alloys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IBC Advanced Alloys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loblaw Companies Limited (TSE:L Get Free Report) insider Kieran Barry Columb sold 40,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$59.50, for a total transaction of C$2,427,600.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 163,696 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$9,739,912. This represents a 19.95% decrease in their position. Kieran Barry Columb also recently made the following trade(s): Get Loblaw Companies alerts: On Friday, November 14th, Kieran Barry Columb sold 37,088 shares of Loblaw Companies stock. The shares were sold at an average price of C$59.75, for a total transaction of C$2,216,008.00. On Friday, November 14th, Kieran Barry Columb sold 24,156 shares of Loblaw Companies stock. The stock was sold at an average price of C$59.96, for a total value of C$1,448,393.76. Loblaw Companies Price Performance TSE:L traded down C$0.21 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$61.21. 1,802,310 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,500,664. The firms fifty day moving average price is C$58.92 and its 200 day moving average price is C$127.17. Loblaw Companies Limited has a 52-week low of C$43.32 and a 52-week high of C$63.43. The company has a market cap of C$72.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.89, a P/E/G ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 166.11. Loblaw Companies Cuts Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th will be issued a $0.1411 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Loblaw Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.31%. Several equities research analysts have issued reports on L shares. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Loblaw Companies from C$57.50 to C$63.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. National Bankshares boosted their price target on shares of Loblaw Companies from C$60.00 to C$61.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Loblaw Companies from C$61.00 to C$65.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. CIBC raised their target price on shares of Loblaw Companies from C$58.50 to C$67.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, TD Securities boosted their target price on Loblaw Companies from C$63.00 to C$65.00 in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$113.50. View Our Latest Report on L Loblaw Companies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Loblaw is one of Canadas largest grocery, pharmacy, and general merchandise retailers, operating the most expansive store footprint in Ontario and maintaining sizable presences in provinces like Quebec and British Columbia. Key grocery banners include Loblaw, No Frills, and Maxi, while its pharmaceutical operations are the product of its 2014 acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Loblaw Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Loblaw Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Marcus & Millichap (NYSE:MMI Get Free Report) and Strategic Global Investments (OTCMKTS:STBV Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, valuation, risk and earnings. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Marcus & Millichap and Strategic Global Investmentss top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Marcus & Millichap alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Marcus & Millichap $696.06 million 1.56 -$12.36 million ($0.16) -173.86 Strategic Global Investments N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Insider & Institutional Ownership Strategic Global Investments has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Marcus & Millichap. 62.8% of Marcus & Millichap shares are held by institutional investors. 39.2% of Marcus & Millichap shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 65.5% of Strategic Global Investments shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Marcus & Millichap and Strategic Global Investments net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Marcus & Millichap -0.89% -0.58% -0.43% Strategic Global Investments N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Marcus & Millichap and Strategic Global Investments, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Marcus & Millichap 2 2 0 0 1.50 Strategic Global Investments 0 0 0 0 0.00 Marcus & Millichap currently has a consensus price target of $29.00, suggesting a potential upside of 4.25%. Given Marcus & Millichaps stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Marcus & Millichap is more favorable than Strategic Global Investments. About Marcus & Millichap (Get Free Report) Marcus & Millichap, Inc. engages in the provision of investment real estate brokerage services. It specializes in commercial real estate investment sales, property financing, research, and advisory services. The company was founded by George M. Marcus and William A. Millichap in 1971 and is headquartered in Calabasas, CA. About Strategic Global Investments (Get Free Report) Strategic Global Investments, Inc. operates as a cryptocurrency/blockchain ICO company. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Branson, Missouri. Receive News & Ratings for Marcus & Millichap Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Marcus & Millichap and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the fifteen research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $119.75. NVS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Cfra Research upgraded Novartis to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Monday, November 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a sell rating and issued a $118.00 target price (down from $119.00) on shares of Novartis in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Novartis from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Get Novartis alerts: View Our Latest Report on NVS Novartis Stock Performance Shares of NVS opened at $132.50 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $279.90 billion, a PE ratio of 18.10, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 0.88. The companys 50 day moving average price is $129.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $124.07. Novartis has a 52 week low of $96.06 and a 52 week high of $134.24. Novartis (NYSE:NVS Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.26 by ($0.01). Novartis had a return on equity of 41.21% and a net margin of 26.49%.The company had revenue of $14.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.70 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.06 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Novartis will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Novartis Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Keybank National Association OH grew its position in Novartis by 13.2% in the 2nd quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 49,377 shares of the companys stock worth $5,975,000 after purchasing an additional 5,742 shares during the last quarter. Sonora Investment Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis during the second quarter valued at about $266,000. Cypress Capital Group lifted its stake in shares of Novartis by 84.1% in the second quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 5,776 shares of the companys stock valued at $699,000 after buying an additional 2,638 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth grew its position in Novartis by 16.8% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 47,548 shares of the companys stock worth $5,311,000 after buying an additional 6,849 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Novartis during the second quarter valued at about $1,909,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the companys stock. Novartis Company Profile (Get Free Report) Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Limited (OTCMKTS:VCVOF Get Free Report) traded down 2.5% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $6.03 and last traded at $6.0750. 1,518 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 7,064 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.23. VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Trading Down 1.9% The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $6.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $6.17. About VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund (Get Free Report) Vinacapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd. operates as open-end investment fund. It operates through the following segments: Capital Markets, Operating Assets, Private Equity, and Other Assets. The company was founded on March 22, 2016 and is headquartered in St. Peter Port, the United Kingdom. See Also Receive News & Ratings for VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. decreased its position in Alamo Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALG Free Report) by 15.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 340,363 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 60,497 shares during the quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc.s holdings in Alamo Group were worth $74,328,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in Alamo Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $8,361,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue boosted its position in Alamo Group by 7.7% in the 2nd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 6,188 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,350,000 after buying an additional 441 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH grew its stake in shares of Alamo Group by 8.3% in the second quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 8,292 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,811,000 after acquiring an additional 635 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC increased its position in shares of Alamo Group by 44.5% during the first quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 8,419 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,500,000 after acquiring an additional 2,592 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Alamo Group by 4.0% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 146,724 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $26,148,000 after acquiring an additional 5,679 shares during the period. 92.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Alamo Group alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Alamo Group In related news, CEO Robert Paul Hureau bought 304 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $163.48 per share, for a total transaction of $49,697.92. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 12,046 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,969,280.08. This represents a 2.59% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In the last ninety days, insiders have purchased 1,058 shares of company stock worth $175,209. 1.18% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts recently issued reports on ALG shares. Wall Street Zen lowered Alamo Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Zacks Research lowered Alamo Group from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Alamo Group in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, DA Davidson cut their target price on shares of Alamo Group from $225.00 to $190.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $222.33. Get Our Latest Report on ALG Alamo Group Trading Up 2.2% NYSE:ALG opened at $177.80 on Friday. Alamo Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $156.29 and a 1 year high of $233.29. The stock has a market cap of $2.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 2.72 and a current ratio of 4.43. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $173.02 and a 200-day simple moving average of $199.07. Alamo Group (NYSE:ALG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $2.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.61 by ($0.27). The business had revenue of $420.04 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $407.55 million. Alamo Group had a return on equity of 11.11% and a net margin of 7.20%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Alamo Group, Inc. will post 9.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Alamo Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were given a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. Alamo Groups payout ratio is currently 12.45%. Alamo Group Company Profile (Free Report) Alamo Group Inc designs, manufactures, distributes, and services vegetation management and infrastructure maintenance equipment for governmental, industrial, and agricultural uses worldwide. It operates through two segments, Vegetation Management and Industrial Equipment. Its Vegetation Management Division segment offers hydraulically-powered and tractor and off-road chassis mounted mowers, other cutters and replacement parts for heavy-duty and intensive uses and heavy duty, tractor- and truck-mounted mowing and vegetation maintenance equipment, and replacement parts. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Alamo Group, Inc. (NYSE:ALG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Alamo Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alamo Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$123.31. Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$114.00 to C$125.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$120.00 to C$128.00 in a research note on Friday, December 5th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$122.00 to C$126.00 in a report on Monday, December 8th. National Bankshares boosted their price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$116.00 to C$124.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Desjardins lifted their price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$120.00 to C$126.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on TD Insiders Place Their Bets Toronto-Dominion Bank Trading Down 0.5% In related news, Director Nathalie Palladitcheff purchased 1,000 shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of C$112.64 per share, for a total transaction of C$112,640.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 3,292 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$370,810.88. The trade was a 43.63% increase in their ownership of the stock. Also, insider Ajai Bambawale sold 7,328 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$112.07, for a total transaction of C$821,248.96. Following the sale, the insider owned 800 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$89,656. The trade was a 90.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Insiders have sold 84,384 shares of company stock valued at $9,456,915 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. Shares of TSE TD opened at C$125.80 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of C$212.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.98. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$115.48 and a 200 day moving average of C$106.68. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a 12-month low of C$73.73 and a 12-month high of C$126.72. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported C$2.18 earnings per share for the quarter. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 15.80% and a return on equity of 7.84%. The business had revenue of C$16.03 billion for the quarter. Sell-side analysts predict that Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 7.2160149 EPS for the current year. Toronto-Dominion Bank Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 31st were given a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 36.33%. Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Toronto-Dominion is one of Canadas two largest banks and operates three business segments: Canadian retail banking, U.S. retail banking, and wholesale banking. The banks U.S. operations span from Maine to Florida, with a strong presence in the Northeast. It also has a 13% ownership stake in Charles Schwab. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Anglo American plc (LON:AAL Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the five brokerages that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is GBX 2,624. A number of research firms have recently issued reports on AAL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Anglo American from GBX 2,760 to GBX 3,220 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Berenberg Bank increased their target price on shares of Anglo American from GBX 3,000 to GBX 3,100 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Get Anglo American alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on AAL Anglo American Stock Down 2.8% Insider Transactions at Anglo American Shares of Anglo American stock opened at GBX 2,817 on Tuesday. Anglo American has a 1 year low of GBX 1,900.01 and a 1 year high of GBX 3,051. The company has a market cap of 30.06 billion, a P/E ratio of -7.22, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 78.84. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 2,852.60 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 2,478.89. In other news, insider Stuart J. Chambers purchased 642 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 29th. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 2,731 per share, with a total value of 17,533.02. Also, insider Marcelo Bastos purchased 870 shares of Anglo American stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 2,838 per share, with a total value of 24,690.60. Insiders bought a total of 2,054 shares of company stock worth $5,702,472 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.43% of the companys stock. Anglo American Company Profile (Get Free Report) Anglo American is a leading global mining company focused on the responsible production of copper, premium iron ore and crop nutrients future-enabling products that are essential for decarbonising the global economy, improving living standards, and food security. Our portfolio of world-class operations and outstanding resource endowments offers value-accretive growth potential across all three businesses, positioning us to deliver into structurally attractive major demand growth trends. Our integrated approach to sustainability and innovation drives our decision-making across the value chain, from how we discover new resources to how we mine, process, move and market our products to our customers safely, efficiently and responsibly. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Anglo American Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anglo American and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Corp. Ltd (OTCMKTS:BZQIY Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 4% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $10.3730 and last traded at $10.3730. Approximately 251 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 1,088 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.80. Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Price Performance The firms 50-day simple moving average is $9.93 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $8.97. About Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication (Get Free Report) Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Corp. Ltd provides communications services to business and private customers in Israel. It operates through Domestic fixed-line communications, Cellular Communication, Internet, International Communication, and ICT Solutions, and Multi-Channel Television segments. The company offers telephony services, including basic telephony services on the household telephone line, as well as associated services, such as voice mail and caller ID; national numbering services; and transmission and data-communication services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Compagnie Financiere Richemont AG (OTCMKTS:CFRUY Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $20.35 and traded as high as $20.9465. Compagnie Financiere Richemont shares last traded at $20.88, with a volume of 521,674 shares changing hands. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Hsbc Global Res upgraded Compagnie Financiere Richemont to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Strong Buy. Get Compagnie Financiere Richemont alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on CFRUY Compagnie Financiere Richemont Stock Down 1.9% Compagnie Financiere Richemont Announces Dividend The company has a quick ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 2.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $20.35 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.83. The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 19th were paid a $0.1714 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 90.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 18th. About Compagnie Financiere Richemont (Get Free Report) Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA engages in the luxury goods business in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, and rest of Europe. The company operates through Jewellery Maisons, Specialist Watchmakers, and Other segments. It designs, manufactures, and distributes jewelry products, precision timepieces, watches, writing instruments, clothing, and leather goods and accessories. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Compagnie Financiere Richemont Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Compagnie Financiere Richemont and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter The case involving five Hwange villagers arrested after protesting against a Chinese mining company's construction of a water pipeline was on Wednesday postponed after key State witnesses failed to appear in court.Likhwa Nyathi (26), Simangele Singa (40), Definite Munsaka (34), Chetani Mathe (35) and Lynette Zulu (34), all from Diki Village in Hwange, are facing multiple charges arising from protests against Zhongjing Helli Energy Private Limited, a Chinese-owned company drawing water from a community-built dam.The five appeared before Hwange magistrate Rumbidzai Kabasa-Bhonzo denying charges of contravening the Water Act [Chapter 20:24] by obstructing water works, contravening Section 41(b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] relating to disorderly conduct, and contravening Section 77(a) of the same Act, which covers indecent exposure.They are represented by Linda Ruvarashe Mtombeni of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.The matter was remanded to December 16 after the State failed to produce its key witnesses for the commencement of trial. The accused are out on bail of US$100 each.The complainant is Zhongjing Helli Energy Private Limited, represented by company supervisor Silvester Munkuli.According to the State, the incident occurred on October 1 when Munkuli and fellow workers were laying water pipes to draw water from Kalope Dam. It is alleged that Singa confronted the workers at the dam and ordered them to stop welding the pipes, threatening to stone them if they continued.Police officers were called to the scene, where Nyathi and Singa were arrested. The court heard that after news of the arrests spread, Munsaka and Mathe went to the dam and allegedly threatened to incite other villagers to stone the Zhongjing workers unless the pipe installation was halted. The workers subsequently stopped the project.Munkuli reported the developments to the police, who returned to the scene and instructed the workers to resume operations. It is alleged that during this time, Nyathi, Singa and Zulu jumped into the trench, removed laid PVC pipes and blocked the excavator's path along the mainline trench, preventing further excavation.The State further alleges that police warned the villagers not to interfere with the pipe installation, but they allegedly defied the order, threatened to hurl stones at the officers and incited other villagers, prompting their arrest.On the indecent exposure charge, the prosecution alleges that Zulu removed her clothes in the presence of police officers, mine workers and other villagers, exposing her bosom.Jamesina Erica Makanza is prosecuting the matter.The case adds to growing tensions between local communities and foreign-owned mining companies over access to water and natural resources in parts of Zimbabwe. Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE:PLOW Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be paid a dividend of 0.295 per share by the auto parts company on Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 16th. Douglas Dynamics has raised its dividend by an average of 0.0%per year over the last three years. Douglas Dynamics has a payout ratio of 51.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect Douglas Dynamics to earn $1.64 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.18 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 72.0%. Get Douglas Dynamics alerts: Douglas Dynamics Trading Down 0.3% NYSE PLOW opened at $33.94 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $781.98 million, a P/E ratio of 19.28, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.28. Douglas Dynamics has a 52-week low of $21.30 and a 52-week high of $34.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $31.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $30.80. Analyst Ratings Changes Douglas Dynamics ( NYSE:PLOW Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The auto parts company reported $0.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $162.12 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $163.27 million. Douglas Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.18% and a net margin of 6.82%.Douglas Dynamics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.850-2.250 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Douglas Dynamics will post 1.3 EPS for the current year. PLOW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Douglas Dynamics in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Douglas Dynamics from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. Finally, DA Davidson restated a buy rating and set a $39.00 target price on shares of Douglas Dynamics in a research report on Monday, December 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $39.00. View Our Latest Analysis on Douglas Dynamics Douglas Dynamics Company Profile (Get Free Report) Douglas Dynamics, Inc operates as a manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment in North America. It operates through two segments, Work Truck Attachments and Work Truck Solutions. The Work Truck Attachments segment manufactures and sells snow and ice control attachments, including snowplows, and sand and salt spreaders for light trucks and heavy duty trucks, as well as various related parts and accessories. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Douglas Dynamics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Douglas Dynamics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class (TSE:CDZ Get Free Report)s stock price rose 0.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$40.50 and last traded at C$40.46. Approximately 9,399 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 42% from the average daily volume of 16,341 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$40.38. iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class Trading Up 0.2% The company has a fifty day moving average of C$40.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$38.91. iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class Company Profile (Get Free Report) The investment objective of the Fund is to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the S&P TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index the Index, net of expenses. To achieve its investment objective the Fund uses an indexing strategy. Under this strategy, the Fund seeks to replicate the performance of the Index, net of expenses, by employing, directly or indirectly, through investment in one or more iShares ETFs and/or through the use of derivatives, a replicating strategy or sampling strategy. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF Common Class and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. L1 Capital Pty Ltd bought a new position in shares of ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 23,832 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $523,000. ING Group accounts for about 0.0% of L1 Capital Pty Ltds portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest holding. Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. FORA Capital LLC bought a new stake in ING Group in the first quarter valued at about $302,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in ING Group by 21.9% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 285,853 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,600,000 after purchasing an additional 51,324 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of ING Group by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 4,342,916 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $85,078,000 after purchasing an additional 181,800 shares during the period. Capital Fund Management S.A. raised its holdings in shares of ING Group by 14.7% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. now owns 612,511 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $13,396,000 after buying an additional 78,622 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC bought a new position in shares of ING Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $609,000. 4.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get ING Group alerts: ING Group Stock Down 1.5% Shares of NYSE:ING opened at $27.25 on Friday. ING Group, N.V. has a 12 month low of $15.09 and a 12 month high of $27.76. The companys 50-day moving average price is $25.27 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $24.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.99. The firm has a market cap of $85.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.81. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ING Group ( NYSE:ING Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.06. ING Group had a net margin of 26.94% and a return on equity of 11.57%. The company had revenue of $6.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.35 billion. As a group, research analysts forecast that ING Group, N.V. will post 2.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of brokerages have weighed in on ING. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Morgan Stanley raised shares of ING Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Cfra Research raised shares of ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Citigroup raised shares of ING Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of ING Group in a report on Monday, December 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and five have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, ING Group has a consensus rating of Buy. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ING Group About ING Group (Free Report) ING Groep N.V. provides various banking products and services in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, rest of Europe, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Retail Netherlands, Retail Belgium, Retail Germany, Retail Other, and Wholesale Banking. The company accepts current and savings accounts. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ING? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ING Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ING Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liontrust Investment Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund acquired 981,343 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $81,628,000. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IR. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Ingersoll Rand during the second quarter worth about $397,501,000. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 28.8% during the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,826,488 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,426,654,000 after buying an additional 3,989,643 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its position in Ingersoll Rand by 10.7% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 19,198,593 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,536,464,000 after buying an additional 1,849,030 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 8,153.0% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,614,212 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $137,692,000 after buying an additional 1,594,653 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Ingersoll Rand by 1.9% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 47,128,533 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,920,151,000 after acquiring an additional 859,062 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.27% of the companys stock. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Ingersoll Rand Stock Down 2.0% Shares of Ingersoll Rand stock opened at $81.74 on Friday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $78.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $80.82. The company has a market cap of $32.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.55, a PEG ratio of 5.28 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a current ratio of 2.16, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a 12-month low of $65.61 and a 12-month high of $102.04. Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend Ingersoll Rand ( NYSE:IR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.87 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $1.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.95 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a return on equity of 12.14% and a net margin of 7.31%.Ingersoll Rands quarterly revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.84 earnings per share. Ingersoll Rand has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.310 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.32 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were paid a $0.02 dividend. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 13th. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.93%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $83.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Citigroup boosted their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $91.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Four investment 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $91.22. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ingersoll Rand Insider Buying and Selling at Ingersoll Rand In related news, CAO Michael J. Scheske sold 1,477 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.63, for a total value of $119,090.51. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 12,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at $979,896.39. This represents a 10.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.59% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Ingersoll Rand Company Profile (Free Report) Ingersoll Rand Inc provides various mission-critical air, gas, liquid, and solid flow creation technologies services and solutions worldwide. It operates through two segments, Industrial Technologies and Services, and Precision and Science Technologies. The Industrial Technologies and Services segment designs, manufactures, markets, and services air and gas compression, vacuum, and blower products; fluid transfer equipment and loading systems; and power tools and lifting equipment, including associated aftermarket parts, consumables, air treatment equipment, controls, other accessories, and services under the under the Ingersoll Rand, Gardner Denver, Nash, CompAir, Elmo Rietschle brands, etc. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Liontrust Investment Partners LLP reduced its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 33.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 135,251 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 67,230 shares during the quarter. Liontrust Investment Partners LLPs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $30,633,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,930 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,159,000 after purchasing an additional 1,892 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter worth about $908,000. Sit Investment Associates Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 2.9% during the first quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc. now owns 20,807 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $3,454,000 after buying an additional 593 shares during the last quarter. Aberdeen Group plc grew its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 8.1% during the first quarter. Aberdeen Group plc now owns 382,478 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $63,491,000 after buying an additional 28,668 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV increased its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 9,303 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,544,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares during the period. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance TSM opened at $291.87 on Friday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 1-year low of $134.25 and a 1-year high of $313.98. The stock has a market cap of $1.51 trillion, a P/E ratio of 29.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.00 and a beta of 1.31. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $293.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $256.75. 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 Increases Dividend Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. The business had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $951.89 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 34.34%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 40.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.94 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a $0.9678 dividend. This represents a $3.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is presently 25.85%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays increased their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $360.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Monday, October 27th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $355.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on TSM 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. See Also 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. National Bankshares set a C$1.25 price target on Osisko Metals (CVE:OM Free Report) in a report issued on Thursday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Osisko Metals Trading Up 5.1% Shares of Osisko Metals stock opened at C$0.42 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of C$116.17 million, a PE ratio of -14.97 and a beta of 0.97. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.41 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.42. Osisko Metals has a 1 year low of C$0.21 and a 1 year high of C$0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 37.43, a current ratio of 0.08 and a quick ratio of 0.70. Get Osisko Metals alerts: About Osisko Metals (Get Free Report) Further Reading Osisko Metals Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and evaluation of based metal properties in Canada. The company holds interest in the Pine Point project located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories; and 100% interest in the Gaspe Copper project that hosts the undeveloped copper resource located near Murdochville in the Gaspe peninsula of Quebec. Receive News & Ratings for Osisko Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Osisko Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC lessened its stake in shares of Corpay, Inc. (NYSE:CPAY Free Report) by 2.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 148,429 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,196 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLCs holdings in Corpay were worth $49,252,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Corpay by 3.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,124,437 shares of the companys stock worth $2,695,851,000 after purchasing an additional 251,651 shares during the period. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd boosted its stake in shares of Corpay by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Orbis Allan Gray Ltd now owns 3,855,589 shares of the companys stock worth $1,279,362,000 after acquiring an additional 124,368 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners increased its position in Corpay by 5.8% in the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 2,289,271 shares of the companys stock worth $758,536,000 after buying an additional 125,331 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Corpay by 4.4% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,978,930 shares of the companys stock worth $656,649,000 after buying an additional 84,198 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Corpay by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,871,511 shares of the companys stock valued at $619,643,000 after acquiring an additional 63,287 shares during the period. 98.84% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Corpay alerts: Corpay Stock Performance CPAY stock opened at $315.60 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $22.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.43, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.85. Corpay, Inc. has a 1-year low of $252.84 and a 1-year high of $400.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $285.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $308.70. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Corpay ( NYSE:CPAY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $5.70 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.63 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.16 billion. Corpay had a net margin of 24.37% and a return on equity of 37.83%. Corpays revenue was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.00 EPS. Corpay has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 4.600-4.800 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Corpay, Inc. will post 19.76 EPS for the current fiscal year. CPAY has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Williams Trading set a $300.00 target price on shares of Corpay in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Corpay from $340.00 to $315.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Corpay from $400.00 to $350.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Corpay from $336.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Corpay in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Corpay currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $375.43. Read Our Latest Report on CPAY Corpay Profile (Free Report) Corpay, Inc operates as a payments company that helps businesses and consumers manage vehicle-related expenses, lodging expenses, and corporate payments in the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers vehicle payment solutions, which include fuel, tolls, parking, fleet maintenance, and long-haul transportation services, as well as prepaid food and transportation vouchers and cards. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CPAY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Corpay, Inc. (NYSE:CPAY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Corpay Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Corpay and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NIPPON STL & SU/S (OTCMKTS:NSSMY Get Free Report)s share price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $5.84 and traded as low as $3.93. NIPPON STL & SU/S shares last traded at $3.99, with a volume of 108,668 shares changing hands. NIPPON STL & SU/S Stock Up 0.3% The firm has a market cap of $3.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 1.44, a PEG ratio of 3.94 and a beta of 1.35. The firms 50-day moving average price is $4.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $5.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 0.51. NIPPON STL & SU/S Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation engages in steelmaking and steel fabrication businesses worldwide. It operates in five segments: Steelmaking and Steel Fabrication, Engineering and Construction, Chemicals, New materials, and System Solutions. The company offers steel plates; hot- and cold-rolled steel sheets and coils, coated steel sheets, color coated steel sheets, electrolytic tin plates, and electrical steel sheets; bar and rod materials; and structural steel products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for NIPPON STL & SU/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NIPPON STL & SU/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 4.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 182,163 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 7,446 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $24,776,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in ABT. Avanza Fonder AB raised its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Avanza Fonder AB now owns 168,401 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $22,904,000 after purchasing an additional 655 shares in the last quarter. Seaview Investment Managers LLC bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the second quarter worth approximately $11,068,000. Guggenheim Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 13.5% in the second quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC now owns 98,941 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $13,457,000 after buying an additional 11,794 shares in the last quarter. Atria Investments Inc boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 8.3% in the second quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 184,269 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $25,062,000 after buying an additional 14,185 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. grew its position in 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 buying an additional 5,389 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors 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. The company has a market cap of $218.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.72, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.70, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $110.86 and a 12 month high of $141.23. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $127.45 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $130.48. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.30. The company had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.40 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The firms revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.21 EPS. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were issued a dividend of $0.59 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is 29.57%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ABT has been the subject of several analyst reports. BTIG Research reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $145.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Sanford C. Bernstein increased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $147.00. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Abbott Laboratories 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. Recommended 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. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC raised its stake in BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Free Report) by 11.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 14,825 shares of the asset managers stock after purchasing an additional 1,496 shares during the period. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLCs holdings in BlackRock were worth $15,555,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Westerkirk Capital Inc. acquired a new position in BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth $2,877,000. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey raised its stake in shares of BlackRock by 7.9% in the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 23,167 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $24,308,000 after purchasing an additional 1,693 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 8.2% in the second quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 256,937 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $269,591,000 after purchasing an additional 19,404 shares in the last quarter. Opus Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock during the first quarter worth about $1,420,000. Finally, Ally Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of BlackRock during the first quarter worth about $1,893,000. 80.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get BlackRock alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other BlackRock news, Director Rachel Lord sold 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,165.04, for a total value of $13,980,480.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 7,205 shares in the company, valued at $8,394,113.20. The trade was a 62.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, 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 transaction of $1,312,572.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 6,209 shares in the company, valued at $6,478,346.42. The trade was a 16.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.98% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes BLK has been the topic of several research reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on BlackRock from $1,280.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of BlackRock from $1,301.00 to $1,407.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Loop Capital set a $1,255.00 target price on shares of BlackRock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of BlackRock from $1,362.00 to $1,486.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on BlackRock from $1,200.00 to $1,350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Seventeen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,313.65. Get Our Latest Research Report on BLK BlackRock Stock Performance Shares of BLK opened at $1,088.99 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $168.96 billion, a PE ratio of 28.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.47. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $1,092.11 and a 200-day moving average of $1,088.31. BlackRock has a one year low of $773.74 and a one year high of $1,219.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 3.33 and a quick ratio of 3.33. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The asset manager reported $11.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $11.78 by ($0.23). The firm had revenue of $6.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.22 billion. BlackRock had a net margin of 26.64% and a return on equity of 14.80%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 25.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $11.46 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that BlackRock will post 47.41 earnings per share for the current year. BlackRock Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a dividend of $5.21 per share. This represents a $20.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. BlackRocks payout ratio is currently 53.59%. About BlackRock (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 Stories 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. News / National by Staff reporter Close to 500 new Chinese businesses have been registered in Zimbabwe this year alone, with projected investments of about US$2,5 billion, further cementing China's position as the country's largest source of foreign direct investment.The figures were revealed by Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, during the 2025 Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Business Review Conference held in Harare. The conference, attended by policymakers, industry leaders and commerce experts, ran under the theme "Unlocking Business Potential through Policy, Partnership, and Productivity".Ambassador Zhou said Zimbabwe's ongoing economic transformation, improved Governmentbusiness dialogue and deepening bilateral ties with China have encouraged a growing number of Chinese enterprises to invest in the country. Many of these companies are already members of the ZNCC and are keen to expand their footprint and contribution to the local economy."China remains Zimbabwe's largest source of foreign investment. According to the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency, close to 500 new Chinese businesses have registered in Zimbabwe since January, with projected investments totalling US$2,5 billion," Zhou said.He noted that more than one-third of the new investments are in the manufacturing sector, underscoring China's support for Zimbabwe's value addition, beneficiation and industrialisation agenda.Among the flagship projects cited were the US$1,5 billion Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Midlands province and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe in Mashonaland East, home to the country's first lithium sulphate plant. Zhou said additional large-scale investments, including cement and fertiliser manufacturing plants, are being established in Masvingo, Manicaland and other parts of the country, creating jobs, producing key inputs and contributing to tax revenues.China is also playing a growing role in Zimbabwe's transition to renewable energy. Ambassador Zhou said several Chinese-backed solar power projects currently under construction are expected to add more than 1 000 megawatts of installed capacity by 2028.On trade, he said tobacco contract farming and exports to China, valued at nearly US$800 million, support the livelihoods of around half a million Zimbabweans. He added that Zimbabwean citrus, blueberries and avocados are increasingly targeting the Chinese market.To further boost trade, Zhou highlighted China's decision to grant zero-tariff treatment to all exports from 53 African countries, including Zimbabwe."This policy is a game changer. It will substantially expand access for Zimbabwean products to the Chinese market, promote local industrial growth and stimulate job creation," he said, adding that both countries are working to implement the initiative.Zhou said the timing of the ZNCC conference was significant, coming as China prepares its 15th Five-Year Plan for 20262030 while Zimbabwe rolls out its National Development Strategy 2."The strong alignment between these visions will present enormous opportunities for Zimbabwe and for our ZNCC members," he said.He noted that during China's 14th Five-Year Plan and Zimbabwe's NDS1, bilateral trade doubled from US$1,9 billion in 2021 to US$3,8 billion in 2024, while more than 1 400 Chinese investors have registered businesses in Zimbabwe since 2021.Major projects completed during this period include the expansion of Hwange Power Station Units 7 and 8, the upgrading of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the NetOne National Broadband Phase III project, the New Parliament Building and the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse.Looking ahead, Zhou said China anticipates even stronger cooperation over the next five years, particularly in infrastructure development, power generation, digital transformation and economic resilience.He reaffirmed the Chinese Embassy's commitment to supporting Zimbabwe through training programmes, scholarships and vocational education partnerships, while also facilitating lawful and efficient operations of Chinese enterprises.China and Zimbabwe, Zhou said, remain longstanding partners whose relationship dates back to the liberation struggle, a friendship he said continues to underpin growing economic cooperation today. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 5.6% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 188,303 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,195 shares during the quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $34,296,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in PM. PFS Partners LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 24.8% in the second quarter. PFS Partners LLC now owns 292 shares of the companys stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the period. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC raised its holdings in Philip Morris International by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 5,666 shares of the companys stock worth $1,032,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Second Line Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Second Line Capital LLC now owns 1,338 shares of the companys stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the period. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Cranbrook Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,014 shares of the companys stock worth $185,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Finally, Meridian Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Meridian Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,060 shares of the companys stock valued at $375,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Philip Morris International Stock Up 1.7% PM stock opened at $153.49 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $153.62 and a 200 day moving average of $165.26. The firm has a market cap of $238.93 billion, a PE ratio of 27.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.42. Philip Morris International Inc. has a twelve month low of $116.12 and a twelve month high of $186.69. Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.14% and a net margin of 9.33%.The business had revenue of $8.12 billion for the quarter. On average, research analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company 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. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is 106.52%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth PM has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $177.00 to $166.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Barclays decreased their target price on Philip Morris International from $220.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $189.00. Get Our Latest Report on Philip Morris International About Philip Morris International (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. Further Reading 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. Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR Get Free Report) and CubeSmart (NYSE:CUBE Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, risk and dividends. Dividends Digital Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $4.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. CubeSmart pays an annual dividend of $2.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.7%. Digital Realty Trust pays out 126.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. CubeSmart pays out 133.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. CubeSmart has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years. CubeSmart is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Get Digital Realty Trust alerts: Insider and Institutional Ownership 99.7% of Digital Realty Trust shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 97.6% of CubeSmart shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Digital Realty Trust shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.7% of CubeSmart shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Digital Realty Trust 1 7 15 2 2.72 CubeSmart 0 11 7 0 2.39 This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Digital Realty Trust and CubeSmart, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Digital Realty Trust currently has a consensus target price of $199.05, indicating a potential upside of 29.60%. CubeSmart has a consensus target price of $45.63, indicating a potential upside of 25.03%. Given Digital Realty Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Digital Realty Trust is more favorable than CubeSmart. Volatility and Risk Digital Realty Trust has a beta of 1.11, indicating that its stock price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CubeSmart has a beta of 1.11, indicating that its stock price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares Digital Realty Trust and CubeSmarts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Digital Realty Trust 23.67% 6.41% 2.98% CubeSmart 33.31% 12.49% 5.37% Earnings & Valuation This table compares Digital Realty Trust and CubeSmarts gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Digital Realty Trust $5.55 billion 9.50 $615.19 million $3.87 39.69 CubeSmart $929.08 million 8.96 $391.18 million $1.56 23.39 Digital Realty Trust has higher revenue and earnings than CubeSmart. CubeSmart is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Digital Realty Trust, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Digital Realty Trust beats CubeSmart on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Digital Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Digital Realty Trust, Inc. operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming. The company was founded on March 9, 2004, and is headquartered in Dallas, TX. About CubeSmart (Get Free Report) CubeSmart is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust. The Company's self-storage properties are designed to offer affordable, easily accessible and, in most locations, climate-controlled storage space for residential and commercial customers. According to the 2023 Self-Storage Almanac, CubeSmart is one of the top three owners and operators of self-storage properties in the United States. Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KBR (NYSE:KBR Get Free Report) and Mayville Engineering (NYSE:MEC Get Free Report) are both construction companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, risk and analyst recommendations. Insider & Institutional Ownership 97.0% of KBR shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.4% of Mayville Engineering shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of KBR shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 7.2% of Mayville Engineering shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get KBR alerts: Profitability This table compares KBR and Mayville Engineerings net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets KBR 4.71% 35.14% 7.63% Mayville Engineering 2.29% 5.88% 3.06% Risk and Volatility Analyst Ratings KBR has a beta of 0.54, indicating that its stock price is 46% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mayville Engineering has a beta of 1.13, indicating that its stock price is 13% more volatile than the S&P 500. This is a summary of recent ratings for KBR and Mayville Engineering, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score KBR 0 7 5 0 2.42 Mayville Engineering 0 1 4 1 3.00 KBR presently has a consensus price target of $59.09, indicating a potential upside of 35.84%. Mayville Engineering has a consensus price target of $21.50, indicating a potential upside of 15.15%. Given KBRs higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe KBR is more favorable than Mayville Engineering. Valuation & Earnings This table compares KBR and Mayville Engineerings revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio KBR $7.74 billion 0.71 $375.00 million $2.91 14.95 Mayville Engineering $581.60 million 0.65 $25.97 million $0.58 32.19 KBR has higher revenue and earnings than Mayville Engineering. KBR is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Mayville Engineering, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary KBR beats Mayville Engineering on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About KBR (Get Free Report) KBR, Inc. provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Its services cover research and development, advanced prototyping, acquisition support, systems engineering, cyber analytics, space domain awareness, test and evaluation, systems integration and program management, global supply chain management, and operations readiness and support, as well as command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services. This segment also provides various professional advisory services to the defense, renewable energy, and critical infrastructure sectors. The Sustainable Technology Solutions segment operates portfolio of various proprietary process technologies for ammonia/syngas, chemical/petrochemicals, clean refining, and circular process/circular economy solutions. This segment also provides synergistic services, including advisory and consulting focused on broad-based energy transition and net-zero carbon emission solutions; high-end engineering, design and program management centered around decarbonization, energy efficiency, environmental impact and asset optimization; and digitally-enabled operating and monitoring solutions. KBR, Inc. was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. About Mayville Engineering (Get Free Report) Mayville Engineering Company, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, design, prototyping and tooling, fabrication, aluminum extrusion, coating, and assembling of aftermarket components in the United States. It also supplies engineered components to original equipment manufacturers. The company serves heavy and medium duty commercial vehicles, construction and access equipment, powersports, agriculture, military, and other end markets. Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. Stark Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 39,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,492,000. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF makes up 3.4% of Stark Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Barnes Wealth Management Group Inc grew its holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 52.4% during the 2nd quarter. Barnes Wealth Management Group Inc now owns 71,633 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,547,000 after buying an additional 24,620 shares in the last quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 82.5% in the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 460,056 shares of the companys stock worth $29,204,000 after buying an additional 207,913 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 20.4% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 19,814 shares of the companys stock worth $1,258,000 after acquiring an additional 3,354 shares during the last quarter. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF during the second quarter valued at $302,000. Finally, Fulcrum Equity Management grew its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 48.4% during the second quarter. Fulcrum Equity Management now owns 11,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $760,000 after acquiring an additional 3,901 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Performance Shares of BATS EFV opened at $71.83 on Friday. The company 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 52-week low of $51.05 and a 52-week high of $66.83. The firms fifty day moving average is $69.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $66.63. 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. Featured Stories 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. Stark Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor bought 52,960 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,393,000. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF accounts for about 13.0% of Stark Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in QUAL. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 3,606,710.7% in the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,705,108 shares of the companys stock worth $462,276,000 after buying an additional 2,705,033 shares in the last quarter. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC raised its position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 13,080.9% during the second quarter. Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC now owns 2,481,960 shares of the companys stock worth $453,752,000 after acquiring an additional 2,463,130 shares during the last quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 72,284.9% in the second quarter. Soundwatch Capital LLC now owns 2,437,924 shares of the companys stock valued at $445,701,000 after purchasing an additional 2,434,556 shares in the last quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF by 4,818.8% in the second quarter. Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. now owns 1,716,464 shares of the companys stock valued at $313,849,000 after purchasing an additional 1,681,568 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $305,974,000. Get iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF alerts: iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Price Performance Shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF stock opened at $199.47 on Friday. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 1 year low of $148.34 and a 1 year high of $187.26. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $195.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $189.19. The company has a market capitalization of $57.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.59 and a beta of 1.05. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Profile The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QUAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pitcairn Co. lessened its stake in The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG Free Report) by 17.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,969 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 4,325 shares during the period. Pitcairn Co.s holdings in The Hartford Insurance Group were worth $2,660,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in The Hartford Insurance Group by 61.5% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 125,825 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $15,727,000 after acquiring an additional 47,919 shares during the period. Capital Fund Management S.A. increased its holdings in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 94.9% during the second quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. now owns 140,342 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $17,805,000 after purchasing an additional 68,351 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its stake in shares of The Hartford Insurance Group by 12.0% during the second quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 209,238 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $26,546,000 after purchasing an additional 22,500 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in The Hartford Insurance Group by 7.9% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 6,001 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $743,000 after purchasing an additional 441 shares during the period. Finally, Ground Swell Capital LLC acquired a new stake in The Hartford Insurance Group in the second quarter worth about $324,000. 93.42% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get The Hartford Insurance Group alerts: The Hartford Insurance Group Stock Up 0.0% HIG stock opened at $135.31 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $37.70 billion, a PE ratio of 11.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.63. The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $104.93 and a 12 month high of $138.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 0.32 and a quick ratio of 0.32. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $130.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $128.84. The Hartford Insurance Group Increases Dividend The Hartford Insurance Group ( NYSE:HIG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The insurance provider reported $3.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.76. The Hartford Insurance Group had a net margin of 12.75% and a return on equity of 21.07%. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.53 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. will post 11.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a boost from The Hartford Insurance Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. The Hartford Insurance Groups payout ratio is presently 19.61%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have commented on HIG shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $144.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group from $151.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on The Hartford Insurance Group from $142.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (a-) rating on shares of The Hartford Insurance Group in a research note on Monday, December 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Hartford Insurance Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $143.50. Read Our Latest Report on The Hartford Insurance Group Insider Activity at The Hartford Insurance Group In other news, EVP Lori A. Rodden sold 7,841 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.41, for a total transaction of $959,816.81. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,252,344. This represents a 29.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. About The Hartford Insurance Group (Free Report) The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers insurance coverages, including workers' compensation, property, automobile, general and professional liability, package business, umbrella, fidelity and surety, marine, livestock, accident, health, and reinsurance through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HIG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:HIG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Hartford Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hartford Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TT Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF (NYSEARCA:GSY Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm purchased 32,493 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,629,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. DAVENPORT & Co LLC boosted its position in Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF by 19.4% during the second quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 6,581 shares of the companys stock worth $330,000 after purchasing an additional 1,067 shares during the period. Wagner Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF by 2.1% in the second quarter. Wagner Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,034 shares of the companys stock worth $654,000 after buying an additional 271 shares during the last quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF by 7.1% in the second quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC now owns 9,557 shares of the companys stock worth $479,000 after buying an additional 635 shares during the last quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF by 63.9% during the 2nd quarter. Total Clarity Wealth Management Inc. now owns 18,243 shares of the companys stock worth $915,000 after buying an additional 7,115 shares during the period. Finally, Truist Financial Corp grew its stake in Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF by 7.5% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 108,999 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,465,000 after buying an additional 7,626 shares during the last quarter. Get Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:GSY opened at $50.31 on Friday. Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF has a 1-year low of $49.98 and a 1-year high of $50.38. The businesss 50 day moving average is $50.27 and its 200-day moving average is $50.22. Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF Company Profile (Free Report) The Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF (GSY) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund seeks to outperform the Barclays Capital 1-3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index by investing in a diverse portfolio of investment-grade securities. GSY was launched on Feb 12, 2008 and is managed by Invesco. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GSY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF (NYSEARCA:GSY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Ultra Short Duration ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wellington Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 4,516 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,162,000. GE Aerospace accounts for 1.6% of Wellington Capital Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace by 23.5% in the second quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,742 shares of the companys stock valued at $437,000 after purchasing an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in GE Aerospace by 17.1% in the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 8,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,647,000 after buying an additional 1,201 shares in the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its holdings in GE Aerospace by 1.8% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 159,682 shares of the companys stock valued at $41,101,000 after buying an additional 2,779 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its position in GE Aerospace by 7.0% during the second quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 182,120 shares of the companys stock worth $46,876,000 after buying an additional 11,873 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vigilare Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of GE Aerospace in the second quarter worth $627,000. 74.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get GE Aerospace alerts: GE Aerospace Trading Up 4.1% Shares of GE opened at $300.23 on Friday. GE Aerospace has a twelve month low of $159.36 and a twelve month high of $316.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $316.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $299.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $278.24. GE Aerospace Announces Dividend GE Aerospace ( NYSE:GE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.20. The firm had revenue of $11.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.29 billion. GE Aerospace had a return on equity of 34.01% and a net margin of 18.34%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 26.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.15 earnings per share. GE Aerospace has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Investors of record on Monday, December 29th will be issued a $0.36 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 29th. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. GE Aerospaces dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.23%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades GE has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of GE Aerospace in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of GE Aerospace in a research note on Monday, October 27th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on GE Aerospace in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an underperform rating for the company. BNP Paribas upgraded GE Aerospace to a strong sell rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on GE Aerospace from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, GE Aerospace presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $309.94. Get Our Latest Analysis on GE Insiders Place Their Bets In other GE Aerospace news, SVP Russell Stokes sold 8,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.71, for a total transaction of $2,381,680.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 150,434 shares in the company, valued at $44,785,706.14. The trade was a 5.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. GE Aerospace Company Profile (Free Report) GE Aerospace (also known as General Electric) is a company that specializes in providing aerospace products and services. It operates through two reportable segments: Commercial Engines and Services and Defense and Propulsion Technologies. It offers jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GE Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GE Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pitcairn Co. cut its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 13.3% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 50,798 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 7,794 shares during the period. Pitcairn Co.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $4,070,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth approximately $25,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 585.5% during the first quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 377 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. 1248 Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. 75.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $92.76 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $85.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $81.74. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12 month low of $58.42 and a 12 month high of $93.42. The stock has a market capitalization of $291.18 billion, a PE ratio of 15.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.11. Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.18. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.18% and a return on equity of 12.51%. The company had revenue of $21.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $21.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.42 EPS. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 7th were issued 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 dividend payout ratio is currently 29.61%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 4th. Dbs Bank upgraded Wells Fargo & Company to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. Truist Financial upped their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Cowen reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $90.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $90.04. View Our Latest Analysis on WFC Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile (Free Report) Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management. 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. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 9.7% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 1,069,745 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 115,293 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories accounts for 1.1% of Westwood Holdings Group Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Westwood Holdings Group Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $145,496,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Tortoise Investment Management LLC raised its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 10.7% during the 2nd quarter. Tortoise Investment Management LLC now owns 795 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $108,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the period. FF Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 4.3% during the 2nd quarter. FF Advisors LLC now owns 1,904 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $259,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Trust Co lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Trust Co now owns 14,018 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,907,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. now owns 12,555 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $1,607,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the period. Finally, Nia Impact Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 2.2% during the second quarter. Nia Impact Advisors LLC now owns 3,706 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $504,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the period. 75.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 1.8% Shares of ABT opened at $125.47 on Friday. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $110.86 and a fifty-two week high of $141.23. 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 companys fifty day moving average is $127.45 and its 200 day moving average is $130.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $218.17 billion, a PE ratio of 15.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.72. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 31.88% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The firm had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.40 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.21 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were issued a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 29.57%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ABT has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $153.00 to $157.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Sanford C. Bernstein boosted their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. William Blair upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00. View Our Latest Analysis on Abbott Laboratories 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. Read More 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. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe has gazetted sweeping new indigenisation regulations that reserve 14 economic sectors exclusively for citizens, while compelling foreign-owned businesses operating in designated sectors to cede a controlling 75 percent shareholding to indigenous Zimbabweans within three years.The policy is contained in Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025, titled Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment (Foreign Participation in Reserved Sectors) Regulations, 2025. Under the regulations, foreign investors are required to dispose of at least 25 percent equity to locals each year, enforcing a phased but accelerated transfer of ownership and control.Sectors now fully ring-fenced for Zimbabweans include barber shops, hairdressing and beauty salons, valet services, employment agencies, advertising agencies, pharmaceutical retailing, bakeries, tobacco grading and packaging, artisanal mining and borehole drilling, among others.Foreign-owned businesses affected by the regulations are required to submit regularisation and compliance plans within 30 days of the regulations being gazetted.The new framework introduces multiple tiers of economic empowerment across different sectors. Ten sectors have been declared exclusively reserved for indigenous participation, while three reserved sectors allow limited foreign involvement only where businesses operate under a recognised international brand or franchise.In addition, four reserved sectors permit foreign participation subject to strict minimum thresholds for investment capital or employment creation. Passenger transport services - including buses, taxis and car hire - as well as estate agencies and clearing and customs services, will only allow foreign participation if businesses operate under an international brand or franchise arrangement.Minimum investment and employment thresholds have also been set for foreign-owned firms seeking to operate in certain sectors. Retail and wholesale businesses now require a minimum investment of US$20 million and at least 200 employees. Grain milling requires US$25 million and 50 employees, haulage and logistics demand a minimum investment of US$10 million with 100 employees, while shipping and forwarding businesses must invest at least US$1 million and employ a minimum of 20 workers.To qualify for participation, a foreign national or a company with foreign ownership - whether majority or minority - must be registered in Zimbabwe. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with local financial regulations, including tax registration and the maintenance of a local bank account in terms of the Bank Use Promotion Act.Applicants are also required to submit a comprehensive business plan outlining how the investment will contribute to national development objectives. This includes commitments to sustainable job creation, skills and technology transfer to Zimbabweans, and the development of viable local value chains. Proof of financial capacity, such as bank statements, guarantees or similar documentation from a reputable institution, must accompany the application.Foreign nationals seeking to operate in reserved sectors must apply for a permit from the Minister of Industry and Commerce. The minister is required to consider applications within 60 days and may request additional information where necessary. Permits may be revoked if applicants fail to meet empowerment obligations or are found to have acted fraudulently during the application process.The regulations also apply retrospectively to businesses previously owned by Zimbabwean citizens that subsequently transfer ownership, wholly or partially, to foreign nationals. In such cases, the business must immediately comply with the new rules, and the change in ownership must be reported to the ministry within seven days.The move marks a significant tightening of Zimbabwe's indigenisation framework, reinforcing the government's push to increase local ownership, control and participation across key sectors of the economy. Zijin Mining Group Company Limited (OTCMKTS:ZIJMY Get Free Report) shares were down 1.5% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $85.78 and last traded at $86.64. Approximately 21,080 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 33% from the average daily volume of 31,585 shares. The stock had previously closed at $88.00. Zijin Mining Group Stock Down 1.5% The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $83.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $68.16. Zijin Mining Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Zijin Mining Group Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, mining, processing, refining, and sale of gold, non-ferrous metals, and other mineral resources in Mainland China and internationally. It primarily produces gold bullion; gold, copper, zinc, lead, tungsten, and iron ore concentrates; and copper cathodes, zinc bullion, sulphuric acid, copperplate, silver, iron, etc., as well as molybdenum, cobalt, tin, coal, lithium, platinum, and palladium. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Zijin Mining Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Zijin Mining Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF Members of Parliament say they were pressured into rubber-stamping Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube's ZIG 312.6 billion 2026 national budget after being told the controversial fiscal plan would not be altered under any circumstances.Several MPs said debate was effectively rendered meaningless, as party members were instructed not to waste time challenging the proposals because the budget would be passed regardless. The claims come amid growing criticism from economic experts who argue that the budget offers little relief to ordinary citizens and businesses, relying instead on increased taxation to raise revenue.Ncube's fiscal plan seeks to collect an additional US$1.47 billion in 2026, pushing total revenue to an estimated US$9.4 billion, up from this year's projected US$7.93 billion. Analysts say the strategy places a heavier burden on taxpayers at a time when household incomes and corporate margins remain under pressure.For years, there have been calls for the Treasury to reduce what businesses describe as punitive taxes, a commitment Ncube reiterated in his budget speech. However, the minister proposed only a limited reduction to the intermediated monetary transfer tax (IMTT) on ZIG transactions, cutting it from 2% to 1.5%, while leaving the 2% IMTT on US dollar transactions unchanged. At the same time, Value Added Tax was increased from 15% to 15.5%.Ncube also introduced a raft of new taxes, including a 15% digital services withholding tax targeting global technology firms such as Google, YouTube and satellite internet provider Starlink. He further removed the revenue threshold for the 5% electronic commerce operators' tax, effectively forcing all foreign e-commerce platforms serving Zimbabwe to comply, regardless of size.The parliamentary portfolio committee on budget submitted an adverse report on the 2026 proposals, warning that the tax measures were burdensome to both businesses and taxpayers. However, debate on the report was curtailed after it emerged that Zanu-PF MPs had been instructed to push the budget through.Zanu-PF chief whip Pupurai Togarepi dismissed claims that debate had been suppressed, insisting that parliamentary procedures were followed."All members who wanted to debate were allowed to," Togarepi told The Standard. "However, members are encouraged to observe the standing orders, especially that they should not repeat someone's debate. Anyone saying members were not allowed to debate does not understand parliamentary processes."He said MPs were required to follow the various stages of the budget-making process, including stakeholder consultations and consideration of committee reports."After the reports, members have an opportunity to debate the Appropriation and the Finance Bill," Togarepi said. "We are still a long way from completing major parts of the budget-making process. Members are free to debate at all these stages. It's too early for someone to say members were not allowed to debate."In its report, the budget committee criticised the two-tier IMTT system, warning that maintaining a 2% rate on US dollar transactions while lowering it for ZIG could distort the market by encouraging the use of US dollar cash and undermining IMTT revenue."The committee feels that this measure seeks to discourage large foreign currency cash withdrawals," the report said.It also raised concerns over the proposed cash withdrawal levy on US dollar transactions, the digital services withholding tax and an increased betting levy. The committee warned that these measures could negatively affect betting operators, lotteries, casinos and punters by imposing a much higher tax burden on operators and increasing taxes on winnings. Tributes have been paid to a former Blanketman and Hunger Striker from County Derry who passed away last week. Brendan McLaughlin, a native of Greysteel, who lived in the Top of the Hill area of Derry, passed away on December 7. The 74 year-old 's funeral took place on Thursday, December 11 in The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Trench Road. The father-of-two was laid to rest afterwards in Star of the Sea Cemetery, Faughanvale. Brendan joined the Republican Movement in 1969. He went on the run in the early 1970s and had served a prison sentence in Portlaoise jail in 1974. In 1976 he was arrested in Greysteel, along with two comrades and after nine months on remand in Crumlin Road jail was sentenced to 12 years and sent to the H-Blocks of Long Kesh where he immediately went on the Blanket. Mr McLaughlin was in H5 in an adjoining cell to Joe McDonnell and in May 1981 he was selected to replace Francis Hughes, who died on May 15, 1981, on the hunger strike. Within a week of being on hunger strike, Brendan developed a stomach ulcer and was moved to the prison hospital where Ray McCreesh and Patsy OHara were dying. He was subsequently removed to the military wing of Musgrave Park prison hospital in Belfast. He was forced to come off the hunger strike after 14 days after being given 24 hours to live. After spending some months under armed guard, he was returned to the H-Blocks after the conclusion of the hunger strike. While in prison, Mr McLaughlin never took a visit. He was released on November 5, 1984. Five months after his release he lost his brother Michael and he started a band in his honour - the Michael McLaughlin Flute Band. Paying tribute to Mr McLaughlin, Republican Sinn Fein said: Following the 1986 Ard-Fheis Brendan stayed with Sinn Fein Poblachtach and has remained a faithful Republican since. Former comrades were greedy for money and power and sacrificed the struggle with little thought for all the young men and women lying in their early graves. Brendan suffered a stroke in April 1999 and has remained in a wheelchair since but he attended Easter commemorations in Derry every year. He was a well-known sight at the annual H-Block Armagh commemoration in Bundoran, Co Donegal every August, including this year. He was the 2007 Cabhair honoree for Ulster. ABOVE: The family of former IRA hunger striker Brendan McLaughlin's following his coffin draped in the Tricolour from his home in the Top of the Hill to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, for Requiem Mass on Thursday morning. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics) Mickey McGonigle, Honorary Vice President of Republican Sinn Fein, knew Brendan personally and stayed in contact with him right up until his death. After Brendan got out of prison in the 1980s he contacted me to find out how he could show his support to Republican Sinn Fein. He felt Republican Sinn Fein aligned with his principles, said Mickey. He religiously attended every Easter commemoration in the City Cemetery in Derry and was always there to pay his respects at Sean Keenan's commemoration every year. He was a faithful supporter of the hunger strike march and commemoration and contributed so much to Republican Sinn Fein. Mickey visited the late Brendan often and in recent times both men regularly stayed in touch via telephone. He said Mr McLaughlin had previously expressed his wishes to him to have a full republican funeral. Above: The Tricolour is removed from the coffin of former IRA hunger striker Brendan McLaughlin's before entering the Church of the Immaculate Conception, for Requiem Mass on Thursday morning. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics) He only wanted Republican Sinn Fein to be involved in his funeral and he asked that I take charge of that. I am very happy that I was able to honour his wishes, continued Mickey. As Mr McLaughlin's remains were brought back to his Derry home last week, a piper played and also led the cortege on the day of his funeral. Mr McGonigle and Anthony Lancaster, leader of Republican Sinn Fein in Derry, placed the Irish tricolour on Brendan's coffin. The piper played a lament at the graveside and after the burial Mr McGonigle said a few words before Mr Lancaster gave the oration. Mr McGonigle also sang Amhran na bhFiann. Brendan is survived by his sons Michael and Brendan, daughter-in-law Julieanne, granddaughter Clara, wife Loretta, stepson Jamie and sister Celia. He was predeceased by his parents Catherine and John and brothers Michael and John. News / National by Staff reporter A fierce public backlash against Zanu-PF's proposed extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term to 2030 dominated a community meeting in Bulawayo last week, where angry residents openly confronted the ruling party's candidate ahead of the December 20 Nkulumane by-election.The parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of opposition legislator Desire Moyo in a car accident. His widow, Esther Zitha, is contesting the poll as an independent candidate alongside eight other aspirants.What was meant to be a routine "Meet Your Candidates" debate at Nkulumane Hall last Wednesday instead turned into a charged forum for residents to voice strong resistance to Zanu-PF's 2030 agenda, which seeks to extend Mnangagwa's presidency beyond its constitutional expiry in 2028.The debate was organised by the Centre for Innovation and Technology in partnership with the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, the Elections Resources Centre and the Nkulumane Constituency Development Committee. It was intended to allow voters to assess candidates ahead of the by-election, but quickly became a platform for what many attendees described as a defence of the constitution.The controversial proposal stems from a Zanu-PF resolution adopted in 2025, which party officials claim was informed by grassroots consultations calling for Mnangagwa to be granted an additional two years to complete ongoing government programmes. Critics argue the move is a thinly veiled attempt to amend presidential term limits and delay elections.Tensions flared when a resident, Sheila Mujakachi, stood up and directly challenged Zanu-PF candidate Freedom Murechu, accusing the ruling party of attempting to "mutilate" the constitution."Zanu-PF is pushing for the 2030 agenda so it continues in power, yet the constitution says a term is five years," Mujakachi said, holding up a copy of the constitution. "You are oppressing us. We don't want the 2030 agenda, we want elections in 2028. This is my bible. I am shaking with anger. Let me defend the constitution."In a later interview, Mujakachi said Zimbabweans should not surrender hard-won constitutional protections."The constitution must not be mangled and mutilated because Zanu-PF wants to rule beyond 2028," she said. "After every five years we have to vote. What will they achieve in two years that they failed to do in 10? We are saying no to the 2030 agenda."Murechu defended the proposal, insisting it was a party resolution rather than a personal ambition of the president, and said Parliament would ultimately decide its fate."Parties come up with resolutions," he said. "If the party agrees, the resolution goes to Parliament and MPs will vote. If they don't like it, it will hit a bump. That is democracy."He maintained that the idea was driven by grassroots consultations. "It's not the president who said he wants to extend his term. It's the party, after consultations with grassroots structures," Murechu said. "Anyone who disagrees has a constitutional right to challenge the issue."His remarks were met with murmurs of disapproval from the audience, with several residents questioning whether a Parliament dominated by Zanu-PF would realistically block a ruling party resolution.The debate also exposed sharp differences over the constitutional role of Members of Parliament. Independent candidate Rodney Jele stressed that MPs were duty-bound to represent citizens rather than party interests."Section 119 is clear an MP represents the people, makes laws and monitors government performance," Jele said. "Accountability is at the centre of Parliament."Another independent candidate, Mbuso Fuzwayo, said his decision to approach the Constitutional Court was aimed at stopping what he described as an unlawful attempt to extend Mnangagwa's tenure."The role of an MP is to protect the constitution," Fuzwayo said. "Zanu-PF wants to extend the president's term to 2030 but we must follow what the constitution says."MDC-T candidate Ethel Sibanda also rejected the proposal, citing worsening socio-economic conditions. "I am saying no to 2030 because look at how we are living," she said. "The economy is bad. Young people are dying from drugs. What will have changed by then?"Meanwhile, a draft constitutional amendment to extend Mnangagwa's tenure is expected to be gazetted before the end of the year by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. Zanu-PF has indicated it intends to avoid a referendum in implementing the 2030 resolution, a position disputed by constitutional experts who argue that any amendment extending a sitting president's term would require approval through a national referendum. Louth is set to throw away 34 million worth of salvageable food this year, according to research from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The research found that the average Irish household wastes an estimated 700 worth of usable food annually. It found 79% of people reported that dinner is the meal where the most amount of food is wasted. Bread is the most commonly wasted food with 48% of people admitting it's the food they waste most often, followed by fruit and vegetables with 42%. Too Good to Go, the world's largest marketplace for surplus food, has issued a stark warning to Louth households ahead of the Christmas food shop. Machaela O'Leary, sales manager at Too Good To Go Ireland said the idea that people are wasting 700 a year in the midst of a cost of living crisis is "truly shocking". It said these foods can be saved by turning them into breadcrumbs for Christmas stuffing or vegetable soups. Read also: 15-Year-Old Louth student's artwork to be included in 2026 Texaco calendar It has set out four rules to follow when shopping for Christmas period. 1. The "Guestimate" Rule: With 79% of waste happening at dinner, don't cook for the whole village if you're only feeding your family. Calculate portions realistically to stop the bin filling up on Christmas night. 2. Freezer Space: Start eating from the freezer this week. Using up the food you already have will lower your grocery bills in the expensive run-up to Christmas and clear essential space to freeze your leftovers over Christmas and helps avoid food waste. 3. Avoiding the Just in Case: Avoid the temptation to bulk-buy "just in case" during your main shop. Remember that the shops only close for a day or two over the Christmas period. 4. The Day Two Veggie Revival: Maximise your Christmas vegetable leftovers by tackling them in two groups. The first group can be made into a hearty vegetable soup, perfect as a starter on St. Stephen's Day. For the second group put them in a mix of oil, a drizzle of honey and balsamic vinegar before roasting them in the oven to create great tasting honey roasted vegetables to accompany your leftover turkey and ham. There has been over 16,000 visits to the online searchable database of burials at St Patricks Cemetery in Dundalk since its official launch a year ago, with visitors from all over the world searching the database for long lost relatives. The erection in July of a sign at the graveyard with a QR code that leads to the graveyard database, has made it even easier for visitors to the Dowdallshill cemetery to locate the graves of their loved ones. If someone arrives to St Patrick's Cemetery and goes to the sign, they just hold their mobile phone up to the QR code and that will bring them straight into the site, which is basically a map of the graveyard. Once in the site, users can view the different sections of the graveyard. The records for each grave contain information including, name, age, occupation, martial status, dates of death, and burial. The project has been led from the start by Jim Kerley, a committee member of the Old Dundalk Society. It's a year since the launch of the website and the app and its been a massive success, Jim reveals. Every week we're getting more compliments and people finding relations. It's been a massive success, the Council are delighted. Read also: Win 1,000 in Shop Local vouchers in Dundalk Chamber's North Pole Safari trail Everytime there is any discussion on it, whether its on Facebook or I've done a couple of talks on it, everytime it's mentioned, the surge goes up that week. On average, we're hitting anywhere between 45 and 60 hits a week, which is fantastic for a local graveyard site. We're covering it literally across the world, because the Council have trackers on it, so they know where the hits are coming from. We always expected naturally Ireland, England, America, Canada, Austrailia, they'd be the run of the mill for the Irish abroad. But we're also getting it in from Germany, Belgium, Finland, Greece, even some from China. They could be all Dundalk people, or they could be people just searching family names. But to see over 16,000 in one year, it's just been a fantastic success. The uniqueness of the database may be one of the reasons for the worldwide visits, Jim agrees. Explaining the background to the whole project, Jim said that he is very interested in family genealogy and was often in St Patrick's Cemetery looking at gravestones and so on, but often found that headstones were worn away. Recognising the importance of retaining the information, he did some work and found that the burial records still existed, I went back to the [Old Dundalk Society ] committee and said we need to do something about this to preserve the records, its very unusual to have 130 years of records, and they said, ' that's a great idea, you go and do something about it!' So that's what I did. I went up to DkIT, they were brilliant. They gave me four fourth year students and they used it for their final year project. The trojan work to transcribe all the data so it could be added to the database was aided by volunteers from Louth Volunteer Centre. Helen Dibley and Francis Monaghan in Louth County Council were also instrumental in getting the database online. The information in the database goes up to 2020. There's a five year sensitivity clause, so if someone died last year, they're not in it for five years, Jim added. We've withheld the address for 30 years, that's more to do with identity theft. The database is very easy to access and navigate. The QR code brings users straight into the database, but you can also access it by visiting www.louthcoco.ie, going to the Services section, and then Archives, and then St Patrick's Cemetery Database. Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Louth is introducing new training programmes to help local business owners start 2026 with energy and momentum. Designed to boost operational, financial, and digital skills, the new schedule delivers practical, actionable learning for both start up and established businesses. The year begins with the three-part HR for Non-HR: Get Your HR Essentials programme on Thursday 15, 22 and 29 January (9.30am1pm). Tailored for owners, managers, and team leaders, it provides essential guidance on HR responsibilities and the latest in Irish employment law. On Tuesday 20 January (10am1pm), Bookkeeping for Small Businesses will give participants the knowledge and confidence to manage day-to-day financial records more effectively. To improve branding and communications, the Canva for Business Beginners training on Thursday 29 January (10am1pm) will equip participants with the skills to create effective and engaging visual content. Read also: Dundalk Rugby Club set to have the Quid Game fundraiser to redevelop their pitch In February, the programme shifts towards artificial intelligence. Leveraging ChatGPT for Business runs on Thursday 12 February (10am1pm), and AI for Social Media Marketing on Wednesday 25 February (10am1pm) - both of which are designed to help SMEs unlock new efficiencies and digital opportunities. The next Start Your Own Business course begins on 13 January, providing practical support on self-employment, market research, taxation, finance, marketing, sales, legal considerations and business planning. Niall Gallagher, Senior Enterprise Development Officer at Local Enterprise Office Louth, explains Training programmes are available throughout the year with subjects like Tax and VAT, Digitalising your Business, Digital Marketing courses and much more. Check www.localenterprise.ie/louth and LEO Louth social media channels for updates. He continues: Local Enterprise Office Louth also offers Management Development Programmes in topics such as Leadership & Business Strategy, Financial Management, Succession Planning with specialist sector specific programmes for Food, Retail, Craft, Hospitality & Tourism. Niall concludes: Whether youre a start-up or well established, these programmes are practical, relevant, and designed to give your businesses a strong start in 2026. We are urging business owners to register now and make full use of the supports available through your Local Enterprise Office all year round. To book, visit ww.localenterprise.ie/Louth Sinn Fein Councillor for Ardee, Pearse McGeough has called for new digital signage on the N2 in an effort to divert traffic away from Ardee and ease congestion. Cllr McGeough has urged the council to install new signage on the N2, just north of Collon, to redirect traffic via the R169 Dunleer/Collon Road. Motorists would enter the northbound motorway before rejoining the N33 at junction 14. In a statement, Cllr McGeough said the detour will benefit vehicles simply passing through Ardee, and although it will add 9km to the journey he added it would "save a lot of time that would be sat in gridlock." Read also: Man arrested in connection with fatal Louth collision released Cllr McGeough said he has submitted a motion to Ardee Municipal Council last month seeking solar digital signage that would "be more visible" and direct traffic away from Ardee. He said the response from the council was "positive" and it will now approach Transport Infrastructure Ireland who have responsibility for the N2 and N33 signage and its funding. Louth farmers are set to receive over 1.1 million under the 2025 Eco-Scheme balancing payments as Minister Martin Heydon has confirmed that disbursements have begun nationwide. The commencement of the Eco-Scheme balancing payments will bring the total paid under the 2025 Eco-Scheme since October to almost 288 million with 112,610 farmers now in receipt of an Eco-scheme payment. Almost 86 million will be issued to farmers in the form of an Eco-Scheme balancing payment. Minister Heydon said: I am delighted to confirm that balancing payments under the Eco-Scheme worth 85.8 million has commenced today. The aim of Irelands Eco-Scheme is to reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. Eco-Scheme payments are a vital support for farmers who will have incurred costs or foregone income to meet scheme requirements. My department is fully committed to ensuring that all scheme payments continue to issue in the most efficient way possible and to ensure that these vital supports are delivered to farmers in a timely manner. Read Next: Louth TD presses HSE for clarity on dropped enhanced flu vaccine Concluding, the Minister said: The Eco-Scheme balancing payments are commencing today at a rate of 30%. Payments will be visible in farmers bank accounts in the coming days, and the department will continue to process, as a matter of urgency, all remaining cases for payment as they meet scheme criteria. I would urge any farmers with outstanding requests for documentation from the department to return them to allow payments to issue. The Gum Litter Taskforce Bin It! Roadshow hit the road and visited Louth recently to continue to bring the fun and educational tour to schools across the county. Throughout the visit students from Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Scoil Mhuire na Trocaire and Castletown Girls' School were treated to a fun, actor-led performance that brings the anti-litter message to life through humour, storytelling and interactive learning. As part of the Gum Litter Taskforces (GLT) national education campaign, the school roadshow is designed to help young people understand the simple difference they can make by disposing of gum (and other litter) responsibly and help them learn more about what they can do to help care for their local environment. The latest National Litter Pollution Monitoring System (NLPMS) 2024 Report shows that chewing gum now makes up just 7.3% of all litter nationally, down from 8.6% in 2023 marking the lowest level in over ten years. While overall gum litter continues to decline, litter linked to schools and schoolchildren still accounts for around 4% of all cases nationwide underlining the importance of early education and awareness programmes like Bin It! Research has shown that lifestyle patterns and habit formation begin at an early age, with schoolchildren thought to be most receptive to social influence from ages 11 to 14 years of age*, meaning the Roadshow plays a key role in developing proper litter disposal habits. Over the next seven weeks, the Gum Litter Taskforces Bin It! education programme will visit 70 schools across 24 counties, performing for students across the country. For schools not registered for this years Bin It! Roadshow, the Gum Litter Taskforce will also continue to provide useful lesson plan material on its website, with materials made available to almost 730 schools across Ireland to date. Avril Donlon, Chair of the Gum Litter Taskforce, said:Were so pleased to be launching the 2025 Bin It! Roadshow. Each year, the enthusiasm we see from students is amazing, and its clear that these performances really do make a difference to students attitudes towards litter. Seeing the rate of gum litter fall again this year shows the impact of the GLT campaign, and the importance of that education and awareness piece. As we kick off another year of the Roadshow, were excited to keep building on that success. Read Next: Over 1.1m in Eco-scheme payments begin landing for Louth farmers Anne Sheeran, Corporate Affairs Specialist, Mars Ireland, said:Whats so powerful about Bin It! is that it helps young people connect their choices to the bigger picture. When students realise that dropping a piece of gum contributes to national litter levels, you can see the lightbulb moment happen. Its that awareness that builds long-term change, and Mars Wrigley are so proud to play a part in that! The GLT education campaign is fully funded by Mars Wrigley, and free for all participating schools. The GLT campaign also includes a roadshow that travels throughout the country in the summer months promoting responsible gum behaviours with the help of local authorities, TV and online advertising campaign, as well as an accompanying website www.gumlittertaskforce.ie. The sister of a man secretly killed and buried by the agent Stakeknifes IRA unit has queried how many people knew about him, and asked if it went as high as former prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Eugene Simons was disappeared in 1981. His body was found by chance in a shallow grave in Louth. His sister Moira Todd recalled her family walking the streets of Dublin and Dundalk for years trying to find him, all while she said the state authorities knew what had happened to him. She said the word was put out that he was a tout (informer), and it had been an internal IRA murder, adding her family was spat at. They took him on January 1, they murdered him on January 11, so he had 11 days of probably unspeakable horror that the authorities knew about, and totally ignored it, she said, speaking at a press conference organised by Belfast solicitor Kevin Winter of KRW Law in Belfast following the publication of the Kenova Report. They know he was dead. They didnt tell us. My father hunted high and low, my brother walked the streets of Dundalk, of Dublin, hoping to bump into him, and all the while, the authorities knew that he wasnt coming back, he was gone. She said there was only interest in his murder after the Operation Kenova investigation started, and he was connected with Armys top agent in the IRA, Stakeknife. I just want someone to take me into a room and tell me the truth, if they want a non-disclosure agreement, Ill sign it. I just want to know the truth, she said. Its 45 years ago, almost to the day since my brother was taken and tortured by Stakeknife. He was murdered after. The authorities had all the details. Forty-five years on, Im sitting here, really none the wiser, and hearing about the truth being suppressed, and the government avoiding accountability, and its just totally frustrating. She added: Its what he did (we want to know), how he was allowed to do it, and how high up did it go? How far up the British Government? Did it go to Margaret Thatcher, did she approve anything? Those are the things we need to know. Claire Dignam, whose husband John was killed by the IRA in 1992, said she also believes the authorities knew he was dead. I hid for years because I believed my husband was an informer, she said. I had a baby in my belly while he was lying in a grave. The shame, the guilt, the trying to fit in. Now I feel alive and I am not going to hide again. My husband was Johnny Dignam, and I dont care what anyone said about him in the past. My husband was innocent. Paul Wilson, whose father Thomas Emmanuel Wilson was also killed by the IRAs internal security unit in 1987, questioned the lack of the key detail of naming Stakeknife. You cant investigate the agent known as Stakeknife, spend all the money, and then not find out who he is that seems like a gaping own goal, he said. Kenova are doing the investigation but it never feels like theyre in complete control of the investigation. It always feels like when they get so far, its no more, stop. However, he said he family have learned most of what they know about their fathers murder from Kenova, and paid tribute to the first ever police who took us seriously. That was great, but 90% just isnt enough. Its the last piece that we need for this to be settled and put to bed so we can finally move forward, he said. Read Next: Former Dundalk couple who carried out prolonged hammer attack on grandmother lose appeal They were asked about comments by MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum offering sympathies to the victims and families of those who were tortured or killed by the Provisional IRAs internal security unit during the Troubles. Ms Todd said: The ISU (IRAs internal security unit) was run by one of their agents. Theyre still covering up wheres the truth? Mr Wilson said if they were really sorry, they would have helped Operation Kenova from the start. It was only meant to last a few years. It went to near 10 and thats because of MI5, he said. Mr Winters said the apology would have so much more substance if there was a departure from this ridiculous NCND the apology is completely hollow and irrelevant, in my view. LATEST: Gardai have said they are increasing patrols at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community after the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney. In a statement on Sunday afternoon, An Garda Siochana said liaison inspectors have been appointed to ensure the force continues its ongoing engagement with the Jewish community to provide them with reassurance and support. The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it was not aware of any citizens who have been impacted directly by the gun attack in Sydney. In a statement on Sunday morning, Helen McEntee said: Our consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally. The Minister for Foreign Affairs said she was in shock and horror at the antisemitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating the first day of their Hanukkah festival of lights. She added: All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia. New South Wales Police confirmed at least 12 people were killed in the attack. President Catherine Connolly said she wished to offer my deepest sympathy to the Jewish community everywhere at this time, mindful of the beginning of this Hannukah period. I offer these condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Australia, especially all who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured. In a statement on X, the Taoiseach said he was shocked and appalled by the attack. Micheal Martin said: Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated. Taniste Simon Harris said he was horrified by the incident. In a social media post he said: Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families, with the people of Australia and the Jewish community during this time of profound pain. The spectre of hate and violence must never be tolerated. EARLIER: At least 12 people have been killed and 29 injured in a terrorist attack targeting a Jewish celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australian police have said. Two individuals armed with guns opened fire on a crowd in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, New South Wales Police said. The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to the beach on the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, the force confirmed. Emergency workers standby at Bondi Beach after a reported shooting in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) New South Wales Premier Chris Minns told a press conference: At approximately 6.47 this evening, two individuals began firing on crowded a group of families on Bondi Beach at Archer Park. I very sadly need to report that, as of now, there are at least 12 individuals that have been killed. This attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, what should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters, has been shattered by this horrifying evil attack. Acts of bravery Mr Minns confirmed one of the alleged gunmen has been killed while the other is in police custody. Our heart bleeds for Australias Jewish community tonight, he added. I can only imagine the pain that theyre feeling right now to see their loved ones killed as they celebrate this ancient holiday. Its a responsibility of all Australians to wrap their arms around Australias Jewish community and help them get through this incredibly difficult period. Praising the actions of police and members of the public, Mr Minns told the press conference: Tonight, saw extraordinary acts of personal courage and bravery from individuals in our community. And I think its worth remembering that in all of this evil, in all of this sadness, there are still wonderful, brave Australians that are prepared to risk their lives to help a complete stranger. Thoughts with people of Australia and Jewish community The Department of Foreign Affairs is not aware of any citizens who have been impacted directly the gun attack on Sydneys Bondi Beach. In a statement on Sunday morning, Helen McEntee said: Our consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally. The Minister for Foreign Affairs said she was in shock and horror at the antisemitic attack on a Jewish community celebrating the first day of their Hanukkah festival of lights. She added: All my thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones and the people of Australia. Michea Martin said: Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time. Such hate and violence can never be tolerated. Tanaiste Simon Harris said he was horrified by the incident. In a social media post he said: Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families, with the people of Australia and the Jewish community during this time of profound pain. The spectre of hate and violence must never be tolerated. Terrorist incident Malcolm Lanyon, the commissioner of New South Wales Police said 29 people have been transported to various hospitals around the Sydney area, including two police officers. New South Wales Police warned the public on Sunday that two people with guns had reportedly opened fire on people at Bondi Beach. The condition of those officers and the others transported are serious, but there is a range of conditions, Mr Lanyon said. Our thoughts, prayers and love go to all the families and all of those that were involved tonight. We know that there were many people there to celebrate a happy occasion, the celebration of Hanukkah, and there was well over a thousand people there when this took place. As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight, at 9.36pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident. I have also authorised special powers under section Five and section six to ensure that if there is a third offender, and we are currently investigating, that at the moment, we will make sure that we prevent any further activity. Im incredibly proud of the professionalism of our police and emergency service responders. We will focus to ensure that there is no further threat to the public. Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a reported shooting at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) Mr Lanyon said that several improvised explosive devices have been found in a car at Bondi Beach linked to the deceased gunman. He said: Shortly after the shooting occurred, police located a vehicle in Campbell Parade at Bondi, which we believe has several improvised explosive devices. We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that. Mr Lanyon added that the deceased offender had been known to the authorities, but there had been no specific threat. He said: What I said is that we are aware of the person. That does not mean there was any specific threat posed by that person. If the police had had intelligence there was a risk to the community or to this event, we would have taken significant action. Mr Lanyon has asked for calm to return to the communities affected following the shooting. This is a time where I want to make sure that there is no retribution. The police are investigating thoroughly. Allow the police to do our job. We will work closely with community, and I will continue to provide updates about the investigation as they go on. Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, also spoke at the conference in Canberra. He said the Bondi Beach attack was an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, he said. An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith at this dark moment for our nation. Our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage. EARLIER: Ten people have died following a shooting incident at a popular beach in Sydney, Australia, police have confirmed. New South Wales Police warned the public on Sunday that two people with guns had reportedly opened fire on people at Bondi Beach. Ten people were confirmed dead, including a man believed to be one of the gunmen, the force said. The second alleged gunman is in critical condition, police added. People were advised to avoid the area and take shelter as police responded. Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a reported shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) At this time, a further 11 people are reported to be injured, two of which are police officers, NSW police said in a statement on X. Ambulance crews treated multiple patients at the scene in Sydney, according to a spokeswoman for New South Wales Ambulance. She said: We were called to the scene around 6.45pm to reports of multiple people shot at Bondi Beach. We have got more than 40 resources there including helicopter and road crews and have treated multiple patients at the scene. We have so far transported 13 patients to various hospitals in Sydney. Jewish celebration A Jewish Hanukkah celebration had reportedly started in the area of the shooting, according to ABC News, although there has been no official confirmation that this event was a target. Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival of light. Bondi Beach is popular with tourists and expats. Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after a reported shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: The scenes in Bondi are shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. I just have spoken to the AFP commissioner and the NSW premier. We are working with NSW Police and will provide further updates as more information is confirmed. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the NSW Police. News / National by Staff reporter Cleric Prophet Tapiwa Freddy has escalated his long-running land dispute with Craft Properties (Pvt) Ltd to the High Court after criminal charges he initiated against the company and its founder, Kudakwashe Taruberekera, collapsed at the magistrates' court.The dispute centres on a 4 000-square-metre stand, Plot No. 7510 Subdivision 5, Mandalay of Sabonabona Farm in Kadoma, which Freddy claims was lawfully donated to him. The matter, which has attracted sustained public attention since early this year, has now entered a new phase following the filing of a civil declaration at the High Court.Earlier this year, Freddy reported the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc), accusing Taruberekera and Craft Properties of corruption following the revocation of the land donation. Zacc subsequently arrested Taruberekera, with the case first appearing before the Chinhoyi Magistrates' Court on February 7, 2025.Initially framed as fraud, the charge later shifted to theft. The matter was postponed several times and eventually transferred to the Kadoma Magistrates' Court, where it appeared repeatedly between March and July. Freddy attended court only once, when he sought a postponement.On July 17, the State withdrew the case before plea, conceding that it lacked sufficient evidence and acknowledging that the revocation of a deed of donation does not constitute a criminal offence."Finally, the State withdrew the case against me and Craft Properties after failing to gather any evidence," Taruberekera said. "This matter dragged both my name and that of my company through the mud."Despite the collapse of the criminal case, Freddy has now approached the High Court (Civil Division), seeking a declaratory order to assert ownership of the disputed land.In his declaration filed on December 5, 2025, Freddy alleged that the property was fraudulently transferred after the donation. He claimed that all subsequent transfers from the plaintiff to the first defendant, then to the second defendant, and later to the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants were effected without his knowledge or consent. He further alleged that the transfers were carried out by the seventh defendant and were "predicated on an initial fraudulent act."Freddy argued that he remains the lawful owner of the property by virtue of a valid deed of donation, contending that any subsequent transfers were null and void as they were allegedly obtained through fraud and without due process. He maintained that the purported fraudulent transfers did not divest him of ownership.The cleric said there was a genuine and ongoing dispute over the rightful ownership of the land, giving him a direct and substantial interest in seeking a declaratory order.In terms of Section 14 of the High Court Act [Chapter 7:06], Freddy is asking the court to declare that he is the lawful and rightful owner of Plot No. 7510 Subdivision 5, Mandalay of Sabonabona Farm, Kadoma, and that the deed of donation executed between him and Craft Properties on or about November 19, 2019, is valid, extant and binding.He further wants all subsequent transfers registered after November 22, 2019, to be declared null and void and of no force or effect, and has asked the court to order the seventh defendant to rectify its records to reflect him as the sole registered owner.Craft Properties has, however, disputed Freddy's claims, maintaining that the donation was lawfully revoked after he allegedly failed to meet development conditions attached to the land."Freddy was very much aware that we had revoked the stand," Taruberekera said. "When we revoked it, he immediately stopped paying council bills. That cannot be a coincidence."Taruberekera also questioned why Freddy bypassed the Zimbabwe Republic Police and went directly to Zacc, suggesting the dispute was civil in nature from the outset."If he believed he had a genuine claim, he should have sued the company," he said. "Instead, criminal processes were used, and when those failed, the matter was moved to the High Court."The case has reignited debate within legal circles over Zacc's mandate, particularly after it emerged that officials travelled to Freddy's Goodness and Mercy Ministries church in Glen View to record his statement, while other parties were summoned to Zacc offices in Chinhoyi.Legal analysts have described the progression of the matter from criminal prosecution to civil litigation as possible forum shopping.With the High Court having referred the dispute to trial on November 26, 2025, the matter will now be determined after evidence is led. The outcome is expected to test the boundaries between criminal law and civil remedies, as well as the legal principles governing the revocation of donations.As the legal battle continues, the case has emerged as a cautionary tale about the use of public institutions in private disputes and the complexities surrounding land ownership, donations and property rights in Zimbabwe. Christmas is traditionally a very busy time of year for the postal services, with people sending parcels to their loved ones abroad who cant make it home for Christmas Day. This was especially true in the years preceding and during World War II, when food was rationed. Thousands of families in rural Ireland went to enormous lengths to ensure that their emigrant sons and daughters, who were scattered throughout the cities of the UK where they had gone to find work, would enjoy a good Christmas dinner. Food parcels zigzagged along the train tracks of Ireland towards the mail boat in Dun Laoghaire, and from there were carried on to English addresses. The exiled Irish, often missing home but without the funds to return, would joyfully receive them in the knowledge that the parcel contained not only food, but was also imbued with love and care from their families back home. Turkey was the quintessential element of the festive table, and they were posted in their droves, whole and intact, from Ireland to Britain during those years. Before and during the war years, these gift turkeys were mostly dispatched by sea, traversing the country by train to be loaded onto the mail boat and then delivered to their destination in the UK, and then in later years after the war, were sent by air in what became known as the turkey lift. In 1951, the turkey lift transported up to 10,000 birds across the water, with a special turkey depot in Cathal Brugha Street in Dublin, with a staff of 30 workers who were charged with the transportation of the birds onto flights from Dublin to the UK. An account from the Cork Examiner of 1948 mentions that the flights involved special arrangements for the transport of both live humans from Britain (for those who could afford the return home), and dead turkeys to that country during the Christmas season. These were the days before wide-scale refrigeration so the turkeys would have been packed in straw or canvas, or sometimes just brown paper, and the recipients then had to go about cleaning them out, a process that would never have to be undertaken by most of us these days, living as we do in an era of different standards of sanitation and convenience. Dr. Siobhan Browne from the Department of Folklore and Ethnology in UCC is a specialist in the migration of the Irish to Britain during the war years. During the course of her research, she interviewed many people who remembered back to those days when it was common practice to post turkeys to relatives in the UK to offset the rigours of food rationing. It was really common practice to send turkeys in the post during the years of the Second World War and right through to the 1950s, she said. One woman told me that the parcels that would regularly come at Christmas time in the 1950s always contained a turkey from her Auntie Nellys farm in Co. Limerick. Archive image from Christmas 1945. Women were very involved in the rearing and preparing of turkeys. It was women who sent the food, and if they had it, men would send money. Those in Ireland who had the means, and often those who didnt, would have been aware of food shortages in cities such as London at the time. They would often have sent fresh food such as chicken or butter in parcels to their loved ones. These were people in Ireland who themselves were often under financial pressure so it was a huge sacrifice. In those days, too, it was also common practice to give a turkey to the local convent or to the local priest. Those who lived in rural areas often had more access to fresh food and so were aware that their family members, their cherished sons or daughters, were living under the restraints of World War II rationing. The postal service was pretty sophisticated in those days- you could post food and it would be in London the next day, or the day after, via the mail ships at a time when there were five mail boat sailings a day from Ireland to Britain. I spoke to a man who worked in the post office in London during the war years and he told me that it was also common for turkeys to get lost in the post, she said. In those days the rearing of poultry was mainly womens work, which enabled them to make a supplementary income. The skills involved, including how to clean them out, were often passed on to their daughters, who knew exactly what to do when the postman arrived bearing the completely intact bird, heads, guts and all. It was a niche thing, a knowledge practiced by the women who would have been brought up knowing how to pluck them and clean them out, said Siobhan. As well as the rearing and killing of the bird to get ready to send, they would have had to prepare it for postage by going to the local post office, often at some distance. Bear in mind, it was during a time when women did not have the same access to cars, so hopping down to the local post office was not always as simple as it often is these days. The women often kept geese and ducks too, but actual turkeys themselves were the most lucrative element of their poultry for the Christmas market sale. Most of the people I interviewed who would have posted them to their families sold the rest of the turkeys, and would have eaten goose themselves for their own Christmas dinner because a turkey fetched a higher price. By 1957, the meat rationing was well and truly over and there was more variety of food available. The newly arrived Irish were mesmerised by the food choices in London compared to what was available back home, and so then the practice of sending luxury items, such as Mars bars, were sent back home to Ireland, continued Siobhan. Christmas turkeys on sale at the English Market, Cork in 1947. In those days you would never have seen such an item, you would have been lucky to get a toffee at the time. Baked goods were often sent too and one of those items recalled was an almond cake. I spoke to one woman living in London as a child of Irish emigrants who remembered this cake arriving in the post which was made by her granny in Ireland. During the lead up to Christmas the children were allowed to take one almond off the circle on top of the cake each day and eat it. Others remember being sent Emerald sweets in the post, their green wrappers being synonymous with Ireland. Bottles of poteen marked as Holy Water were often sent too. These were not always for consumption but would sometimes be rubbed on arthritic hands and knees as a cure. Others recalled items such as tea being sent and of course there were the Christmas cakes and puddings too. The sending of food parcels was an act of love and a bridge between two worlds, that of the emigrant and their families. When it came to the goose in Ireland, which many people had instead of turkey, nothing was wasted. These days it is still popular to roast your Christmas day potatoes in goose fat. Food historian, broadcaster, writer and lecturer at UCC Regina Sexton explained: There was more meat on a turkey and it was deemed a superior quality bird with its white meat and was sold on to supplement the family income, so it was the goose which often ended up being consumed for the Christmas dinner in homes across Ireland. For as long as people have been keeping geese they have also been keeping the fat. Olive oil is a relatively recent thing here. Goose fat is very versatile and it was used not only for cooking but also for polishing boots and other household items. If people were sick it was also common practise to rub goose grease on the chest, and it was also used for stiffness of the joints and for sprains. The eggs are very large and therefore really good for cooking and baking, people really treasured goose eggs. The feathers were also used for stuffing the bedding- items such as pillows and eiderdowns. Then there are also the large wing feathers which were saved and used for brushing the hearth, and, of course, the meat on the goose was enjoyed by stuffing it with potato and apple stuffing. So when it comes to the goose, nothing was wasted, she said. So whether your preference is for goose or turkey this Christmas spare a thought for the incredible Irish women down through the years who with their knowledge and skills literally went out of their way to ensure that all of their family, whether at home or abroad, had a Merry Christmas. The task of standing in a queue with a handful of Christmas cards in the post office in order to buy a book of stamps seems to pale into insignificance compared with waiting in line with a whole intact turkey to post abroad as generations of Irish women did for their loved ones in times gone by. This story appeared in the 2025 Holly Bough . (Photo: Courtesy International Christian Concern)Pastor Ezra Jin, an imprisoned Chinese pastor, among persons detained detained during a Zion Church raid in October conducted in China. Five communist nations are severely restricting the flow of funding into Christian churches and implementing stringent requirements for churches to operate within their borders to slow the growth of Christianity, according to International Christian Concern. The group cites China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam saying they all maintain strict control over churches and dictate how they may function, if at all. Religious institutions are forced to register with their respective nations and are only granted the right to operate if they agree to stringent and, at times, un-Christian criteria. , In November, China hosted the executive committee of the World Council of Churches, invited by the China Christian Council and the National Committee of the Three Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Church in China, a group approved by Beijing. ICN said, "The dictatorial authorities in these nations (China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam) view anything other than total subservience to the state as a power struggle. "This is especially true when it comes to Christianity. Believers are viewed as threats, and governments of these nations go to extreme measures to shut them down." The Christian advocacy group noted that communism leans heavily on atheism and that Mao Zedong, a founder of modern-day China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was an atheist, and the CCP's official stance remains one of adherence to atheism. "Although China's ruling class allows a few types of Christian churches to exist within the nation, the churches must register with the state and follow a system known as Sinicization. "This system requires the inclusion of Chinese characteristics and communist doctrine in church sermons and services." In addition, says ICN, additionally, registered Christian churches must make all their funds transparent to the government and allow them to be viewed and audited by Chinese authorities. In 2022, China enacted legislation called Measures for the Financial Management of Venues for Religious Activities. The legislation allows Chinese officials to scrutinize the finances of church institutions. According to Barnabas Aid, a Christian advocacy group, article 43 of the law states that "religious affairs departments, financial departments and relevant government departments may organize financial and asset inspections and audits of religious activity sites." Additionally, individuals who lead church services are required to "love the motherland, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China, support the socialist system, abide by the constitution, laws, regulations and rules, [and] practice the core values of socialism." - NO OVERSEAS FUNDING IN CUBA ICN says that in Cuba, church leaders or participants may receive imprisonment for accepting funds from overseas. It cited the U.S. Department of State, saying that Cuban authorities can impose "sentences of up to 10 years' imprisonment on persons receiving funding from foreign organizations or for financing activities considered to be directed against the state or its constitutional order." Additionally, churches must register with the government to operate; however, Cuban authorities rarely approve new church registrations. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported in 2025 that Cuban officials "regularly and arbitrarily denied or failed to respond to registration applications from religious groups. The government then used a lack of registration as a pretext to target unregistered religious groups." In Laos, according to ICN, the government requires religious institutions to register with the state as well, and legislation in the nation mandates that almost every facet of church life be reviewed by government authorities for approval. According to the U.S. State Department, in 2023, Laotian law "states that nearly all aspects of religious practice, such as congregating, holding religious services, travel of religious officials, building houses of worship, modifying existing structures, and establishing new congregations in villages where none existed, require permission" from government officials. "Additionally, Laotian authorities are granted the right to "stop any religious activity" they judge "to threaten national stability, peace, and social order." The Laotian government also "controls the distribution of written materials for religious audiences." And they "must approve religious texts or other materials before they are imported." In North Korea, churches that do exist in the nation are intensely monitored. And even then, they are, for all intents and purposes, not much more than vehicles of propaganda for the regime to have the appearance of religious freedom on the global stage. A U.S. State Department report stated that "a small number of officially registered religious institutions, including churches, existed in the country, particularly in Pyongyang, although visitors reported that they operated under tight state control and functioned largely as showpieces for foreigners." The report continued, stating that "the government encouraged all citizens to report anyone engaged in unauthorized religious activity or in possession of religious material." Like the other communist nations, religious organizations in Vietnam must also register with the state to be legal and not experience arbitrary arrests of members. Additionally, Vietnamese legislation allows officials to monitor the finances of churches. In the same month that Grok opted for a second Holocaust over vaporizing Elon Musk's brain, the AI chatbot is on the fritz again. Following the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia during a festival to mark the start of Hanukkah, Grok is responding to user requests with inaccurate or completely unrelated info, as first spotted by Gizmodo. Grok's confusion seems to be most apparent with a viral video that shows a 43-year-old bystander, identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, wrestling a gun away from an attacker during the incident, which has left at least 16 dead, according to the latest news reports. Grok's responses show it repeatedly misidentifying the individual who stopped one of the gunmen. In other cases, Grok responds to the same image about the Bondi Beach shooting with irrelevant details about allegations of targeted civilian shootings in Palestine. The latest replies still show Grok's confusion with the Bondi Beach shooting, even providing information about the incident to unrelated requests or mixing it up with the shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island. xAI, Grok's developer, hasn't officially commented on what's happening with its AI chatbot yet. However, it's not the first time that Grok has gone off the rails, considering it dubbed itself MechaHitler earlier this year. This undated photo shows a staff member from China's Central Archives arranging some Russian-provided archive copies related to the infamous Unit 731, a Japanese germ-warfare unit that operated during World War II. China has received a batch of Russian-provided evidence related to the infamous Unit 731, China's Central Archives said on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Xin) 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. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe is set to receive a new generation of state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines early next year after Treasury finalised payment of initial deposits for the equipment, marking the country's largest public sector investment in cancer treatment infrastructure in decades.The machines, which are currently under manufacture, will be installed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare and Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo. They are being procured using US$30 million raised from the sugar tax introduced in the 2024 National Budget.According to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion's 2026 Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Programme released last month, Treasury has already paid US$5,3 million as deposits to suppliers, representing 20 percent of the total cost.A Government technical team is scheduled to travel to the manufacturer's plant in the first two weeks of January to conduct pre-delivery inspections. Once cleared, the equipment will be shipped to Zimbabwe, paving the way for installation at the two major referral hospitals.Authorities have already begun decommissioning older radiotherapy machines at Parirenyatwa and Mpilo in preparation for the new installations. While the existing units remain functional, they will be redeployed to other public hospitals to expand access to cancer treatment services.The older Mpilo machine will be transferred to Gweru, where a new cancer treatment centre will be established. The Parirenyatwa unit is expected to be relocated either to Chinhoyi or Masvingo, with Masvingo emerging as a strong contender due to its developing medical school, which could also use the equipment for training purposes.The expansion will increase the number of public radiotherapy sites in Zimbabwe from two to four, a move expected to significantly reduce patient backlogs, shorten waiting times and bring life-saving treatment closer to communities outside Harare and Bulawayo.In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora confirmed that procurement was complete and that suppliers had already begun manufacturing the machines."We completed the procurement process, the Minister of Finance paid the deposit that was required that is 20 percent and the machines are already being manufactured," Dr Mombeshora said."Some of the machines, one of the companies that are supplying the low-energy machines, have already completed them."He said a team of specialists would travel to the manufacturing plants in early January for pre-shipment inspections before the equipment is delivered to Zimbabwe."Back home here, we have started the decommissioning process," Dr Mombeshora said. "One new machine will be installed at Mpilo and another at Parirenyatwa. The old machine at Mpilo is being moved to Gweru so we can establish a new cancer treatment centre there. We will start with the old machine as we build capacity."He added that the Parirenyatwa machine would either be moved to Chinhoyi or Masvingo."The next phase will also be the decommissioning of the equipment at Parirenyatwa, and we plan to either put it in Chinhoyi hospital or in Masvingo," he said. "I was suggesting Masvingo since there is a new medical school coming up there, maybe to help in training while treating patients."Treasury's Infrastructure Investment Programme said the deposits were part of a broader plan to improve diagnostic and treatment capacity in public hospitals."As part to improve health services through the procurement of new cancer diagnostic and treatment machines, a total of US$5,3 million has been paid as deposits to suppliers of medical equipment to enable the delivery and installation of the equipment," the report said.The equipment being procured includes Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, fusion pumps, syringe pumps, vital signs monitors, fluid warmers, gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, point-of-care blood gas analysers, chemistry analysers and video laryngoscopes, which will be distributed to Parirenyatwa, Mpilo, Sally Mugabe, United Bulawayo and Chitungwiza Central hospitals.The sugar tax, imposed on sugar-sweetened beverages to curb non-communicable diseases, has now been channelled into critical healthcare investments, with cancer treatment infrastructure identified as a top priority for last year's collections.An MRI machine uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce highly detailed images of organs, tissues and tumours, enabling accurate diagnosis of cancers and other serious conditions. Fusion and syringe pumps ensure precise delivery of medication and fluids, while vital signs monitors continuously track patients' key health indicators.Other equipment, such as gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers, allows for advanced laboratory analysis of blood, urine and tissue samples, while point-of-care blood gas analysers provide rapid results essential for emergency and intensive care settings. Video laryngoscopes improve safety during airway management, particularly in emergencies.For years, public sector cancer patients who could not afford private care have faced long waiting lists or costly travel to Harare and Bulawayo. Treatment in private facilities remains prohibitively expensive, with chemotherapy drugs costing between US$100 and US$1 000 per dose, radiotherapy ranging from US$5 000 to US$10 000 per course, and surgery costing up to US$10 000 depending on complexity.With many patients requiring multiple rounds of treatment, the expansion of public radiotherapy services is expected to bring significant relief to thousands of Zimbabweans living with cancer and to drastically improve treatment outcomes across the country. Shooting resumes after 4 months Dragon release to be pushed? Great news for Jr NTR fans! Although reports have been doing the rounds from last one month that Jr NTR would resume shooting for his upcoming film, Dragon (tentatively titled), things never took off. But according to the latest reports, the actor has resumed shooting for the action entertainer.Jr NTR and director Prashanth Neel temporarily halted the shooting around August, partially because of the actors injury. Jr NTR also reportedly requested script revisions and improvements, wanting to ensure the films success after War 2's lukewarm response. The actor believes that with script overhauls and potential re-shoots, they can meet the expectations of the fans and audiences. He wants to further elevate the script and his character arc, even if it means re-shooting some portions, demonstrating his dedication for the film. While Neel was revising the script, Jr NTR utilized the time to build a toned and ripped body thats needed for one of the shades in his character. With both the actor and director now convinced creatively on the script and are focused on creating a visually stunning epic, the films new schedule has resumed in Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad on Saturday.A source from the film unit informs, The makers commenced shooting an action episode featuring NTR and other support cast. The schedule is expected to continue till the end of the month. Initially, the film is slated for June 2026 release, but the unexpected 4 months delay has pushed the makers to lookout for alternate dates. According to sources, director Prashanth Neel is eyeing 2026 Dasara festive season. Moreover, with the film reportedly being made in two parts, Jr NTR wants to release the first instalment at the earliest. Based on the response, he will take a call on the second part. December 14 marks the tragic day when a mass shooting occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, United States. Twenty-year-old Adam Lanza killed 20 first graders and six educators before shooting himself. Its also on this day that Norwegian Roald Amundsen became the first explorer to reach the South Pole, beating Robert Falcon Scott, his British rival Twenty-seven wooden angel figures are seen placed in a wooded area beside a road near the Sandy Hook Elementary School for the victims of a school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, U.S. December 16, 2012. File image/Reuters On this day in 2012, a mentally ill man murdered 20 first graders between six and seven years old, and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary school, Newtown, Connecticut. The name of the murderer was Adam Lanza, who first killed his mother earlier that day, before turning a gun on himself, murdered school children and six employees. In this edition of Firstposts ongoing series of History Today, we recall the ghastly attack carried out at Sandy Hook Elementary school. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD History Today: When a ghastly Sandy Hook school shooting shook the United States Sandy Hook school shooting A mass shooting occurred 13 years ago on this day at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, United States. Adam Lanza, a 20-year-old, carried out the attack. Lanza was the perpetrator who killed 26 people, including 20 first graders and six school employees. This came as the second-deadliest mass shooting in the United States after a shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007, in which a gunman killed over 30 students and teachers before committing suicide. On December 14, after 9:30 am, Lanza began shooting through a plate-glass window, which was next to a locked entrance, to gain access to the school. After hearing an unusual noise, the school principal and school psychologist went to investigate, and they were shot dead by Lanza. The 20-year-old boy had a semiautomatic rifle, two semiautomatic pistols, etc. He shot and wounded two other Sandy Hook employees. Lanza managed to access the classroom where he shot down two teachers and 15 students in one room and two teachers and five students in the other room. The victims of Lanzas deadly shooting were 12 girls and eight boys, who were six-and seven-years-old. Once Lanza heard the polices arrival, he killed himself on the spot in a classroom around 9:40 am. During the investigation, police learned that the same morning, he had killed his 52-year-old mother at their home. The weapons Lanza used to kill innocents were by owned by his mother. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He acted alone in carrying out the attack, according to investigators; however, they could not determine the exact motive for his action. According to a report released by the Connecticut States Attorney, Lanza had significant mental health issues that affected his ability to live a normal life. After the deadly rampage, the then-President of the United States called for new gun-safety measures. Roald Amundsen becomes the first explorer to reach the South Pole Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen led a team of four others to become the first to reach the South Pole. Amundsen wanted to become the first to reach the North Pole; however, he changed his target to the South Pole after learning that the American Robert Peary had already achieved the feat. He kept his new plan secret. His ship departed Norway on 9 August, and Amundsen revealed his destination a month later. He took several attempts to reach the South Pole. Amundsens team reached the South Pole five weeks ahead of British explorer Robert Falcon Scotts Terra Nova Expedition. Amundsen and his team successfully made it back to their basecamp, while Scotts did not. After learning the news, Amundsen called it horrible." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies You might meet all the requirements, but still not get a US visa. The Trump administration is going to begin social media screening of H1-B applicants. The vetting policy might be extended to tourists from some nations as well. We tell you more in our weekly roundup The US plans to ask visitors to share five years of social media history to enter the country. This will likely be applicable to certain visa-waiver countries. Representational picture/Reuters How addicted are you to social media? What about the teens around you? Its a question everyone, including governments, is asking. Australia has prompted the world to think harder about the use of social media. On December 10, in a world first, millions of under-16 Australians were forced to go offline. They no longer have access to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit, among others. We have been tracking this story closely. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Talking of social media, what you post could decide whether you are eligible to enter the US. The Trump administration is going to start social media vetting of H-1B and H4 visa (spouse and dependent children of H1-B holders) seekers. Thats not all. Even tourists could be asked for their five-year social media history before entry. Trump does not want migrants, but if you are rich, you are welcome to the country. The Gold Card was officially launched, opening applications for individuals and corporations willing to invest $1 million or more. This visa programme is designed to attract top talent and generate billions for the US treasury. Taking a cue from the US, Mexico has launched its own tariff war. It has increased tariffs up to 50 per cent on imports from Asia, including India and China. As another year comes to an end, peace remains elusive, and more and more countries find themselves embroiled in wars. While the Ukraine peace plan faces its ups and downs, newer conflicts continue to unfold. The US is ramping up pressure on Venezuela. In a big move, it seized an oil tanker off the countrys coast and imposed fresh sanctions on six more ships said to be carrying Venezuelan crude. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another dispute has rekindled, that between Thailand and Cambodia. The fighting between the two nations intensified along the border, forcing thousands to flee. Amid this, Thailand has dissolved parliament, with a general election to be called within 45 to 60 days. We cover all this and more in our weekly roundup. 1. You cant live with it, you cant live without it. Thats the dilemma about social media. Now, in a bold move, Australia has become the first in the world to ban social media for under-16s. Children in the country cannot access 10 platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit. But what triggered the nation to take this big step? The tragic suicide of a teen, who was reportedly bullied online. 2. Australias social media has got other nations thinking. More and more nations are mulling a similar move. Denmark and Malaysia are introducing stricter restrictions for younger teens. What is Indias stance? We explain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A message that reads Let them be kids is projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark a law banning social media for users under 16 in Australia in Sydney, on December 10. Reuters 3. Ban or no ban, your presence on social media could impact your chances of working or travelling to the US. The State Departments new social media vetting policy has led to massive disruptions for H1-B visa applicants in India. Thats now all. The US may soon allow tourists entry after checking their five-year social media history. 4. Who does Donald Trump want in his country? Mostly immigrants who can afford the $1 million Gold Card. This visa programme enables wealthy foreign nationals to get permanent residency in the US. Which visas will this Gold Card replace? And how does this compare to the green card? This story answers all your questions. 5. Trump recently got a peace prize. Not the Nobel but the FIFA one. Even as the US president claims to end wars, he is triggering a conflict. Tensions with Venezuela are escalating, with Trump now targeting its oil sector. After seizing a tanker, the US announced sanctions on shipping companies and vessels, saying they help move Venezuelan oil. Heres what is going on. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US forces abseil onto an oil tanker during a raid described by 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. US Attorney General/Handout via Reuters 6. Yet another conflict has reignited. Cambodia and Thailand are clashing at the border, with Cambodia accusing the Thai military of continued shelling. This comes months after Trump brokered a peace deal between the two. The US president is stepping in once again, but nothing seems to stop the tension. Why are the two nations fighting? Boys hold Cambodia national flags as they wait to receive supplies at a refugee camp, amid clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Srei Snam, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, on December 12. Reuters 7. Donald Trump has had his reservations about Europe. Now, reports suggest that a radical idea might be shaping up a new Core 5 grouping that would include the US, China, Russia, India and Japan. Such an alliance would sideline the G7. The idea reportedly appeared in a longer, unpublished version of the National Security Strategy referenced by Defense One, a publication that talks about US defence and international security. But Politico, which reported about it, said it could not verify the existence of the document. Is Core 5 then just a diplomatic fantasy? An idea reportedly floating around in the power corridors of Washington is that of a Core 5 or C5 group with China, Russia, India, and Japan. File photo/Reuters 8. Last Sunday, Pakistans Karachi was gripped by unrest. Massive protests demanding a separate Sindhudesh turned violent. What started as a cultural celebration escalated to a clash spearheaded by Sindhi nationalists. But why do they want a separate State? We explain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thats all from us this week as far as world news goes. You can find more such explainers here. A couple from Mehsana and their three-year-old daughter were allegedly kidnapped in Libya while attempting to migrate to Portugal, with the abductors later demanding a Rs 2 crore ransom A couple from a village in the Mehsana district in Ahmedabad and their three-year-old daughter were allegedly taken hostage in Libya while travelling abroad, triggering concern among local authorities and relatives. Officials said the family were attempting to migrate to Portugal when they were abducted, and a ransom demand was later made. According to police, Kismatsinh Chavda, his wife Heenaben, and their daughter Devanshi were kidnapped in the North African country, which borders the Mediterranean Sea. The family belongs to Badalpura village in Mehsana and was travelling with the help of an agent based in Portugal, where Chavdas brother is settled, said Mehsana superintendent of police Himanshu Solanki. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Journey and alleged abduction Solanki said the family flew from Ahmedabad to Dubai on November 29 and was then taken to Benghazi City in Libya, where the alleged kidnapping took place. Chavdas brother is settled in Portugal, and he was travelling with the help of an agent based in Portugal. The family was travelling with the intention to settle there, and the agents involved in the case are not Indians, Solanki said. The kidnappers later contacted the familys relatives in Mehsana and demanded Rs 2 crore as ransom, the official added. Matter taken up with authorities Prajapati said Chavdas relatives approached him on Friday, following which he informed the state government and the Ministry of External Affairs about the incident. Sources aware of the development said that local MLA C J Chavda also raised the issue before the state and the Union government, reported the Times of India. The deportation process of Luthra Brothers, the owner of the Goa nightclub that was rocked by a deadly fire on December 6, killing 25 people, is almost complete The deportation process of Luthra Brothers, the owner of the Goa nightclub that was rocked by a deadly fire on December 6, killing 25 people, is almost complete. Top government sources told CNN-News18 that the brothers are most likely to be brought to India from Thailand in the next 24-48 hours. Hours after the tragic incident, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora, fled to Thailand. The Embassy of India in Bangkok then started the coordination process with the Thai authorities to hunt down the two brothers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The source told CNN-News18 that legal hurdles in the deportation process have cleared. The deportation of the Luthra brothers from Thailand is almost complete. All legal and procedural hurdles have been cleared," the source said. The bid to hunt the Luthra brothers During the investigation, the Thai authorities extended their complete cooperation and acted swiftly by cancelling the visas of the duo and detaining them. The officials are coordinating closely with Indian agencies to ensure smooth transfer," sources told News18. Meanwhile, a multi-agency Indian team, including investigative and immigration linked authorities, is actively monitoring every stage of the deportation. They dont want to avoid delays or legal complications," they said. The Goa police investigation revealed that the brothers had booked flight tickets to Thailand just as emergency teams were struggling to contain the fire and rescue those trapped inside. Officials noted that the flight booking was made through a travel portal at 1:17 am on December 7, while both the Goa Police and Fire Services were actively engaged in firefighting operations. In light of the situation, an Interpol Blue Notice was issued. It is a tool that legally authorises local police and immigration to locate, monitor, and present the individuals before a competent court. The Indian authorities eventually revoked their passports under Section 10A of the Passports Act. As a result of this, the Luthra brothers got stuck in Thailand. It is also important to note that Thailands Immigration Act B.E. 2522 mandates detention of foreigners without valid documents. Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh (retd) on Sunday said the Indian armed forces must remain prepared as Operation Sindoor 2.0 is inevitable, mainly because Pakistans military remains fixated on the Kashmir issue with support from China and Turkey.. Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh (retd) on Sunday said that the Indian armed forces must stay vigilant as Operation Sindoor 2.0 appears inevitable, citing Pakistans ongoing focus on the Kashmir issue with backing from China and Turkey. He described the ceasefire established during Operation Sindoor in May as fragile, pointing to repeated violations along the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistani forces. Singh also stressed the importance of strengthening Indias narrative-building capabilities, noting it as a key shortcoming observed during the earlier military operation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Singh, Director General of the New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), was addressing a gathering at the headquarters of the Indian Air Forces South Western Air Command (SWAC) near Gandhinagar, Gujarat. His address was part of the ninth edition of the Late Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (PVC) Annual Memorial Lecture, organised by the Air Force Association, Gujarat Branch. Operation Sindoor was not the end, but it was the beginning of new dynamics of escalation management. So, what are the chances of any future conflict with our adversary? The answer is yes. Operation Sindoor 2.0 is not merely a possibility; it is inevitable. The earlier we prepare for it, the better we are, said Singh. He added that the likelihood of another Operation Sindoor remains high as Pakistans military continues to remain fixated on the Kashmir issue, with backing from China and Turkiye. Singh, however, expressed confidence in the Indian governments ability to deal with future threats. One of the successes of Operation Sindoor was the doctrinal shift. It discarded restraint and exposed Pakistans weaknesses. For the first time since the 1971 war, a tri-service synergy was achieved. Political clarity translated into military precision, air defence innovation, and surprised global observers, said Singh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Sindoor was Indias swift, targeted military response in May 2025 to a major terrorist attack in Pahalgam, aiming to destroy terrorist infrastructure and launchpads inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Highlighting shortcomings, Singh said India was weak in international narrative management. Diplomatic missions were not briefed aggressively, and pro-India lobbies abroad remained under-utilised. Narrative warfare was not fully leveraged. This is a gap we cannot afford in the future, the retired Army officer said. He noted that Pakistani social media influencers flooded platforms such as TikTok, with amplification support from Chinese social media networks, and even targeted youth audiences in Bangladesh. Singh also pointed to intense cyber warfare during the four-day operation. Cyber attacks on India were heavy during the four days of Operation Sindoor, but our counter-offensive cyber operations were either not clearly articulated or we were not aware of them, he said. Singh said cyber attacks on government networks had surged sevenfold during the four-day period. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The power sector witnessed nearly two lakh cyber attacks, while the National Stock Exchange faced around 40 crore cyber attacks. Had any been successful, it could have triggered a financial crisis, he said. Singh emphasised that modern conflicts extend beyond land, sea and air, underscoring that multi-domain warfare is now a reality. We need coordinated information propagation during conflicts. On the information warfare front, Chinese media were deeply engaged in data analysis and crafting messages to amplify Indias fault lines, he said. He recommended codifying a national security strategy. India needs a well-documented national security strategy. We also need to reform intelligence and internal security, fast-track the integrated theatre command, raise defence spending by 3 per cent of the GDP, excluding pensions, and focus on outcome-based budgeting, not process-driven, the retired officer said. Singh also called for the creation of dedicated Cyber Warfare and Cognitive Warfare Commands, and stressed the need to overhaul Indias strategic communications. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We need to mend Indias strategic communication for better narrative building. Siloed messaging by agencies such as the MEA and MoD led to delayed rebuttals during the operation, which amplified Pakistans narrative. These things are equally important because they affect Indias overall image. Weak technology integration failed to counter viral claims about Indian jets. We must deploy AI for disinformation tracking and engage the 32 million-strong Indian diaspora as narrative amplifiers, Singh added. Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (retd), Director General of the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), spoke about the relevance of air power and the future of the Indian Air Force. He said Operation Sindoor was a strategic shift from restraint to deterrence by punishment. Claiming that Pakistans aggressive moves against India during the military conflict exposed collusion between China and Pakistan, Golani said China used the conflict to test its weapons. With inputs from agencies Borobudurs significance declined sharply, not only from volcanic damage but also due to the fall of its patron dynasty and the local populations conversion to Islam A few weeks ago, news reports mentioned that parts of a massive ash column from a volcanic explosion in faraway Ethiopia could be heading to Delhi. While the Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia had woken up from its dormancy after several thousand years and its ash had little impact on Indias capital, it did remind one of an active volcano that also witnessed an explosion in October. A volcano whose past is intertwined with that of iconic heritage in its vicinity! STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mount Merapi, on the Indonesian island of Java, has witnessed eruptions since prehistoric times. This part of central Java was also the heart of the Hindu-Buddhist kingdom of Mataram. From the culture of this kingdom came the volcanos name Meru meaning mountain in Sanskrit and Avi translating into fire in Javanese. Mount Merapi smoking after the 2010 eruption. Source: Wikipedia The kingdom flourished in the 8th11th century CE period, and witnessed the landscape being dotted with magnificent temples. The temples came up everywhere, on plains, near fields, on hills and even on the slopes of Merapi. Given the destructive potential of the volcano, perhaps the idea was to propitiate whichever gods controlled the explosions to stay calm. It didnt quite go according to plan! Mount Merapi continued to spew volcanic material at regular frequency, causing casualties and burying temples and dwellings. Historians have even found evidence that the course of the Opak River was changed via a public water project to ensure the volcanic ash it carried did not touch the precincts of the Prambanan Temple complex, which lay close to the original course. According to some scholars, a particularly violent explosion in Merapi in 928 CE did not just bury temples such as the Sambisari, Kedulan and others under ash; it triggered a shift in the kingdoms capital to eastern Java the following year. An even greater explosion in 1006 covered all of Java in volcanic ash and is said to have effectively brought the curtains down on the kingdom of Mataram. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The most iconic shrine built by this kingdom was Borobudur. The 8th-century Mahayana Buddhist shrine was built in a pyramid-shaped design. It comprises nine stacked platforms and is topped by a dome in the centre, making it resemble a stupa. Originally, it was embellished with nearly three thousand carved relief panels and over five hundred Buddha icons. Votive stupas on the terrace of Borobudur However, its location on Java an island along the notorious seismic movement-prone Ring of Fire and a mere forty kilometres from the ever-active Mount Merapi, ensured it was damaged repeatedly. If it wasnt being covered with Merapis volcanic ash, earthquakes were shaking it from below. Apart from suffering damage, the fall of its patron dynasty and conversion of much of the local population to Islam caused Borobudurs importance to decline sharply. A carved panel on the wall of Borobudur temple By the 14th century, the monument was largely hidden beneath volcanic ash, soil, and vegetation. Perhaps it was a result of the religious conversion, but the once revered shrine came to be associated with ill fortune and misery by the 15th century. To compound the issue, Mount Merapis eruptions began to happen more frequently from 1548. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By the 18th century, visiting the long-neglected monument was considered taboo. Accounts capture an incident in which the Crown Prince of the Yogyakarta Sultanate visited the shrine once and was reportedly taken ill and died a day later. Violent volcanic explosions in 1786, 1822, 1872, and 1930 blanketed the monuments terraces and intricate bas-reliefs even more. Mount Merapi had its own mythology. One recurring myth spoke of Merapi as a living entity expressing its displeasure or warning inhabitants through tremors and eruptions. Javanese cosmology spoke of the volcano as being part of a sacred axis that extended to the south of the Indian Ocean and held Merapi as forming the northern gateway. This set of beliefs also held that the mountain was the dwelling place of spirits who were both protective and destructive. Legends tell of Empu Ramayadi and Empu Permadi, sacred guardians of Merapis inner world, whose duties include maintaining the mountains balance. Strangely enough, the balance of protection and destruction found a manifestation on Borobudur itself. Centuries of ash and soil cover prevented erosion, vandalism, and environmental wear, contributing to Borobudurs remarkable preservation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It was only in the first decade of the 19th century that Borobudur was rediscovered by the Dutch. By this time, it was amidst dense forest, and it took over two hundred men to clear the vegetation. The monument had become structurally unstable, and progress was slow. It required extensive efforts to remove layers of volcanic deposits. It was fully unearthed only by 1835, first photographed in 1872, and its first detailed study published in 1873. Sadly, with its protective layers now gone and all imaginary taboos also lifted, Borobudur drew in looters. Some of it was also officially sanctioned a King of Siam took away an incredible eight cartloads of sculptures from here in 1896. Protection and Restoration were words that arrived in the 20th century, and some restoration was carried out by the Dutch in the 1906-11 period. But there was nothing they could do to alter Borobudurs location. The monument was soon in danger of collapse once more, and it was only in 1973 that a master plan to fully restore it was created. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Candi Sambisari - excavated out of the mound of volcanic ask it was buried in, which explains why it lies in a depression Australia, Belgium, Cyprus, France and Germany came together to contribute to the massive project, which involved dismantling over a million rocks and rebuilding the monument. The work also involved treating the rocks against damage by microorganisms and creating channels for drainage of water. It took years, but at the end, Borobudur stood proudly once more. The Buddhist community now celebrates the festival of Vaisak here. In 1991, it achieved Unesco World Heritage status and has been drawing in visitors in the millions. It also survived vandalism, graffiti and even a terror attack by an Islamist group. And of course, Mount Merapi remained nearby, spewing ash every now and then. It turned especially nasty in 2010, when a powerful eruption forced the temporary closure of Borobudur. A layer of ash coated the stupas, stone walkways, and upper terraces. Conservation teams undertook weeks of careful cleaning to prevent sulphuric ash from reacting with moisture and damaging the stone surface. The monument shone once more. In modern times, it seems Borobudur has learnt to live with the many moods of Mount Merapi, the destroyer and protector. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (The author is a heritage explorer with a penchant for seeking obscure sites. A brand consultant by profession, he tweets @HiddenHeritage. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Prime Minister Modis forthcoming visits to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman are important for a variety of strategic, economic, and diplomatic reasons and are aimed at advancing Indias national interests and enhancing its global standing Prime Minister Narendra Modis forthcoming three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman from December 15 to 18, 2025, will be significant for deepening strategic and economic cooperation, reinforcing long-standing partnerships, and expanding Indias diplomatic footprint in West Asia and Africa. These visits are part of his Link West Policy, which focuses on deepening engagement with West Asia, and the Africa Initiative, which is a comprehensive, multi-faceted foreign policy approach that centres on enhancing India-Africa relations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi is widely recognised for pursuing a proactive, dynamic, and pragmatic foreign policy that aims to elevate Indias global stature and advance its national economic and security interests. This proactive approach is characterised by high-profile diplomatic visits and building a personal rapport with world leaders. The visit to Jordan on December 15-16 at the invitation of King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, providing an opportunity to boost ties and explore new areas of collaboration in sectors such as renewable energy and information technology. Jordan is a stable and moderate voice in a volatile Middle East region, making it a crucial partner for Indias engagement in West Asia. Both nations share concerns about terrorism and cooperate on counter-terrorism efforts, with high-level discussions and agreements on defence and security cooperation. Jordan has consistently supported Indias bid for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council, and the two countries often align their positions in international forums like the World Trade Organisation. Jordan is also very important for India due to strong economic and commercial ties as well as significant cooperation in the fertiliser and textile sectors. India is Jordans fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at approximately $3 billion in 2023-24. Fertiliser and phosphate trade is a cornerstone of the economic relationship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India imports large quantities of phosphates, phosphoric acid, and potash from Jordan for its fertiliser industry. A major joint venture project, the Jordan-India Fertiliser Company (JIFCO) between IFFCO (India) and the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC), is a key investment worth over $860 million. Indian companies have invested considerably in Jordans textile sector. Many Indian-owned garment manufacturing units operate in Jordans Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZs), leveraging Jordans free trade agreements with the US and other countries for exports. India exports a wide range of goods to Jordan, including electrical machinery, cereals, frozen meat, organic and inorganic chemicals, and automotive parts. People-to-people and cultural ties with Jordan are also very important. There are around 17,500 Indian nationals living and working in Jordan, primarily in the textile, construction, and manufacturing sectors, contributing to both economies. The two countries have active educational and cultural exchange programmes. Jordan offers visa on arrival or e-Visas for Indian tourists, and direct flights have been established, boosting tourism and people-to-people contacts. India provides ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) slots and scholarships to Jordanian nationals to help with capacity building and professional development. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After Jordan, PM Modi will visit Ethiopia on December 16-17, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. Ethiopia is important for India due to their long-standing historical relations, significant economic partnership (including trade, investment, and development assistance), and strategic cooperation in areas like education, capacity building, and regional diplomacy. Ethiopia hosts the headquarters of the African Union (AU), making it a crucial diplomatic hub for Indias engagement with the entire African continent. In essence, Ethiopia serves as a vital anchor for Indias broader Africa outreach strategy, encompassing economic growth, capacity building, and geopolitical alignment. India is one of the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia, with over 600 companies involved in manufacturing, agriculture, floriculture, engineering, and pharmaceuticals. Bilateral trade has shown consistent growth, reaching $ 550.19 million, making India one of Ethiopias largest trading partners. India exports pharmaceuticals, steel, machinery, and textiles, while importing pulses, oilseeds, spices, and leather. Ethiopia has been the largest recipient of Indian concessional lines of credit in Africa, with over $1 billion committed to major projects in power transmission and the sugar industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Education has been a core element of the relationship. Thousands of Indian teachers and professors have worked in Ethiopian schools and universities for decades, contributing significantly to human capital development. India has provided numerous scholarships and technical training slots under the ITEC programme and the Pan-African e-Network project to Ethiopian students and professionals. In the final leg of the tour, PM Modi will visit the Sultanate of Oman at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. This will be his second visit to Oman and will mark 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Union Cabinet on Friday, December 11, approved the proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and Oman, clearing the way for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his visit to Oman. The two sides are expected to sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and review cooperation in areas like trade, investment, energy, defence, and technology. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Oman is important for India due to its strategic location, serving as a crucial pillar of Indias West Asia policy and an essential partner for energy security, defence cooperation, and economic ties. Oman is strategically located at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and controls the southeastern entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for a significant portion of the worlds oil shipments. This position is vital for Indias maritime security and energy trade interests. Oman is Indias closest defence partner in the Gulf region and the only country with which all three wings of Indias armed forces hold regular joint exercises (Army: Al Najah, Air Force: Eastern Bridge, Navy: Naseem Al Bahr). India has secured access to Omans strategically important Duqm Port for military use and logistical support, including using its dry dock for maintenance of Indian naval vessels. This enhances the Indian Navys operational reach in the Indian Ocean region and helps counter the influence of other powers like China. Both nations cooperate closely on ensuring maritime security, combating piracy, and protecting sea lanes of communication, which is crucial for Indias trade and energy shipments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Economic and commercial ties between India and Oman are also very important. India is one of Omans top trading partners. Bilateral trade reached approximately $10.61 billion in the financial year 2024-2025. Oman is a significant and reliable source for Indias energy requirements, including crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. There are over 6,000 Indo-Oman joint ventures in Oman with an estimated total investment of over $7.5 billion. The Oman-India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) facilitates strategic investments in India. Omans ports (Duqm, Sohar, and Salalah) are important logistics hubs. India has an interest in developing these ports, and an undersea gas pipeline project (Sage) from Oman to India has been under consideration as an alternative energy route. The two countries have signed an MoU to link their payment systems (Indias UPI is proposed to link with Omans mobile wallet app, Thawani), facilitating digital transactions. The large Indian expatriate community in Oman (around 700,000 people) serves as a living bridge between the two nations, contributing significantly to the Omani economy and society. The Omani government have long acknowledged their role. The deep socio-cultural bonds are rooted in millennia-old maritime trade routes and historical people-to-people exchanges. There are old Hindu temples and other religious structures in Oman that have been permitted for decades. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Summing up, PM Modis forthcoming visits to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman are important for a variety of strategic, economic, and diplomatic reasons and are aimed at advancing Indias national interests and enhancing its global standing. Summit-level visits serve as a crucial mechanism to foster closer ties, mutual understanding, and solidarity with partner nations. These interactions allow leaders to build personal rapport, which can facilitate smoother diplomatic and economic cooperation, even amidst geopolitical tensions. Ultimately, these foreign visits are considered an essential component of an active and pragmatic foreign policy designed to position India as a key player and a reliable partner in an increasingly multipolar world. (The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) The US new security strategy is unsurprisingly reflective of President Trumps personality. It is inward-looking and geopolitically transactional, where it lays the national economic strategy as primary and being the leader of the free world as secondary US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. Reuters File Last week the United States released its new National Security Strategy (NSS). A document that lists the various national security concerns and is typically released once per presidential term, aiming to serve as a formal communication of the governments foreign policy agenda. The Biden administration had its own NSS document, which focused on multilateral frameworks based on its worldview centred around a values-focused foreign policy. Whereas the Trump NSS vision is completely divergent, outlining new threat priorities, acquiring strategic assets, limiting military engagements and expanding commercial interests, including securing critical supply chains. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The recalibration is not just indicative of Trumps economic agenda but also of how the US sees itself, as well as its rivals such as China, leading to implications for India in the long term. Recalibrating the China Ties The NSS is unsurprisingly reflective of President Trumps personality. It is inward-looking and geopolitically transactional, where it lays the national economic strategy as primary and being the leader of the free world as secondary. The Biden NSS of 2022 divided the world into autocracies vs democracies. Ideology was core to the NSS, with insecure supply chains and military competition vis-a-vis China and the dangers of Russia at the heart of it. However, the new strategy does not hinge on ideology, and instead the strategy gives weight to encouraging domestic production, military superiority and technological dominance. It marks an important turn, especially in the US view on China and Russia. For decades, the US had cast Beijing as the single most important threat economically and militarily. Chinas regime and expansionist agenda are at the core of this view. However, the new document reframes the relationship in terms of only economic competition and scales back on its previous rhetoric as an imminent military threat. The great-power confrontation narrative has been replaced by one that seeks to leverage in an economically competitive and interdependent world. The NSS also showcases an inward-looking agenda for the Trump administration, putting the pressure on domestic renewal, American job protection and restoration of industrial strength. The strategy calls for rebalancing Americas economic relationship without any external containment focus. Though the NSS still acknowledges the tensions in the Indo-Pacific, it speaks largely of rebalance rather than confrontation. Implications for India For India, economically, the US attempt to diversify supply chains away from China could be beneficial, especially in areas such as AI, semiconductors and clean energy. But militarily, the tightening of the US posture in the Indo-Pacific might push India and other allies to redefine their own strategy, as the US does not see confrontation as inevitable. To navigate the new transactional and mutually beneficial US-China relationship, India will have to become agile in its dealings, albeit with its own national interest at the centre of its foreign policy. The updated NSS sharpens Washingtons expectations of its partners. The document leans heavily on the idea of shared responsibility, making it clear that allies and strategic friends must shoulder a larger role in securing their regions, protecting maritime routes, safeguarding sensitive technologies, and investing in collaborative defence ecosystems. India therefore becomes a centre point in the Indo-Pacific as the US strategically calculates its relationship. Therefore, the new NSS has framed its partnerships, including with India, as mutually beneficial arrangements grounded in concrete contributions and shared interests, not as components of a values-driven coalition. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another surprising feature of the US NSS is the limited attention it gives to Russia. Unlike the Biden NSS in 2022, where Russia was labelled as an acute threat. Trumps NSS seems to have downgraded the threat. Another ideological recalibration. For years the US framed Russia as a revisionist power and a challenge to Europes security. But in the new NSS, Russia is neither described as a major threat, nor does it even attempt to offer a long-term vision for a transatlantic relationship. Maybe the document is attempting to ignore Russia. The reasons for this could be many, including the US belief that Russias war with Ukraine has drained it economically and it stands isolated in the international community. The new NSS implies that Russia is structurally too weakened to shape the global order or threaten American primacy. As for Europe, the US also indicated that the EU must be responsible for its own security. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the light of the recent visit of President Putin to India, the US recalibration of Russia makes one point clear New Delhi does not need to worry about its proximity to Moscow. India, by inviting President Putin, made its foreign policy clear by putting its national interests first and for the world to see, with many analysts debating the western reaction to Indias strategic autonomy. But as the US, through its NSS, has done the same, it is less likely that Washington can or should point a finger at India or pressurise it in any way. This gives India more strategic room to manage its Russia relationship on its own terms. On the other hand, India must prepare for a world in which Russia becomes increasingly dependent on China a trend accelerated if the U.S. stops treating Moscow as a geopolitical priority. A Russia more tightly aligned with Beijing complicates Indias continental security environment and narrows Indias diplomatic space. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The new NSS may downgrade Russia, but India cannot. For New Delhi, Moscow remains both a legacy partner and a strategic variable one whose trajectory will deeply shape the balance of power in Eurasia. Conclusion It is clear that the Trump NSS is far more transactional than any US NSS before. This is a decisive shift from any doctrine before. The US posturing of being the principle architect of global stability and primary upholder of democracy across the world has been put on the backburner, and the recalibration of relationships is an indicator of the same. By reframing China and Russia, the US has also followed a policy of strategic engagement. For India, there are likely to be new pressures but also room for strategic manoeuvrability. While it expects India to contribute in the Indo-Pacific materially, it also loses its moral right, at the very least, to criticise India for its strategic autonomy. While it might be early to say that the new NSS formalises a multipolar world, it is clear that its priorities have changed. If India navigates this new realism with dexterity, the US new reframing of China and Russia ties can become an opportunity for India to shape global balance in the near future. (Rami Niranjan Desai is an anthropologist and a scholar of the northeast region of India. She is a columnist and author and presently a Distinguished Fellow at the India Foundation, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Firstpost.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD News / National by Staff reporter In some ways, the most significant crime story of 2025 was rooted firmly in the previous year. As the new year began, Bulawayo was still gripped by the aftershocks of the Ecobank heist of October 2024, a brazen daylight robbery in which US$4 million was stolen and which would continue to dominate public imagination well into 2025.The robbery, believed to be the largest bank heist in Zimbabwe's history, refused to fade from public memory. Its scale, precision and audacity raised unsettling questions that lingered for months: who were the men behind the operation, did they have inside assistance, where did the money go and how were the proceeds being spent?For much of 2025, law enforcement agencies in Zimbabwe and South Africa worked to answer some of these questions. A major breakthrough came in July when police arrested brothers Elijah and Abraham Vumbunu collectively known as the "Terror Twins" bringing fresh momentum to a case that had threatened to slip into legend.The brothers, along with their sibling Tonderai, were already notorious to police. Elijah had previously been listed among Zimbabwe's seven most wanted criminals. According to investigators, the Vumbunus were originally from Mzilikazi in Bulawayo but were based largely in South Africa, crossing into Zimbabwe to carry out armed robberies."The due processes of the law are now taking effect for the suspects' extradition to Zimbabwe. Police are still pursuing the arrest of other suspects who are linked to this case," national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said at the time.After executing the Ecobank robbery in just 149 seconds, the Vumbunu brothers were finally returned to Zimbabwe to face justice. Their arrest brought relief not only in Bulawayo, but also in Harare and Johannesburg, where their alleged criminal activities had spread fear for more than a decade.Yet the Vumbunu name would again resurface later in the year. In October, police revealed that another family member, Sekai Vumbunu, had allegedly embarked on her own crime spree, this time targeting the city's illicit forex underworld.Acting with an accomplice, Florence Chisiri, Sekai allegedly orchestrated a series of robberies amounting to US$36 000. Investigators said the pair, both known illegal money changers, staged an early-morning raid at Nkolozi Investments, a bureau de change operating from the CIPF Building. Posing as clients, they allegedly fled with US$18 000 and R151 000.The pair's undoing came on August 10, after a robbery at the corner of Fife Street and 12th Avenue, where a restaurant patron was allegedly stripped of US$4 000 and R60 000. A police pursuit through Mbundane and Nketa 6 led to the arrest of two alleged accomplices, Nehemiah Dladla (38) and Simon Dube (28), which in turn led investigators to Sekai and Chisiri.The arrests reignited debate over how deeply crime may have run within the Vumbunu family, with some of the Terror Twins' close relatives having previously been linked to criminal activities.Beyond headline-grabbing robberies, 2025 also marked the emergence of a new and terrifying trend in Bulawayo: the rise of machete-wielding gangs on urban streets. Once associated mainly with violent disputes in illegal mining areas, machetes became weapons of choice in city neighbourhoods.A trio Leeroy Sibanda (19) of Mzilikazi, Nkosilathi Dhlamini (25) of Nkulumane and Ntandoyenkosi Nyoni (35) of Cowdray Park terrorised residents by ambushing victims along bushy footpaths and isolated areas. Armed with machetes, axes and knives, they robbed people of cash, clothing and personal belongings, leaving entire communities paralysed by fear.At the height of their spree, the group became infamously known as the "Machete Gang". Their reign ended after police caught up with them in Entumbane, leading to a combined prison sentence of 72 years."The accused persons terrorised Entumbane residents to the extent that they became known as the machete gang'. They deserve a lengthy custodial sentence, which should serve as a warning to other such gangs," the presiding magistrate said during sentencing.As in previous years, Bulawayo also saw its share of Hollywood-style armed robberies. One such incident unfolded on May 11 at the corner of Robert Mugabe Way and 10th Avenue, where two armed men reportedly bundled staff at Crystal Lounge into a room, locked them inside and made off with US$4 300. To delay detection, the robbers locked the premises from outside, creating the impression that the club, which includes Zarah Lounge, had not yet opened.The dramatic robbery triggered a citywide police operation that stretched into the afternoon, underscoring the continued challenge of gun-related crime in Bulawayo.As 2025 draws to a close, the year will be remembered as one in which old crimes finally caught up with their perpetrators, even as new and frightening patterns of criminality emerged a reminder that the battle for public safety remains far from over. Six United Nations peacekeepers from Bangladesh were killed on Saturday in a drone strike on Sudans southern Kordofan region, the UN mission said, with Dhaka sharply condemning the attack. The Sudanese flag flutters in Omdurman, part of greater Khartoum on December 13, 2025. AFP Six United Nations peacekeepers from Bangladesh were killed on Saturday in a drone strike on Sudans 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Attacks as the one today in South Kordofan against peacekeepers are unjustifiable. There will need to be accountability, he said in a statement. 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. Dhakas 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 citys 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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 armys last stronghold in Sudans 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Analysts say the RSF seek to punch through the armys 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 UNs World Health Organization. Sudans war has so far killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and resulted in one of the worlds 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. Australian police responded to a developing shooting incident at Sydneys Bondi Beach, with one suspect shot and another arrested. This screen grab made from UGC handout video footage courtesy of Timothy Brant-Coles shows two gunmen dressed in black firing multiple shots on a bridge at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025. At least 10 people were killed after two men opened fire near Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, triggering an emergency response and public safety warnings, police said. In a statement on X, police confirmed that one of the dead was a man believed to be one of the shooters, while the second alleged gunman is in critical condition. Authorities said 11 others were injured in the attack, including two police officers, as the situation continued to unfold. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD People in Bondi reported hearing up to 50 gunshots, with individuals seen on the ground in the vicinity of Campbell Parade. A man believed to be one of the shooters was shot by police. A video surfaced on X that appeared to show people fleeing across Bondi Beach as the sound of multiple gunshots and police sirens rang out. Bondi beach pic.twitter.com/pQBo5EbCiw Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) December 14, 2025 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the incident and said, shocking and distressing. Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected, Albanese said in a statement shared by his office. I urge people in the vicinity to follow information from the (New South Wales) Police, he said. Police issue shelter warning Police urged members of the public to avoid the area and advised anyone already at the scene to take shelter. Australian police confirmed the situation was ongoing as they responded to what they described as a developing incident. Police are responding to a developing incident at Bondi Beach and are urging the public to AVOID the area. Anyone at the scene should take shelter, New South Wales police said in a statement on social media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD British Prime Minister Keir Starmer took to X to express his condolences. He wrote, Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi beach. Im being kept updated on the developing situation. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the shooting in Sydney, describing it as a cruel attack on Jews and urging Australian authorities to intensify efforts to combat antisemitism. At these very moments, our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews, said Herzog in a speech at an event in Jerusalem, where he called on Australia to fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned Sundays shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach that killed at least 12 people, saying it rejected all forms of violence and terrorism. The ministry said it reiterates its firm rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism and extremism, which contradict humanitarian values, expressing in a statement its full solidarity with friendly Australia. Australia recognised a Palestinian state in September alongside Britain and Canada in a historic shift in decades of Western foreign policy. At least nine people were killed in the attack, while six others were injured A health worker moves a stretcher after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025. Australian police said two people were in custody following reports of multiple gunshots on December 14 at Sydney's famed Bondi Beach, urging the public to take shelter. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) A dramatic video circulating online shows a fast-acting bystander overpowering an active shooter during a deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday. Authorities in New South Wales have confirmed that two people are currently in police custody, with reports suggesting roughly 30 shots were fired in the area. Watch the video here: Disclaimer: The video contains disturbing visuals. Viewer discretion is advised. Confronting footage has emerged from the horror at Bondi of a civilian appearing to wrestle a gun from a gunman. Follow live: https://t.co/77XSIZ0bhQ pic.twitter.com/ZXDxETKjui The Australian (@australian) December 14, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CNN reported that at least nine people were killed in the attack, while six others were injured. At around 7 pm on Sunday, officials took to X to flag a developing incident at Bondi, urging members of the public to stay away from the area. Anyone at the scene should take shelter, NSW police said. Police are on scene and more information will be provided when it comes to hand, The Mirror reported. In a subsequent update, authorities said: We are still asking people in the area to take shelter until we can determine what is happening. We have media officer en route to scene, more information when confirmed. Eyewitnesses described hearing repeated gunshots, and videos from the scene appear to show suspects firing weapons before being taken into custody by police. The shooting reportedly took place near a Hanukkah celebration (a Jewish festival, also known as the Festival of Lights), though officials have stressed that no link between the event and the attack has been established. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that he has been briefed as the situation continues to unfold. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Footage shared on social media shows what appear to be two suspects being restrained by police, while one civilian is seen kicking one of the detained individuals in the head. Another witness claimed to have seen thousands of people fleeing the beach in panic. Amid online speculation, NSW police issued a clarification, saying: There have been NO reports of any incidents at Dover Heights - please do NOT share unconfirmed rumors. A Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach turned deadly on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire on a crowd of around 1,0002,000 people, killing at least 12 and injuring several others. Twelve people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday event at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian officials said. Following are comments from world leaders in the wake of the deadly shooting: ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage. SUSSAN LEY, OPPOSITION LEADER OF AUSTRALIA Australians are in deep mourning tonight, with hateful violence striking at the heart of an iconic Australian community, a place we all know so well and love, Bondi. KEIR STARMER, UK PRIME MINISTER Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach. CHRISTOPHER LUXON, PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, were family. I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day. My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected. GIDEON SAAR, FOREIGN MINISTER OF ISRAEL Im appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of Globalise the Intifada that were realized today. URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT Shocked by the tragic attack at Bondi Beach. I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred. JONAS GAHR STOERE, PRIME MINISTER OF NORWAY: I am shocked by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, during a Jewish Hanukkah event. I condemn this despicable act of terror in the strongest possible terms. My deepest condolences to all those affected by todays tragic attack. ULF KRISTERSSONM PRIME MINISTER OF SWEDEN: Appalled by the attack in Sydney, targeted against the Jewish community. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Together, we must fight the spread of antisemitism. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux, Compiled by Christine Chen in Sydney. - AFP A Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday turned deadly when two gunmen dressed in black opened fire on a crowd of around 1,0002,000 attendees, killing at least 12 people and injuring several others, according to local media reports. New South Wales Police confirmed that two suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the attack. One of the gunmen was killed in a shootout with officers, while the second shooter was wounded and arrested. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 50 shots were fired, causing panic along the beachfront as people fled or sought shelter indoors. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Sundays deadly shooting at a Jewish holiday celebration in Sydney and said he had warned his Australian counterpart that the countrys support for Palestinian statehood would fuel antisemitism. Prime Minister and international leaders respond Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the scenes at Bondi as shocking and distressing and said: Police and emergency responders are on the ground working to save lives. My thoughts are with every person affected. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack as vile, adding: Our sisters and brothers in Sydney, Australia, have been attacked by vile terrorists in a very cruel attack on Jews who went to light the first candle of Chanukah on Bondi BeachOur hearts go out to them. The heart of the entire nation of Israel misses a beat at this very moment. As we pray for the recovery of the wounded, we pray for them and we pray for those who lost their lives. We send our warmest strength from Jerusalem. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack, calling it a ghastly terrorist attack targeting people celebrating the first day of Hanukkah. He wrote on X: Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Suspect identified and terror investigation underway One of the gunmen has been identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram, who lived in Bonnyrigg. Australian authorities are investigating a possible terror angle, examining his immigration status, family background, and overseas links. Akram was a student at the Al-Murad Institute in Heckenberg, New South Wales, which teaches Arabic and the Quran. Authorities have carried out raids at his residence to check for signs of online radicalisation, including extremist material and Gaza-linked narratives. Security assessments indicate that Bonnyrigg and surrounding south-west Sydney suburbs have previously been mapped in counter-terrorism exercises due to past radicalisation cases, concerns over extremist returnees, and online extremist activity. Residents have been urged to avoid the area as the zone remains under lockdown while the security operation continues. NSW Police posted on X: The police operation is ongoing and we continue to urge people to avoid the area Anyone at the scene should take shelter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chilling footage circulating on social media captured one of the shooters firing on a bridge at Bondi Beach, with bystanders shouting, They are shooting, get down, get down. Other videos showed chaos as crowds scattered and emergency personnel rushed to treat the injured. One viral clip showed an unarmed bystander confronting and overpowering a shooter. Possible ideological motives Intelligence assessments suggest the attack targeted a religious and cultural gathering, giving it symbolic value and high visibility. Investigators are exploring whether the shooters deliberately chose a Jewish event to spread fear or advance ideological motives. The attack bears hallmarks of a terrorist or ideologically motivated assault, including the choice of a Hanukkah celebration, coordinated attire, two attackers, and sustained high-volume gunfire. Authorities are examining digital footprints, overseas links, and radicalisation indicators. Rising antisemitism and warnings ignored The Executive Council of Australian Jewry reported 1,654 anti-Jewish incidents in the 12 months to 1 October, recorded by volunteer Community Security Groups and official Jewish bodies. Israeli leaders criticised Australian authorities for ignoring warnings. Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli wrote on X: A government that normalised boycotts against Jews solely because they are Jewish, normalised marches in which flags of Al-Qaeda, the PLO, and Hamas were openly displayed, and for two years failed to act decisively against serious antisemitic incidents, bears full responsibility for the horrific scenes we witnessed today. Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel called the attack an abomination on X, adding: Many Jews are dead or injured. How many times did I warn Australian governments that a mass casualty terror attack is inevitable if the government didnt do more? Nine people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at Sydneys Bondi Beach during a Jewish religious celebration today Naveed Akram has been identified as one of the shooters Authorities have identified one of the shooters who targeted civilians on Sunday at Sydneys Bondi Beach. Police confirmed the suspect is 24-year-old Naveed Akram from Bonnyrigg in Sydneys southwest, as reported by Daily Mail. An official, speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on condition of anonymity, said that police are raiding Akrams home in Bonnyrigg. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Authorities have launched a large-scale police and ambulance operation at the iconic beach. What happened at Bondi beach? New South Wales Police responded around 6:45 pm AEDT to reports of an active shooter at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Footage from the scene shows two men firing from a bridge into a crowd. ABC reporter Sean Tarek Goodwin spoke to a witness who saw the shooters, dressed in black, standing on a small footbridge near the Bondi playground car park. He said they mowed down people gathered at the park and described the shooting as lasting about 10 minuteabsolute hell on Earth. NSW Police confirmed that twelve people, including one shooter, were killed. A second shooter is now in police custody, though his condition is unknown. Twenty-nine others, including two police officers, were injured. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Photo: Suspect Naveed Akrams alleged driving license doing the rounds on social media. (X) The two officers are in a serious, verging on critical condition and are currently in surgery, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. NSW Ambulance has transported patients to multiple hospitals, including St Vincents, Royal Prince Alfred, St George, Royal North Shore, Westmead, Sydney Childrens Hospital, and Prince of Wales. The attack took place at the northern end of Bondi Beach, near Bondi Park playground, where a Hanukkah event called Chanukah by the Sea was underway. Police located a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) on Campbell Parade, which the bomb squad is handling. Authorities have warned the public to avoid Bondi Beach. Assault on the Jewish community NSW Premier Chris Minns called the shooting a targeted attack on the Jewish community, and Commissioner Lanyon declared it a terrorist incident. As a result of the circumstances of the incident tonight, at 9:36pm this evening, I declared this to be a terrorist incident, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Peter Wertheim from the Australian Council of Australian Jewry said there were thousands at the event and he believed it was targeted. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his solidarity, calling it a ghastly terrorist attack on X. Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2025 Israeli President Isaac Herzog also took to X and wrote, Our heart goes out to them. Our heart misses a beat. The entire nation of Israel misses a beat in this very moment as we pray for the recovery of the wounded and we pray for those who lost their lives. We send our warmest strength from here, from Jerusalem, and we repeat our words, time and again, to the Australian government, to take action to fight against the enormous wave of antisemitism which is plaguing Australian society. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Two gunmen opened fire, killing at least 12 people and injuring many others celebrating the Hanukkah festival This screen grab of UGC video taken on December 14, 2025 and received courtesy of Mike Ortiz shows beach-goers fleeing Bondi Beach after gunmen opened fire, in Sydney on December 14, 2025. (AFP) Among the dozens wounded in Sundays mass shooting at Bondi Beach was a man who once survived the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, and had recently moved to the country. With his face bloodied and wrapped in bandages, he said he never thought he would see such violence in Australia. Calling the shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach a bloodbath and an absolute massacre, he told 9News, I was here with my family, it was a Hanukkah celebration, there were hundreds of people, there were children, there were elderly, families enjoying themselves. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Two gunmen opened fire, killing at least 12 people and injuring many others. Children, kids at a festival, playing and then all of a sudden its absolute chaos. Theres gunfire, everywhere, people ducking, it was absolute chaos. We didnt know what was happening, where the gunfire was coming from, he said. The unidentified man said he had spent 13 years living in Israel and had survived the October 7 attacks there. He added that he arrived in Australia two weeks ago to work with the Jewish community, to fight antisemitism, to fight this bloodthirsty hatred. Authorities have confirmed that emergency services rushed to the scene as soon as reports of gunfire came in. Police quickly cordoned off the area, detained suspects, and urged the public to avoid Bondi Beach as investigations continued. Disclaimer: The video contains disturbing visuals. Viewer discretion is advised. Mass shooting at Bondi Beach, in Australia targeting Jewish Chanukkah event, declared terrorist incident. Here is brave civilian saving countless innocent lives by disarming one of the terrorists pic.twitter.com/ghAhluYiD6 Mario (@PawlowskiMario) December 14, 2025 Suspect identified as Naveed Akram Authorities have identified one of the shooters as Naveed Akram (24) from Bonnyrigg in Sydneys southwest, as reported by Daily Mail. An official, speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on condition of anonymity, said that police are raiding Akrams home in Bonnyrigg. The attack has drawn international condemnation, with leaders around the world expressing shock and solidarity with the victims and their families. In Israel, officials decried the violence, with one leader saying that Jewish communities everywhere must be protected during times of celebration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Among the injured, medics reported that one individual is in critical condition, six are critical but stable, and two sustained less severe injuries Police officers remain on the scene of a shooting that killed two and wounded at least eight at Brown University on December 13, 2025 in Providence, Rhode Island. (AFP) Police have detained a person of interest in connection with the shooting at Brown University in the US that killed two people, according to a BBC report. Nine others were injured when a gunman opened fire on the Providence campus on Saturday. On Sunday, authorities confirmed the detention and lifted an earlier order for people on the Brown campus and nearby areas to shelter in place. Among the injured, medics reported that one individual is in critical condition, six are critical but stable, and two sustained less severe injuries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials said the gunman opened fire in a classroom at the Holley Engineering building on the eastern end of Browns campus at around 4:00 pm local time (21:00 GMT) on Saturday. While the identities of the victims have not yet been released, Brown University President Christina Paxson told reporters that all those killed or injured were students. More from World 2 killed, 8 critically injured in shooting incident at Brown University, suspect is still at large Earlier, police had released CCTV footage showing a male suspect dressed entirely in black walking away from the scene. Officers added that a firearm was not recovered during a sweep of the building. Help find this Person of Interest. If you have any information, please call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or https://t.co/iL7sD5efWD. pic.twitter.com/AkFDVtOCmw FBI (@FBI) December 14, 2025 Students, faculty, and families are grappling with fresh tragedy, yet for two survivors of the latest attack, the horror is painfully familiar. Brown sophomores Mia Tretta and Zoe Weissman not only endured this campus shooting, which left two dead and nine wounded, but they had also survived previous school shootings earlier in their lives. Weissman, 20, was sheltering in her dorm room at the time, as reported by the Guardian. She had been just 12 years old when she witnessed the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It was an attack that killed 17 people. Its crazy, Weissman told the Guardian, recalling how immediately upon hearing about the Brown shooting she felt herself transported back to her childhood experience in Parkland. This just feels exactly like how I felt in 2018. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tretta, 21, has her own painful history with gun violence. She was shot in the abdomen during the 2019 Saugus High School shooting in California, where two of her classmates, including her best friend, were killed. Both students expressed deep frustration and sorrow at having to relive such a moment, especially in a space they believed to be safe. The row unfolds amid growing environmental and ethical unease over the former presidents dismantling of climate safeguards and his unabashed push for fossil fuel interests A fresh political storm is brewing in Capitol Hill after top Democratic lawmakers called for a formal investigation into a series of multi-million-dollar stock purchases by wealthy energy executives with close ties to President Donald Trumps administration. The controversy comes as environmental and ethical concerns mount over the former presidents rollback of climate protections and aggressive support for fossil fuel interests, as reported by the Guardian. Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland on Saturday urged authorities to look into share purchases made earlier this year by Robert Pender and Michael Sabel, co-chairs of LNG company Venture Global. Each reportedly bought nearly $12 million in company stock shortly after meeting with senior Trump administration officials, followed by a key regulatory approval that boosted their companys liquefied natural gas export business. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wyden didnt hold back, describing the timing of the trades as suspicious and drawing parallels to past ethics controversies under Trump. This latest sequence of events has all the hallmarks of pay-to-play politics, he told the Guardian, asserting that the American people deserve clarity on whether public office has been used to benefit private fortunes. Van Hollen echoed those concerns, telling the Guardian that the transactions deserve scrutiny to ensure that government decisions arent being tailored to reward well-connected billionaires at the expense of average Americans. Both senators comments follow similar calls from Senator Jeff Merkley, who earlier this week urged an insider-trading inquiry. The White House and the energy executives deny any wrongdoing. A Venture Global spokesperson cited by the Guardian stated that all stock purchases complied with existing laws and regulations, and the administration insists its actions were lawful. The episode has put a spotlight on broader tensions in US energy policy. Critics say Trumps deregulatory agenda, including weakening environmental safeguards and promoting fossil fuel exports, has benefited powerful industry players while sidelining clean energy efforts. Supporters argue these moves boost American energy competitiveness. With energy costs and climate concerns rising nationwide, the debate shows no signs of cooling. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, June 15, in Tehran. Reuters Executed Iranian nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi confessed to spying for Israel after Irans draconian regime threatened his mother. The revelation was made by one of the relatives of the scientist in a conversation with Iran International. Vahid Razavi, a member of the Vadi family, told the outlet that the Rouzebh was detained following a work dispute a year and a half ago. The relative also recalled how Vadi was tortured by the authorities while he was detained. 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. He claimed that the Iranian interrogators photographed his mother and showed the images to him to extract a confession. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Iran International, the Iranian court claimed Vadi was convicted after he transferred classified information about one of the scientists killed in the June attacks to Mossad. The forced confession The relative noted that the Iranian interrogators forced Vadi to confess to his association with the Israeli officials. His confession was eventually read out by the authorities in a televised address. While recalling the harrowing details, Razavi pointed out how the Iranian officers constantly threatened to torture the detained scientists 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. The entry and exit of nuclear material into the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) and Fuel Manufacturing Plant (FMP) were very important to them, he furthered. It is pertinent to note that Vadi holds a PhD in nuclear engineering from Amir Kabir University of Technology. While his confession was televised, a voiceover in the video said that Vadi met Mossad agents five times while he was in Vienna. He 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. News / National by Staff reporter The co-option of Presidential Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara into the Zanu-PF Central Committee for Manicaland province will be formally addressed at the party's next Politburo meeting, party secretary for Information and Publicity Christopher Mutsvangwa said yesterday.Dr Tungwarara was recently recommended for co-option by the Zanu-PF Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee. He is expected to fill the vacancy left by Dorothy Mabika, who stepped down earlier this year and was later elected chairlady of the Manicaland Women's League.The nomination was proposed by provincial Youth League member Victoria Saunyama and seconded by Makoni District Coordinating Committee chairman Kudzi Chipanga. Dr Tungwarara has accepted the recommendation and pledged to support the party's initiatives in the province.Speaking at a press briefing in Harare, Mutsvangwa sought to clarify reports of confusion regarding Central Committee nominations in Manicaland."The correct position is that the party takes serious respect for the deliberations of the provincial leadership of Manicaland," he said, noting that the province is the country's second-most populous after Harare.He added that the Politburo would resolve any perceived uncertainties in the same manner previously applied to Harare province."For anyone who has anxieties about what is going on, hold your gun; the Politburo will meet, and the matter will be considered. A final decision will be delivered on the Central Committee nomination for Manicaland," Mutsvangwa said. Four Syrian security forces killed in Idlib attack as US-Syria tensions rise following deadly Palmyra assault on American soldiers. Four members of Syrias security forces were shot dead in the countrys northwest on Sunday, state media reported. According to the interior ministry statement, the victims belonged to the road security department of the interior ministry. Their patrol was attacked while on duty along the Maaret al-Numan road in Idlib province, leaving a fifth officer wounded. The state-run SANA news agency said gunmen opened fire on the security personnel, though neither the ministry nor SANA identified the assailants. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Idlib had previously been a stronghold for rebel and jihadist factions, including foreign fighters, before Islamist-led forces ousted longtime President Bashar al-Assad in a rapid offensive last December. The attack comes a day after an assault on a joint US-Syrian patrol in Palmyra, central Syria killed two American soldiers and a translator. US President Donald Trump called the incident an ISIS attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, using another term for the Islamic State group (IS), and vowed very serious retaliation. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani called the Saturday attack a new challenge in the fight against terrorism. Syrias new authorities are trying to stabilise the country after over a decade of civil war. Following Saturdays attack, authorities launched an operation against IS group cells across the Homs province, where Palmyra is located. A US-led coalition has at times carried out strikes on the Idlib region, usually saying it is targeting IS officials. With inputs from agencies Israel described Saed as a key figure within Hamas, one of the planners of the deadly October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel that helped trigger the war, and said he was involved in rebuilding Hamass military capabilities in breach of a ceasefire agreement Hamas gunmen on pickup trucks escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners as they are greeted following their release from Israeli jails under a cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. File Image/AP Hamass top official in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, said on Sunday that the groups chief of weapons production was killed in an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip a day earlier. The Palestinian people are currently going through difficult times and suffering greatly with the martyrdom of more than 70,000 people, the latest of whom was the mujahid commander Raed Saad and his companions. Hayya said, speaking in a televised address on the militant groups Al-Aqsa TV. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD the Israeli military said it had killed a senior Hamas commander, Raed Saed, in a targeted strike in Gaza City. Israel described Saed as a key figure within Hamas, one of the planners of the deadly October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel that helped trigger the war, and said he was involved in rebuilding Hamass military capabilities in breach of a ceasefire agreement. The strike reportedly hit a car in Gaza City and killed several people, with Gaza health officials saying at least four or five people died and dozens were wounded. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive device that wounded our forces today in the Yellow Area of the Gaza Strip (they) instructed the elimination of the terrorist Raad Saad. Under the US-mediated ceasefire in Gaza, Israeli forces have pulled back to positions behind the so-called Yellow Line, but they continue to control over half of the territory. Israel framed the attack as a necessary response after a recent militant action wounded two of its soldiers, while also pointing to what it says are ongoing violations of the ceasefire by Hamas. Hamas has condemned the strike as a breach of the truce, calling out the targeting of what it says was a civilian vehicle. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hong Kongs last major opposition party is set to hold a final vote on Sunday on whether to disband, highlighting the shrinking space for dissent under Chinas national security crackdown in the city. FILE PHOTO: Pro-democracy legislators Helena Wong, Wu Chi-wai, Andrew Wan and Lam Cheuk-ting are seen in Hong Kong, China November 12, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo Hong Kongs last major opposition party will hold a final vote on Sunday on whether to disband, as China continues to tighten pressure on the citys remaining liberal voices under a prolonged national security crackdown. The Democratic Party, founded three years before Hong Kongs 1997 handover from Britain to China, has long been the citys main opposition force. It once dominated territory-wide legislative elections and challenged Beijing on democratic reforms and civil liberties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Special General Meeting at the partys headquarters will finalise arrangements for its dissolution and liquidation, according to a party statement. Senior members say Chinese officials or intermediaries had warned them to disband or face serious consequences, including possible arrests. A committee has spent about six months preparing for disbandment, settling legal and accounting issues and arranging the sale of its Kowloon property, which currently houses its headquarters. Disbandment requires approval from 75 percent of party members. The vote, which would bring an end to more than three decades of opposition party politics in the China-run city, comes a week after Hong Kong held a patriots only Legislative Council election and a day before media tycoon and China critic Jimmy Lai is due to receive a verdict in a landmark national security case. Under the One Country, Two Systems framework, Hong Kong was promised a high degree of autonomy and freedoms. However, authorities have increasingly used security laws to arrest dozens of democrats and shut down civil society groups and liberal media outlets. Beijings 2021 overhaul of Hong Kongs electoral system, which allows only candidates vetted as patriots to run for office, effectively pushed the Democratic Party out of mainstream politics. In June, another pro-democracy group, the League of Social Democrats, also announced it would close amid what it described as immense political pressure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Several senior Democratic Party figures, including Wu Chi-wai, Albert Ho, Helena Wong and Lam Cheuk-ting, have been jailed or are in custody under the national security law imposed by China in 2020 following mass pro-democracy protests the previous year. Governments such as the US and Britain have criticised the law, saying it is being used to suppress dissent and individual freedoms. Beijing rejects the criticism, arguing that no freedoms are absolute and that the law has restored stability to Hong Kong. As many as 300 products, including that of engineering goods, pharma, agri, and chemicals, hold huge potential for Indian exporters to push their shipments to Russia as the two countries target USD 100 billion trade by 2030, an official said. Around 300 products spanning sectors such as engineering, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and chemicals offer significant scope for Indian exporters to expand shipments to Russia as both countries work towards a bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030, an official said. Currently, India exports goods worth about USD 1.7 billion in these categories to Russia, while Russias total imports in the same segments amount to USD 37.4 billion. The wide gap highlights the sizeable complementary export opportunity available to India, the official said, noting that higher exports could also help narrow Indias trade deficit with Russia, which stands at USD 59 billion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The commerce ministry identified these high-potential items by studying complementary trade baskets, comparing Indias export capabilities with Russias import demand across major sectors, the official added. The most promising areas mirror Indias rising global strengths are engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and agriculture, all of which correspond to substantial unmet demand in the Russian market. Indias share in Russias import basket remains modest around 2.3 per cent. New Delhis imports from Moscow surged from USD 5.94 billion in 2020 to USD 64.24 billion in 2024 which is a more than tenfold jump driven almost entirely by mineral fuels or crude oil increasing from USD 2 billion in 2020 to USD 57 billion in 2024. Oil accounts for nearly 21 per cent of total Indias imports of oil, cementing Russias role as a key trading partner. Beyond hydrocarbons, fertilisers and vegetable oils are other imported products. On the exports front, agriculture and allied products reveal particularly strong promise. India currently exports USD 452 million of products (opportunity products) to Russia against their global import demand of USD 3.9 billion. Meanwhile, engineering goods present one of the widest gaps with India exporting USD 90 million, while Russia imports USD 2.7 billion in this segment, with growing room as Russia diversifies away from China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chemicals and plastics show a similar pattern, with India contributing USD 135 million to a demand of USD 2.06 billion. Further pharmaceuticals remain a strategic corridor, too, as India supplies USD 546 million, but Russias pharma import bill touches USD 9.7 billion, making generics and APIs (active pharma ingredients) significant growth levers. Beyond these high-value sectors, Indias labour-intensive industries textiles, apparel, leather goods, handicrafts, processed foods and light engineering hold substantial promise given Russias large consumer base and Indias cost competitiveness, the official said. Electronics and textiles currently have a market share below 1 per cent, yet demand is sizeable, offering space for scale if supported by stronger distribution networks. With inputs from agencies Israel said it killed Raad Saad, the head of weapons production in Hamass military wing and a key figure behind the October 7 attack, in an airstrike in Gazas Tel al-Hawa area that local sources said left five people dead A woman sits inside her damaged apartment, surrounded by the the rubble of neighboring residences, all devastated by Israeli bombardments, in Gaza City, Friday Nov.14, 2025. (AP Photo/Yousef Al Zanoun) Israel said it killed the head of weapons production in Hamass military wing in a strike in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. The civil defence agency and medical sources in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory told AFP an Israeli strike killed five people in the Tel al-Hawa district, southwest of Gaza City. Contacted by AFP, the army said there was only one strike conducted in the area which killed the top Hamas figure, Raad Saad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement that in response to the detonation of a Hamas explosive device that wounded our forces today in the Yellow Area of the Gaza Strip (they) instructed the elimination of the terrorist Raad Saad. Under the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Israeli troops have withdrawn to positions behind the so-called Yellow Line, though they are still in control of more than half the territory. Netanyahu and Katz described Saad as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. The Israeli army said Saad was the head of the weapons production headquarters of Hamass military wing who led the groups force build-up. Family sources confirmed his death to AFP, and said the funeral would be held on Sunday. Israels military earlier on Saturday said two reserve soldiers were lightly injured as a result of an explosive device that detonated during an operation to clear the area of terrorist infrastructure in southern Gaza. The ceasefire that came into effect on October 10 has halted the fighting between Israel and Hamas, but it remains fragile with each side accusing the other of violating its terms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Burnt-out car Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for Gaza civil defence which operates as a rescue force under Hamas authority, said five people were killed after a civilian jeep-type vehicle was targeted near the Nabulsi roundabout in Tel al-Hawa. Bassal said the charred bodies were taken to Al-Shifa hospital after Israeli warplanes targeted the civilian vehicle with three missiles, causing it to burn and its destruction. The hospitals emergency department confirmed to AFP the arrival of the five bodies and said that more than 25 people were injured in the strike. AFP footage showed a mangled car with vehicle parts scattered around next to other debris. Warplanes fired several missiles at the vehicle, setting it ablaze, a witness, who did not wish to give his name for security reasons, said in the Tal al-Hawa area. Residents rushed to extinguish the fire, and charred body parts were scattered on the ground. Another witness, a 34-year-old man living in a tent in the Tel al-Hawa area, said he saw several Hamas members arrive at the site of the attack, without providing further details. Civil defence agency spokesman Bassal also said a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old boy were killed by Israeli fire in two separate incidents in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Supporters of ex-Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who was removed from office amid the anti-corruption protests, flooded the streets to begin a three-day convention of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist) Tens of thousands rallied for the party of Nepal's ousted prime minister, KP Sharma Oli. (X) Tens of thousands of people turned out on Saturday in Bhaktapur, near Nepals capital, for what has become the largest political rally in the country since the youthled Gen Z protests that shook the South-Asian nation three months ago. Supporters of former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, who was forced out of office during the antigraft protests, filled the streets to launch a threeday convention of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified MarxistLeninist). While organisers had initially said they hoped for up to 300,000 participants, police put the crowd at around 70,000, according to Reuters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Political analyst Puranjan Acharya, while speaking with Reuters, described the turnout as the biggest mobilisation of supporters in Kathmandu since the Gen Z movement erupted in September. The Gen Z protests, driven largely by young Nepalis demanding an end to corruption and greater transparency, spiralled into unrest that killed 77 people and injured more than 2,000. During the upheaval, key government buildings including the Prime Ministers Office, Supreme Court and Parliament were set on fire, and Oli was eventually removed from office. #WATCH | Nepal: Protesters dance and celebrate as the private residence of former PM K.P. Sharma Oli, in Bhaktapur, burns. The Nepali PM resigned this afternoon amid demonstrations against the Government over alleged corruption. (Video Source: TV Today Nepal) pic.twitter.com/d71H1bQ1KJ ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2025 Addressing the crowd, Oli slammed the dissolution of parliament by the interim government led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, calling it unconstitutional. The party has since petitioned Nepals Supreme Court to restore the dissolved legislature. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are being projected as antiGen Z youths. But this is not true, Oli told supporters, pushing back against critics who suggested his party opposed the youth movement. UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel echoed this sentiment, saying the crowds size showed the party still lives in the hearts of the people. The rally also served as a buildup to internal party elections, with more than 2,000 delegates set to vote for a new UML president. The winner is expected to lead the party into parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. Pakistan is facing mounting international pressure, including UN intervention, over allegations that former prime minister Imran Khan is being subjected to prolonged solitary confinement in Adiala Jail amounting to psychological torture. Pakistan is facing rising international and domestic pressure over allegations that former Prime Minister Imran Khan is being held in prolonged solitary confinement amounting to psychological torture. Pakistan is facing intense international scrutiny over the detention conditions of former prime minister Imran Khan, with growing allegations that his prolonged solitary confinement in Rawalpindis Adiala Jail violates international human rights standards. Domestic political figures, family members and international watchdogs have raised concerns that his isolation may amount to psychological torture, prompting calls for immediate intervention. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The controversy has escalated amid claims by Khans close aide and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Muhammad Sohaib Afridi that Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, are being subjected to harsh and degrading treatment in jail. Afridi said he has been denied permission to meet Khan for the 10th time by the Adiala jail administration, further fuelling criticism over transparency and access. The prime ministers adviser on political affairs, Rana Sanaullah, said the meeting was denied on the basis of intelligence reports, alleging that Khan intended to orchestrate another event similar to the November 26 protests in Islamabad. The explanation has done little to quell domestic alarm, particularly as Khans close aide Dr Salman Ahmed has publicly accused army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir of carrying out illegal actions against the former prime minister. International concern and UN intervention Domestic criticism has coincided with formal intervention by international human rights bodies and legal advocacy groups, who have written to Islamabad expressing concern over Khans solitary confinement and restricted legal access. Diplomatic backchannels indicate that friendly capitals have quietly raised the issue, warning that continued isolation could damage Pakistans human rights standing at multilateral forums. Global watchdogs have cautioned that isolating a former elected prime minister carries serious democratic and psychological implications. The strongest condemnation came from the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, who urged Pakistan to take immediate and effective action in response to reports of inhumane and undignified detention conditions. Edwards said that prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement is prohibited under international human rights law, adding that when isolation exceeds 15 days, it constitutes a form of psychological torture. Khans solitary confinement should be lifted without delay, she said, warning of very harmful consequences for his physical and mental health. Since his transfer to Adiala Jail on September 26, 2023, Khan has reportedly been confined for 23 hours a day, with severely limited contact with the outside world. According to information received by the special rapporteur, he is not allowed outdoor activity or interaction with other detainees and cannot join communal prayers. Family and legal visits are described as being frequently interrupted or ended prematurely. At 73, Khan also suffers from significant health issues, including a serious spinal injury and gunshot wounds from a 2022 assassination attempt, and has reportedly been denied adequate medical care. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Jemima Khan appeals to Elon Musk Imran Khans former wife, Jemima Khan, has directly appealed to X owner Elon Musk, alleging that Pakistani authorities are suppressing information about Khans detention by limiting the reach of her posts on the platform. In a letter to Musk, she said X was their only independent platform to highlight this injustice because Khans name is banned from every Pakistani TV and radio station. She described Khan as a democratically elected prime minister, removed in 2022 and now held 22 months in brutal solitary confinement as a political prisoner. Jemima alleged that her X account is subject to what her own AI, Grok, calls secret throttling, claiming the algorithm deliberately hides her posts because Pakistani authorities have made criticism from Imran Khans immediate circle one of their top online enforcement priorities, and X is quietly complying. She cited data from Grok showing her impressions fell from an average of 400 to 900 million per month to just 28.6 million in the entire 2025, describing it as a 97% crash to <3% of expected reach. She urged Musk to honour the free-speech promises by removing the alleged throttling. Her letter was shared by broadcaster Piers Morgan, who publicly condemned Pakistani authorities over Imran Khans detention and jail conditions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack in Australia and expressed solidarity with the people of that country in their hour of grief. Armed police work at the scene after a shooting incident at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14, 2025. - AFP Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack in Australia and expressed solidarity with the people of that country in their hour of grief. Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, the prime minister said. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 14, 2025 The prime minister said India has zero tolerance for terrorism and supports the fight against all its forms and manifestations. Two gunmen opened fire at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 11 people and wounding multiple others in a terrorist incident during a gathering for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Emergency responders rushed another 29 people to various hospitals from the beach, one of the biggest tourist draws in Australias largest city, said New South Wales police. One of the alleged shooters was killed, and the second was in a critical condition, police said. Police declared the shooting a terrorist incident and revealed they had found suspected improvised explosive devices in a vehicle near the beach that was linked to the deceased offender. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a televised address. An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. The shooting took place during an annual Hanukkah by the Sea event in the afternoon at Bondi Beach. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the shooting as a cruel attack on Jews and urged the Australian authorities to step up the fight against antisemitism. Crowds fled in fear from the beach in eastern Sydney, which draws huge numbers of surfers, swimmers and tourists, especially at weekends. We heard the shots. It was shocking, it felt like 10 minutes of just bang, bang, bang. It seemed like a powerful weapon, Camilo Diaz, a 25-year-old student from Chile, told AFP at the scene. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Emergency services first responded to reports of shots being fired at 6:47 pm (0747 GMT), New South Wales police said. With inputs from agencies The clashes have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes along the two nations 800-kilometre border An injured soldier is transferred to a hospital following a clash between Thai and Cambodian troops over a disputed border area in Sisaket Province, Thailand, on December 7, 2025. (Photo: Royal Thai Army/Handout via Reuters) Thailand on Sunday reported its first civilian death during a week of intense fighting with Cambodia, as international efforts to halt the violence have so far failed. The clashes have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes along the two nations 800-kilometre border. The latest civilian death comes just a day after Bangkok denied US President Donald Trumps claim that a truce had been agreed between the Southeast Asian neighbours. The border conflict, rooted in a colonial-era demarcation dispute, has displaced roughly 800,000 people, according to officials. At least 27 deaths have been reported since the fighting escalated, including 15 Thai soldiers and 11 Cambodian civilians. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Thai civilian killed in Sisaket province became the first non-military fatality since the clashes began on December 7, health ministry spokesman Ekachai Piensriwatchara confirmed to AFP. The Thai army said the 63-year-old man was struck by shrapnel after Cambodian forces fired rockets into a civilian area. I have been here for six days and I feel sad that the fighting continues, 63-year-old Sean Leap told AFP at an evacuation centre in Cambodias Banteay Meanchey. I want it to stop, he added, worried about his home and livestock. Each side has blamed the other for instigating the clashes, with accusations of attacks on civilians traded alongside claims of self-defence. Ceasefire in limbo Earlier this week, Trump claimed that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to stop fighting. Thai officials later denied that any ceasefire had been formalised, and both countries reported that clashes were ongoing. Thai defence ministry spokesman Surasant Kongsiri said Cambodia shelled and bombed several border provinces overnight. Meanwhile, the Thai military imposed a curfew from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am (1200 to 2200 GMT) in parts of Sa Kaeo and Trat provinces. Cambodia, which is militarily outgunned and outspent, said Thai forces had shelled and conducted air strikes near the border on Sunday. After the truce failed to materialise, Cambodia closed its border crossings with Thailand on Saturday, leaving many migrant workers stranded. In Thailand, officials noted that nine civilians have died from non-combat-related causes while evacuating. International efforts, including a July ceasefire brokered by the US, China, and Malaysia as Asean chair, have struggled to hold. Trump last week pledged he would make a couple of phone calls to revive the earlier truce, though Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul indicated that no ceasefire was discussed during their conversation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Bondi Beach terror attack has become Australias worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years. Here is a timeline of major attacks. Australia was rocked on Sunday when a gun attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney left at least 12 people dead and many wounded, an assault that quickly became the nations deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades and a stark reminder of the limits of its oncerigorous gun laws. Below is a timeline of major mass attacks that have tested Australias image as a country largely protected from mass shootings, from the Port Arthur massacre to the Bondi Beach terror attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gunfire at Bondi Beach (2025) Emergency services first responded to reports of shots fired at 6:47 pm (0747 GMT) at Bondi Beach, one of the biggest tourist draws in Australias largest city. The shooting took place during a Hanukkah by the Sea event, which police said was attended by around 1,000 people. As gunfire erupted, crowds fled in fear from the beach in eastern Sydney and police descended on the area. One of the alleged shooters was killed, and the second was in a critical condition, police said. In addition to the 11 killed, emergency responders rushed at least 29 people to local hospitals. Police declared the shooting a terrorist incident, adding they had found suspected improvised explosive devices near the beach in a vehicle linked to the suspects. Wieambilla ambush (2022) In December 2022, two police officers and a civilian were killed in a deadly ambush on a remote property at Wieambilla in Queensland. Officers had attended the property to investigate a missing persons case when they were shot by residents armed with high-powered weapons. The attackers were later killed in a police operation. Investigations found the perpetrators held extremist and conspiratorial beliefs, sparking renewed focus on radicalisation, misinformation, and the risks faced by frontline police in rural settings. Darwin mass shooting (2019) Darwin was shaken in June 2019 when a gunman, recently released on parole went on a shooting spree across multiple locations in the city, killing four people and injuring another. The attacker was apprehended alive after a police chase. However, the authorities ruled out terrorism, describing the attack as opportunistic and random. Margaret River shooting (2018) In May 2018, police discovered the bodies of seven people, including four children, at a rural property near Margaret River in Western Australia. Investigators concluded the incident was a familicide followed by suicide, the countrys worst mass shooting since Port Arthur at the time. The tragedy drew attention to domestic violence, firearm access in rural areas and warning signs that can precede family-related mass killings, even in a country with strict gun laws. Sydney siege terrorist attack (2014) In December 2014, an armed man claiming extremist motivations took hostages inside the Lindt Cafe at Martin Place in central Sydney, turning the heart of the city into the scene of a prolonged siege. The standoff lasted more than 16 hours before police stormed the cafe, resulting in the deaths of two hostages and the gunman. Port Arthur massacre (1996) On April 28, 1996, a lone gunman carried out Australias deadliest mass shooting at the Port Arthur historic site in Tasmania, killing 35 people and injuring 23 others. The attacker opened fire on tourists inside and around the former penal colony, triggering a nationwide shock that permanently altered Australias relationship with firearms. The massacre led to sweeping gun law reforms within months, including a nationwide buyback of semi-automatic weapons and tighter licensing rules. These changes are widely credited with sharply reducing gun-related mass violence in the decades that followed. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged that the modernisation of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) go beyond infrastructure upgrades to preserve national identity and empower Zimbabweans to tell their own stories through technology.Speaking during the commissioning of newly upgraded Montrose Studios in Bulawayo, the President commended the recapitalisation and expansion of ZBC operations, saying the move aligns with the country's transformative Vision 2030 goals.The upgrades include two state-of-the-art television studios, eight modern radio studios, a fully integrated Play-Out Centre, a Media Asset Management System, a Data Centre, and the launch of "Luzibo Radio," an educational channel operated in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education."These modernisations are not just about infrastructure and equipment," President Mnangagwa said. "They are about preserving our national identity and empowering our people to tell their own stories, from our own perspectives and experiences."The improvements are part of the "Zim Digital Phase Two Project," which seeks to enhance production capacity and support the roll-out of digital broadcasting in line with International Telecommunication Union resolutions. The first phase focused on digital transmitters across the country, while the second phase upgrades studio and production facilities, including Montrose in Bulawayo and Pockets Hill in Harare.The President highlighted that modernised facilities will enhance content quality, production efficiency, and the country's ability to compete globally. He also commended ZBC for upgrading its Digital Satellite News Gathering Van to provide real-time live coverage of national events, sports, and breaking news across all provinces."ZBC must ensure timely, accurate and relevant information to safeguard our culture, heritage, and serve as a barricade against misinformation and external narratives," President Mnangagwa said. He stressed that the broadcaster plays a central role in national dialogue, good governance, and showcasing Zimbabwe's cultural diversity.The President further encouraged the ministry to accelerate modernisation works at Pockets Hill and Central FM, stressing the need to complement technological upgrades with human resource development and investment to empower the creative industries and create employment opportunities."The new education studio will bring learning content directly to students nationwide, supporting government objectives in the education sector," he added.The commissioning was attended by Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Edgar Moyo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland North Richard Moyo, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Omphile Marupi, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works Albert Mavhunga, and Chief Mtshana Khumalo, president of the Chiefs Council, among other delegates. US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned that there will be a very serious retaliation after two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush in Syria. In this photo released by Syrian Presidency press office, US President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 10, 2025. Image/AP US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned that there will be a very serious retaliation after two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush in Syria. The incident also left three other soldiers wounded. In a statement on Saturday, the US Central Command and the Department of Defence said that a single ISIS gunman carried out the attack. We will retaliate, Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about the tragic incident. He insisted that currently the country is mourning the loss of the three great American patriots and praying for the three wounded, who seem to be doing pretty well. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump also noted that the United States would continue to cooperate with the Syrian forces in order to tackle the issue in West Asia. Syria, by the way, was fighting along with us, Trump said, adding that Syrias new president is devastated by what happened. The soldiers mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS / counter-terrorism operations in the region, wrote Sean Parnell, chief spokesperson for the Pentagon, in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. He made it clear that the names of those killed in the attack will be withheld until the next of kin are notified. Attacker killed In a separate statement, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the ISIS attacker responsible for the incident 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, Hegseth wrote on X. After speaking with reporters, Trump reiterated his warning of retaliation in a social media post. He called the incident an ISIS attack against the US and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them, and said Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation, Trump wrote. Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also condemned the attack on Saturday. We extend our condolences to the victims families and to the US government and people, and we wish the wounded a speedy recovery, al-Shaibani wrote on X. The deadly attack came just a month after Syria joined the US-led coalition, which was formed in 2014. The coalition has been conducting military operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq with the participation of multiple countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As US-led Berlin talks seek a rapid end to the Ukraine war, Trumps push for a quick deal exposes deep divisions with Kyiv and European allies over territory, security guarantees and the risks of a fragile peace. This photograph shows a general view of the southern city of Odesa, where some neighborhoods are without power on December 13, 2025, following missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, amid Russias invasion of Ukraine. - AFP As US, Ukrainian and European officials converge on Berlin for another push to end Russias war in Ukraine, the diplomacy is exposing sharp differences over how peace might be achieved and at what cost. President Donald Trump is pressing for a rapid settlement, but talks this week underscore widening gaps between Washingtons urgency, Kyivs red lines and Europes growing unease about the long-term security implications. US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in the German capital on Sunday, joining a flurry of meetings that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as potentially decisive. These days will be filled with diplomacy, Zelenskyy said, stressing that Ukraine needs peace on decent terms and, crucially, guarantees that Russia will not return for another invasion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Washingtons rush meets Kyivs red lines Trump has made ending the war a priority, arguing that prolonged fighting only deepens human and economic costs. His administration has spent months trying to reconcile Moscows demands with Ukrainian and European concerns, but the effort has repeatedly stalled over territory and security. Russia insists Ukraine withdraw from the remaining areas it controls in the eastern Donetsk region and abandon its NATO ambitions conditions Kyiv has flatly rejected. Moscow has also signalled it would retain police and national guard forces in parts of eastern Ukraine even under a demilitarised arrangement, a proposal Ukrainian officials see as incompatible with sovereignty. Trumps 28-point peace framework, unveiled last month, has intensified tensions. Critics in Kyiv and Europe say it echoes Russian priorities, particularly on territorial concessions. Ukrainian officials have since sent Washington a revised version, though details remain closely held. Zelenskyy has warned that Russia still aims to destroy Ukraine, pointing to continuing strikes on energy infrastructure that have left hundreds of thousands without power. The military reality adds urgency but also complicates compromise. Russia has advanced at its fastest pace in a year, while Ukraine remains under sustained aerial attack. Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 1,500 drones and nearly 900 guided bombs in the past week alone. Moscow, meanwhile, claims to have intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones, including attacks on oil facilities deep inside Russia. Europes alarm and the question of guarantees For European leaders, the Berlin talks are about more than ending the fighting. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has emerged as a central figure in coordinating European support for Kyiv, warned that the era of unquestioned US security leadership the Pax Americana is fading. If Ukraine falls, Merz cautioned, Russias ambitions could extend beyond its borders. That anxiety is shaping Europes stance at the negotiating table. France and Germany have stressed that Ukraine should not be pushed into territorial concessions without firm security guarantees, ideally backed by the United States. The idea of accelerating Ukraines accession to the European Union, potentially by 2027 under the latest US-led proposal is seen by European officials as one pillar of longer-term stability, though it faces resistance from some EU members and would require sweeping reforms in Kyiv. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Turkey has also weighed in, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggesting peace may not be far off but calling for a halt to strikes in the Black Sea to protect critical shipping lanes. Recent attacks on Turkish-linked vessels have highlighted how the conflict continues to ripple outward, reinforcing European fears that a rushed deal could leave dangerous flashpoints unresolved. Zelenskyy under pressure at home and abroad As the diplomatic pressure mounts, Zelenskyy is handling one of the most challenging phases of his presidency. Once the unifying face of resistance, he now faces battlefield setbacks, a corruption scandal that forced the dismissal of a senior aide, and growing frustration from Washington. Trump has openly backed calls for new Ukrainian elections, an idea Zelenskyy says he would consider only if ironclad security guarantees are in place. That tension mirrors the broader diplomatic impasse. Trump wants speed and flexibility; Kyiv wants dignity and security; Europe wants reassurance that any peace will not redraw borders by force. Berlin has become the arena where those competing priorities collide. Zelenskyy said on Sunday he hoped the United States would back the idea of freezing the front line in Ukraine along its current shape at talks in Berlin. The fairest possible option is to stay where we are. This is true because it is a ceasefire I know that Russia does not view this positively, and I would like the Americans to support us on this issue, Zelenskyy told reporters shortly before arriving in Berlin for talks with US President Donald Trumps envoy and European leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As talks continue, the risk is not only that negotiations drag on but that a hastily brokered agreement could sow the seeds of future conflict. For now, the Berlin meetings highlight a central dilemma: ending the war quickly may satisfy political urgency in Washington but as experts said without alignment among allies and credible guarantees for Ukraine peace could prove dangerously fragile. With inputs from agencies The move marks a major shift for Ukraine, which has fought to join NATO as a safeguard against Russian attacks and has such an aspiration included in its constitution Zelenskyys five-year term was scheduled to end in May 2024, but elections were legally put off due to Russias full-scale invasion. file photo/Reuters Ukraine has relinquished its ambition of joining the NATO military alliance in exchange for Western security guarantees as a compromise to end the war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ahead of talks with US envoys in Berlin. The move marks a major shift for Ukraine, which has fought to join NATO as a safeguard against Russian attacks and has such an aspiration included in its constitution. It also meets one of Russias war aims, although Kyiv has so far held firm against ceding territory to Moscow. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zelenskyy said on Sunday that the US, and European and other partners security guarantees instead of NATO membership were a compromise on Ukraines side. From the very beginning, Ukraines desire was to join NATO, these are real security guarantees. Some partners from the US and Europe did not support this direction, he said in answer to questions from reporters in a WhatsApp chat. Thus, today, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the US, Article 5-like guarantees for us from the US, and security guarantees from European colleagues, as well as other countries Canada, Japan are an opportunity to prevent another Russian invasion, Zelenskyy said. And it is already a compromise from our part, he said, adding that the security guarantees should be legally binding. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine officially renounce its NATO ambitions and withdraw troops from the about 10% of Donbas which Kyiv still controls. Moscow has also said that Ukraine must be a neutral country and that no NATO troops can be stationed in Ukraine. Russian sources said earlier this year that Putin wants a written pledge by major Western powers not to enlarge the US-led NATO alliance eastwards - shorthand for formally ruling out membership to Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova and other former Soviet republics. Zelenskyy had earlier called for a dignified peace and guarantees that Russia would not attack Ukraine again as he prepared to meet US envoys and European allies in Berlin to end Europes deadliest conflict since World War Two. Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to sign a peace deal that initially backed Moscows demands, Zelenskiy accused Russia of dragging out the war through deadly bombings of cities and Ukraines power and water supplies. Although the exact make-up of the meetings on Sunday and Monday have not been made public, a US official said Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were travelling to Germany for talks involving Ukrainians and Europeans. The choice to send Witkoff, who has led negotiations with Ukraine and Russia on a US peace proposal, appeared to be a signal that Washington saw a chance of progress nearly four years after Russias 2022 invasion. Zelenskiy said Ukraine, the Europeans and US are looking at a 20-point plan and that at the end of this there is a ceasefire. He said Kyiv has no direct talks with Russia. Zelenskiy said a ceasefire along the current front lines would be a fair option. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting Zelenskyy and European leaders for a summit in the German capital on Monday, the latest in a series of public shows of support for the Ukrainian leader from allies across Europe. Critical moment Britain, France and Germany have been working to refine the US proposals, which, in a draft disclosed last month, called for Kyiv to cede more territory, abandon its ambition to join NATO and accept limits on its armed forces. European allies have described this as a critical moment that could shape Ukraines future, and sought to shore up Kyivs finances by leveraging frozen Russian central bank assets to fund Kyivs military and civilian budget. Putin hosted Witkoff and Kushner at a meeting earlier in December that the Kremlin praised as constructive, although no major breakthroughs were reached. Zelenskiy said hundreds of thousands were still without power after Russian strikes on energy, heating and water supplies across swathes of Ukraine, posting pictures of burning and destroyed buildings. Russia is dragging out the war and seeks to inflict as much harm as possible on our people, he said. Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 caused relations with the West to plummet and has cranked up warnings from NATO and European leaders that Putin would not stop there. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in a speech in Berlin on Thursday that NATO should be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured and asserted that we are Russias next target. The Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed such claims. This seems like a statement by a representative of a generation that has managed to forget what World War Two was actually like, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television reporter Pavel Zarubin on Sunday. They have no understanding, and unfortunately, Mr Rutte, making such irresponsible statements, simply does not understand what he is talking about, Peskov added. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held talks on Saturday on US-led peace efforts for Ukraine and the possible use of frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv, as diplomatic activity around ending the war intensified. In this handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Emergency Service on September 28, 2025, Ukrainian law enforcement officers work at the site of an air attack at an undisclosed location in the Kyiv region, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.- AFP British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke on Saturday amid heightened diplomatic activity around efforts to end Russias war on Ukraine. Their discussion focused on work linked to US-led peace proposals and possible steps to use frozen Russian sovereign assets to support Kyiv financially. Both agreed that this is a pivotal moment for Ukraines future and that Europe will stand with them for as long as it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace, a Downing Street spokesperson said after the call. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The talks came as the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trumps special envoy would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders in Berlin over the weekend. Ahead of those meetings, Zelensky warned that Russia still aims to destroy Ukraine, after what Kyiv described as massive overnight Russian strikes on energy facilities left thousands without electricity across the country. Russia said it had struck Ukrainian sites using hypersonic ballistic missiles, calling the attacks retaliation for Ukrainian actions. 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, Zelensky said on X. They still aim to destroy our state and inflict maximum pain on our people. An 80-year-old woman was killed when a Russian shell hit a residential building in Ukraines northeastern Sumy region, according to the regional governor, while strikes in the Black Sea port city of Odesa left some neighbourhoods without power. US pressure and diplomatic push Trump has increased pressure on Kyiv to reach an agreement since unveiling a plan last month to end the war, a proposal criticised for reflecting Moscows demands, including Ukraine giving up key territory. The 28-point plan has prompted intense diplomatic exchanges between Washington and Ukraines European allies, with Ukrainian officials recently saying they had sent the US a revised version. Full details of the updated proposal have not been made public. A White House official confirmed on Friday that Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, would meet Zelensky and European leaders over the weekend to discuss the status of peace negotiations. In his late evening address on Saturday, Zelensky said his team are currently preparing for meetings with the American side and our European friends in the coming days. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Most importantly, I will have meetings with representatives of President Trump, as well as meetings with our European partners and many leaders on the foundation of peace a political agreement to end the war, he added. At least 2 people were killed, and eight more were critically injured after a tragic shooting incident broke out at Brown University on Saturday. The suspect is still at large. Emergency personnel gather on Waterman Street at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday during the investigation of a shooting. AP At least 2 people were killed, and eight more were critically injured after a tragic shooting incident broke out at Brown University on Saturday. Mayor Brett Smiley of Providence, Rhode Island, confirmed the casualties shortly after an active shooter was reported on the campus. The matter remains concerning since the suspect is still at large. The shooting incident occurred when exams were underway on Saturday. The Rohde Island officials described the suspect as a man dressed in black who left the scene on foot. While speaking at the news conference, Smiley said that university leaders became aware of the shooting around 4:05 pm (local time) and called 911. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I can confirm that there are two individuals who have died this afternoon, and there are another eight in critical status, though stable, at Rhode Island Hospital, Smiley told the reporters. Those are the only injuries or casualties that we know at this time, he added. But as I mentioned and its important to remind folks these numbers may change. We are still in the early hours," he added. Shooter still at large At around 4:22 pm (local time), the Ivy League university went on to issue an emergency update, warning the students that there was a gunman near the Barus and Holley engineering lab. Lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice, the university said in its update. Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself. Later at 5:27 pm (local time), the school reported that shots were fired near Governor Street, approximately two blocks away. Amid the chaos, the Providence Police Department announced a few minutes later, Multiple shots in the area of Brown University. Confusion also spread after the university withdrew an announcement that indicated a suspect had been taken into custody. It clarified, Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s). Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump also pushed a similar retraction on his online platform Truth Social, after erroneously posting around 5:44 pm (local time), which mentioned that the suspect was in custody. I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island, Trump also wrote. The FBI is on the scene. Law enforcement officials are currently on the site of the incident, and the matter is currently being investigated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is pertinent to note that the Saturday shooting is the second major incident of gun violence on a university campus this week. On December 9, a shooting incident also broke out at Kentucky State University in the southern city of Frankfort, killing one student and leaving a second critically injured. The suspect in the case was identified as Jacob Lee Bard, the parent of a student at the school. Over the years, several schools across the United States have experienced such tragic shootings. For 2025, CNN estimates that there have been 73 school shootings in the US as of December 9. Hence, the need for gun laws now becomes more important than ever before. Twelve people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday event at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian officials said. Twelve people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday event at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian officials said. Following are comments from world leaders in the wake of the deadly shooting: ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage. SUSSAN LEY, OPPOSITION LEADER OF AUSTRALIA Australians are in deep mourning tonight, with hateful violence striking at the heart of an iconic Australian community, a place we all know so well and love, Bondi. KEIR STARMER, UK PRIME MINISTER Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach. CHRISTOPHER LUXON, PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, were family. I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day. My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected. GIDEON SAAR, FOREIGN MINISTER OF ISRAEL Im appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of Globalise the Intifada that were realized today. URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT Shocked by the tragic attack at Bondi Beach. I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred. JONAS GAHR STOERE, PRIME MINISTER OF NORWAY: I am shocked by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, during a Jewish Hanukkah event. I condemn this despicable act of terror in the strongest possible terms. My deepest condolences to all those affected by todays tragic attack. ULF KRISTERSSONM PRIME MINISTER OF SWEDEN: Appalled by the attack in Sydney, targeted against the Jewish community. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Together, we must fight the spread of antisemitism. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux, Compiled by Christine Chen in Sydney. - AFP Twelve people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday event at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian officials said. Following are comments from world leaders in the wake of the deadly shooting: Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sussan Ley, Opposition Leader of Australia Australians are in deep mourning tonight, with hateful violence striking at the heart of an iconic Australian community, a place we all know so well and love, Bondi. Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach. Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, were family. I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day. My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected. Gideon Saar, Foreign Minister of Israel Im appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia. These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of Globalise the Intifada that were realized today. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President Shocked by the tragic attack at Bondi Beach. I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred. Jonas Gahr Stoere, Prime Minister of Norway I am shocked by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, during a Jewish Hanukkah event. I condemn this despicable act of terror in the strongest possible terms. My deepest condolences to all those affected by todays tragic attack. Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden Appalled by the attack in Sydney, targeted against the Jewish community. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Together, we must fight the spread of antisemitism. News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed circulating claims that President Emmerson Mnangagwa's adviser, Paul Tungwarara, is under criminal investigation, branding a viral document as fake and warning against the misuse of artificial intelligence to generate false statements.In a statement released on 13 December 2025, Commissioner P. Nyathi, Chief Staff Officer for Press and Public Relations, said the alleged document claiming that the Commercial Crimes Division sought to question Tungwarara over his companies, Paulos Construction and Prevail Group International, was false."The Zimbabwe Republic Police dismisses a fake and false statement circulating on social media The Police has not issued this statement and dismisses it with the contempt it deserves," Commissioner Nyathi said.The police clarified unequivocally:"For the record, the Criminal Investigation Department's Commercial Crimes Division is not conducting any investigations on Dr. Tempter Paul Tungwarara."The statement also warned that the use of artificial intelligence to create misinformation would not be tolerated. "The Zimbabwe Republic Police warns individuals and syndicates against using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to cause confusion, alarm and despondency in the country," it read. The police pledged to pursue legal action against perpetrators "without fear or favour once the suspects are identified."The police denial comes shortly after Tungwarara faced a procedural obstacle in his political ascent within Zanu-PF. On 11 December 2025, the party's National Political Commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, nullified his co-option into the 300-member Central Committee. The Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee had approved his appointment on 7 December.Machacha cited a breach of party rules, noting that the vacant seat belonged to a member from Chipinge district and must be filled by another nominee from the same district. His letter also warned that any "issuance of money, goods or services" by aspirants would be considered vote-buying and result in disqualification.Reports alleged that Tungwarara distributed cash and purchased food for delegates ahead of the provincial vote. The Manicaland province has been instructed to restart the selection process in compliance with party regulations. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. News / National by Staff reporter The tension between Zanu-PF's traditional power structures and its emerging cash-rich benefactors has escalated, with President Mnangagwa's adviser Paul Tungwarara taking aim at party heavyweights resisting his elevation to the central committee.Tungwarara was last weekend co-opted into the Zanu-PF central committee by the Manicaland provincial coordinating committee (PCC). However, the move was immediately nullified by the party's commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, who said it violated a June 30 circular. Machacha argued that the vacant seat, arising after Dorothy Mabika of Chipinge was elected provincial women's league chairperson, could only be filled by a nominee from Chipinge. He also warned against the use of money in canvassing for the slot and ordered the PCC to redo the process in line with party regulations.Zanu-PF secretary for legal affairs Patrick Chinamasa expressed full support for Machacha's directive. Yet hours later, Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa indicated that the matter would be settled by the politburo, signaling that the party's top decision-making body might side with Tungwarara.At a recent rally in Chipingwe, Tungwarara appeared to launch a subtle attack on senior party officials, accusing unnamed Manicaland figures of spreading gossip and attempting to sabotage presidential empowerment projects he is spearheading."You can't abuse your position to change certain things and the vision of 2030 Unity is our strength but it cannot happen if someone is going to the president to create fiction and lies," he said."These are empowerment programmes, and they are not there to create factions in Zanu-PF Be wary of people who are using divide-and-rule tactics in Manicaland."Tungwarara's rally included donations of US$25,000 each to the Chipingwe East, Chipingwe Central, Chipingwe South, and Musikavanhu constituencies.Support for his co-option came from Musikavanhu legislator and Primary and Secondary Education deputy minister Angelina Gata, as well as Chipingwe district PCC chairperson Temba Munaiwa Sithole, who emphasized Tungwarara's local roots.Observers note parallels with the earlier co-option of Zanu-PF benefactor Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who also faced accusations of using financial influence to secure a central committee seat. Machaka, however, maintained that the two cases were not comparable.The controversy comes against a backdrop of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga's earlier calls to curb the influence of businessmen allegedly using wealth to dominate the ruling party ahead of the October annual conference.Tungwarara's case underscores the growing friction within Zanu-PF between long-standing party structures and influential new entrants who wield significant financial clout. Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel Timur Praliev On the cool morning of January 4, 2025, the routine chaos of the U.S. southern border was punctuated by an interception that confirmed the darkest anxieties of American intelligence communities. Near the quiet border town of Roma, Texas, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended a man wading across the Rio Grande who did not fit the profile of the thousands of economic migrants or asylum seekers processed daily in the sector. The man was Timur Praliev, a 31-year-old national of Kazakhstan. He was wet, muddy, and compliant, but the contents of his backpack told a story that instantly elevated his detention from a standard immigration violation to a national security incident. Inside his waterproofed luggage, agents found not only the typical personal effects of a traveler but also a Russian passport, a Kazakh passport, a significant cache of currency in both U.S. dollars and Mexican pesos, andmost alarminglya drone. The arrest of Praliev marks a pivotal moment in the discourse surrounding U.S. border security, shifting the focus from humanitarian logistics to asymmetric warfare. Praliev was not merely a foreign national illegally entering the country; he was a confirmed veteran of the Wagner Group, the notorious private military company that has served as the Kremlins blunt instrument of power projection in Ukraine, Syria, and across the African continent. His presence on U.S. soil, equipped with surveillance technology and ample funding, less than a month after being feted as a war hero in Russia, presents a chilling case study of the potential for "hybrid warfare" operatives to exploit the vulnerabilities of the Western Hemispheres migration routes. This incident forces a re-evaluation of the threat landscape, suggesting that the battlefields of Eastern Europe and the borderlands of Texas are becoming increasingly, and dangerously, interconnected. The Interception at Roma The specificity of the location and the nature of the seizure offer critical insights into Pralievs journey. Roma, Texas, sits on bluffs overlooking the Rio Grande and is a well-known corridor for illicit crossings due to the density of brush and the proximity of Mexican highways. However, unlike the destitute families who often turn themselves in to the first uniformed officer they see, Praliev appeared to be executing a calculated transit. He was apprehended shortly after making landfall, and the inventory of his possessions suggests a man prepared for independence rather than reliance on the U.S. asylum system. Agents discovered approximately $4,000 in U.S. currency and over 60,000 Mexican pesosa sum that would allow an individual to move freely, pay for lodging, and procure transportation without leaving a digital financial footprint. The discovery of the drone is the detail that has most captivated and concerned security analysts. In the context of modern conflict, particularly the lessons learned from the Russo-Ukrainian War where Wagner forces played a central role, the drone is the infantryman's most vital tool for reconnaissance. It is not a weapon of mass destruction, but a weapon of information dominance. A commercial drone in the hands of a trained mercenary allows for the mapping of patrol routes, the identification of sensor blind spots, and the surveillance of critical infrastructure. While the exact model of the drone was not disclosed in the immediate aftermath, its mere presence in the backpack of a Wagner veteran suggests an intent to observe and record. This equipment distinguishes Praliev from a refugee fleeing persecution; refugees rarely carry the tools of espionage. The drone implies that his entry was not an escape, but a missionor at the very least, that he retained the operational mindset of a soldier scouting hostile terrain. The Bashkortostan Connection: A Hero One Month, A Detainee the Next To understand the gravity of Pralievs arrest, one must look backward to his activities in the weeks immediately preceding his appearance in Texas. Investigative reporting by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) uncovered a startling timeline that contradicts any narrative of a long, arduous flight from Russian oppression. On December 12, 2024mere weeks before he waded into the Rio GrandePraliev was the guest of honor at a ceremony in Bashkortostan, a republic in Russia between the Volga and the Ural Mountains. The event was organized by the "Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation," a state-sponsored organization established by Russian President Vladimir Putin to support and glorify veterans of the "Special Military Operation" in Ukraine. Photographs from this event, verified by open-source intelligence analysts and later corroborated by Pralievs own family, show him standing proudly to receive a combat-veteran identification card. The ceremony took place in the Iglinsky district, east of the regional capital Ufa, an area to which Praliev had ties through his mothers family. In the images, he appears well-fed, groomed, and integrated into the patriotic machinery of the Russian state. This revelation destroys the potential defense that he was a defector fleeing the wrath of the Kremlin. Defectors are not given medals and ID cards by Putin-founded organizations three weeks before they disappear. This timeline suggests a rapid, deliberate deployment or exfiltration. To go from a stage in Bashkortostan to a riverbank in Texas in under 25 days requires significant logistical coordination, international air travel, and the assistance of smuggling networks in Mexico, all of which aligns with the substantial cash reserves found on his person. The Man Behind the Passports The investigation into Pralievs identity reveals the complex, transnational nature of the post-Soviet mercenary class. Though he served Russian interests, Praliev is a citizen of Kazakhstan. RFE/RL journalists tracked down his father, Galymzhan Nakybekov, living in a dilapidated dormitory on the western outskirts of Almaty, Kazakhstan. The interview provided a grim portrait of a fractured family and a son who had drifted far from his roots. Nakybekov confirmed that the man in the photographs was indeed his son, born in November 1993, a date that matches the U.S. federal court records. He explained that Praliev had taken his mother's surnameshe had relatives in the Bashkortostan regionand that father and son had been estranged for over a decade following the mothers death. The fathers reaction to the news of the arrest was poignant and revealing of the economic despair that often fuels mercenary recruitment. "I would like him to stay in the United States," Nakybekov told reporters, gesturing to his impoverished surroundings. "Because if he came here [to Kazakhstan], he would be arrested. If he were there, I would go, too. And what is here? Poverty?" This statement highlights the legal jeopardy Praliev faces in his home country; Kazakhstan prohibits its citizens from participating in foreign conflicts, and a return to Almaty could result in imprisonment for mercenary activities. However, it also underscores the ambiguity of his motives. Was the U.S. crossing a desperate bid for a new life by a man with nowhere left to go, or was he utilizing his background to infiltrate a geopolitical adversary? The existence of a VKontakte (Russian social media) profile matching his details further cements his digital footprint within the Russian sphere of influence, making it difficult for him to claim he was a ghost or an unknown entity to Russian authorities. Legal Proceedings and the "Time Served" Paradox The judicial handling of Timur Pralievs case illustrates the limitations of the U.S. criminal justice system when dealing with national security threats disguised as immigration violations. On January 7, 2025, Praliev appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker at the federal courthouse in McAllen, Texas. He was charged with a federal misdemeanor for illegal entrya charge that, on paper, is no different from that levied against a migrant worker seeking employment. Praliev pleaded guilty. During the sentencing phase, the courtroom dynamic shifted from routine processing to high-stakes preventative detention. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan explicitly flagged Pralievs background, requesting a 15-day sentence not as a punishment for the crossing itself, but as a mechanism to hold him while authorities assessed the threat he posed. She cited "concerns about the safety of the community" due to his affiliation with the Wagner Group, which she correctly identified as an organization linked to political violence and transnational crime. Judge Hacker sentenced Praliev to "time served," recognizing that he had already been in custody since his January 4 arrest, plus a nominal $10 special assessment fee. To a casual observer, a sentence of "time served" might imply immediate release. However, in the federal immigration system, the completion of a criminal sentence merely transfers custody to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Recognizing the unique danger Praliev represented, Judge Hacker ordered that he remain in federal custody indefinitely pending further proceedings. This legal maneuver effectively keeps Praliev off the streets without requiring a complex terrorism trial that might require the disclosure of classified intelligence. He is now in a legal limbo, likely being debriefed by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, who are undoubtedly eager to map the network that facilitated his journey from the heart of Russia to the Texas border. Strategic Implications: Sleeper Agent or Rogue Actor? The central question haunting U.S. officials is one of intent. Why would a member of the Wagner Group, fresh from receiving state honors, risk a clandestine border crossing with incriminating evidence in his backpack? Intelligence analysts posit several theories. The most alarming is the "sleeper agent" hypothesis. In this scenario, Praliev is part of a broader effort by Russian intelligence services (such as the GRU, which has absorbed many Wagner functions post-Prigozhin) to infiltrate operatives into the United States. The porous southern border offers a plausible denial of entry; if caught, they can claim asylum like millions of others. If successful, they can melt into the interior, armed with cash and passports, ready to conduct sabotage or surveillance. The drone supports this theoryit is a tool of the trade for modern target acquisition. Alternatively, Praliev could be a "rogue actor," a mercenary who sensed the shifting tides in Russia and decided to cash out. The Wagner Group has been in a state of flux since the death of its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in 2023. Many fighters have been absorbed into the regular Russian military or dispersed to African theaters. It is possible Praliev feared redeployment to a "meat grinder" front in Ukraine or retribution from rival factions within the Russian security apparatus. In this reading, the drone and cash were his insurance policyassets to be used for survival or bartered for safety. However, the December ceremony in Bashkortostan complicates this narrative. Men running for their lives generally do not stop to pick up awards from the government they are fleeing. This contradiction strongly suggests that even if he was fleeing, he was doing so with the knowledge and perhaps the tacit approval of elements within the Russian state, or that his "flight" was a cover for deployment. The Threat of Hybrid Warfare Pralievs arrest validates the warnings of border security hawks who have long argued that the chaotic situation at the U.S.-Mexico border is a national security vulnerability that extends far beyond migration policy. The concept of "Special Interest Aliens" (SIAs)individuals from countries with a presence of terrorist organizationshas often been dismissed as alarmist. Praliev is the living embodiment of the SIA threat. He represents the convergence of criminal migration networks and state-sponsored paramilitary activity. If a Wagner mercenary can cross the river with a drone, it raises the terrifying prospect of what else, or who else, might have crossed undetected. The incident suggests that adversarial nations view the U.S. border not as a sovereign boundary, but as a gray zone to be exploited. Furthermore, the incident highlights the critical importance of biometric and biographic intelligence sharing. Praliev was identified because his history was known, likely through facial recognition matches against open-source databases of Wagner fighters or shared intelligence from allied services monitoring Russian military activities. Without this digital safety net, he might have been processed as just another Kazakh national and released into the U.S. interior with a court date years in the future. The Praliev case will likely be used as a primary justification for expanding the vetting processes for asylum seekers and increasing the counter-intelligence resources deployed to border sectors. The detention of Timur Praliev is a stark warning flare fired over the geopolitical landscape of 2025. It demonstrates that the conflict in Ukraine and the shadow wars fought by Russian proxies are not contained within the Eastern Hemisphere. They have arrived at the Rio Grande. Pralievs journey from a stage in Bashkortostan to a jail cell in Texas, armed with the tools of modern surveillance and the credentials of a war criminal, serves as a testament to the fluidity of modern threats. Whether he is a spy, a saboteur, or a desperate deserter, his presence forces the United States to confront the reality that its borders are a frontline in the global struggle for security. As he sits in federal custody, the contents of his drone and the secrets in his memory may well provide the first real glimpse into a new, silent front opening on American soil. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address GRU Operations in the United States In the United States, Russian interference takes a very different form than the physical sabotage operations seen in Europe. Avril Haines, the US director of national intelligence, described Russia as "the most active foreign threat to our elections," making clear that Russian intelligence services, particularly the GRU, have focused heavily on cyber operations and information warfare targeting American democratic institutions. Unlike in Europe, where Russian operatives often hire local criminals ("proxies") to burn down warehouses or factories, the U.S. environment is harder for them to operate in. The primary Russian strategy against the U.S. homeland has been asymmetric, using cyber tools to attack physical utilities. Remote operations send incendiary devices via mail/cargo to avoid placing agents on the ground, while psychological opratons include bomb threats and disinformation. Possible Sabotage There has been a notable string of fires, explosions, and security breaches at defense manufacturing sites across the U.S. and Europe throughout 2024 and 2025. These incidents have drawn intense scrutiny due to the coinciding push to ramp up ammunition production for Ukraine and depleted national stockpiles. European facilities have faced a wave of incidents that intelligence agencies increasingly attribute to "hybrid warfare" or sabotage campaigns, likely orchestrated by Russian operatives or proxies. Since early 2024, NATO intelligence officials have warned that Russia is conducting a covert campaign to disrupt the Western defense industry. This includes arson and physical sabotage, including recruiting locals or criminals via Telegram to set fires or plant explosives. Reconnaissance use of drones (as seen in France) has become common, with surveillance of critical infrastructure. Cyberattacks target the logistical networks that move munitions. While Europe has borne the brunt of physical sabotage (arson and bombings), successful kinetic attacks by Russian operatives on U.S. soil remain rare due to distance and stricter counterintelligence surveillance. However, intelligence agencies have uncovered and disrupted several serious plots intended to bring the physical war to the American homeland. On 15 April 2024, an American artillery shell factory that ships some of its products to Ukraine went up in flames. This incident, along with other suspected sabotage attempts on U.S. soil, demonstrates that Russia's shadow war extends beyond Europe to include American targets, particularly those connected to military aid for Ukraine. However, the primary focus of GRU operations in the United States has been on cyber intrusions and election interference rather than physical attacks. On April 15, 2024, a fire broke out at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania. This facility is a critical node in the U.S. defense industrial base and had been heavily involved in manufacturing ammunition for Ukraine. Scranton Army Ammunition Plant (SCAAP), managed by the U.S. Army's Joint Munitions Command and operated by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. A small fire started in the factory's heat treatment building around 3:00 PM local time. The fire was quickly extinguished by emergency personnel. General Dynamics and local officials confirmed there were no injuries and that the fire was minor. Operations were reportedly not significantly impacted, and production resumed shortly after. The plant is specifically noted for producing 155mm artillery shell bodies (the steel casings), which are then shipped to other facilities (such as the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant) to be filled with explosives. These 155mm shells have been a primary munition supplied to Ukraine by the United States, making the Scranton facility a focal point of efforts to ramp up production to meet wartime demand. On 3 May 2024, 35-year-old Chechen-born utility worker and asylum seeker Ramzan Daraev was shot and killed on private property near Carthage, North Carolina, roughly 35 miles from Fort Liberty, by a U.S. Army Special Forces officer based at Fort Liberty. The shooting occurred after the officer reported a trespasser taking photographs on or near his rural property off Dowd Road in Moore County. Deputies arriving on scene found Daraev dead from multiple gunshot wounds along a power line about 250 yards from the roadway on the officers property. The deceased was identified as Ramzan Daraev, a 35-year-old native of Chechnya who had sought asylum in the United States and was living in the Chicago area. The shooter has been publicly described only as a U.S. Army Special Forces officer/colonel assigned to U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Liberty; his name has not been released by authorities. Daraev was working as a subcontractor for Cable Warriors, itself a subcontractor of Utilities One, on Brightspeeds fiber-optic expansion project, conducting survey/utility work in the Carthage area. There is a recurring pattern: armed residents, primed by fear of crime or prior incidents, confront people performing legitimate work at or near their property and escalate rapidly to gunfire, sometimes with criminal charges and sometimes with claims of justified self-defense. The pattern is complicated by a parallel rise in criminals posing as utility workers or contractors to commit robberies or home invasions, which feeds public suspicion and can further blur judgments about who is a threat. On 03 May 2024 two Jordanian nationals drove a box truck up to the gate of Marine Corps Base Quantico. When guards asked for identification, the men claimed to be Amazon subcontractors making a delivery. When directed to a holding area for vetting, the driver ignored the order and attempted to drive the truck past the guards into the base. The sentries deployed the "vehicle denial barriers" (pop-up steel barricades), effectively stopping the truck. It was later revealed that one of the men was a foreign student whose visa had been terminated, and the other had recently crossed the southern border illegally. This incident alarmed the intelligence community because Quantico houses the FBI Academy and major military training centers. It fits the profile of a "dry run" or a probe to test gate reaction times. Admiral Daryl Caudle (Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command) confirmed in May 2024 that this is not isolated to one base. He stated that foreign nationals (often Chinese or Russian) attempt to penetrate U.S. Navy bases "two to three times a week." They almost always claim to be "tourists" who got lost using Google Maps, or "students" interested in seeing ships. The "Cargo Plane" Incendiary Plot (2024) was the most significant known attempt to cause mass destruction within the US logistics network. In July 2024, incendiary devices concealed inside electric massage massagers ignited at DHL logistics hubs in Leipzig, Germany and Birmingham, UK. Western intelligence (including the CIA and MI6) determined that these fires were "test runs." The ultimate goal was to place these timed incendiary devices on cargo and passenger aircraft bound for North America (U.S. and Canada). Had the devices functioned as intended on a trans-Atlantic flight, they could have caused a mid-air fire and the loss of an aircraft. This plot triggered a massive, quiet overhaul of air cargo screening protocols for flights arriving in the US. While the Election Day Bomb Threats (November 2024) were hoaxes, they were treated as a form of "hybrid attack" designed to disrupt the functioning of the U.S. government. On Election Day 2024, multiple polling locations in swing states (specifically Georgia, Michigan, and Arizona) received bomb threats. The FBI confirmed that many of these threats originated from Russian email domains. The intent was to force evacuations, delay voting, and sow chaos in the democratic process. Following an explosion at a military munitions plant in Hickman County, Tennessee, on 10 October 2025, there was no official confirmation of sabotage. Local authorities and investigators were trying to determine the cause of the powerful blast at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant. Speculation about sabotage has circulated on social media, with some users posting conspiracy theories linking the incident to sabotage. Some of these posts, primarily on Facebook, include unconfirmed claims, such as the finding of an explosive device at a nearby military installation, Fort Campbell. These have not been verified by authorities. On Friday, October 10, 2025, a large explosion leveled one of the buildings at the Accurate Energetic Systems facility, which manufactures explosives and products for the military. The blast resulted in multiple fatalities, and at least 19 people were reported missing and feared dead on Friday. Authorities confirmed multiple fatalities and injuries. Officials, including local law enforcement and the Pentagon, are investigating the cause of the blast. Law enforcement had not confirmed or endorsed any of these theories. According to some reports, Accurate Energetic Systems participated in contracts for the production of artillery shells, and the facility produced explosives for 155mm shells that were sent to Ukraine. The factory that exploded in the United States produced explosives for 155-mm shells sent to Ukraine. However, this claim came from a single source - - and had not been widely corroborated in mainstream U.S. news reports, which primarily focus on the company's general contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense rather than specific end destinations for their products. Praveda USA reported " Over the past three years, the production of 155 mm shells in the United States has increased 5-7 times. The weapons factories switched to work in several shifts, which had a negative impact on compliance with safety standards." Cyber Operations The infrastructure of GRU cyber operations targeting the United States is extensive and constantly evolving. Russian intelligence services maintain dedicated facilities staffed by hundreds of officers and contractors who conduct round-the-clock operations against U.S. targets. These operations are supported by sophisticated technical infrastructure, including networks of compromised computers worldwide that serve as launching pads for attacks and help obscure the true origin of malicious activity. American cybersecurity firms and government agencies have documented the GRU's use of both custom-developed malware and commercially available hacking tools. The intelligence service has demonstrated particular skill in adapting its tactics in response to defensive measures, quickly shifting to new techniques when existing methods are detected and blocked. This cat-and-mouse dynamic has created an ongoing arms race between GRU hackers and American cyber defenders. The most significant GRU operation on U.S. soil remains the 2016 hack of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the subsequent release of stolen emails through WikiLeaks and other platforms. This operation, carried out by GRU Units 26165 and 74455, represented an unprecedented foreign attack on American democratic processes and set a template for Russian influence operations that continues to this day. The DNC hack began in the summer of 2015, when GRU cyber operators first gained access to the organization's computer networks. According to security researchers, two separate GRU groups entered the DNC's system and read email and chat communications for months before being detected. The hackers maintained persistent access to the networks, exfiltrating thousands of emails and documents that would later be weaponized for political purposes. Emails among Democratic Party leaders during the early stages of the 2016 presidential candidate selection process appeared to show favoritism toward Hillary Clinton over Bernie Sanders. WikiLeaks, a group that publishes original documents from anonymous sources and leakers, released the data without indicating its Russian origins. Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, stated that the Russian government had hacked into the DNC and released the emails to help Donald Trump, an assertion that was later confirmed by U.S. intelligence agencies. A grand jury in the Western District of Pennsylvania on 04 October 2018 indicted seven defendants, all officers in the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), for computer hacking, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. According to the indictment, beginning in or around December 2014 and continuing until at least May 2018, the conspiracy conducted persistent and sophisticated computer intrusions affecting U.S. persons, corporate entities, international organizations, and their respective employees located around the world. The charges were announced at a press conference by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady, and FBI Deputy Assistant Director Jeffrey J. Tricoli. "State-sponsored hacking and disinformation campaigns pose serious threats to our security and to our open society, but they are not invincible," said Assistant Attorney General Demers. "In this case, we have brought seven officers of the GRU out of the shadows and into the light and provided unprecedented detail about their cyber tools and techniques." The indictment alleges that defendants Yermakov, Malyshev, Badin, and unidentified conspirators, often using fictitious personas, targeted victims using spearphishing emails and other techniques, and installed malicious software or malware on victim computers. When the conspirators' remote hacking efforts failed to capture log-in credentials, or if the accounts that were successfully compromised did not have access to the desired information, the conspirators conducted close-access hacking operations, including traveling to locations where victims were physically present. On 29 December 2016, President Obama authorized a number of actions in response to the Russian government's aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election. The actions included the expulsion of 35 Russian intelligence operatives from the United States and the closure of two Russian compounds in New York and Maryland that were being used for intelligence-related purposes. Obama also imposed sanctions on nine entities and individuals, including two Russian intelligence services, the GRU and the FSB. The U.S. response to Russian election interference has evolved significantly since 2016. Federal agencies have established new cybersecurity protocols for election infrastructure, implemented information sharing mechanisms between state and federal authorities, and developed capabilities to detect and counter foreign influence operations in real-time. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have also created task forces specifically dedicated to countering Russian and other foreign election interference. Beyond election interference, GRU operations in the United States have targeted a wide range of institutions and sectors. These include: Cyberattacks against U.S. nuclear energy facilities, attempting to gather intelligence on critical infrastructure vulnerabilities Intrusions into U.S. anti-doping agencies, seeking to undermine investigations into Russian state-sponsored doping programs Attempts to compromise U.S. defense contractors and technology companies involved in military research and development Disinformation campaigns on social media platforms targeting American audiences on divisive political and social issues The sophistication of GRU cyber operations has increased substantially over time. Modern GRU hacking groups employ advanced persistent threat (APT) tactics, including custom malware, zero-day exploits, and supply chain attacks. They have demonstrated the ability to maintain long-term access to compromised networks, steal massive quantities of data, and cover their tracks to avoid attribution. U.S. authorities have responded with increasingly aggressive measures, including the unsealing of indictments against Russian intelligence officers, the seizure of domains used in cyber operations, and the public attribution of attacks to specific GRU units. These actions aim to impose costs on Russian intelligence services, disrupt their operations, and deter future attacks. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains limited by Russia's refusal to extradite its intelligence officers and the ongoing evolution of GRU tactics and capabilities. Vulnerabilities Remain The long-term implications of GRU operations in the United States extend beyond immediate security concerns. The attacks have damaged public confidence in democratic institutions, created political divisions that Russia can exploit, and raised fundamental questions about the vulnerability of American systems to foreign interference. Restoring public trust and building resilient defenses against future attacks remain critical challenges for U.S. policymakers and security professionals. Looking forward, experts anticipate that GRU operations targeting the United States will continue to evolve in sophistication and scope. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, deepfake videos, and quantum computing present both new vulnerabilities that Russia may exploit and new tools that the United States can use to strengthen its defenses. The ongoing competition between American cyber defenders and Russian intelligence services will likely remain a defining feature of the U.S.-Russia relationship for years to come. The United States has also enhanced its defensive capabilities through closer collaboration with private sector cybersecurity firms. Tech companies, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure operators now participate in regular threat intelligence sharing and coordinated response exercises. This public-private partnership model has proven essential for defending against sophisticated state-sponsored attacks, as private companies often detect intrusions before government agencies and possess technical expertise that complements official capabilities. Despite these efforts, significant vulnerabilities remain. The decentralized nature of American election infrastructure, with thousands of local jurisdictions managing their own systems, creates numerous potential points of entry for attackers. Social media platforms, while improving their defenses against coordinated inauthentic behavior, continue to struggle with the scale and sophistication of Russian information operations. The challenge of attributing attacks with sufficient confidence to warrant a strong response also complicates deterrence efforts. The scale and persistence of GRU operations targeting the United States underscore Russia's view that America remains its primary adversary. From election interference to infrastructure targeting to influence operations, Russian intelligence services have demonstrated both the capability and willingness to conduct aggressive operations against U.S. interests across multiple domains. The challenge for American policymakers is to develop an effective deterrent strategy that imposes meaningful costs on Russia without triggering dangerous escalation or compromising the rule of law. The legal and policy frameworks for responding to state-sponsored cyber operations remain inadequate. While the United States has indicted dozens of Russian intelligence officers, the lack of extradition means these indictments serve primarily as public attribution rather than criminal accountability. Economic sanctions have imposed some costs on Russia but have not fundamentally altered the GRU's operational calculus. The development of more effective deterrent measures remains an urgent priority for U.S. national security. American resilience in the face of Russian interference ultimately depends on more than just defensive measures. Strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing media literacy, securing election infrastructure, and building public consensus about the Russian threat are all essential components of a comprehensive strategy. The GRU's operations against the United States will continue to evolve, but so too must America's defenses adapt to meet these changing threats. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jose Antonio Kast: The Shadow of Two Dictatorships On December 14, 2025, Chileans voted in a presidential runoff election that represented the sharpest rightward shift in the South American nation since General Augusto Pinochet relinquished power in 1990. The man poised to become Chile's most right-wing leader in thirty-five years of democracy carried with him the shadows of two dictatorshipsone that ruled Chile for seventeen years, and one that devastated Europe for twelve. Jose Antonio Kast, a fifty-nine-year-old Catholic father of nine who has openly praised Pinochet and whose German-born father served as a lieutenant in Adolf Hitler's Wehrmacht, represents a phenomenon that transcends conventional political analysis. Understanding what makes Kast "tick" requires examining the psychological and ideological inheritance of authoritarianism, the weight of family legacy, and the appeal of order in societies traumatized by disorder. The Father's Shadow Michael Martin Kast was born in the Bavarian village of Thalkirchdorf on April 2, 1924, into a family that operated one of Germany's few powdered milk factories. By age fourteen he had joined the Hitler Youth, and on September 1, 1942, five months after turning eighteen, he voluntarily joined the Nazi Party. German historians emphasize that membership at this age was not automaticit required recommendation from district Nazi leaders and reflected genuine ideological affinity or opportunistic commitment to the regime. Kast served as a lieutenant in the German Army on the Eastern Front, where his wife Olga would later recount in her memoir that he initially resisted promotion because "dying as a hero did not interest him," but changed his mind when a sergeant explained that higher rank would give him more decision-making power and might spare him deployment to Stalingrad. When the war ended in 1945, Michael Kast did what thousands of Nazi officers didhe reinvented himself. He burned his army paperwork and obtained false Red Cross identification. During Germany's denazification process in 1947, officials initially rejected his false identity, but a sympathetic prosecutor burned Kast's actual Nazi Party records and let him go. He fled to Argentina and then to Chile, arriving in December 1950 via Vatican ratlines, the clandestine networks that helped Nazi war criminals and collaborators escape Europe. In Chile, Kast and his wife established Cecinas Bavaria, a sausage factory in Buin that became the family's economic foundation. They had ten children, three of whom predeceased them. Michael Kast died in 2014 at age ninety, having never publicly acknowledged his Nazi Party membership. Jose Antonio Kast, born January 18, 1966, grew up in this household where certain questions were not asked and certain truths were not spoken. When journalists began investigating his father's wartime activities during the 2021 presidential campaign, Kast reacted with fury, insisting his father was a forced conscript who never supported Nazi ideology. The revelation of Michael Kast's Nazi Party membership card from the German Federal Archives exposed this claim as false, yet Kast has never publicly reconciled this evidence with his earlier statements. Instead, he pivoted to arguing that his father could not have committed war crimes because he traveled freely to Germany in later years without arresta non-sequitur that sidesteps the documented fact of voluntary Nazi Party membership. The psychological impact of growing up as the son of a Nazi officer who successfully concealed his past cannot be understated. Children of such men often inherit a complex burden: the need to defend the father's honor, an attraction to the father's authoritarian values, and a deep anxiety about disorder and weakness. Jose Antonio's vehement defense of his father, even in the face of documentary evidence, suggests a man whose identity has been constructed partly in opposition to those who would condemn his father's choices. When critics label his father a Nazi, they are not merely stating a historical factthey are attacking the foundation of Kast's family mythology. The Pinochet Connection If Michael Kast's shadow falls across Jose Antonio's childhood, Augusto Pinochet's shadow falls across his political formation. The family's ties to Pinochet's dictatorship were extensive and intimate. Jose Antonio's brother Miguel Kast served as president of Pinochet's Central Bank and became one of the regime's influential "Chicago Boys," the neoliberal economists who restructured Chile's economy along radical free-market lines. Another brother, Christian Kast, was allegedly present at the site of the "Paine massacres" in September 1973, shortly after Pinochet's coup, where dozens of peasants and workers were murdered. Investigators probing the disappearance of Pedro Vargas, a labor organizer at the family's sausage factory, found that Christian Kast had delivered food to police holding detainees and attended a barbecue where prisoners were displayed before being hauled away to their deaths. Michael Kast himself was allegedly associated with the National Information Center, Pinochet's intelligence service, and played a role in Vargas's disappearance. When a family member of the disappeared man went to Michael Kast pleading for help, the elder Kast coldly replied, "Go home, there is a war going on and it is a matter of life and death." The Vargas family continued working at the Kast factory after Pedro's murdera fact Jose Antonio cites as evidence his family could not have been involved, though it more plausibly reflects the economic desperation and fear that characterized Chile under military rule. As a young man in 1988, Jose Antonio Kast appeared in a televised broadcast supporting the "Yes" vote in the plebiscite that would have extended Pinochet's rule for eight more years. Chileans voted "No," ending the dictatorship, but Kast's convictions remained unchanged. "If Pinochet were alive, he would vote for me," he declared during his 2017 presidential campaign. "We would have had tea together" in the presidential palace. In 2020 he clarified his position: "I am not a Pinochetista, but I value what was done during the Military Government" and what his brother "did as a minister." The distinction he draws is semantic rather than substantivehe defends the dictatorship's economic policies and its restoration of "order" while distancing himself from its most egregious human rights violations, which he characterizes as regrettable excesses rather than systemic features of authoritarian rule. Catholic Moralism and the Quest for Order Jose Antonio Kast's worldview is inseparable from his Catholic faith. Educated at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, where he encountered the Gremialista Movement founded by conservative intellectual Jaime Guzman, Kast absorbed a political theology that views society as naturally hierarchical, the family as the fundamental social unit, and the state's primary role as defending moral order. He is a practicing Catholic and member of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement, a conservative Catholic organization emphasizing Marian devotion and traditional family structures. Married to Maria Pia Adriasola, he has fathered nine childrena family size that itself serves as political statement in modern Chile, signaling rejection of contemporary norms around reproduction and women's autonomy. Kast's political positions flow directly from this Catholic moralism. He opposes abortion under all circumstances, including rape and threats to the mother's life. In 2007, as a deputy in Congress, he led an unsuccessful constitutional challenge to prevent commercialization of emergency contraceptive pills. He rejects same-sex marriage, opposes adoption by same-sex couples, and campaigns against "gender ideology," a catchall term the Catholic right uses to denounce feminism, LGBTQ rights, and comprehensive sex education. His 2021 campaign platform promised to promote "natural methods" of contraception and involve Christian churches in addressing drug and alcohol addiction, effectively outsourcing social policy to religious institutions that share his moral framework. Yet Kast's Catholicism is selective. The Church's emphasis on social justice, economic equality, and welcoming migrants finds little echo in his politics. His economic program follows neoliberal orthodoxytax cuts for corporations, reduction in government spending, privatization of services. His immigration rhetoric is harsh and uncompromising, describing Venezuelan and Haitian migrants as vectors of crime and promising mass deportations. This selective appropriation of Catholic doctrineembracing its sexual moralism while ignoring its social teachingplaces him squarely within a global pattern of right-wing populists who weaponize religion for nationalist and authoritarian ends while rejecting its universalist and compassionate elements. The Politics of Resentment Kast's political trajectory reveals a man driven by resentment at perceived betrayal. He joined the Independent Democratic Union in the late 1980s, attracted to a party founded by Jaime Guzman that represented "organic Pinochetism"the attempt to preserve authoritarian-era institutions and values within a formally democratic system. He served as a deputy from 2002 to 2018, becoming the party's secretary-general, and prioritized religious and moral issues while largely avoiding direct defense of Pinochet's legacy. But as UDI evolved toward moderation, forming coalitions with centrist parties and softening its rhetoric about the dictatorship, Kast grew increasingly alienated. In May 2016, after twenty years of membership, he resigned from UDI in a bitter letter accusing the party of betraying its principles through "excessive moderation and compromises that alienated its conservative base." He specifically criticized UDI's participation in the Chile Vamos coalition, which he viewed as diluting core conservative positions by accommodating center-left influences. For Kast, the party's crime was not that it defended Pinochet but that it failed to defend him enthusiastically enough. This patternof demanding absolute ideological purity and viewing pragmatic compromise as moral corruptionreveals an authoritarian mindset that sees politics not as negotiation among competing interests but as spiritual warfare between good and evil. His 2017 presidential campaign as an independent candidate tested whether space existed to the right of traditional conservatism. He garnered only 7.9 percent of the vote, but the result convinced him that a constituency existed for uncompromising right-wing politics. In 2019 he founded the Republican Party, explicitly positioning it as the true heir to Pinochet's legacy against the "moderate" parties that had dominated Chile's right since redemocratization. When massive protests erupted in October 2019 against inequality and the enduring structures of Pinochet's neoliberal state, Kast saw not a legitimate expression of grievance but chaos requiring authoritarian response. His 2021 campaign, running as leader of a now-organized party rather than as an independent, capitalized on fear of disorder. He won the first round with 28 percent of the vote before losing the runoff to Gabriel Boric, 44 percent to 56 percent. The 2025 Opportunity Four years of leftist governance under Boric created conditions ideal for Kast's message. Chile, once among Latin America's safest and most prosperous nations, experienced rising violent crime, with homicides spiking in 2023 before declining somewhat in 2024. An influx of Venezuelan migrants fleeing economic collapse, combined with increased presence of transnational organized crime, fueled public anxiety about security and national identity. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted economic growth. Boric's progressive coalition failed to address these concerns effectively, and voters punished incumbency. In the November 16, 2025 first round, Kast finished second with 23.9 percent of the vote, behind Communist Party candidate Jeannette Jara's 26.8 percent, but the combined right-wing vote exceeded 50 percent. Kast entered the December runoff as the heavy favorite. His 2025 campaign demonstrated political evolution. Having lost in 2021 by appearing too extreme, he moderated his rhetoric strategically. He avoided discussing his father's Nazi past and his own Pinochet nostalgia, focusing instead on crime and immigration. He campaigned behind bulletproof glass, visually reinforcing his message that Chile faces existential danger requiring strong leadership. He praised El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, whose authoritarian crackdown on gangs has proven popular despite human rights abuses. He spoke admiringly of Donald Trump and adopted Trumpian rhetoric about making Chile great again. He promised to dig ditches and build walls on the northern border, deport hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants, increase prison sentences, and isolate gang leaders from other prisoners. Yet beneath this tactical moderation, Kast's essential worldview remained unchanged. His vision for Chile involves restoring a hierarchical social order where traditional Catholic morality governs private life, where the state exercises authoritarian power against "enemies" defined as migrants, criminals, communists and social movements, and where economic policy follows neoliberal orthodoxy. His Republican Party, which won 35 percent of votes in 2023 constitutional council elections, represents the most successful far-right political organization in Chile's democratic era, drawing support from evangelicals as well as Catholics, from working-class voters fearful of crime as well as from elites nostalgic for Pinochet's certainties. The Authoritarian Inheritance What makes Jose Antonio Kast "tick" is ultimately the authoritarian inheritanceboth familial and politicalthat has shaped his psychology and ideology. He is the son of a Nazi officer who never acknowledged his past, growing up in a household where silence about wartime activities created a mythology of innocent victimhood. He is the brother of Pinochet's economists and the nephew, metaphorically, of a dictatorship that murdered and tortured thousands while restructuring Chilean society along radically unequal lines. These inheritances are not merely biographical details but formative experiences that produced a man who sees disorder as the ultimate evil, authority as inherently legitimate, and compromise as weakness. Kast represents a distinctly modern form of authoritarianismone that operates within democratic forms while corroding democratic substance. He does not propose abolishing elections or establishing dictatorship outright. Instead, he promises "order," "security," and restoration of "traditional values" through expanded police powers, mass deportations, longer prison sentences, and rollback of progressive social reforms. He cultivates relationships with other authoritarian populistsTrump, Bukele, Bolsonaroand learns from their playbooks about mobilizing anxiety, demonizing enemies, and concentrating power while maintaining a democratic facade. His bulletproof glass is both practical security and powerful symbol: the leader besieged by chaos, offering himself as the only alternative to national collapse. The deeper question is what drives Kast psychologically. Part of the answer lies in the need to vindicate his father and brother against historical judgmentto prove that the authoritarians were right, that the dictatorships were necessary, that the men who wore uniforms and gave orders were not monsters but patriots. Part lies in genuine religious conviction about the moral decay of modern society and the need for patriarchal authority to restore proper order. Part lies in class interesthis family's business flourished under Pinochet, and neoliberal economics serve the wealthy well. And part lies in the profound psychological appeal of certainty, hierarchy, and belonging that authoritarianism offers to those uncomfortable with democracy's messiness, pluralism, and perpetual negotiation. Chile's December 2025 runoff posed a stark question: would voters choose continuity with progressive governance, despite its failures, or embrace a hard-right turn toward a man whose family history connects two of the twentieth century's most destructive dictatorships and who has never hidden his nostalgia for authoritarian rule? Polls consistently showed Kast leading by double digits, suggesting that fear of crime and disorder had overcome fear of authoritarianism. Whether that triumph proves temporary or marks a genuine transformation of Chilean politics will depend partly on Kast's actions in office, but it will depend more fundamentally on whether Chilean democracy can address the legitimate anxieties about security and prosperity that Kast has exploited so effectively. Jose Antonio Kast is not an anomaly but a symptom of incomplete reckoning with dictatorial pasts, of neoliberal policies that produce inequality and insecurity, of democratic institutions that fail to deliver safety and prosperity, and of the eternal human temptation to surrender freedom for the promise of order. The man carried within him the unresolved traumas and unrepudiated legacies of two totalitarian systems, and his success reflects not merely his political skill but the deeper failures of societies that have never fully confronted what their fathers did and why. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An-22 Antei Cock - Losses During the entire operation of the Anteev, 8 vehicles were lost. Antonov An-22 Antei (NATO reporting name: Cock) is a Soviet-designed heavy turboprop transport characterized by its high-mounted wing and distinctive H-tail with twin vertical stabilizers on the tips of the horizontal stabilizer, a configuration that clearly differentiates it from single-fin transports such as the C-130 or Il-76. On 09 December 2025, an Antonov An-22 "Antei" of the Russian Aerospace Forces crashed in Ivanovo Oblast following a reported mid-air structural breakup, believed to involve the last operational airframe of this type in Russian service. The aircraft was conducting a post-maintenance or test/inspection flight. Initial reports indicate a catastrophic in-flight failure led to the crash into the Uvodskoye Reservoir near Ivankovo, resulting in the fatalities of all crew members on board. Early investigative narratives from authorities and independent sources point to potential causal factors including technical malfunction, control system or actuator issues, or inherent structural problems in an aged airframe subjected to recent maintenance activities. According to publicly available reports, the aircraft involved was performing a post-maintenance check flight (also described as a test or acceptance flight) following scheduled repair work. Such flights are a standard procedure carried out after maintenance to verify aircraft airworthiness before returning it to operational service. Official statements indicate that the aircraft was not in routine transport service at the time of the accident, but rather conducting this mandatory post-repair flight. Public sources have not officially specified which repair facility performed the maintenance; this detail is typically determined during the investigation. Some media outlets have mentioned Ivanovo and specific maintenance organizations, but these claims have not been uniformly confirmed by primary official sources and should therefore be treated as unverified. The An-22 was obsolete and largely withdrawn many years ago, but it was never completely retired. A very small number remained on the books for rare, specialized use, which is why an An-22 could still be flying at all, particularly on a post-maintenance check flight rather than a normal operational mission. The An-22 was phased out rather than fully retired, which is why some examples were still flying. Beginning in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the Russian military removed the An-22 from regular frontline transport missions because the fleet was small, the aircraft was costly and complex to maintain, and newer types such as the Il-76 and An-124 could handle most tasks more efficiently. However, withdrawal from routine service did not mean immediate decommissioning or scrapping. A small number of An-22 airframes were kept in a reserve or limited-use status. These aircraft were not scheduled for frequent transport missions but were retained for specific, narrow purposes. The An-22 has an unusually large cargo compartment and very good short-field performance for an aircraft of its size, which makes it suitable for certain oversized or awkward loads that are difficult to carry on other transports without partial disassembly. For rare missions of this kind, keeping one or two aircraft technically airworthy was considered worthwhile. Another reason the type continued to fly is institutional inertia. As long as an aircraft remains on the official inventory, there are assigned crews, technical documentation, and a minimal maintenance chain. Fully retiring a type requires formal decisions, funding for disposal, and acceptance that no niche capability will be lost. In practice, this often leads to very old aircraft flying a few hours per year long after they are assumed by outsiders to be gone. Aircraft in reserve status must still undergo periodic maintenance and certification flights. After major maintenance or repair work, a test or check flight is mandatory to confirm airworthiness. These flights are infrequent but unavoidable if the aircraft is to remain legally and technically operable. For an airframe as old as the An-22, such flights inherently carry higher risk due to accumulated structural fatigue, aging systems, and limited availability of original spare parts. The available video evidence included blurry, low-contrast views of a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft in a steep bank or departure, making it hard to see shape and context clearly. Microsoft copilot was no help, explaining "The image enhancement request was blocked due to safety policy. It appears the scene may involve sensitive or potentially unsafe content, such as military operations or airborne personnel. Im not able to generate or modify images that could be interpreted as depicting harm or high-risk scenarios. ... Sorry, I couldn't generate that image. Please try again. The issue is that the image you uploaded depicts a military aircraft performing an airdrop, which includes figures falling from the plane. Even though it's likely a training exercise or simulation, this kind of scene can be interpreted as involving potential harm or high-risk scenarios. Because of that, I'm not allowed to generate or modify images that show or imply danger to people even in stylized or fictional contexts. If you'd like, I can help reframe the concept to focus on something safer, like the aircraft in flight or a cargo drop without visible personnel. Just let me know how you'd like to proceed." Perplexity was equally unhelpful, offering only to "Create schematic line drawings or block diagrams that explicitly state they are interpretive, not photographic, with annotations for aircraft type, break location (aft of the wing), and observed deformation, rather than asking the model to generate a realistic accident snapshot. Within this interface, that schematic/annotated-description route is the closest achievable to something useful without compromising technical accuracy or evidentiary integrity. ... A realistic, faithful drawing of that accident cannot be produced reliably: any new image will be a synthetic reconstruction, not an evidence-grade depiction of the original frame.... Without pixel-accurate control, any attempt to redraw the prompt image risks altering planform, fuselage break point, and attitude, which would be misleading... " ChaGPT "enhanced the image to improve interpretability by applying the following processing steps: Converted to grayscale to reduce noise from color artifacts. Increased contrast to better separate the aircraft silhouette from the background. Sharpened edges to clarify structural features. Applied edge enhancement to make contours and geometry more distinct." ChaptGPT then offered to "Produce multiple enhancement variants (e.g., high-contrast silhouette vs. edge-only). Attempt super-resolution upscaling (with the caveat that this introduces inferred detail). Provide a technical interpretation of the aircraft configuration based on the enhanced silhouette." ChatGPT also offered to "Provide a technical aircraft configuration assessment based on these variants; Attempt AI-assisted super-resolution (explicitly labeled as inferential) and Generate annotated overlays highlighting probable aerodynamic features." But none of this chatter produced an interesting image. The video image showed a distinct broken "V" outline, provides critical forensic engineering data. The geometry is consistent with the An-22's unique broad, deep fuselage, a design optimized for high-volume, heavy-lift cargo missions. The visible high-mounted wing roots and overall planform confirm the aircraft type. The "V" silhouette is a direct visual indicator of a severe structural failure in the aircraft's central fuselage section, a mode known as a hogging-type bending failure. In this failure mode, the nose and tail sections droop downward relative to the still-lifting center section attached to the wings. This occurs when primary longitudinal load-bearing elementssuch as the upper skin panels, longerons, and floor beamsexceed their ultimate tensile strength or fatigue life, losing integrity. The fuselage effectively folds under combined aerodynamic and inertia loads, with the wing's lift creating a bending moment that the compromised fuselage structure can no longer resist. The operational history and metallurgy of the An-22 fleet are central to understanding the failure's plausibility. As airframes originally manufactured in the 1960s, these aircraft have been subjected to decades of cyclic loadingpressurization cycles, gust loads, and ground-air-ground stress transitionsleading to cumulative metal fatigue. Fatigue initiates micro-cracks at stress concentrators (e.g., rivet holes, skin joints, frame intersections), which can propagate undetected through critical structural members. This process is exacerbated by age-related corrosion, potential stress corrosion cracking, variations in prior loading spectra, and possible maintenance shortcomings where inspections might not have identified nascent crack networks or where repairs may have inadvertently altered local stress distributions. Even without final investigation reports, the combination of an aged aluminum alloy structure and high operational stresses presents a highly plausible underlying factor for a catastrophic structural failure. The aerodynamics of the failure sequence dictate the rapid progression to complete breakup. Once the primary fuselage structure in the mid-section is compromised, the aircraft's geometry and load distribution create a destabilizing positive feedback loop. The high-mounted wings continue to generate lift, applying an upward force on the center section. Simultaneously, the massive forward fuselage (containing the cockpit and cargo floor structure) and the empennage section exert significant downward inertial and gravitational forces. This creates an extreme bending moment at the failure point. The structure rapidly experiences a downward snap or hinge-like failure in the middle, leading to a loss of overall torsional rigidity and aerodynamic stability. The increasing asymmetric loads promote the immediate and catastrophic separation of major airframe components, consistent with the observed in-flight breakup. This failure mode has a conceptual parallel in documented aviation structural accidents, most notably the 2002 crash of a U.S. Forest Service C-130A (Tanker 130) in California. In that incident, widespread fatigue cracking in the center wing boxthe primary structure joining the wings and transmitting lift to the fuselageled to the wings folding upward and separating under normal flight loads. While the primary failure locus in the C-130A was the wing box and in the An-22 appears to be the fuselage itself, the fundamental engineering principle is identical: the failure of a primary load-path structure under bending stress leads to instantaneous aerodynamic disintegration. In the Ivanovo An-22 incident, imagery suggests the initial failure was a longitudinal rupture of the fuselage, with wings and tail remaining momentarily attached, creating the characteristic "V" profile before total structural dissolution and ground impact. 1. July 18, 1970 An-22 CCCP-09303 (00340207), 81st brigade. The ship's commander is 1st class military pilot, deputy commander of the 2nd aviation squadron, Major A.Ya. Boyarintsev. July 18, at 17:30 Moscow time, with a cargo of food and medicine, disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean 47 minutes after takeoff from Keflavik airport (Iceland). The plane was heading to Lima (Peru) to deliver aid to earthquake victims. There were no radiograms indicating any failures from the crew. The reason for the disappearance of the plane could not be established. According to all documents, the commander of the ship was Major Boyarintsev A.Ya., but in fact the commander of the ship was the commander of the aviation detachment, Major Ageev E.A. Major Boyarintsev A.Ya. He was part of the crew as an instructor and gave permission to the ships commander to fly on international air routes. The navigator, on-board engineer, and senior on-board technician at JSC also gave access to their trainees. On board were specialists from the regiment's aviation engineering service and passengers. 2. December 19, 1970 An-22 CCCP-09305 (9340205), 81st brigade. The ship's commander is 1st class military pilot, commander of the 1st aviation squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Skok N.S. On December 19, 1970, 40 minutes after takeoff from Dhaka Airport (India), all 4 engines turned off mid-flight. One of them was launched, but when landing at Panagarh airport (India), the An-22 flew over almost the entire runway (2200 m) at an altitude of one meter. During leveling, a right roll occurred, which led to the wing console touching the ground, its destruction, fuel leakage and intensive fire development. The plane, while moving on uneven ground, collapsed and burned. The reason is the separation of one of the rear propeller blades of the 2nd power plant, which destroyed the engine control wiring. The landing of the crew of Lieutenant Colonel N.S. Skok. can be safely included in textbooks. The plane was planning for the airfield from an altitude of approximately 6000 m. There was no panic among the crew, which is confirmed by the recording on the MS-61B tape recorder. In this situation, the on-board engineer made several attempts to start the engines and started one of them. The only reason for the disaster was that the crew was unable to reduce the landing speed; there was simply nothing to suppress it with: the flaps and landing gear were retracted, the energy from the batteries was spent trying to start the engines, and the navigation instruments did not work. 3. December 21, 1976 An-22 USSR-09318 (00340501), 566 vtap. The ship's commander is military pilot 1st class, Major V.A. Efremov. On December 21, 1976, in Seshche, while performing a test flight to measure forces in the control wiring elements at maximum deflection of the rudders, the aircraft entered a deep slide. Trying not to lose altitude, the commander took the helm. This led to the aircraft reaching critical angles of attack and flipping over. The plane fell from a height of approximately 6000 m on its back, breaking up in the air... This was the next stage of military testing without the involvement of test pilots. The crew was selected as a team. No one could imagine how the plane would behave... Subsequently, the angle of deflection of the rudders was limited and pilots were advised not to use rudders at all when making turns; the Antey had enough ailerons. 4. June 8, 1977 An-22 USSR-09349 (02340405), 566th class. The ship's commander is military pilot 1st class, Major A.N. Stenyaev. On June 8, 1977, while taking off from the Seshcha airfield, the plane did not take off from the ground on takeoff and crashed into a forest. The crew was not injured, the car cannot be restored. The reason is the spontaneous operation of the steering wheel locking system. 5. June 6, 1980 An-22 USSR-09311 (043481251 (0601)), 8th flight. The commander of the ship is military pilot 1st class, Major V.I. Shigaev. On June 6, 1980, while landing at Vnukovo airport, a fire broke out on board the plane due to thermal runaway of the batteries. After the report about the fire, the crew was not informed about the landing airport for a long time; after all, it was a Moscow zone. The fire and smoke in the cabin increased. The crew was allowed to enter the unpaved runway at Vnukovo Airport. The crew was unable to keep the plane on the glide path, they landed on rough terrain before the runway, a reinforced concrete airport lighting pole fell on the cabin, the plane collapsed and burned. Three crew members were killed: the ship's commander, the on-board engineer and the translator. The rest managed to get out of the destroyed and burning plane. It should be noted that until this time the battery compartment was not equipped with fire sensors and a fire extinguishing system. Only after this disaster were sensors installed in the compartment and an opening porthole installed, through which, in the event of a fire, one of the crew members was supposed to discharge a portable fire-fighting cylinder. 6. November 11, 1992 An-22 USSR-09303 (053483299 (0610)), 8th flight. The ship's commander is military pilot 1st class, Major I.P. Misyutin. On November 11, 1992, while taking off from the Migalovo airfield (Tver), the plane entered the second critical mode and fell in the area of ??the first turn. 33 people died. The plane was performing a commercial flight Tver - Yerevan. It is no secret that in those days BTA tried to earn at least some money by any means possible, providing its planes for transporting goods of all kinds of commercial companies. The crew could only estimate the weight of the cargo that was loaded onto the plane by eye and from the invoices. No weighings were carried out (there are simply no scales!). Guessing that the plane was overloaded, the flight engineer drained 10 tons of fuel; more was not possible, because... would not be enough to reach Yerevan. But that didn't help either. According to the decoding of MSRP-64, the take-off weight reached 264 tons! The plane was overloaded by almost 20 tons. Members of the commission came to this conclusion when they weighed rolls of leather that were loaded onto the plane at the crash site. In the invoices, one roll weighed 30 kg, and at the scene of the disaster - 36 kg (this takes into account that it was fried in the fire)! 7. January 19, 1994 An-22 RA-09331 (02340408), 8th flight. The ship's commander is military pilot 1st class, Major A.Ya. Credin. On January 19, 1994, during takeoff from the Migalovo airfield, a strong right bank occurred. The crew tried to make an emergency landing of the car, but literally 10 m of height was not enough... Presumably the cause of the roll was icing of the wing. Two crew members survived. The history of this disaster is as follows: on January 18, 1994, while flying from Templin (Germany) to Rostov-on-Don, due to weather conditions, the crew of Major A.Ya. Kredin. with an instructor, deputy squadron commander, Major Nikolaichik A.V., landed in Tver, at his Migalovo airfield. They were unable to roll the plane into the parking lot on icy taxiways. The plane remained parked on the taxiway. It snowed at night. The next day, January 19, the crew flew to Rostov-on-Don. On takeoff, the plane reached critical angles of attack. The crew did not have enough altitude to take the plane out. The plane's right plane touched the ground, and the plane fell off. Further along the plane's path were centuries-old trees, through which the plane passed as if through a comb. Two crew members, including Major Nikolaychik, survived. The commission made public the cause of the disaster: a break in the right aileron control rod in the area of the 4th rib of the wing (in the place where the wing broke off when it hit the ground). Representatives of the Antonov Design Bureau did not agree with the commissions conclusions. During testing, "Antey" took off and landed safely with the aileron locked. In the event of a thrust failure, the aileron would remain in a neutral position due to the oncoming flow. Presumably the cause of the roll was icing of the wing that was not detected in time while the aircraft was parked on the ground. The funny thing is that they proved to the members of the commission that before takeoff the plane was specially treated with Arktika anti-icing fluid, and according to documents, the airfield maintenance battalion had not had it for several months... 8. December 28, 2010 An-22A RA-09343 (043482272), 76th Guards Air Force. Crew commander - Major Andrey Anatolyevich Belov. On December 28, 2010, at about 21.30, in the area of the village of Maloye Skuratovo, Tula Region, an An-22 crashed in difficult weather conditions while flying from Voronezh to Migalovo (Tver). A crater with a diameter of about 20 m and a depth of 4 m formed at the crash site. The wreckage of the aircraft was scattered over a radius of 800 m. 12 people died (prime crew and reserve). Attention misinformation! The captainsim website reports an alleged An-22 crash on 10/28/1984 in the Kabul area. This is not true. There were no Anteev losses in Afghanistan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address News / National by Staff reporter Shocking allegations have surfaced that apartheid-era operatives orchestrated a campaign to spread HIV/Aids among black South Africans to reduce thepopulation ahead of the country's first non-racial elections.The claims, detailed in a new book, Who Really Killed Chris Hani?, point to a deliberate effort to use biological warfare as a tool of oppression.In a devastating exploration of apartheid's final, desperate years, retired judge Chris Nicholson's new book alleges that the racist regime and its allies actively pursued a campaign of biological warfare, seeking to use the emerging HIV/Aids pandemic as a weapon to alter the demographic balance of power.The book presents a tapestry of evidence, drawing from apartheid-era documents, testimonies from former security operatives, and historical connections to global eugenics movements, to support the harrowing claim that the spread of the virus was not merely neglected but, in some instances, deliberately facilitated.Nicholson posits that for the apartheid state and its business beneficiaries, faced with the inevitability of non-racial elections, two nightmares loomed: Nuremberg-style trials for crimes against humanity and the economic redistribution promised by the ANC's Freedom Charter."So desperate were the right-wing whites to retain power and wealth that they would consider any solution to avoid these two consequences," he writes.The emergence of Aids in the early 1980s presented a macabre opportunity: "Some extremists went as far as looking for ways that the black majority could be reduced, short of a Nazi-style mass extermination strategy."The arrival of the deadly Aids virus gave hope to these white supremacists that nature might achieve their goal for them."This notion, Nicholson suggests, was discussed at high levels. He cites former security branch policeman JG Scholte, writing under a pseudonym, whorecalled a conversation with a soldier in 1983.The soldier allegedly revealed: "South Africa is busy doing research, developing a method of curbing blacks from multiplying. The plan is to make it look natural so the world wouldn't suspect anything."One of the aspects was to make it a sexually transmittable disease because of the blacks' hyperactive sexual tendency and having multiple sexual partners."The book directly implicates the apartheid state's clandestine chemical and biological warfare programme, Project Coast, and its head, Dr Wouter Basson.Nicholson quotes academic Robin Jakob's dissertation, which found that "evidence emerged that the state had tried to develop HIV as a biological weapon".Jakob noted that one Project Coast project at the Roodeplaat research laboratories (RRL) "sought to turn HIV into a sterility agent that could be administered to black women, reducing birth rates and opposition to apartheid".Another scholar, Jeremy Youde, is cited confirming that "RRL [Roodeplaat research laboratories] spent a great deal of time and money on utilising HIV as this agent".Youde also noted that rumours in Zulu communities spoke of a white "doctor of death" unleashing Aids, a figure "widely assumed" to be Basson.The allegations move from research to operational deployment. Nicholson details claims from apartheid-era insiders about deliberate infection campaigns.Former "dirty tricks" operative Paul Erasmus, in his book Confessions of a Stratcom Hitman, states that he "was approached with a request to obtain a usable' quantity of HIV-infected blood".His understanding was that HIV-positive "askaris" (turned freedom fighters) from Vlakplaas "were being dispatched to have unprotected sex withwomen identified as lefties".Similarly, Scholte claimed that "when the ANC exiles returned, the CCB [Civil Cooperation Bureau] ran a major operation in the transit camps' by making available HIV-positive women to the men".This is corroborated by Truth and Reconciliation Commission testimonies cited by Nicholson.He references Youde's work, which records that "two former security officers claimed they took HIV-positive men to two hotels in Hillbrow, instructing them to infect the hotels' sex workers with HIV to spread the disease more widely".CCB operative Willie Nortje supported this, stating that they acted on Eugene de Kock's instructions.Nicholson cites the 1996 book SellOut! by PJ Pretorius, another intelligence officer, which claimed: "Aids was seen as the dominant factor to curb black domination."Pretorius also referenced a "German scientific study" procured by the national intelligence service that suggested "South Africa will once again be characterised by white domination by the year 2010" due to Aids. The Broederbond, thesecret Afrikaner brotherhood, allegedly conducted population projections in mid-1980s that "suggested whites would be in the majority in the future due to the devastating effects that Aids was projected to have on the black population."ANC intellectual Jabulani "Mzala" Nxumalo wrote before his death in 1991 that HIV might have been invented in "laboratories of the military-industrial complex".Nicholson connects this to former president Thabo Mbeki's own 2000 parliamentary address, where he quoted a racist email hoping "Aids isn't working fast enough" to kill black South Africans, warning that racism was not dead.At the heart of this dark narrative is Chris Hani himself.Nicholson reveals that Hani, as early as 1990, gave a prescient and urgent warning to ANC members in Maputo: "We cannot afford to allow the Aids epidemic to ruin the realisation of our dreams."Existing statistics indicate that we are still at the beginning of the Aids epidemic in our country."Unattended, however, this will result in untold damage and suffering by the end of the century." B-52J Stratofortress On 12 December 2025 a B-52H fitted with the new active electronically scanned array radar completed a ferry/test flight from Boeings San Antonio facility to Edwards AFB, marking the first flight in the dedicated Radar Modernization Program test campaign. This radar, derived from the Navys Super Hornet set, is intended to provide greater detection range, better weather penetration, and improved electronic warfare resilience for the future B-52J configuration. Once complete, the B-52J package is intended to combine improved range and reliability from F130 engines with a modern sensor and digital backbone able to support long-range standoff weapons, hypersonic cruise missiles, and updated nuclear capabilities. The internal weapons bay and networked architecture are being optimized so the platform can act as a high-capacity standoff arsenal bomber operating alongside stealthier B-21s rather than penetrating dense air defenses itself. The B-52J label will apply to todays B-52H fleet once aircraft receive both the new Rolls-Royce F130 engines and the new radar, along with cockpit/avionics and comms upgrades. Current planning envisions 76 aircraft being converted, with operational B-52Js expected around the early 2030s and service life extended into the 2050s. By 2025 the B-52J effort was running several years behind original targets, driven in large part by radar development and production issues such as environmental qualification, parts procurement, and software challenges. These delays and associated cost growth have triggered NunnMcCurdy scrutiny and fueled debate over whether to double down on B-52J or shift resources toward a larger B-21 Raider fleet. B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program (B-52 CERP) would support nuclear and conventional operations by replacing the aircrafts engine with military-configured commercial engines. With initial operational capability in mid-fiscal year 2033, the Air Force planned for continued B-52H operations through the year 2050. . Along with the new engines, the B-52 CERP will replace associated subsystems, such as engine struts, the electrical power generation system, and cockpit displays for the B-52H fleet. Although the B-52 is the oldest of all bombers, it is not a legacy platform. It will remain viable until at least 2050, and the B-52J will be very different from earlier models. The Air Force is updating everything - new radar, engines, upgraded communications and datalink capabilities, and the upgraded B-52J will be more easily sustained, maintained and adaptable to future threats. This upgrade will increase fuel efficiency and electrical power generation capacity and provide modern digital engine controls and displays. The B-52 Program Office initiated a B-52 modernization program integration working group to review options for aligning the B-52 CERP development and modification program with other major B-52 modernization programs. The effort is intended to identify potential test resource and fleet modification program efficiencies to minimize impact on B-52 operational availability. The Air Force developed a traditional production and fleet modification strategy for the remaining 74 B-52 aircraft. This strategy includes production of 11 LRIP aircraft to support the final phase of system development testing and IOT&E. The remaining 63 aircraft would be modified in 6 FRP lots. The Air Force continues to evaluate options to accelerate production and fielding, including the potential use of the MTA rapid fielding pathway. At Air Force Acquisition Executive direction, the program transitioned to the Major Capability Acquisition [MCA] pathway with a planned Milestone B decision in FY24. The proposed acquisition strategy extended system development until FY31 to better integrate with preceding modernization upgrades, to include the radar modernization and communication system upgrades, along with ongoing aircraft sustainment programs. The proposed program schedule includes system-level Critical Design Review in FY25 followed by modification of two test aircraft. Developmental and integrated flight testing would begin in FY28 leading to IOT&E in FY31. In December 2023, B-52 CERP transitioned from the MTA pathway to the MCA pathway. The transition from the former effort, known as the B-52 CERP rapid virtual prototype, occurred prior to the start of system development. Although the program transitioned pathways, officials stated that the development contract would still not be awarded until completion of the critical design review, now planned for August 2025, nearly 2 years later than previously planned. In the meantime, officials stated that they plan to complete design work under an extension to the virtual prototyping contract. Delays to critical design were a result of underestimating the level of funding needed to complete the detailed design activities. Specifically, as the B-52 prototyping effort was extended from preliminary design to critical design, program officials received a proposal for the detailed design work. Program officials stated that the proposal cost exceeded the programs available funding, and that they asked Boeing to slow its level of work to align with available funding. They also noted that an associated materials contract could not be awarded, causing additional delays. Extending the service life of the B-52 is becoming more and more expensive. In particular, the latest estimate for the B-52 engine replacement program has grown to $15 billion, which is $2.5 billion more than the initial estimate. In addition, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the engine replacement program is already three years behind schedule. The delays were mainly caused by the Air Force upgrading the B-52 re-engine program from medium to high priority. Boeing management responded to this by ... increasing the cost of the program. As a result, according to senior Air Force officials, it has become simply unaffordable for the Customer. An additional delay was caused by the need to redesign the engine air intake. This, in turn, required additional wind tunnel tests, and their rental time is scheduled quite strictly. Electronics engineers were not far behind the engine specialists. The latest estimates for the cost of replacing the B-52 radar have jumped from $2.3 billion to $3.3 billion. This brings the radar replacement program closer to a critical cost overrun, the so-called Nunn-McCurdy violation. The consequence could be a tedious procedure for justifying the cost overrun, and ultimately funding could be cut off altogether. Nevertheless, the Air Force is still refining the estimates for the upgrade cost and is waiting for proposals (with reduced costs) from Boeing, the prime contractor for the program. The military, for its part, is also ready to review the requirements for the radar and engines in the direction of softening. B-52 Radar Modernization Program (B-52 RMP) Air Forces B-52 RMP plans to replace the current APQ-166 radar on all 76 B-52 aircraft with a modern off-the-shelf Active Electronically Scanned Array radar. The new radar is expected to provide improved functionality and reliability to support both nuclear and conventional B-52 missions while allowing for mission-essential aircraft navigation and weather avoidance. The Air Force plans for continued B-52 operations through the year 2050. B-52 RMP reported it has no critical technologies. According to program officials, all planned technologies were fully mature because the program is using off-the-shelf components. The program has met one key practice for design stability releasing at least 90 percent of design drawingsbut not the second practice, testing a system-level integrated prototype. The program considers integration testing to be one of its top risks. Previously, the program stated that it was not performing a test of a system-level integrated prototype. This year, it stated that it plans to conduct this test in 2024well after the programs 2022 critical design review. It also noted that it has already tested prototypes of some components. Our prior work has shown that testing a system-level integrated prototype before critical design review helps demonstrate that a systems design meets requirements. B-52J Megafortress Dale Brown novels have used various modified variants of the B-52 Stratofortress. The Megafortress first appeared in Dale Brown's Flight of the Old Dog and is expanded and upgraded in all his later books. In Flight of the Old Dog, the first book in the series, the aircraft is designated the B-52I Megafortress. B-52M Megafortress Plus is later introduced in Day of the Cheetah and the EB-52 designation is first used in Sky Masters. In the 2012 timeframe, the B-52J designation was associated with a conversion of some -H models to the Stand Off Jammer platform, "J" indicating jammer, though other sources report the B-52 jammer variant as the EB-52. Presumably the "I" suffix might be skipped because of the potential confustion between the letter "I" and the numerical "1". According to Aviation Week on 24 August 2018, the USAF has briefed industry representatives at Tinker AFB about a proposed update to the remaining H fleet. The update would be known as the J model. The updates would include a defensive system and avionics modernization, new ejection seats, targeting pod relocation, crash survivable flight data recorder and weapons system trainer. The proposal was unclear if the re-engine program would fall under the J upgrade. Col Mike Starbaby Pietrucha in December 2015 floated the B-52J designator to describe an aircraft peforming " standoff roles, using longer-range weapons capabilities to strike from a distance.... the massive wing of the B-52, which allows for large fuel storage, external weapons carriage, and unmatched high altitude performance. A modernized B-52 would improve on the airplanes basic attributes to better meet these standoff requirements. The objectives of a whole-aircraft modernization would be to extend the service life of the aircraft and adjust to the advances made by adversary systems since the initial design. Under the J proposal, the refitted bombers would receive several upgrades: A replacement of the ageing TF-33 turbofans with modern, low-maintenance turbofans derived from regional jet designs Installation of a modern AESA radar to provide broad area maritime surveillance, ship identification, situational awareness and standoff weapons employment Weapons certification upgrade, including JDAM-ER, JASSM-ER, Standard Missile derivatives and antiship weapons Certification of NASAs 25,000-lb. Aerospace Vehicle Pylon as an option in place of Heavy Stores Adapter Beam for Pegasus derivatives. Upgrade of communication systems to include Link-16, Iridium, BLOS communications and to provide the baseline for integration into Navy Integrated Fire Control (NIFC). Modernization of ESM and EA systems to provide both passive detection and self-projection jamming against the threats capable of addressing a stand-off platform Aircraft upgrades, including improved cooling, high-capacity electrical generation, glass cockpit, addition of an APU, removal of excess weight and RVSM compatibility Upper Wing Skin replacement (if necessary) The B-1Bs mission capable rate hovered at levels too low to make the aircraft a reliable warfighting platform. The B-2s sortie rate is extremely low, although the remaining 20 aircraft fill a very special niche. The B-52 is likely to remain the backbone of the bomber force, ". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business was awarded a multi-billion-dollar subcontract as part of a team led by SNC to design, develop and deliver systems and products for a new aircraft under the U.S. Air Force's Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) program. The SAOC program delivers next-generation of the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center, providing top military leaders with a survivable aircraft to ensure performance of the National Military Command System. Collins Aerospace is on contract to deliver multiple products from across the business. "We're bringing together systems from across RTX to help the team deliver an advanced, survivable airborne operations center to the U.S. Air Force," said Conn Doherty, vice president and general manager, Strategic Solutions for Collins Aerospace. "Our collaboration with SNC leverages the best of our collective engineering and manufacturing expertise. This mission is especially urgent and our decades of experience designing for contested environments is critical to its success." This team of agile and proven leaders will bring together innovation, speed with discipline, advanced engineering and on-cost and accelerated deliveries to recapitalize the costly and aging E-4B fleet with next-generation capabilities. Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is a leader in integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Our 80,000 employees are dedicated to delivering future-focused technologies to advance sustainable and connected aviation, passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and more. With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $69 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The United States Air Force is preparing to reclaim operational responsibility for one of the most critical elements of America's nuclear deterrent infrastructure the airborne command post capability that can remotely launch intercontinental ballistic missiles if ground-based control centers are destroyed. This mission, historically known as Operation Looking Glass, transferred from Air Force to Navy control in 1998 after nearly four decades of continuous airborne operations. The impending reversal represents a significant reorganization of nuclear command and control architecture driven by budgetary pressures, platform modernization requirements, and evolving strategic priorities that diverged sharply between the two services. A New Program Emerges The Air Force announced its intention through an industry notice posted on December 9, 2025, inviting contractors to participate in an industry day for a program designated "Looking Glass Next." The announcement carries particular significance because the notice indicates that the new program "is aimed at recapitalizing missions currently executed on the E-6B," according to Breaking Defense reporting on the development. This represents a fundamental shift in nuclear command and control responsibilities that have resided with the Navy for more than a quarter century. Earlier in 2025, Pentagon officials revealed they were considering splitting the E-6B Mercury's dual mission set, reassigning Looking Glass to the Air Force while leaving the aircraft to retain its communications role with ballistic missile submarines, a function known as Take Charge and Move Out. The Looking Glass mission originated in February 1961 when Strategic Air Command initiated continuous airborne alert operations using modified Boeing EC-135C aircraft. For twenty-nine years, these aircraft maintained twenty-four-hour orbits, accumulating over 281,000 flight hours without real-world activation while serving as the ultimate insurance policy against Soviet first-strike scenarios. The mission's designation derives from its function as a mirror of the underground command post at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, providing redundant command and control capabilities in the event ground facilities were destroyed or rendered inoperable. The EC-135 Looking Glass aircraft were equipped with the Airborne Launch Control System, enabling them to transmit launch commands directly to ground-based Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles, ensuring that presidential authority over nuclear forces could survive even catastrophic attacks on fixed command centers. In October 1998, the Navy's fleet of E-6B Mercury aircraft assumed the Looking Glass mission from the Air Force. This transition occurred partly because the Air Force could not afford to maintain its dedicated fleet of EC-135 aircraft and reached an agreement with the Navy to consolidate the mission onto the E-6B platform, which was already performing the TACAMO mission of communicating with submerged ballistic missile submarines. The E-6B, a modified Boeing 707, provided the National Command Authority with the same capability as the EC-135 fleet to control the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile force, nuclear-capable bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The aircraft can extend a five-mile-long trailing wire antenna to communicate with submarines at depth using very low frequency transmissions, while simultaneously maintaining the ability to launch ICBMs through the Airborne Launch Control System. The Strategic Logic of Separation JJ Gertler, an analyst at the Teal Group consultancy, offered insight into the underlying drivers of this organizational shift. Looking Glass returning to the Air Force "looks to be less about Air Force rules and missions than about the Navy budget," he told Breaking Defense, noting that the E-6B is aging out and expensive to operate. The Navy's selection of Northrop Grumman last year to replace the E-6B with a new EC-130J Phoenix II platform for the TACAMO role created the conditions for this mission split. Gertler explained that "they limited the platform to that mission," meaning the naval aircraft would focus exclusively on submarine communications. With the naval aircraft limited to TACAMO, "the Air Force had to find someplace else for Looking Glass." The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, passed by the House in December 2025, includes a provision that partially restricts the Air Force secretary's travel expenses until a report is submitted on the acquisition strategy for maintaining the Airborne Command Post capability. The bill text specifically directs the service to consider using the C-130J-30 Super Hercules, the same airframe the Navy selected for its new TACAMO platform. This congressional interest reflects both concern about maintaining continuous coverage of this critical mission and recognition that platform commonality between services could offer economies of scale in procurement, training, and sustainment. The E-4C Connection The Air Force's recapitalization of the E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, which serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the Secretary of Defense and senior leadership, provides a potential home for the returning Looking Glass mission. Sierra Nevada Corporation commenced flight testing of the new E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft in August 2025, with the inaugural sortie taking place on August 7 at the company's Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton, Ohio. The E-4C represents a modernization of the "Doomsday" plane concept, providing airborne command and control capabilities that enable national leadership to direct civil authorities, coordinate military forces, and execute war orders including nuclear weapons employment in the event ground-based command centers are destroyed or incapacitated. Sierra Nevada is converting five Boeing 747-8 aircraftused examples sourced from Korean Airinto E-4C platforms under a $13 billion contract awarded in April 2024. The company achieved rapid progress, with the first 747-8 arriving in Dayton just six weeks after contract award and four aircraft now undergoing modification. Flight and ground testing will continue into 2026 at facilities in Dayton and Wichita, Kansas, as the company works to reduce engineering risks and ensure on-time delivery of the modernized fleet. The E-4Cs incorporate hardening against radiation and electromagnetic pulses, advanced communication antennas, computers, and mission systems using a modular open system approach that enables rapid integration of new capabilities. Delivery of the full E-4C fleet is scheduled for completion by 2036, replacing the current fleet of four E-4B aircraft that have been in service since the 1970s. Gertler suggested it "wouldn't be too surprising to see the [Looking Glass] mission back on that plane," referring to the E-4C. The E-4B already serves as a mobile command outpost alongside its role transporting the Secretary of Defense, and integrating Looking Glass capabilities onto the E-4C platform would create operational synergies while consolidating Air Force airborne command post missions on a common platform. However, this approach would represent a departure from the original Looking Glass concept, which emphasized continuous airborne alert with dedicated aircraft always orbiting over the central United States. The E-4 fleet typically operates on ground alert rather than continuous airborne posture, which would require operational adjustments to maintain the responsiveness that defines the Looking Glass mission. Historical Context and Operational Requirements The Looking Glass mission's return to Air Force control comes at a moment when nuclear modernization programs across the strategic triad are placing unprecedented demands on defense budgets and organizational bandwidth. The Air Force is simultaneously managing development of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent to replace Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, the B-21 Raider strategic bomber program, and the Long Range Standoff Weapon cruise missile, in addition to the E-4C and now the Looking Glass Next initiative. This concentration of nuclear modernization programs within a single service creates both efficiencies through centralized management and risks through resource competition and potential single points of organizational failure. The E-6B Mercury fleet currently numbers sixteen aircraft assigned to Strategic Communications Wing One at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The wing operates two squadrons, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons Three and Four, that provide around-the-clock coverage of both the TACAMO and Looking Glass missions. Flying aboard each aircraft during operational missions is a crew of twenty-two, including an air crew, communications systems officers, an Airborne Emergency Action Officer who by law can assume authority of the National Command Authority, a mission commander, strike advisor, intelligence officer, meteorological effects officer, logistics officer, force status controller, and emergency actions noncommissioned officer. This large battle staff reflects the complexity of coordinating strategic nuclear forces across multiple platforms and maintaining situational awareness necessary for time-critical decisions about nuclear weapons employment. Gertler noted that the Looking Glass mission originally ended up on the E-6 "because the Air Force couldn't afford to keep its fleet of dedicated Looking Glass jets flying," and that the services "reached a deal with the Navy" to consolidate missions. Now "the services' interests have since diverged," creating the conditions for mission reallocation. The Navy's focus on the TACAMO mission aligns with its responsibility for the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad, while the Air Force's control of both ICBMs and strategic bombers creates logic for consolidating airborne launch control on Air Force platforms. This organizational realignment reflects broader trends in nuclear command and control architecture, where mission assignments increasingly follow platform ownership and budgetary responsibility rather than historical precedent or inter-service agreements reached under different fiscal circumstances. Industry Response and Congressional Oversight Responses to the Air Force's industry day notice are due January 9, 2026, with the Looking Glass Next industry day itself scheduled for January 29. This compressed timeline suggests urgency in establishing the program's requirements and acquisition strategy, likely driven by the need to maintain continuous coverage of the Looking Glass mission as the Navy transitions from E-6B to EC-130J and the Air Force determines its platform solution. The industry notice will attract responses from major defense contractors with experience in airborne command and control systems, aircraft modification, and nuclear command and control communications. Potential bidders will assess whether to propose new-build aircraft, modifications of existing platforms, or integration of Looking Glass capabilities onto other airborne command post aircraft already in development or production. Congressional interest in the program extends beyond the travel restriction provision in the National Defense Authorization Act. The House Armed Services Committee has consistently emphasized the importance of nuclear command, control, and communications modernization, viewing these systems as the connective tissue that enables the nuclear deterrent to function as an integrated whole. The committee's direction for the Air Force to consider the C-130J-30 platform reflects both the Navy's selection of this airframe for TACAMO and the aircraft's proven reliability, relatively low operating costs, and extensive support infrastructure. However, the C-130's smaller size compared to the E-6B or E-4 series may impose constraints on crew size, mission duration, or systems integration that could affect operational effectiveness. Strategic Implications The return of Looking Glass to Air Force control represents more than organizational housekeeping or budgetary adjustment. It reflects fundamental questions about how the United States structures survivable nuclear command and control in an era when adversaries are developing sophisticated capabilities to hold American command infrastructure at risk. China's military modernization includes extensive investments in counter-space capabilities, long-range precision strike systems, and cyber warfare tools designed to disrupt American command and control networks. Russia has similarly emphasized capabilities to threaten or disable NATO command structures in conflict scenarios. Against these threats, airborne command posts provide mobility, redundancy, and resilience that fixed facilities cannot match, making decisions about platforms, crew composition, and operational posture critically important to deterrence credibility. The Looking Glass mission's return to the Air Force also highlights tension between continuous coverage requirements and fiscal constraints that have defined American nuclear posture since the Cold War's end. During Strategic Air Command's tenure, Looking Glass maintained true continuous airborne alert with aircraft always aloft. After 1990, the mission shifted to ground or airborne alert, reducing operational tempo and costs while maintaining rapid response capability. The Looking Glass Next program must balance these considerations, determining whether technology advances enable ground-based alert postures that meet responsiveness requirements or whether continuous airborne presence remains necessary to ensure survival against modern threats. As strategic competition intensifies with China and Russia, these decisions carry implications that extend far beyond procurement timelines or budget spreadsheets, affecting the fundamental credibility of America's strategic deterrent in the eyes of allies and adversaries alike. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Next article: Thailand vows to keep fighting Cambodia after Trump ceasefire claim Bolivian court orders ex-president jailed for 5 months on corruption charges ABCNews International News Dec - 14 - 2025 , 12:24 2 minutes read 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. 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. 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. 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. Opinion / Columnist It is with profound sadness that all the reports that are now coming through to us, NGOs, churches, the courts, among other areas suggest that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga carefully coordinated an attack on Zimbabwe in the last 3 days. They organised 3 distinct groups under 3 different commanders who reported directly to General Chiwenga. Their actions were contrary to the oaths that are taken under the Constitution of Zimbabwe and are serious breaches of international law.There was a group for looting and public violence (meant to discredit public demonstrations), one for extreme and countrywide repression (using degrading treatment such as beatings, rape, grave bodily harm) and one for killing Zimbabweans (shooting civilians to show that the government is prepared to kill).Credible reports show that the state carefully organised ZANU PF youths, who would infiltrate the mass stayaways and loot a few shops for their personal benefit. These were not paid and were told that the loot would be their salary.Secondly, the Genocidal former Fifth Brigade military personnel of the Gukurahundi fame were deployed in uniform to residential areas whereupon they would use North Korean repression tactics. This large group was deployed nationally and was supplied with heavy drugs.In and around the areas of demonstrations automatic gun wielding Presidential Guards were deployed, ununiformed to do the killings, while avoiding identification as soldiers. This means victims would not know a killer was around until there are hit. These tactics are not allowed even in active war zones. This group was sober and is more closely linked to Mnangagwa than Chiwenga.This has been the worst weekend in the history of Zimbabwe, but what is encouraging is that, after all this effort Zimbabweans report that they are not intimidated by these shameful acts by Mnangagwa and Chiwenga.SADC must intervene and investigate these serious circumstances in which grave crimes against humanity were committed. Mnangagwa and General Chiwenga are adversely affecting the image of the region and bring SADC into disrepute over and over again. Here are 5 vegetables that are healthier when eaten raw than cooked Next article: Here are 5 vegetables that are healthier when eaten raw than cooked December in GH: Beware of I dont have Cedis borgas Efia Akese Life Dec - 14 - 2025 , 10:30 3 minutes read As the festive season draws near, one of the most common scams resurfacing involves individuals claiming they have arrived in the country but are unable to access local currency. Typical explanations include delayed forex, non-functioning bank cards, or funds that have not yet cleared. However, a technology consultant, Mr Derek Laryea, is warning that any genuine person travelling from abroad this season was well prepared and had multiple options of financing emergencies long before they travelled. In an interview with The Mirror last Wednesday, he explained that such individuals can easily seek support from family, their host, hotel staff, their bank, the airline that transported them, or any of the numerous forex bureaux at the Kotoka International Airport upon arrival. He said people must not fall for My dollars havent cleared, My forex got delayed, My bank card isnt working and I need help till I settle as they were lines used in scamming unsuspecting people. He explained that most of those requests came from people who had created profiles on social media pages, built relationships in short periods, just to defraud people. He explained that one of the first warning signs appeared in a scammers digital footprint. These include recently created social media accounts, profiles with very few or suspicious-looking photos, and individuals who refuse to appear on video calls. December in Ghana For many years, it has been common for Ghanaians living abroad or in other parts of the world to return home in December to reconnect with family and enjoy the festive season. This tradition has long been part of Ghanaian culture. However, in recent years, the introduction of December in Ghana festivities and special events has made the holiday period even more attractive, drawing an even larger number of visitors into the country each year. It has also become common that after the festive season, social media is filled with stories of people who have been scammed out of various sums of moneyoften by individuals who claimed they had just arrived in Ghana for the holidays and had no local currency, or were expecting goods that never came. In some cases, there are even reports from women who say they were impregnated by men they believed to be borgas, as returnees are popularly called. Emotional connection Mr Laryea explained that these scammers create dramatic emergencies, insist on secrecy, rush conversation and become overly friendly within a short period. These tactics are to get their victims to trust them before making financial demands. Scammers rely heavily on urgency and emotional manipulation. Slow down the pace, and you will often see the deception clearly, he advised. Staying safe online The technology consultant added that adopting simple but effective safety practices could significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to fraud. Verify identities before engaging with anyone online, especially if money or personal information is involved. Limit public posts, particularly those revealing location, travel plans or financial details. Educate family members, including parents and teenagers, who may be more vulnerable to online risks." Ghana is a warm and welcoming nation, and generosity is part of who we are. But generosity must never override good judgment. This festive season, protect your heart, your wallet, and your peace of mind. Being careful is not being harsh; it is being wise, he advised. Next article: December in GH: Beware of I dont have Cedis borgas Low condom use among young people in Volta Region disheartening GAC Alberto Mario Noretti Life Dec - 14 - 2025 , 10:37 2 minutes read The low condom use among the youth, especially adolescent girls and young women, is posing a serious challenge to efforts to reduce HIV infections in the Volta Region, the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has said. There are currently 19,078 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Volta Region, representing 5.7 per cent of the total national population of PLHIV of 334,721. They include 4,999 males above the age of 15 and 12,881 females above 15, in addition to 1,198 children. The Volta Regional Technical Coordinator of GAC, Mary Naa Asheley Anyomi, disclosed this last Monday, during the inauguration of the reconstituted Regional Committee of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) in Ho. She said the general population prevalence rate in the region stood at 2.1 per cent, while the rate was 4.3 per cent among female sex workers (FSW) and 28.1 per cent among men who have sex with men (MSM). Mary Naa Asheley Anyomi, Volta Regional Technical Coordinator of GAC Mrs Anyomi said there were now 809 fresh cases of HIV in the region, including 221 males above 15 years and 519 females above 15, in addition to 69 children. She said the anti-retroviral coverage in all 18 districts ranged between 38.4 per cent and 61.5 per cent. Meanwhile, the Regional Technical Coordinator of GAC revealed that the HIV intervention programmes in the region were solely donor-funded and were not widespread. She said that stigma and discrimination against PLHIV also discouraged testing, treatment, and disclosure. On the way forward, Mrs Anyomi said there was a need to expand HIV testing services to ensure more people knew their status and to implement community-based testing programmes to reach remote or marginalised populations. She highlighted the need to promote condom use and make them readily accessible across the region. The nine-member committee has the Regional Minister, James Gunu, as chairman. In a speech read on his behalf, he pledged the Volta Regional Coordinating Councils support to all efforts by GAC towards ending AIDS by 2030. Together, we will work to ensure the municipalities and districts in the region have active and functional committees of the commission, and that all stakeholders play their respective roles, he added. Mr Gunu urged members of the committee to discharge their duties with diligence, passion, and integrity. The other members of the committee were selected from the Ghana Health Service, Network of Associations of Persons Living with HIV, a Civil Society Organisation, Ghana Education Service, the Volta Region House of Chiefs, and GAC. Next article: Police arrest 17 in major drug and crime clampdown in Tamale Colombia eyes direct shipping route to Ghana to boost trade Benjamin Xornam Glover Dec - 14 - 2025 , 19:56 3 minutes read The Vice President of Colombia, Francia Elena Marquez Mina, has disclosed her countrys interest in establishing a direct maritime route between Ghana and Colombia as part of efforts to deepen trade and investment relations between the two countries. She said the proposed route was geographically feasible through one of Colombias two major ports and could significantly enhance commercial exchanges between West Africa and Latin America. Vice President Marquez Mina also proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ports of Colombia and Ghana to formalise and guide future cooperation in port development, logistics and maritime trade. She made the remarks on Friday, December 12, 2025, when she led a high-level Colombian business delegation to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority as part of an official visit aimed at exploring investment opportunities and strengthening bilateral economic ties. The delegation was received on behalf of the Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority by the Director of the Port of Tema, Tebon Zumah, together with other management officials of the Authority. The visit focused on identifying areas of mutual business interest while enhancing economic and commercial collaboration between the two countries. Vice President Marquez Mina emphasised the strategic role of ports in national development and called for closer cooperation between ports in Colombia and Ghana to drive growth and shared prosperity. Strategic vision for trade ties Vice President Marquez Mina said Colombia was pursuing a broader vision of reconnecting with the global economy through strategic trade partnerships, adding that Ghana occupies a special place in that vision due to long-standing historical and cultural links. She noted that strengthened port cooperation would help expand trade volumes, improve logistics efficiency and create economic opportunities that could positively impact livelihoods in both countries. She further announced that Colombia will host an African Trade Forum in March 2026 and formally invited the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to participate in the event. The Vice President stressed the importance of transforming historical maritime routes, once associated with the transatlantic slave trade, into modern pathways for trade, partnership and mutual development. Ghana welcomes port partnership The Director of the Port of Tema, Tebon Zumah, welcomed the proposed collaboration and underscored the importance of efficient port infrastructure to the success of international trade. He expressed support for exchange programmes between Ghanaian ports and sister ports in Colombia, describing them as key to promoting knowledge sharing, skills transfer and capacity building. Mr. Zumah also highlighted Ghanas strategic position as a maritime gateway to landlocked countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, noting that Colombian businesses could leverage Ghanas ports to access these wider regional markets. He further pointed to opportunities for tourism development, particularly through the introduction of passenger vessel services between the two countries. As part of the visit, Vice President Marquez Mina and her delegation toured key facilities at the Port of Tema, including Meridian Port Services Terminal 3 and the Fruit Terminal, where they observed ongoing port operations and infrastructure development. US commends Mahama administration over cooperation on cybercrime, extradition Next article: US commends Mahama administration over cooperation on cybercrime, extradition CSA, National Security arrest 32 in Kasoa cyber fraud swoop Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Dec - 14 - 2025 , 11:21 2 minutes read The Cyber Security Authority (CSA), in collaboration with National Security operatives, has arrested 32 individuals in a major operation targeting cybercrime activities at KasoaTuba in the Central Region. The arrests were carried out in the early hours of today following coordinated, intelligence-led operations that uncovered what authorities described as a well-organised cybercrime ring specialising in romance fraud. Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate primarily targeted victims outside Ghana, with a particular focus on individuals in Thailand and Japan. In a statement, the CSA said the joint operation resulted in the seizure of 31 laptops and 15 mobile phones, which were believed to have been used to facilitate illicit activities. The suspects are currently in custody, assisting with investigations, while the seized electronic devices have been forwarded for detailed forensic examination to support ongoing inquiries. Officials stated that the operation is part of sustained national efforts to disrupt cybercriminal networks operating within Ghana and to protect the countrys digital ecosystem from abuse. Cyber-enabled fraud, particularly romance scams, continues to pose significant risks to individuals and Ghanas international digital reputation, necessitating decisive and coordinated action by state security agencies. Romance fraud typically involves criminals creating fake online identities to build emotional relationships with unsuspecting victims, who are then manipulated into sending money or sensitive personal information. The CSA said such crimes often have cross-border dimensions, making collaboration among national security institutions critical to their detection and prosecution. The authority reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with National Security, law enforcement agencies and international partners to combat cybercrime and related offences. It urged the public to remain vigilant in their online interactions and to report suspicious activities through the appropriate channels. Individuals were also encouraged to exercise caution when engaging with unknown persons on social media and other digital platforms, particularly where financial requests or the sharing of personal information is involved. ECOWAS throws unanimous support behind Mahama for AU Chairmanship Kester Aburam Korankye Dec - 14 - 2025 , 19:41 3 minutes read The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has unanimously endorsed the candidature of President John Mahama for the Chairmanship of the African Union. The decisive collective backing follows earlier support from the regions Ministers of Foreign Affairs, consolidating West Africas bid to lead the continental body. The endorsement emerged as a key outcome of the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority, held on Sunday in Abuja. Although the summits agenda was dominated by urgent security concerns, including a recent attempted coup in Benin and ongoing instability in Guinea-Bissau, the unified political support for President Mahama marks a strategic effort to project West Africas influence on the broader African stage. The formal endorsement by the assembled heads of state represents the highest level of regional backing. It confirms the earlier recommendation made by ECOWAS Foreign Ministers during their preparatory meeting in Abuja, presenting a strong and coordinated show of unity behind President Mahamas candidature. His bid is widely viewed as an opportunity to strengthen the linkage between regional and continental governance, particularly on matters of peace, security and economic integration. The endorsement was delivered against the backdrop of a summit largely focused on security threats confronting the sub-region. The heads of state opened their meeting with a firm condemnation of the December 7 attempted coup in Benin and the continuing political crisis in Guinea-Bissau. ECOWAS Chair, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, commended the rapid deployment of the ECOWAS Standby Force to support the government of Benin, a move he said had been acknowledged by both the African Union and the United Nations. In his address, President Bio described the summit as a critical moment for the 50-year-old bloc, noting that our collective security and our democratic resilience are under test. Alongside the endorsement of President Mahama, leaders agreed on concrete security measures, including maintaining the suspension of Guinea-Bissau and mandating a high-level mediation mission to the country. The heads of state also reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive review of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme to enhance intra-regional trade. In a landmark decision with direct implications for citizens, the Authority announced that member states will abolish certain air transport taxes and reduce associated charges by 25 per cent, effective January 1, 2026, to lower the cost of travel within West Africa. ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Touray, further announced the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Business Council, which will be led by Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote. The summit took place amid continued regional fractures, with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger absent following their withdrawal from the bloc. No $300 daily allowance: GAF explains real UN peacekeeping pay Joshua Bediako Koomson Dec - 14 - 2025 , 19:34 3 minutes read The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has dismissed claims that the United Nations pays Ghanaian peacekeeping troops $300 per day, describing the assertions as a deliberate attempt to incite personnel against the military high command. Speaking at a press conference in Accra today, the Acting Director-General of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, explained that the UN pays an average of $46 per day to troop-contributing countries, amounting to about $1,428 per month per soldier. She stressed that these figures are publicly available and can be verified online. She said that out of the $46 per day, the government pays $35 directly to the soldier, while the remaining $11 is used to support troop welfare and mission-related logistics. These funds go into several areas, including pre-operational training, logistics support, welfare provisions in the mission area such as internet services, and morale-boosting activities, she said. How funds are utilised Captain Arhin noted that before deployment, troops undergo six weeks of pre-operational training at Bundase, which requires significant logistical and financial investment. She added that additional support is provided during festive seasons, including Christmas programmes for battalions on mission, all funded by the government. She further disclosed that delegations are periodically sent from Ghana to mission areas to boost morale, assess conditions on the ground and assure personnel that command is closely monitoring their welfare and performance. These monies and more are what the remaining $11 is used for. Beyond that, the government adds extra funding to ensure the safety, welfare and comfort of our troops before, during and after missions, she said. Responsible journalism Captain Arhin urged the public, particularly media practitioners, to reject what she described as attempts to mislead the public and undermine the Ghana Armed Forces. We wish to state emphatically that the purported story of the UN paying anything more than 46 dollars per day is mischievous and must be rejected by all well-meaning Ghanaians, she said, adding that responsible journalism requires the verification of facts that are readily available. While commending the media for its support and constructive criticism over the years, she reminded journalists that freedom comes with responsibility, stressing that actions that undermine the GAF ultimately affect national security. When our military high command faces such challenges, the whole country suffers, she cautioned. Accommodation challenges Touching on accommodation challenges within the GAF, Captain Arhin acknowledged that the extension of service years by five years has placed additional pressure on available housing, especially at a time when recruitment has increased due to insecurity in the sub-region. However, she announced that the Chief of the Defence Staff has directed that work on 700 new accommodation blocks will commence next year, alongside the completion of all stalled housing projects. These interventions will drastically reduce accommodation challenges, though I cannot say the problem will be completely eliminated, she assured. She reiterated a call for national unity and support for the GAF, stressing that the countrys stability depends on strong institutions and collective responsibility. US commends Mahama administration over cooperation on cybercrime, extradition Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Dec - 14 - 2025 , 11:05 3 minutes read The United States has extradited nine Ghanaians involved in cybercrime and related offences from Ghana this year, the US Embassy in Accra has disclosed. Speaking at a roundtable discussion at the embassy last Friday, December 12, 2025, the Charge dAffaires, Rolf Olson, said the individuals were accused of offences including online impersonation and defrauding victims of millions of dollars. He was joined at the event by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa at the US Department of States Bureau of African Affairs, William B Stevens. Mr Olson clarified that extradition does not automatically mean the accused will be jailed, stressing that they are entitled to due process under US law and will only be punished if found guilty by a court. We go through a formal legal process to make a request that someone often be arrested first because they may not necessarily be in prison, and then are legally sent to the United States to stand trial. Everyone gets a fair trial. Theyre not guilty. They will be firmly innocent until proven guilty, he said. He added that if the accused are convicted, they could face prison sentences depending on the nature of the crimes proven in court. These are the kinds of people who, obviously, if proven guilty in court, they should be in prison. They shouldnt be out being able to take advantage of particularly older people, although any of us, I think, obviously, would be horrified at the idea of being a victim of this kind of crime, Mr Olson stated. Cooperation The Charge dAffaires praised the Ghanaian government, particularly the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, for what he described as strong cooperation in combating cybercrime. He described the extradition of nine individuals within a single year as an extraordinary achievement and commended Ghanaian authorities for their collaboration on law enforcement and the rule of law. Extradition of nine individuals from Ghana in one year is an extraordinary achievement, and the cooperation with the government, obviously with the President, the Attorney General, Interior Minister, has been extraordinary. Its been a really strong collaboration, he said. Extradition requests Mr Olson said the US remains committed to working closely with Ghana to tackle cybercrime and protect citizens from financial fraud. He also noted that the United States is open to receiving extradition requests from other governments, including Ghana. We are always open to receiving extradition requests. That is absolutely a firm part of any good bilateral relationship, and certainly ours. The process of evaluating an extradition request, on the American side, is very well established, he said. He explained that such processes are often lengthy and subject to judicial scrutiny, noting that decisions ultimately rest with US judges, who may approve or reject requests. Theres no individual case that can be prejudged because US judges make decisions on this. And they are, of course, a separate branch of government. So, they have the ability to approve or disapprove a request. But were always open to that kind of collaboration, he added. Deportation Touching on deportation, Mr Olson said President Donald Trump has prioritised addressing illegal immigration, leading to the deportation of some foreign nationals who are unlawfully present in the United States. He said the US is determined to protect its borders and enforce its immigration laws while respecting individual rights. He also noted that the US has agreements with several countries, including safe third country arrangements, which allow individuals to seek refuge elsewhere if they cannot remain in the United States. Mr Olson praised the Ghanaian government for its cooperation in the return of Ghanaian nationals and other West Africans who have exhausted their legal options in the US. Just say no to a presidential third term! Next article: Just say no to a presidential third term! Dombo family rallies behind Bawumia during Upper West tour GraphicOnline Politics Dec - 14 - 2025 , 12:31 2 minutes read Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on Saturday, December 13, 2025, paid an emotional visit to the home of the late iconic politician Simon Diedong Dombo, popularly known as S. D. Dombo. The late Dombo, who represented Jirapa Lambussie as a Member of Parliament in the first Parliament of the First and Second Republics of Ghana on the ticket of the Northern Peoples Party, was also a key figure in the New Patriotic Partys founding tradition through the United Party, alongside stalwarts such as Dr K. A. Busia and J. B. Danquah. As part of his campaign tour of the Upper West Region, Dr. Bawumia called on the Dombo family at their residence in Duori, where he was received by family members and traditional authorities. Dr. Bawumia, who was accompanied by leading NPP figures in the region, including former Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery, and former Upper West Regional Minister, Hafiz Bin Salih, also visited the grave of the politician, educationist and traditional ruler. The Chief of Duori and members of the Dombo family commended Dr. Bawumia for his consistent visits to pay respect to the family and to the memory of their son. They wished him well in the upcoming party primaries and pledged their support and prayers for his victory, which they described as assured. In October 2022, the Dombo family enskinned Dr. Bawumia, then Vice President of Ghana, with the chieftaincy title Naa Lewa, which translates as the chief has returned. The enskinment took place during an official working visit to the Upper West Region, when Dr. Bawumia paid a courtesy call on the family. Explaining the significance of the title, the Chief of Duori, Naa Dombo III, said Dr. Bawumia was honoured because he exhibited qualities associated with their late father and had re-established ties between the Dombo and Bawumia families. The answer to the question what charger should I use for my phone? used to be simple the right charger came in the box. That hasnt been true for a while now, at least not for most phones in most regions. Now you are expected to go out and buy your own charger. But which one? The main problem is that the U in USB is a lie its universal only if you are okay with outdated data speeds and slow charging. If you want more than 480Mbps and 10W, then things are a lot more fractured. There are standards that come from the USB Implementers Forum and all phones do support them as a baseline. And that is a good place to start, but even that is not so simple as new protocols get introduced. A lot of makers built proprietary tech to push the limits beyond what standard USB supported at the time and now, even though USB caught up, the non-standard charging tech is quite common. In this article we will explore the world of smartphone charging and everything you need to know to pick the right one for your phone and use-case. You dont need the fastest charger We have tested phones with 200+ watt charging support and while they are quite impressive, most of you dont need that much most of the time. You might not even need a 100W charger. For example, recently we tested the OnePlus 15, which has a massive 7,300mAh battery and supports super fast 120W charging. However, that uses a proprietary standard (more on that later). We also tested it with a standard 55W USB PPS charger. Here is how that went: OnePlus 15 7300 mAh 15min 44% 30min 78% Full 41min 120W OnePlus 15 7300 mAh 15min 38% 30min 68% Full 50min 55W As you can see, the 120W charger is faster, but its certainly not twice as fast as a 55W charger. Is saving 9 minutes on a full charge a meaningful difference in day-to-day use? The ABCs of USB PD PPS and AVS USB-C was enshrined as the power connector of choice for modern electronics. However, that only defines the plug and cable USB Power Delivery (often shortened to just PD) defines the electrical connection (at least when you need more than the basic 10W). The base Power Delivery standard has several profiles that work at fixed voltages (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V) and fixed currents. Multiply the two and you get the watts. A more advanced standard is called Programmable Power Supply (or PPS). This extends the voltage range from 3.3V to 21V and instead of big fixed steps, it allows for fine-grained control over voltage (in 0.02V steps) and current (in 0.05A steps). We wont bore you with the details, the important thing is that you cant charge a lithium battery at 20V you have to step down that voltage to around 4V or so. This can happen in the phone or it can happen at the charger either way, it creates heat and its better if that happens at the charger end. More recently, we saw the introduction of Adjustable Voltage Supply. Theres more to it but to spare you another initialism, lets just say that this ranges from 9V all the way up to 48V and 5A for 240W maximum power. We will talk about amps in a moment. The gist of it is that cables can carry a limited amount of current, so higher power means higher voltage. It is the job of the charge control circuitry to pick the values that work best for the phone, its battery and what the charger can deliver. AVS is still pretty new, but there are two options from big brands that check the good enough box. The Google Pixel Flex Dual Port 67W charger supports both PPS and AVS and can charge two devices simultaneously with up to 67W of power. The Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max only has basic PD support on top of AVS and offers less power than the Google charger. It has only one USB-C port too, so you will have to charge your devices one at a time. You might want a fast charger, anyway As explained in a previous chapter, you shouldnt feel compelled to get the fastest charger possible. But heres why you might want to, anyway. As we mentioned, USB-C is the common charging plug for all modern electronics in a growing number of regions, it is even required by law. USB-C can charge your phone but also your laptop, tablet, power bank, action camera, drone, flashlight, even some small power tools. For charging laptops, you want at least a 65W charger (though lower wattage ones will do in a pinch). For high-power laptops, you should definitely look at 100+ watt chargers. Apple, for example, sells 70W, 96W and 140W chargers. Here are the latter two. The 140W model is fairly bulky, but its what Apple recommends for 16 MacBook Pros introduced after 2021. 14 ones can use the 70W and 96W chargers. We already saw another reason to pick up a higher power charger they often have more USB ports, so that you can charge multiple devices at once. We will talk about travel chargers in a later section, but you can lighten your luggage if you carry one multi-port charger for you and your family. Cables matter Before we get any further, we have to talk about a crucial component that often gets overlooked the cable. If you push too much current through thin wires, they will melt and can cause other issues too. For this reason, modern high-power chargers will check cables for something called an E-marker it is a small chip that tells the charger about the cables limits. You need a cable with an E-marker to get over the 3A limit. If the phone can negotiate 20V out of the charger, then the maximum charge power is 60W. However, many phones and chargers dont go that high some are limited to only 9V, meaning 27W with a 3A cable. Manufacturers are really bad at labeling what their products support, but most cables do at least list their maximum wattage. And with the E-marker requirement, you can be sure that a charger wont push a cheap cable beyond its limit. Some cables have status LEDs to show that the connected device is charging. And some are more elaborate and have built-in displays that show the power (in watts) that the connected device is pulling in. Smartphones usually give you a vague description such as fast charging but usually dont display an actual power rating. A cable such as the 100W Baseus above can lift the veil on that. Heres a snag most high-power USB cables only have the wiring for USB 2.0. If 480Mbps is enough for your use case (or you dont plan to transfer data using the cable at all), then thats no problem. But if youre going to use this cable with a laptop, higher data transfer speeds may be required. Wouldnt it be nice not to have to carry an extra cable just to get full speed out of an external SSD or to get video out over USB-C? Again, manufacturers are terrible at labeling things. So, while high-power USB 3.x cables certainly do exist, the safest bet is usually getting a Thunderbolt cable. The differences between USB and Thunderbolt mostly dont matter for this discussion. The important thing is that a cable labeled Thunderbolt will support both high-speed data transfers and its rated power. If you plan on driving some high resolution displays (above 4K), do check that rating too as it differs between Thunderbolt 3, 4 and 5 cables. Travel chargers There are tiny 30W-45W chargers, which can be great for traveling they are not fast, but they add the least amount of bulk to your already tightly-packed luggage. For short trips, these are probably the best option. However, theres a catch there are several outlet types around the world. What if your charger doesnt fit? Well, universal travel adapters are nothing new, but they do add an extra thing to carry. Instead, you can kill two birds with one stone. The Baseus EnerCore CG11 can plug into just about any outlet on earth and lets you plug in AC devices with just about any connector. And it lets you leave your charger at home it has an integrated 70W charger with a built-in USB-C cable. There is an extra USB-C and two USB-A ports, so you can charge multiple devices simultaneously. Baseus also has the Picogo AG11, which tops out at 45W and is a bit cheaper. Note that this supports 100V-250V outlets, but it is not a voltage converter (which should only be an issue if you have an AC device that isnt dual-voltage). Anker has a similar, though more limited device. It can go into any outlet, but you cant connect UK-style plugs to it. Worse, it only has 20W to split between two USB-C and two USB-A ports. Chargers with a built-in battery A special case for a travel adapter is one that combines a charger and power bank into one. The problem this solves is forgetting to charge your power bank and only finding out after your phone dies. With these chargers, the power bank is topped up every time you plug them into the wall, so as you unplug it and leave your hotel, you know that your power bank is charged. The Anker Prime Power Bank, for example, is a 65W charger with two USB-C ports and a 9,600mAh battery inside. Note that without wall power, the maximum output is limited to 30W. The Anker Power Bank is a more compact version of the same thing its a 30W charger and a 5,000mAh power bank with an integrated USB-C cable (19cm/7.5in) and an additional USB-C port. Now, 30W isnt much to split between two phones (and it drops to 22.5W when used in power bank mode), but its perfect for charging a phone and headphones, for example. Wireless chargers Wireless chargers use the Qi standard newer ones use the improved Qi2. The Qi standard is relatively slow as it tops out at 25W. Many chargers are lower than that, 10W-15W. There are faster wireless chargers, but for that you will have to go the chapter on proprietary chargers. Apple devices are compatible with Qi and indeed the Qi2 release took a lot of inspiration from MagSafe. Its important to note that there are two kinds of Qi2 chargers magnetic (which are fully compatible with MagSafe) and non-magnetic. The magnetic ones are more efficient because the magnets help align the phones coil with the chargers coil. Misalignment slows down charging and produces heat. They can also be more attractive, serving as stands for the phone, not just a charger. The simplest form of a wireless charger is this a puck. This one in particular uses magnets, but there are some that use suction cups if you want a secure attachment but dont have a phone with magnets on the back. Remember there are cases with built-in magnets for various models, so that part is easy to solve. Heres a more elaborate charger Belkin put some effort into the design and its a practical charger too as it can charge your Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time. Anker has a similar charging stand. Note that quite a few TWS buds have cases with Qi charging support, its not just the AirPods. Some smartwatches do too, though most rely on pogo pins. Some 3-in-1 wireless chargers can be great for traveling too they fold down compactly for traveling, then unfold to hold your phone as a night clock. This Belkin one can charge your Apple Watch and AirPods too. Heres a clever charger from Baseus. First, it has an integrated USB-C cable, so theres no danger of forgetting or losing the cable. But theres also a USB-C port. If you plug in a powerful charger into the port and the USB-C cable into your laptop, then the PicoGo W2 can charge your phone at 15W while also delivering up to 65W to your laptop. Thats a neat setup for your home and a capable two part solution for traveling (dont forget a wall charger, though!). Proprietary charging standards If you decide that 60W or so is fast enough for your phone, then the USB PPS/AVS chargers we listed above are all that you need to look at. But if you have a phone with a proprietary charging standard and you want to get the lowest charging times, then you have to pick up a charger that supports the given proprietary standard. Here are the major types. VOOC (lately SuperVOOC) is used by Oppo, Realme and OnePlus devices. Chargers from any of those brands will do the trick as long as you match the wattage requirement for your phone. Many have more than one port too. Here is a good place to mention this - high-power chargers may operate at a lower rate in regions with 110V electricity than 220V. This only affects some of the really high-power ones (OnePlus chargers are affected, for example). It may or may not be a coincidence that few phones that support such charge rates are available in 110V regions like North America or Japan. If you go all-in on one brand, you can benefit from some clever tricks for example, this OnePlus cable can simultaneously charge your smartwatch (so that you can leave the proprietary watch charger at home). We should note that vivo has its own charging standard that is separate from the Oppo crew. It's called vivo FlashCharge. Here's the 90W mode, but 44W and 33W versions are available as well. Motorola TurboPower builds on Qualcomm's QuickCharge. It offers voltage regulation and thermal management, plus overcurrent protection. Xiaomi calls its tech HyperCharge. Like others, it has systems for voltage regulation for optimal charging and it constantly monitors temperatures to ensure that the process is safe. Honor has its own standard called SuperCharge. It says that chargers feature overheating and short circuit protections, as well as under- and over-voltage protection. If all of this sounds too convoluted, theres hope the UFCS 2.0 (Universal Fast Charging Standard) is seeing support from Oppo, vivo, Honor and Huawei. However, the standard only promises a 40W minimum in cross-brand scenarios, which is below what many phones support with PPS. Additionally, be aware that some of the proprietary chargers may require proprietary cables - especially if they use USB-A ports. Proprietary wireless chargers While Qi is the lingua franca of wireless charging, many makers were not satisfied with the slow speed, so they developed their own solutions. These carry over the protections of their wired counterparts and feature proprietary ways to boost efficiency. For example, Oppo claims that typical wireless chargers have a conversion efficiency of 96%, while its AirVOOC chargers can go as high as 98% efficient. Wireless chargers can have multiple coils in order to handle different positions and orientations of the phone. For example, this charger from Honor has two coils so that it can charge the phone both when it is upright and when you put it in landscape orientation. This vivo Wireless Flash Charger also has two coils to handle both orientations. It has a cooling fan that runs at up to 3,600RPM, but it can spin slower for a 26dB Super Silent Mode. Chargers for gaming (and maybe work) Handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch and the Valve Steam Deck have given rise to a variety of USB hubs. But those are very much focused on consoles. The Asus ROG Gaming Charger Dock is obviously built for the ROG Ally, but it can be useful for phones too. It is the minimal setup that you need to game on a TV you get 65W out of the USB-C port, up to 4K @ 60fps out of the HDMI port and theres a USB-A port for a wired controller (its a 5W USB 2.0 port, so its really only good for controllers). You can use this for gaming either native Android/iOS games or for streaming - and you can use it for work too with a DeX-enabled Samsung phone or a Motorola with Ready For, for example. Theres also a more powerful 100W version, which has two USB-A ports (one for a keyboard and one for a mouse or maybe just two wired controllers). Sometimes, the charger temporarily disconnects devices One issue that you may have run into is that chargers will temporarily disconnect devices every time you plug in a new device (or when you unplug one). For phones, laptops and other devices that run on battery, this is an annoyance but not a problem. However, if you are running devices without a battery e.g. a camera or a Raspberry Pi the device will reboot when it loses power.The reason behind this is that once a new device connects, the charger needs to redistribute its available power to make room for the new device. And the simplest way to do it is to disconnect all ports and renegotiate the power they get. Some chargers handle this properly, but they are few and far between. Worse, its not something that most manufacturers advertise, so the only way to know is to find someone on the Internet who has that particular charger and has tested for this particular issue. The Apple 35W dual-port charger doesnt disconnect when you plug in a new device. Though, admittedly, at 35W total power, there isnt much to negotiate, anyway. But there do exist more powerful chargers this 108W Belkin has good reputation for not disconnecting devices, for example. External monitors running over USB-C might also be affected, temporarily losing video signal. For laptops and other battery-powered devices USB PD 3.0 introduced the Fast Role Swap (FRS) feature. FRS allows the dock to tell the laptop that it can no longer provide power but needs power from the laptop instead (hence the name). This Belkin USB hub was introduced with FRS as a key feature. Power strips with integrated chargers A common issue is not having enough outlets in a room and the usual solution to that is a power strip. There are ways to kill two birds with one stone a power strip with an integrated charger. Note that most of these are fairly low power, but there are some 60+ watt options. Retailers and couriers are slammed right now, so orders take longer to arrive than usual. Still, most of these you can pick up and have them arrive before the holidays, so its not too late. With the Pixel 10 generation, Google finally adopted magnetic charging and accessories. It uses the Pixelsnap brand for its first-party products. You can grab a Google Pixel 10 at a solid 250 discount and score a free Pixelsnap wireless charger. The Google Pixel 9a is a more affordable alternative, though note that it will soon be replaced by the 10a. Anyway, this one also has a freebie, a Pixel case, on top of its 150 discount. If you are looking for a small phone, but you want something more powerful than the Pixel 10, check out the Pixel 10 Pro. It is the same size while packing better cameras and screen. The chipset and battery are basically the same, though. You can check out our Pixel 10 vs. Pixel 10 Pro article for a head-to-head comparison. Or if you prefer larger phones, the Pixel 10 Pro XL ups the screen size to 6.8 (from 6.3) and the battery to 5,200mAh (from 4,870mAh). The rest is the same as on the Pixel 10 Pro, however. The Tensor G5 proved to be quite disappointing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is where the real power is. You can have it in a Realme GT 8 Pro for the same price as the small Pixel 10 Pro. This one isnt small, of course, it has a 6.79 144Hz OLED display and a 7,000mAh battery with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. The camera setup is impressive too, with a 50MP main (1/1.56), 200MP 3x/65mm periscope and a 50MP ultra-wide, plus some Ricoh GR shooting modes. The Xiaomi 15T Pro uses a MediaTek chip, the Dimensity 9400+, specifically. Its not as powerful as the latest Snapdragon, but the 15T Pro is a cheaper phone. So keep that in mind when comparing the cameras too the Xiaomi has a 50MP main with a larger 1/1.31 sensor, a 50MP 5x/115mm periscope and a 12MP ultra-wide. The battery is a 5,500mAh cell with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. Although, if you are going for a cheap phone, the Xiaomi 15T has essentially the same screen and battery (except for the 67W wired-only charging) and it costs a good deal less. It sacrifices performance (Dimensity 8400 Ultra) and camera quality (1/1.55 main sensor, 2x/46mm telephoto) to hit its lower price point, however. Check out our Xiaomi 15T vs. 15T Pro article for a detailed comparison. The Poco F8 Pro falls between these two it has the previous-gen Qualcomm flagship, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and a 6,210mAh battery with 100W wired-only charging. The camera is comparable with a 50MP main (1/1.55) and 50MP 2.5x/60mm telephoto, plus an 8MP ultra-wide. The more budget-friendly Poco F7 has a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 thats a lot of power for a sub-350 phone. The 6,500mAh battery with 90W wired-only charging is great for the price too (90W adapter is included). The 50+8MP camera is... well, you get what you pay for with this one. Lets go back to small phones. The vivo X200 FE is cheaper than the Pixel 10 but has a more powerful Dimensity 9300+ chipset. The 6.31 120Hz display is an LTPO panel to boot (only Pixel Pros have LTPO displays). The camera has three modules with a 50MP main (1/1.56), 50MP 3x/70mm telephoto and an 8MP ultra-wide. The battery is cut down to 5,300mAh for the European release (down from 6,500mAh for the global unit). You can have the vivo X300 instead it weighs the same in your pocket (186g vs. 190g), but your wallet takes a bigger hit. Even with a 100 voucher, the phone is still almost 400 more expensive than the X200 FE. You do get a newer chipset (Dimensity 9500) and better cameras 200MP 1/1.4 main, 50MP 3x/70mm tele and 50MP ultra-wide. Theres also 40W wireless charging on board, but the battery still comes short of its full potential at 5,360mAh (vs. 6,040mAh for global units). The larger vivo X300 Pro also has a 100 voucher and a Dimensity 9500 chip. However, it is paired with a 6.78 display and a 5,440mAh battery (down from 6,510mAh for global units). The cameras are different too with a 50MP 1/1.28 main and a 200MP 1/4 3.7x/85mm periscope. The Motorola Edge 60 is an interesting option for just 300 you get a phone with 12GB of RAM and 512GB storage. Okay, the Dimensity 7300 chipset isnt great, but thats a lot of memory and theres a microSD slot too. Also, it has a 50MP main camera (1/1.56), 10MP 3x/73mm telephoto and a 50MP ultra-wide, even if the image quality leaves something to be desired. The phone runs on a 5,200mAh battery with fast 68W wired-only charging. The Xiaomi Redmi 15 brings little glamour, but it is a sub-200 5G phone with a large 6.9 display (144Hz 1080p+ IPS LCD) and a huge 7,000mAh battery (33W wired-only charging). On the up side, storage is expandable. On the downside, the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 isnt all that fast and Xiaomi has committed to only 2 OS updates. Worse, the phone launches with Android 15. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. The schooner departs from Lorient in Brittany on Sunday on an 18-month mission dubbed Tara Coral. The expedition will take it to the tropical waters of the Coral Triangle a region encompassing 5.7 million square kilometres of ocean between Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. Nicknamed "the Amazon of the seas", the zone contains some 600 different species of coral and is a hotspot of marine biodiversity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coral reefs provide precious habitats for underwater life, supporting an estimated one million other species. Yet as oceans warm, marine scientists have reported coral bleaching and death on a scale never seen before. World's coral reefs crossing survival limit, global experts warn Secrets of endurance "In the Coral Triangle over the last few decades, the decline of these coral reefs is less pronounced than in other parts of the world," Paola Furla, a researcher at Cote dAzur University and scientific director of Tara Coral, told RFI. "The idea is to try to understand what kind of factors have influenced this endurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Is it the environment, the quality of the water? Is it the biodiversity found in the reef that is the strength of the corals, or is it their genetics?" The Tara Ocean Foundation and more than 40 scientific partners have gathered a transdisciplinary team to study this "thermotolerance". From 2026 to 2028, eight scientists, six sailors, one artist and a journalist will compose the crew on board Tara. Scientists will test several hypotheses as to why corals are surviving, looking into whether it could be down to the wide diversity of species in the area, the presence of more resistant species or individual corals that are pre-adapted to global warming, or the upwelling of cooler waters that limit ocean warming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The big blue blindspot: why the ocean floor is still an unmapped mystery Heat test One of the tests conducted by the researchers will consist of briefly subjecting pieces of coral to acute heat stress and identifying colonies that do not bleach. "According to how they react, you will have an idea of how far they are resilient," explained Serge Planes, director of research at France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). The scientists will also use DNA analysis and genetics to try to make corals more resilient. Genetic engineering is now beginning to be applied to coral reefs, said Planes, giving some examples: "How can you inject different microbiomes, different bacteria or nutrients which would provide the coral with more resilience?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aim is for these coral reefs to "be healthy in the future" and "to maintain biodiversity", he said. After leaving Lorient, Tara will head for Tokyo in early April and then Papua New Guinea in May 2026. It is the latest environmental expedition for the sailing ship, which has previously been used to study Arctic ice, marine microorganisms and plastic pollution. The Google Pixel 10a, which will arrive early next year, will have identical core specs to the 9a - a 6.3-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a 13MP selfie camera, and the same dual camera on the back. Next up is a 5,100mAh battery (same as 2025's a series phone), same 23W charging, and possibly even the same Tensor G4 SoC. Speaking of same, many rumors have painted a picture of a very same-same Galaxy S26 series. But one of the few upgrades will seemingly be the addition of MagSafe. Samsung will likely call it something different (like Pixel Snap for the Pixel 10 phones). Google Pixel 10a specs emerge in listing Don't expect any major changes compared to the Pixel 9a. Samsung will offer several magnetic cases for the Galaxy S26 phones and an oddly-shaped battery The next generation is expected to have magnets built into the phones, but proper Qi support still requires magnetic cases. Report: Samsung Galaxy S26 to reuse Galaxy S25s cameras Samsungs cost-cutting measures may also lead to a delayed mass production for the S26 and S26+. The Xiaomi 17 will launch in global markets in January, per rumors. Meanwhile, the vivo S50 and S50 Pro will launch in China as soon as next week. We know that the S50 will have a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, and the Pro will have an 8 Gen 5. Nothing launched a limited run of 1,000 Community Edition Phone (3a)'s. The hardware design is inspired by the aesthetics of the late 90s and early 2000s. The accessory is a box of dice featuring numbers rendered in Nothing's Ndot 55 font. There's a custom clock face with a design that "reduces visual clutter and guides the eye intuitively to the key components", Nothing says. There's also an exclusive wallpaper designed as "a visual bridge between the rear color and texture to the front interface". vivo S50 and S50 Pro mini launch date revealed The vivo S50 Pro mini will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC. Multiple Redmi Note 15 devices were listed ahead of their potential global launch - the Redmi Note 15 Pro 4G, Note 15, and Note 15 Pro. The Redmi Note 15 Pro 4G starts from 289 and has a 6,500mAh battery, a 200MP camera, a 6.77-inch 120Hz OLED, and a Helio G200 chip with 8GB of RAM. Redmi Note 15 will cost as little as 6.99 with a carrier plan in Germany. It has a 6.77-inch OLED, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, a 108MP camera, and a 5,520mAh battery. The Redmi Note 15 Pro is expected to retail for 399 without a contract. It packs a 6.83-inch OLED, a Dimensity 7400-Ultra, a 200MP camera, and a 6,580mAh battery. Last weeks poll ends with interesting results the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is surprisingly popular. Okay, the plurality of people is turned away by its price, but those people still find the form factor appealing. Add those who are willing to spend as much as necessary to get into the new form factor early plus those who are on the fence and are waiting and the Z TriFold crosses the 50% mark. Its rare to see a fresh idea in the mobile space get so much support out of the gate super-slim phones experienced the exact opposite situation. What we find particularly interesting is how the Z TriFold outshone the Galaxy Z Fold7 in this poll. The Z Fold7 launch was the first time that it felt like Samsung had a foldable that could lure people away from the S Ultra. Sales numbers support that in the US market, some 30% of Z Fold7 buyers were former S Ultra owners. Still, we would have thought that the thicker and heavier tri-fold model would be the niche product while the slimmer bi-fold would be the more popular option. Samsung has cause for worry, though. The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate proved to be fairly popular despite having the deck stacked against it. As you may remember, the Mate XT Ultimate came first. However, Huawei (which was the largest Android maker at one point) was shut out of the global market it is rebuilding, but it doesnt have the reach that it used to. Okay, its time to settle this which Android skin is the best? Every company has its own implementation (yes, even Google), although some are much more heavily customized than others. Google is the lead developer of Android and as such it sets the tone for everyone else. Its not just that: recently weve seen features like Circle to Search gain wide adoption by brands. Samsung is the biggest Android maker in the world and is the developer of the very influential One UI. Android 16s desktop mode is built on the foundation of DeX and this is not the first time that Samsung has contributed ideas and features to Android. Xiaomi actually started life by making a custom Android version, the now defunct MIUI. The custom experience is now even more important for the company as it has built a wide ecosystem from smart home gadgets to cars that all integrate together. Oppo develops ColorOS, which it lends to OnePlus. vivo has OriginOS and it lends it to iQOO. Smaller players have their own customizations some prefer to keep changes to a minimum, e.g. Sony and Motorola, others go a bit further in the name of branding, e.g. Nothing. Honor has its own platform called MagicOS. The company split from Huawei years ago Huawei now uses HarmonyOS, which is separate from Android, so we wont include it here. And then there are custom ROMs they are not as popular as they once were, but there are still plenty of people who complain every time a manufacturer locks down their bootloader. Time to vote which Android skin is the best? If you don't see your favorite, pick Other and leave us a comment. Second question: how much do you care about the OS? That is to say, would you avoid buying a phone because it runs an Android version you dont like? Or do you buy phones specifically because of the custom Android version they run? A former member of the CHamoru Land Trust Commission intends to ask courts to block the return of Ypao Point in Tamuning to the descendants of its former owner, Francisco D. Perez, who sold the land to the government of Guam in 1951. Past Land Trust Commissioner David Herrera wrote lawmakers on Dec. 4 about his plans to sue. Herrera asked that senators halt any action on the governors Ypao Point land return Bill 32-38, while the courts resolve the issue. Herrera was axed from the Land Trust by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero in January, a week after he questioned plans to return Ypao Point to the Perez family. The governors dismissal letter pointed to a need for fresh and innovative perspectives at the Land Trust. Ypao Point is notably the biggest competitor to the governors preferred and embattled new hospital site along Route 15, the back road to Andersen Air Force Base, in Mangilao. Perez sold the land to the government for a hospital for a sum equal to about $626,000 today. It was the site of the old Guam Memorial Hospital. The governor has said the land should be returned, with no plans for a hospital there. Heirs of Perez backed the land return at a March hearing, citing a bad deal. They told senators GovGuam paid their grandfather, but did not come through with $2 million worth of construction equipment that was promised. Herrera argues in his letter to senators that the promise was bad from the start, and cant be legally enforced. Herrera wrote that the equipment, owned by the Army, was not the property of GovGuam at the time the deal was made, and you cannot promise something that you do not own. Perez grandson, John D. Perez, testified to senators in March that the Navy took the equipment from the Army before GovGuam could obtain it and give it to his grandfather. Herrera argues that the promise of equipment, made by the director of Land Management at the time, was unauthorized. A claim by Francisco D. Perez heirs, and not the man himself, could not stand, Herrera wrote. The Perez Family (knows) that it cannot stand legal muster, hence they have repeatedly gone to the Legislature and now the governor because its politically expedient to her agenda, Herrera wrote to lawmakers. He stated that he had prepared a suit and motion for a permanent injunction over the land, to be filed in the Superior Court of Guam. Herrera wrote that he planned to ask courts to prohibit the removal of the property from the Land Trust inventory. It is my position, and that of many concerned beneficiaries, that the proposed removal of this property from the trust inventory represents a direct violation of the legal intent and fiduciary protection enshrined in the Chamorro Land Trust Act, Herrera stated. He stated that public lands should not be transferred to private parties with no justifiable property rights, and must be declared as excess and deemed unnecessary before being transferred for any public, not private, purpose. Herrera asked senators to suspend any action on the governors Bill 32-38 until the legal process is over. Neither the governor nor the legislative lands committee chairman, Vice Speaker Tony Ada, responded to a Pacific Daily News request for comment. Hearings on Bill 32-38 in March and June drew both support and opposition from the community. They also sparked a broader discussion about land return for other families who had their property taken by GovGuam. The scenic Ypao Point property has long been touted as the most valuable property in the Land Trust inventory. Efforts to redevelop it after the demolition of the old GMH have fallen to the wayside over the years. Haiti - Environment : Illegal exploitation of the Laboule quarries Moise Fils Jean Pierre, the Minister of the Environment, notes that illegal quarrying activities continue in the Laboule area (Petion-ville commune) and surrounding zones, despite his recent intervention supported by judicial and police authorities. The Minister emphasizes that these fragile and geologically unstable areas are prone to landslides and rockfalls that could cause significant losses of property and human life. Quarrying operations were previously prohibited in 2010, and these measures were renewed in 2016 and 2021, and remain in effect. The Minister wishes to remind the public that the 1987 Constitution, as amended in Article 36.5, stipulates that mines and quarries are part of the State's public domain and that private property rights do not extend to them. Furthermore, quarrying operations are subject to environmental protection standards defined in Article 253 of the aforementioned Constitution and in Article 64.8 of the 2006 Framework Decree on Environmental Management and Citizen Conduct. In addition, every quarry operator must hold an Operating Permit from the Bureau of Mines and Energy (BME), the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MTPTC), and an Environmental No Objection Certificate issued by the Ministry of the Environment. Therefore, in accordance with its mission to ensure the protection of the population and the environment, while appealing to the civic responsibility of quarry operators in the name of the collective interest, the organization reiterates its commitment to upholding both the spirit and the letter of this prohibition by prosecuting, with the support of the judicial and police authorities, all violators who obstruct the enforcement of this ban. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... 2026 : The Year of the NINU The National Identification Office (ONI) announces that starting in the first quarter of 2026, every child born in Haiti will be automatically assigned a Unique National Identification Number (NINU), which will be integrated into the modernized birth certificate. Eventually, the NINU is expected to replace the Taxpayer Identification Number (NIF). NOTICE: Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI 2026) Program Open The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince informs that applications are now open for the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) 2026 summer program on entrepreneurship and economic prosperity. Spend five unforgettable weeks in the United States learning, creating, exploring, and meeting students from across the Western Hemisphere. If you are between 18 and 25 years old, committed, and motivated, this is your chance. Important : The program will be conducted entirely in Spanish and therefore requires strong Spanish skills. Learn more about the program : https://ht.usembassy.gov/academic-and-professional-exchanges/ Kenscoff : Joint Operation (video) On Friday, December 12, 2025, a joint operation was conducted in the commune of Kenscoff at "Kafou Konbit" by the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H). Several specialized units have been mobilized with the objectives of clearing roads and conducting targeted operations against armed groups. Southeast : Security for the Holiday Season As the holiday season approaches, Divisional Commissioner Magalie Belneau, the Southeast Departmental Director of Police, met on December 11 with the Municipal Commissioners, Divisional Inspectors, heads of police stations and substations in the department's three districts and municipalities, as well as the heads of various services. The purpose of this meeting was to develop a security plan to allow the public to enjoy their festive activities with peace of mind. Santiago ONI Service Closed The Consulate General of Haiti in Santiago (DR) informs the community that services related to the National Identification Office (ONI) will be suspended on Monday, December 15, Tuesday, December 16, and Wednesday, December 17, 2025, due to ongoing training aimed at improving service quality. ONI services will resume on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at regular hours. Laurent Lamothe : My Fight for the Truth (video) For over 11 years, a misconception has been perpetuated around the so-called 25 stadiums projects. One word, a misunderstanding, then an accusation that went viral. This EPISODE 1 revisits the real events, as they unfolded between 2012 and December 2014, within their precise institutional framework, supported by documents. This content is not political. It is not electoral. It is personal, necessary, and restorative. Because it is never too late to tell the truth. Laurent Lamothe. HL/ HaitiLibre Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis brazen remarks on Taiwan sound a stark warning that Japans militarist demons are being summoned anew. Takaichi Sanae is attempting to unseal the coffin of Japanese militarism and release a specter long rejected by history. Reviving militarism tramples on the postWWII order and threatens global peacean illusion doomed to fail. Japanese militarism once inflicted immense suffering across Asia. Letting figures like Takaichi have their way would again endanger regional stability. Historys tragedies must not be repeated. Any attempt to resurrect militarism will meet firm resistance and be condemned by history. The author of the book Financial Feminist redefines economic independence as an act of resistance and offers the tools with which women can gain control over their lives Tori Dunlap is a financial influencer. The U.S. expert left her job at a security company and created Her First $100K, a movement that now helps thousands of women take control of their finances. While there are other content creators aiming to help women lose their fear of talking about money such as Melissa Jean-Baptiste, who calls herself the Beyonce of finance Dunlap, with over two million followers, is undoubtedly one of the most prominent in the space. Aware of the power of social media, she warns of the dangers of falling into the traps set by some influencers outside the world of finance when they boast about certain purchases. Influencers are incentivized to make you feel behind so you keep buying. The problem is not influencers as people, it is the culture of constant consumption that social media amplifies. When spending becomes a performance, it distorts reality. she tells EL PAIS. You see the purchase, not the credit card bill. You see the lifestyle, not the insecurity behind it. Influencer spending can create pressure, comparison, and shame, all of which keep people from focusing on long term financial health. In her book Financial Feminist, she debunks the myth that women cant manage money and provides concrete tools to achieve financial freedom. She draws on her own experience: when she left her job, she set a goal of saving $100,000 by the age of 25. She achieved it, and by 28 she was already a multimillionaire. Her story is remarkable, but improving womens financial literacy is already a reality within her community. But what exactly is the financial feminism she champions? It is the belief that our world becomes more equitable when women and marginalized people have more money. Money is one of the strongest tools we have for creating change, she argues. Financial feminism recognizes that you cannot talk about personal finance without talking about the systems that hold people back. It is both personal and political. It is about teaching you how to budget and negotiate, while also working to dismantle policies and power structures that make financial freedom harder for some than for others. Question. How can we take the shame and stigma out of conversations about money? Answer. The fastest way to take the shame out of money is to normalize talking about it. Shame thrives in silence. When we speak openly about our salaries, our struggles, and our goals, we realize we are not alone and that most of what we view as personal failures are actually systemic barriers. I also center inclusivity by acknowledging that money is never one size fits all. Your financial life is shaped by your identity, your background, and the systems you interact with. Any money conversation that ignores racism, sexism, ableism, and class privilege is incomplete. My goal is always to meet people where they are and offer tools that build confidence rather than judgment. Q. What is the connection between financial health and political activism? A. Every financial choice we make is connected to a policy choice that came before it. You cannot separate money from politics. The gender wage gap, minimum wage, the lack of paid family leave in the U.S. federally, the childcare crisis, and the cost of healthcare are all political issues that directly impact your bank account. When we advocate for policy change, we are advocating for financial freedom not just for ourselves, but for entire communities. Political activism is financial activism. When more marginalized people have economic security, they have more power to push for systemic change, and that benefits everyone. Q. Financial independence is crucial for women stuck in abusive marriages because they lack the economic resources to leave. A. Financial abuse occurs in the vast majority of domestic violence situations. Abusive partners know that if they control your ability to earn or access money, they control your ability to leave. This is why building even a small emergency fund can literally be life changing. Financial independence is not about being wealthy overnight. It is about building options, safety, and autonomy. Start with the basics: an emergency fund, clarity on your spending, and eventually investing. You deserve a life where your decisions are made out of desire, not desperation. Q. What would you say are the most common mistakes women make when it comes to saving and spending money? A. The most common mistake is believing we are bad with money rather than recognizing we have been underpaid, undervalued, and marketed to in ways that shame and confuse us. Another mistake is waiting for the perfect moment to start saving or investing. You do not need a six-figure salary or a fully mapped out plan to begin. Women also often prioritize others before themselves, which shows up financially. We take care of everyone else, then hope there is something left over. I always want women to flip that script and pay themselves first. The cover of the book 'Financial Feminist.' Cortesia de la editorial Koan Q. How can women feel financially confident in a world run, as you say, by rich white men? A. You build confidence the same way you build any skill. You start small, you take action, and you surround yourself with education and community. But you also acknowledge the reality. Women are not financially insecure because we lack discipline. We are financially insecure because systems were built without us in mind. Once women recognize that they are not the problem, they feel more empowered to challenge the system, advocate for themselves, and take control of their money. Confidence grows when you see yourself as capable and deserving, even in a world that benefits from you believing the opposite. Q. Why should women talk about money more? A. Women have been taught from childhood that talking about money is impolite, unfeminine, or greedy. Men are encouraged to see money as a sign of power, while women are encouraged to see it as a source of shame. When we stay quiet, we cannot advocate for ourselves. Talking about money helps us identify discrimination, negotiate better, protect ourselves, and support one another. Conversation is the key to both empowerment and transparency. Q. Its very common to hear that men invest and women spend. What do you think of this idea? A. This stereotype is rooted in sexism, not truth. Men invest at higher rates because they have historically had more access to money, education, and confidence in financial systems. When women do invest, they often outperform men. The investing gap is one of the biggest contributors to the wealth gap. If women are not investing, they miss out on decades of compound interest, and that loss impacts everything from retirement to generational wealth. Closing the investing gap is one of the most powerful tools we have for economic equality. Q. How does patriarchy profit by making women believe that talking about money is taboo? A. Silence keeps people underpaid, overworked, and financially insecure. When we do not talk about salaries, companies save money. When we do not talk about debt or credit, lenders profit from confusion. When women believe they are bad with money, the financial industry can sell them high-fee products or exclude them entirely. Patriarchy benefits when women remain small, compliant, and financially dependent. Talking about money is one of the most subversive things you can do. Q. You offer your employees menstrual leave. A. Menstrual leave is one of the ways our company walks the walk of financial feminism. People should not have to push through pain or pretend their bodies do not impact their work. Offering menstrual leave acknowledges reality without shame. It helps employees feel supported, reduces burnout, and models a more humane approach to work. Rest is not a weakness. It is a foundation of productivity and wellbeing. Q. Why do women tend to give up the pursuit of wealth? A. Women are told that wanting wealth is selfish, while men are told it is ambitious. We are encouraged to be caregivers, not wealth builders. We are taught to budget, but men are taught to invest. And many women do not see themselves represented in financial spaces, which can make wealth feel inaccessible or even undesirable. But wealth is not about yachts or private jets. Wealth is about freedom, choices, and safety. Women deserve that just as much as anyone else. Q. Why is the ability to terminate a pregnancy a financial issue? A. Reproductive freedom is economic freedom. The ability to decide if, when, and how to have children shapes a persons entire financial future. Pregnancy, birth, childcare, and time away from work are incredibly expensive. Losing the right to terminate a pregnancy most impacts people with the least financial power. Restricting reproductive rights is a direct attack on economic mobility, safety, and autonomy. You cannot have financial equality without bodily autonomy. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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 This document and many other expressions of opinion show that those in power in Washington see the EU as an obstacle to the dominance that it is seeking. It will be easier if one can divide and influence each country in turn. These attempts are already actively underway as Trump openly favors countries with right-wing radical governments. It is not too early or too late to sound the alarm: The crisis between the United States and Europe is deepening. If you read the updated U.S. security strategy, you can only come to the conclusion that it is an ideological declaration of war. We prefer to work with a Europe that adapts politically and culturally to the guidelines set out by the Trump administration, the message goes. Today's United States believes it has a trump card and serves its interests by trying to impose its values on Europe and restrict our freedom of movement. The trump cards that will bring us to our knees are the threat of weakening NATO with its nuclear deterrence and through the use of the tariff weapon. Through his duplicity with Russia, Trump creates an uncertainty that has led to a loss of trust when the United States gives the impression that Ukraine's future is for sale for lucrative business with Russia. The lack of morality and consistency is frightening even if the America First slogan openly flags such a policy. The self-interest of states is nothing new, but here we are witnessing cynicism and breach of trust on a rarely seen scale. Can Europe defend itself against growing ideological, political and economic pressures? The answer should be simple: Through unity and soclidarity. But as is well known, this is in short supply, even though it has improved during the last four years of crisis. Unfortunately, the United States has good opportunities to drive wedges. When Trump uses immigration as a tool, he is courting an existing public opinion in many countries. He will certainly take credit for the stricter immigration policy that is now being introduced in several countries. This in the same way that he boasts that he has forced the European NATO members to rearm. But the fact is that in both cases, those processes were already initiated earlier. Now he will probably demand dramatic deportations of immigrants similar to his own in the United States. Can Europe and its leaders afford to join the flattery merry-go-round by gradually giving in to future pressures? It is a slippery slope: There are no guarantees that the fickle Trump will be satisfied. In addition, behind him are advisers with a plan to be implemented over the next three years. These extreme ideologues will not be fickle, but uncompromising. So it would be important for us Europeans to put our foot down. This is best done if the larger countries stick together and do not allow themselves to be cowed individually. A firm no to Trump will probably lead to tariff penalties, but it will not be long-lasting. The US economy cannot tolerate such experiments in the long run; dissatisfaction with the economy is already growing among Trump's voters. The threat of 'disarming' NATO has already been used and discounted in Europe's calculus for the future. Moreover, the United States must realize that if it sharpens the schism with Europe, it loses an economically strong potential ally in the fight against an increasingly strong China. The Trump administration seems to believe that you can eat your cake and keep it, both demanding submission and maintaining trust. The sooner it is taken out of the delusion, the better for both parties. If the United States actually believes that it can rule the world together with China and Russia, Europe must make it clear that it does not give its blessing. If the United States goes too far, it will gradually lose its lucrative European defense material market. Several countries have already turned a blind eye and are looking for alternatives for their large purchases. Trump will certainly try blackmail, but EU funding is already partly tied to European purchases. How is Finland coping in a hardening climate? Not a pleasant position for a country that has invested a lot for its security in its relationship with the United States. For a while, we may be able to stay in the background, but what happens if an election result and a new government are not to Washington's liking? Although Finland has some unpleasant experience of adapting to the interference of a great power, this can become difficult to manage. How to balance between the security policy imperative and the need to back our European friends when we all have to say no to the United States? Backbone, realism and morality can be put to the test. But the most important thing is that Europe makes itself less dependent on the United States by strengthening its economy, its capacity for innovation, its defence and the cohesion of its societies. Written down on Independence Day, December 6, 2025. Par Stenback Par Stenback is a Minister (Hon.), a political scientist and a former foreign minister of Finland. He functioned as a monitor of cooperation on humanitarian issues between Israelian and Palestinian actors between 2007 and 2015, on behalf of the International Red Cross. This is a "Viewpoint" opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of The Helsinki Times. This column is not fact checked and HT is not be responsible for any possible inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. HT Meiqi Qiu had introduced herself as a journalist from The Helsinki Times to enter a media event in Helsinki last Thursday. The event was arranged after Miss Finland 2024, Sarah Dzafce, relinquished her title following a racism controversy. A woman claiming to represent the Helsinki Times Chinese language edition was exposed as unauthorised and unaffiliated after she made the decrowned Miss Finland to apologise in Chinese during a press conference held by the Miss Finland organisation. Dzafce had faced backlash over a photo in which she posed with her fingers pulling at the corners of her eyes. During the press conference, Qiu asked Dzafce to deliver an apology in Mandarin, which she filmed on her mobile phone. Dzafce complied. The video was later published in Quis instagram page and in her WeChat Channel, under the name of the Helsinki Times. Iltalehti published a large article focusing on Qiu's participation based on his role as "Helsinki Times journalist". Following the event, Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat (IS) examined Qius background. They found she had no formal connection to the Helsinki Times. She was not listed on the outlets website and did not contribute to its content. The Helsinki Times has reported the Miss Finland controversy independently with no involvement from Qiu. Screenshot of the Iltalehti Article. Qiu had contacted Sunneva Sjogren, the CEO of the Miss Finland organisation, the day before the event. She claimed to be the head of the Chinese Womens Association of Finland and the chief of Chinese news at the Helsinki Times. IS had seen the message where Qiu wrote that she was flying from Dubai to Finland to meet her team and wanted to discuss how to manage the scandals response in China. Sjogren confirmed the contact and said Qiu was invited to the press event along with her colleagues. In interviews, Dzafce said she did not know who Qiu was or what she did for work. Qiu did not introduce herself during the event, and Dzafce had not met her before that day. Qiu had also used the names Suvi Qiu and Suvi Zhenli Qiu. She is listed in Finlands business register as the head of Chinese Womens Association of Finland where IS found that she is the only one on the board of the association. She is also mentioned in relation to the Nordic China Friendship and Development company, which also previously used the title Finnish Chinese Real Estate Association. She claimed in media interviews to own a different publication called Helsinki Times Chinese, which she said is not related to the English-language Helsinki Times. Despite this, the WeChat account she runs featured a description stating the publication was founded in Finland in 2007, with its aim being to offer reliable information to Chinese readers about Nordic affairs. IS used AI tools to translate parts of the account and found the content referenced The Helsinki Times directly. Helsinki Times is an English language newspaper founded in Finland in 2007. Qiu later told IS the profile description was outdated and would be corrected. Hours after the interview, the profile was edited to say the publication was founded in Shanghai in 2007. Qiu explained that she had a prior agreement allowing her to publish Helsinki Times content in Chinese on local social platforms. Alexis Kouros, founder of Helsinki Times, told IS that the Helsinki Times had a brief experiment in 2021 to publish Finland-related news in Chinese for the Chinese audience. A company called JimiQ, where Qui was also a involved in, was subcontracted to translate the news, and Qui was involved in translation as well. JimiQ was authorised only to publish the same news Helsinki Times published in Chinese on WeChat for the period of the collaboration agreement. The agreement ended the same year and was never renewed, and the Chinese news site was discontinued. Also, JimiQ Company has already been terminated. Meiqi (Suvi) Qui has no journalistic training and was never involved in reporting for The Helsinki Times. WeChat account name change history Helsinki Times had sent multiple warnings and cease and desist messages to Qui to which she never reacted. Despite these, Qui had continued the unauthorised use of the Helsinki Times brand and news on the WeChat channel and even signed MOUs with Chinese media outlets on behalf of the English language newspaper. After some warnings, She changed the channels name to Nordic Times, but changed it back to The Helsinki Times again after a while until she changed the title of the WeChat channel to Nordic Times once again after the IS exposure, and removed the mention of being owner of Helsinki Times from her Instagram account and became the Founder" of Helsinki Chinese Times Helsinki Times has reiterated that Qui has nothing to do with the publication and is misusing the brand illegally. HT According to Purra, the reforms will target vulnerabilities created by earlier policy changes introduced under former Prime Minister Sanna Marin s administration. Those changes had made it easier for international students and their family members to obtain residence permits and access social security. The Finnish government is preparing to introduce new restrictions on immigration linked to education, Finance Minister Riikka Purra confirmed on Sunday during a speech to the Finns Party council in Helsinki. The proposed changes follow internal negotiations within the government and are expected to be announced before Christmas. Speaking at the event, Purra described the 2022 liberalisation of student-based immigration as "perhaps the most reckless immigration reform" of the previous government. She claimed that the new system allowed "one man to enrol in an English-language degree programme at a regional polytechnic and bring with him family members who from day one become eligible for social welfare services." The government is now negotiating measures we have long called for, Purra said. I hope that before Christmas we will be able to announce changes that correct the previous terms decisions. Under the 2022 reform, student residence permits were extended to cover the full duration of studies. Family reunification procedures were also simplified to attract skilled migrants. Purra argued the policy had instead led to a wave of migration from developing countries, along with exploitation by intermediaries and even reports of human trafficking. The student immigration channel has grown into the largest entry route to Finland and it is structurally unsound, she said. In addition to immigration policy, Purra addressed the state of the countrys regional health and social services system, known as the wellbeing services counties or sote regions. The system was overhauled under Marin's government but has faced criticism over funding and operational inefficiencies. There are too many wellbeing services counties, Purra said, although she acknowledged that the number of regions is less critical than their financial structure. She called the funding law both unstable and unfair. At present, Finland has 21 such counties plus the city of Helsinki. A recent government review suggested the number could be reduced to between six and eleven. Purra labelled the entire sote reform a failure. Areas that do not need more money receive it, while regions with ageing populations and growing service needs do not get enough, she said. She also rejected calls by the opposition Centre Party for a debt restructuring process for counties under financial review. The purpose of the review process is to bring finances and services under control, she said. The government is expected to submit a formal statement to parliament in early spring outlining steps to correct deficiencies in the sote system. According to Purra, major changes to the funding model would require years of preparation and may not take effect before 2029. Purra declined to comment on the controversy surrounding the dethroning of Sarah Dzafce, a former Miss Finland, after a photograph surfaced of her mimicking an East Asian stereotype. In response, several Finns Party politicians posted similar photos in what appeared to be a gesture of protest. Asked whether this behaviour risked inflaming racial tensions, Purra reiterated her focus on policy issues and declined further comment. She said the governments main priority must be fixing the economy and reforming immigration and welfare. The economy has drifted into deep trouble, she said, blaming what she called past inaction and structural inefficiencies. We are now facing their consequences. HT The assault unfolded around 6:30 p.m. local time during the "Chanukah by the Sea" event organised by Chabad of Bondi. More than 1,000 people, including children and families, were gathered in Archer Park adjacent to the beach. At least 12 people were killed and 29 others injured in a mass shooting on Sunday evening at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Police confirmed the attack targeted the Jewish community attending a Hanukkah celebration and declared it a terrorist incident. Two armed men dressed in black began firing into the crowd from a pedestrian bridge near the park. One suspect was killed at the scene. The second remains in critical condition under police custody. Authorities said improvised explosive devices were discovered in a car linked to the deceased attacker. The devices were safely removed by bomb disposal teams. Police are investigating whether a third assailant was involved. The New South Wales Police confirmed two officers were among the injured. According to 7News, a bystander, identified by relatives as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed from Sutherland Shire, tackled one of the gunmen during the shooting. Video shows him rushing the suspect, wrestling the weapon away, and holding the attacker at gunpoint before placing the firearm down and surrendering to police. Ahmed was shot twice and remains in hospital. Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns described the bystanders actions as heroic. Ive got no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery, he said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as an act of evil, antisemitism, and terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation. In a national address, he stated, An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian. The countrys terrorism threat level remains at probable, indicating more than a 50% chance of a planned or attempted terrorist act within the next year, according to Australias New South Wales Police Force. Australias last major mass shooting occurred in April 2024, when a man stabbed six people to death at a Bondi Junction shopping centre. Prior to that, the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 led to sweeping gun law reforms. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, there were 31 firearm homicides nationwide in 20232024. No motive has been formally released by police. Investigations continue into the identities and backgrounds of the suspects. Authorities have not confirmed if any had links to known extremist groups. The area surrounding Bondi Beach, one of Sydneys most iconic locations, remained under tight security into the night. Access to Campbell Parade and nearby streets was restricted for much of Sunday. HT Two Jerusalem Arabs sentenced for bomb plot near Knesset A Jerusalem court sentenced two eastern Jerusalem residents to prison on Tuesday for plotting a bombing attack near the Knesset, according to the State Prosecutors Office. Mustafa Abd Al-Nabi received a 12-year sentence, while Ahmad Natasha was sentenced to five years, plus a suspended term. The Jerusalem District Court convicted the men of planning the terror attack near Israels parliament building. Israeli security forces recently broke up a major Hamas terror network in the Judean city of Bethlehem, including a cell in the advanced... Security experts detect a greater reach in the arms war of organized crime groups with the use of kamikaze-type drones and signal jammers against attacks from rivals Organized crime is withstanding the onslaught from the Mexican government, which is feeling pressure from the United States to implement stronger measures in the fight against drugs. At the same time, they are fighting amongst themselves for control of their territories and businesses, leaving a trail of death among their ranks and the population caught in the crossfire. This has led to an arms race that transcends borders. Security specialists in Europe, the United States, and Mexico have detected that cartels have infiltrated their members into the Ukrainian frontlines, where they have received training to pilot remotely controlled drones, readily available in any store and capable of being adapted as kamikaze projectiles. In this way, drug cartels are incorporating low-cost combat strategies which have proven to be a turning point in Kyivs resistance against Moscow into their arsenal. The use of low-cost, armed, autonomous flying vehicles in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has leveled the playing field. Kyiv has managed to destroy Russian naval targets with this type of equipment in an attempt to compensate for the disparity in firepower between the two countries, and Ukraine has become a global center for tactical drone warfare training, which centers on everything from the artisanal manufacture and modification of the devices to mastering analog configurations, thermal camouflage, the use of various jamming techniques, low-altitude flight, and first-person view (FPV) piloting. According to information published by The Intelligence, the FPV drone academies, associated with the Ukrainian Foreign Legion a unit created by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy were initially reserved for Ukrainian operators, but gradually opened up to foreign volunteers, predominantly of Mexican and Colombian origin. The report details that many of these recruits, according to data compiled by Interpol and the DEA, are suspected of having criminal records, ties to criminal organizations, or having belonged to narcoparamilitary militias in Latin America. A burned-out vehicle, in which an industrial drone and a Barrett rifle were found, in La Limita de Itaje, Culiacan, on December 3, 2024. Jose Betanzos Zarate (CUARTOSCURO) There are difficulties in the investigation process on the Ukrainian side, which means its hard to track people entering the country, since not all Colombians and Mexicans fighting in Ukraine belong to an organized crime group. Theres a bit of both, and obviously the situation in Ukraine is difficult. But as for how they actually arrive, Ive seen reports that this is happening through private military contracting companies. Much of this is based on reports and a bit of speculation from some sources, explains Alexander Marciniak, Latin America intelligence analyst at the firm Sibylline, in a call from London. According to data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), affiliated with Georgetown University in the U.S., one of the first documented cases of an armed drone in Mexico dates back to October 2017, when a commercial quadcopter equipped with an improvised explosive device was seized during a traffic stop. Their uses have diversified, from drug and arms trafficking between border territories of Mexico and the United States, to surveillance of rival organizations or personnel in charge of border security. Steven Willoughby, director of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Management Office at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has announced that during the last six months of 2024, more than 27,000 drones were detected within 500 meters of the southern border between Mexico and the U.S. FPV drug drones Since then, attacks using these types of drones have proliferated at an alarming rate. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), with a purported specialized unit of pilots known as the Mencho Special Forces, began operating drones originally designed for agricultural use. Later, they modified them to carry and launch explosive devices. Henry Ziemmer, a research associate with the Americas Program at CSIS, explains that for drone attacks, cartels in Mexico typically use quadcopters equipped with explosive payloads that they can release while flying over their targets. These criminal groups, he continues, generally prefer military-grade explosives, such as hand grenades. However, seizures by Mexican authorities have revealed a large quantity of custom-made and homemade drone munitions, including specialized chemical charges. According to official information from Mexicos National Defense Secretariat, 605 attacks using drones equipped with explosives were recorded between 2020 and mid-2023, with the highest incidence in the states of Guerrero, Michoacan, and Tamaulipas. These types of attacks have been on the rise: from five in 2020 to 260 in the first half of 2023. The CSIS details that of the 77 attacks using this technology that they were able to compile in their database in 2024, 16 targeted another criminal group, 41 targeted the civilian population, six targeted members of the military, and 14 targeted police officers. In May of this year alone, 32 attacks were recorded. Drones loaded with explosives used in military exercises, in San Miguel de los Jagueyes, State of Mexico, on July 10, 2025. Daniel Augusto (CUARTOSCURO) Previously, if a cartel wanted to eliminate a rivals leader, it had to invest a large amount of personnel and ammunition, sending them to where the leader was located. The reason this is so effective is because its very cheap. Were seeing drones imported from China at quite low prices, equipped with improvised explosives, Marciniak explains. In contrast, armed FPV narco-drones typically employ an explosive that detonates upon contact with the target, hence the name kamikaze. These devices, which range in price from $400 to $700 though many now opt for Chinese drones due to their lower cost are fitted with galvanized steel tubes approximately 10 centimeters long containing gunpowder, pellets, or metal fragments such as nails or screws, which act as shrapnel. More advanced models are even equipped with C4 explosive charges. Autonomous flight allows for greater accuracy in overcoming obstacles and impacting structures. Chinese technology for Los Mayitos Just as the cartels have invested in technology for remotely attacking targets, they are also doing so to defend themselves along the border against unofficial reports of CIA drone overflights, as well as against the Mexican army and rival groups. David Saucedo, a security expert in Mexico, reveals that the Los Mayitos faction of the Sinaloa Cartel has invested in anti-drone technology from the Chinese brand Skyfend. These devices function as signal jammers for portable drones. One of them resembles an assault rifle attached to a backpack that identifies the radio frequencies these aircraft use to communicate with their operators and for navigation. The system can disrupt these links, causing the drone to return to its origin, crash, or fall to the ground. Agents in an operation with drone jammers, in Cotija, Michoacan, in December 2024. Cuartoscuro This type of technology is not regulated in Mexico, and in the United States, where it is acquired, it is also not strictly regulated. Arms traffickers on the U.S. side acquire this equipment and sell it to drug cartels. Although these are military-grade weapons, their sale is permitted. Now, according to intelligence reports, they have begun acquiring not only signal jammers, but also radars for detecting drones and missiles to shoot down armed units, Saucedo adds by telephone. With the Plan Michoacan underway, following the assassination of former Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo by organized crime, images have surfaced of the National Guard also using these types of drone signal jammers. However, according to Ziemmer, this has led the cartels to consider counteroffensives such as the use of narco-drones equipped with fiber optics. Another tactic straight out of the playbook of Russias war in Ukraine. In response to signal jammers, weve seen drones in Ukraine equipped with a cable, sometimes more than eight kilometers long, running from the controller to the device, meaning they cant be jammed with electronic weapons. Although its still in its early stages, weve begun to see reports of this type of strategy in Mexico. Not because the Mexican government has improved its ability to jam these drones, but because the cartels themselves are improving their ability to jam their rivals drones, Ziemmer states. The CSIS analyst believes that many governments have not yet invested enough in drones and anti-drone equipment, giving criminals an advantage in their ability to challenge the state and carry out their illicit operations. It is criminal groups that are leading the innovation race among themselves, he concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Their names are Yelizaveta and Mykhailo. She was born 16 years ago in Simferopol (Crimea); he, 12 years ago in Makiivka (Donetsk). Both were born in a free Ukraine, but have lived for more than a decade in territory occupied by the Russian army. Last week, Ukrainian lawyer and international law expert Katerina Rashevska showed their photos before the United States Senate. She denounced that the organization she works for in Kyiv, the Regional Center for Human Rights (RCHR), has documented 165 camps where Ukrainian children are subjected to a process of Russification. The case of Yelizaveta and Mykhailo is particularly noteworthy. Moscow temporarily sent the two children to the Songdowon camp in North Korea. They are the first identified Ukrainian minors to travel to the Kremlins major Asian ally as part of its campaign of child indoctrination. According to records from Kyiv, Russia has forcibly transferred more than 19,500 Ukrainian children, either to Russian territory or to areas occupied by its troops in the east of the country, which was invaded in February 2022. Yale University, which closely follows the horrific journey of these children taken from Ukraine, estimates that the number could exceed 35,000. Whichever figure is higher, it far surpasses the number of adult Ukrainian civilians in Russian prisons or the number of captured soldiers held in the custody of the invading army. It is one of the most painful wounds inflicted by Russias massive offensive against Ukrainian society. Because, as the organization Save Ukraine, headed by Mykola Kuleba, who also attended the U.S. Senate meeting, denounces based on accounts from repatriated individuals, it involves the forced transfer of children, indoctrination, militarization, deportation, family separation, mistreatment, torture, and even, in some cases, sexual violence. Yelizaveta, 16. Cedida por el Centro Regional de Derechos Humanos de Ucrania. The journeys of Yelizaveta and Mykhailo to North Korea are similar, according to the description provided by the RCHR to EL PAIS. She resided at the Songdowon camp, on the Sea of Japan, during July and August of 2024. She did so through the Russian youth organization Movement of the First, successor to the Soviet Young Pioneers. Yelizaveta traveled to Kim Jong-Uns iron-fisted dictatorship as a participant in this nationalist movement. Although she was born in Crimea, Ukraine, at first glance it appears that her identity has been completely erased and replaced with a Russian one, the RCHR maintains. Mykhailo visited the Songdowon facility from July 21 to August 1 last summer as part of a program between Moscow and Pyongyang. The boy is also a member of Movement of the First. Mykhailo was just a baby when the Russian army took over his hometown in the Donbas region. He didnt even have time to form his Ukrainian identity, the RCHR stated. With due caution, the RCHR, which originated in Crimea but moved its offices to Kyiv after Russias conquest of the peninsula, acknowledges that in neither case would we be dealing with an illegal deportation because the coercion consisted of 11 years of propaganda within the occupied education system. We would, however, be at the final stage of a long process of indoctrination and militarization that could constitute a war crime and a crime against humanity. Last Thursday, a day after Rashevskas testimony before the U.S. Senate, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets accused Russia of sending abducted Ukrainian children to North Korea. Only 1,850 of the children abducted from Ukraine have been able to return to their country the last seven just last week, with the mediation of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump in three and a half years of war. This is a low number when compared, for example, to the more than 7,000 prisoners of war exchanged between Kyiv and Moscow. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution last Wednesday demanding that Russia return the children, the same demand that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has maintained in successive, and so far unsuccessful, dialogue processes aimed at ending the hostilities. The RCHR has located 165 Russian indoctrination camps across occupied territory in Ukraine, Russia itself, its ally Belarus, and now North Korea, which in the last year has sent soldiers and weapons to Moscow to support the major offensive against Kyiv. It is a growing and well-established structure of cultural assimilation that in many cases culminates in a change of name, a new identity document, and ultimately, the individuals naturalization. Behind this network allegedly is Russias commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. She and Vladimir Putin are subject to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes. The Songdowon camp, built in the 1960s with the nationalist pomp typical of the North Korean regime, is a recreational center known for housing foreign minors on its premises near a beach resort close to the port city of Wonsan. Last year, CNN reported on the testimony of a young Russian man who had voluntarily visited Songdowon. Among the activities that caught his attention were the daily cleaning of statues of the Kim dynasty and playing video games in which the White House was blown up. Rashevska testified before the U.S. Senate that Yelizaveta and Mykhailo learned at the Songdowon camp, among other things, how to destroy Japanese soldiers. They also met North Korean veterans who, in 1968, attacked and captured the U.S. spy ship Pueblo in the Sea of Japan. The militarization and Russification cause severe trauma and violate the dignity of children, Rashevska stated in Washington. The ultimate goal, the lawyer continued emotionally, is for Ukrainians to kill each other. Yelizaveta and Mykhailo were sent to the camp as a reward for their proactive attitude, according to the RCHR. The investigation names other Ukrainian children, including some from the occupied Luhansk province, but it is unknown whether they were ultimately selected to participate in the program in North Korea. There is no evidence that the children who did travel were unable to return home after their stay in Songdowon ended. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Brayan Palencia was one of more than 200 migrants sent by the United States to Nayib Bukeles mega-prison CECOT for alleged links to criminal gangs Like hundreds of thousands of others, Brayan Palencia decided to migrate to the United States to financially support his family. He didnt earn much in Colombia and had a daughter to look after. He crossed the Darien Gap with an injured knee; he paid bribes to cartels in Mexico so that he would be allowed to continue his journey. Even so, he emphasizes, nothing compares to what he experienced at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), the mega-prison in El Salvador built by President Nayib Bukele. Thats where he was sent along with more than 200 other men after being accused by U.S. President Donald Trump of being members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang. I have nothing to do with it, nor have I ever had anything to do with it, he says, in a park in northern Bogota, after almost five months of freedom. Its been very hard to go back to normal life. Its like starting from scratch. The Colombian-Venezuelan spent about a year in the United States. After applying for asylum, he lived between Los Angeles and Miami, doing various jobs: repairing cars, washing dishes, making deliveries and working in construction. In January 2025, he had a court date in California, in order to determine his immigration status. He went, hoping to finally regularize his situation. They took me into a room and told me to wait a while. Without warning, four immigration agents came in, slammed me against the wall and handcuffed me. I explained that I hadnt done anything, but they didnt care. Palencia says they took him to a basement, where other migrants were being held in a kind of makeshift jail. They allowed him to make a single phone call to notify his family about his arrest. Agents then took him to a detention center in the border city of Calexico, California. There, along with other Venezuelans, he learned that they were being linked to the Tren de Aragua gang. The only basis for this? Their origins and their tattoos. Brayan Palencia's mother shows a screenshot of the video call she had with her son before he was deported to El Salvador. Diego Cuevas According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) one of the largest civil rights organizations in the U.S. theres an arbitrary profiling system in place. If a Venezuelan migrant has tattoos of ordinary images such as a clock, a crown, or a star ICE may suspect them of being a gang member. In early-March, U.S. authorities promised Palencia and his cellmates that they would soon be deported to Venezuela. By the middle of the month, they were on a plane to go home. Or so they thought. Unbeknownst to them, President Trump had reached an agreement with his Salvadoran counterpart Nayib Bukele to deport more than 200 migrants to the Central American country under an 18th-century law that allows for the expulsion of alien enemies without judicial oversight. This meant that U.S. authorities never had to prove that the men were criminals. Humanitarian organizations point out that half of those deported had no criminal record. The legality of this action ordered by the White House remains in dispute. The agents who were with us told us that we were going to Venezuela. We were happy and calm even though our hands, feet and waists were tied up. On the first landing, they told us we had arrived in Honduras for a technical stop. The plane took off again, but touched down about 30 minutes later. We didnt understand what was happening, Palencia recounts. We opened the windows and saw the army, riot police, trucks, armored vehicles They were forcibly removed from the plane, beaten and taken to CECOT. In this mega-prison according to several NGOs hundreds of gang members are incarcerated and subjected to human rights violations. Palencia had heard about this facility on TikTok. He knew gang members were imprisoned there, but he didnt know that it was a hellhole. As soon as they arrived at CECOT, the Salvadoran agents changed them into white uniforms and shaved their heads. They told us that we were going to spend the rest of our lives there. That no one came out alive. The routine consisted of waking up at 4 a.m., taking a shower and spending almost the entire rest of the day sitting in silence until bedtime, at around 9 p.m. If the prisoners made any noise or didnt stick to the established schedule, the guards punished them without mercy. The moments Palencia remembers most vividly are when the inmates tried to protest their detention. We went on a hunger strike and a blood strike [self-inflicted wounds]; we rioted to keep the guards from entering our cellblock. But they came in anyway. Once, they used pepper spray on us, which [temporarily] blinded me and set my whole body on fire. They also hit me in the face with a baton. It opened a deep cut on my eyebrow, which a nurse closed without anesthesia, he recounts. Today, Palencia considers himself to be among the lucky ones. Several of his cellmates were hit at point-blank range by rubber bullets, causing serious injuries, as documented in a report published by Human Rights Watch. Brayan Palencia, in Bogota. ANDRES GALEANO Palencia was also on the island the nickname for the isolation and torture cell at CECOT. They dragged me in as I was bent over, almost licking the floor. The only thing I could see before they started kicking and hitting me with batons were their black boots. I had to pretend to faint for them to stop, he recalls. The island, as he remembers it, has a few cells and a tiny opening, with a bit of light coming through. Each cell consists of a toilet and a small cement bed. His release was sudden and without warning. It was July 18. Around 3 a.m., some guards arrived and ordered us to shower. We couldnt be sure, but several of us started celebrating and crying because it was very likely that we would be freed. Indeed, this turned out to be the case. That night, Palencia didnt sleep in the cell where he had been held for what felt like years. He slept in a hotel in La Guaira, near Caracas. The horror was over. Trump had reached an agreement with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros government to exchange more than 200 migrants for prisoners in Venezuelan jails, including several U.S. citizens. Looking back, he doesnt hesitate to call what happened to him the worst experience of his life. Being tortured for four months when youre innocent is truly a nightmare, he asserts. Palencia denounces the U.S. governments policy on migrants, specifically Venezuelans. They say were criminals, but theyre the real criminals. After a few months in Venezuela, he returned to Bogota, where his parents and daughter live. I cried with joy when we were reunited. I could only thank God for being with her again, he sighs. Otherwise, his return to freedom has been marked by uncertainty. Its been tough. I went [to the United States] with a purpose, to be able to [work and] buy the things [we needed]. Going back means starting from scratch. And Im worse off than before I left: I came out [of the prison] with a diabetes problem. Because of the beatings, my arm cant handle heavy work, he laments. Aside from the physical ailments, he says that hes not sleeping very much. He sometimes wakes up in a daze. He drives a motorcycle for ride-hailing apps and delivery services, in order to continue supporting his family. When asked if he would consider returning to the United States, Palencia is emphatic: If they give me papers, yes. But Im never going back to prison. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The writer and professor has spent years analyzing the evolution of audiences and information consumption. Shes not optimistic about the future Emily Goligoski is an audience expert. She has spent years researching how to understand the people who consume the news online and how to improve their user experience. She has worked with or contributed to outlets such as The New York Times, CNN and The Guardian, as well as institutions like Columbia University and New York University. I dont have a perfect answer, Goligoski cautions before sharing some of her reflections on the future of audiences. Since the arrival of the internet, the media has been plagued by constant complaints and doubts. EL PAIS spoke with Goligoski after a talk she gave at the recent Mozilla Festival held in Barcelona. Question. You are concerned about the persistent homogenization of audiences. What does this involve? Answer. We work in an industry obsessed with measuring everything: visits, users. Im worried about what gets lost along the way. Many newsrooms have been debating for years whether or not they should let reporters know the performance of their stories. This idea of reducing everything to a single metric that supposedly indicates whether something was useful worries me. In the long run, it might not serve our best interests. Q. The interests of the media or of society? A. Both. In independent media, its really important that everyone working on the product understands who their readers are and what those readers need. If you only look at quantitative data on how something has performed, its sorely lacking. And it makes the work less satisfying. Q. There is no clear alternative. A. Relying on a single indicator to determine whether something was good or bad doesnt help, because it also ignores what else was happening at the time: what other stories were on the homepage, the other ways we competed for peoples attention. And if we make decisions about what to cover, how, and for whom in such a reductive way, it ultimately also reflects a lack of imagination and curiosity. Q. Now it seems that subscriptions are becoming the norm. A. Ive noticed that phenomenon. Theres another relevant element now as well: the rise of independent creators and journalists who publish under their own names through platforms like Substack. Independent journalists tend to have a clearer sense than general market publishers of who their audience is and what they want. Im surprised that many of these authors dont use the surveys the platform offers more often. Behavioral data open rates, reading time tells you part of the story, but I would ask readers for their opinions. Q. Why? A. Its an extraordinary tool. Its a research methodology, a way to gather what people see from their perspective, what their opinions are about the news or a topic. Everyone likes to be asked for their input. And it can guide what should be covered and what to address in the future. Q. Should the media treat its audience better? A. We havent been creative enough in thinking about how to engage the audience. Id like us to stop thinking only in terms of producer and subscriber, and start exploring models where theres a two-way exchange of knowledge thats less transactional. I know its hard. Im really empathetic to people who are doing this work because the way that modern newsrooms are structured, there is not the space or time or incentives to go and understand these things. Q. Is there too much navel-gazing in the media? A. Id like to see the media investigate more, for example, the articles page: its had various tweaks, yes, but ultimately, the digital article page has remained quite static over time. When we study other ways of conveying information, point of view, or tone, and look beyond our own peer set, we discover interesting alternatives: theater, TikTok, or even physically meeting at a festival. Q. A recent trend is news avoidance. A. The sheer amount of competition for our attention is really concerning to me. The fatigue it creates and, sometimes, the feeling that the news is depressing. I think about this a lot, especially when covering major elections and politics. Im even concerned about it with my graduate students. I have to set a policy in class for the reasonable use of devices. If I think about social media as dopamine manufacturers while teaching some theory, how am I possibly going to compete with that? Q. The same applies to news articles. A. Exactly the same. Q. Is there any cause for optimism? A. Translation. Before, 10 years ago, almost everything was only in English. Now I see more media outlets translating their content into multiple languages, and its very important. I do think there is something in the Substack and independent writer approach that is really promising: it reinforces the idea that this work doesnt come for free and has value. Finally, I see so much talent and curiosity in my graduate journalism students. Im excited about the talent pipeline. Q. But do people under 25 watch the news? A. In my client research, I absolutely see that TikTok and Instagram are the start and end point for young people in the U.S. For publishers, Im obviously concerned because these platforms arent owned or operated by the media. Were at the mercy of the platforms and deploy resources to meet their exact specifications, not realizing all of that is necessarily going to change. As for the audience, Im very concerned, without a doubt. Q. Is it shrinking? A. Yes. If we look at the Reuters data, its not painting an optimistic picture. This is going to force us to be creative. Q. And were not. A. No. Q. Are we conservative? A. Yes. Q. What options are there? A. Sometimes it starts with an old-fashioned letter to the editor: you have a question, and Ill investigate to answer it. Other times its we need your help to investigate: like crowdsourcing, and then publishing the findings. Thats tremendous cause for optimism. Its also very important to acknowledge and be transparent about funding. Q. Why? A. We still have an outdated approach to marketing: we dont want to talk about ourselves, and when we do, it sounds like were overly proud of ourselves. Telling people how the work was done works much better. How many plane trips were involved in that reporting? How many hours of work? Quantify it. That, to me, is a much better way to get someone to open their wallet. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition DAMASCUS, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two Syrian security personnel, two U.S. service members, and one U.S. civilian were killed Saturday in an attack on a joint Syrian-U.S. patrol near the ancient city of Palmyra, Syrian authorities and the U.S. Central Command reported. The attack occurred during a joint field tour involving Syrian internal security leadership and the joint forces near Palmyra in Syria's central Homs province, amid prior warnings issued by Syrian security authorities about potential threats from the Islamic State (IS) group in the desert region, Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddin al-Baba told state television al-Ikhbariya. The attacker was a gunman affiliated with the Internal Security Command in the Syrian desert region and had previously been flagged in an internal security assessment for suspected extremist views, al-Baba said. Disciplinary measures were scheduled for Sunday, the first official working day of the week, but the attack occurred before the planned action could be taken, he added. He said the attacker, who was killed during the exchange of fire, held no leadership role in the security forces and was not assigned to escort senior officials. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the assailant had direct organizational links to IS. The incident prompted heightened security measures, including the temporary closure of the Deir al-Zour-Damascus highway, as authorities reiterated their commitment to strengthening internal oversight and preventing security breaches. WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A United Airlines flight was forced on Saturday to return to Washington Dulles International Airport after one of its engines lost power, with no passengers or crew members harmed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Flight 803, bound for Tokyo of Japan, lost engine power shortly after departing from the airport. The flight, carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members, returned with no injuries reported, said the FAA and United Airlines. According to reports, the engine troubles caused some brush to catch fire near the airport runway. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on social media that a piece of the plane's engine cover separated and caught fire, sparking a brush fire on the ground at the airport. "The plane landed safely, and there are no injuries at this time," said Duffy. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said the fire was extinguished. The FAA said it will investigate the incident, which involved a Boeing 777-200 aircraft. KABUL, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Police in western Afghanistan's Herat province seized 16 kg of opium and detained two alleged smugglers in a Saturday operation, a provincial police official said on Sunday. According to the official, the suspects had hidden the contraband inside a vehicle's secret compartments and were attempting to transport it out of the province when police intercepted the car. The drugs were discovered during a search, and the vehicle's owners were arrested. The operation follows recent anti-narcotics efforts in other parts of Afghanistan. Authorities reiterated that counter-narcotics police will spare no effort to curb drug production and trafficking across post-war Afghanistan. WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Two U.S. service members and one U.S. civilian were killed in an ambush carried out by a lone Islamic State (IS) gunman in Syria, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) said on Saturday. Three other service members were injured, the USCENTCOM said in a statement. "The gunman was engaged and killed. As a matter of respect for the families and in accordance with Department of War policy, the identities of the service members will be withheld until 24 hours after their next of kin have been notified," said the statement. Earlier on Saturday, Syria's state-run SANA news agency reported that a joint patrol of Syrian security forces and U.S. troops came under gunfire near the city of Palmyra in central Syria. According to the report, two Syrian security personnel and several U.S. personnel were wounded in the incident, while the attacker was killed. In a firm address from Washington, President Donald Trump pledged that the United States will retaliate after a deadly ambush in Syria claimed the lives of two US service members and one American civilian interpreter. The attack, described by military officials as an assault by a 'lone ISIS gunman', occurred near the ancient city of Palmyra and marks the deadliest incident for US forces in the country in several years. Ambush in Palmyra: What Happened According to US military officials, the victims were killed during a patrol tied to ongoing counterISIS operations. The American forces were engaged in a 'key leader engagement' with Syrian government partners when the ambush unfolded, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said. This marked the deadliest attack on US troops in Syria in years and comes amid continued efforts to counter remnants of the Islamic State group even after its territorial defeat. The attack also wounded three other US soldiers. The gunman was reportedly engaged and killed by coalition forces, according to a statement from US Central Command. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, as the Pentagon is following protocol to notify next of kin before public disclosure. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released, as the Pentagon is following protocol to notify next of kin before public disclosure. Trump's Reaction: 'We Will Retaliate' Speaking to reporters before departing the White House, President Trump did not shy away from announcing a strong response. He said the US 'will retaliate' against those responsible for the attack and stressed that such assaults on American forces would not go unanswered. In his remarks, Trump described the ambush as 'terrible' and paid tribute to the service members and their families, highlighting the sacrifice of those who serve. He reaffirmed that the United States mourns the loss of three 'great American patriots' and offered his prayers and condolences to their loved ones. USSyria Cooperation and Regional Stakes Although Syria's leadership has recently shifted and relations with the U.S. have shown tentative improvement, the attack emphasised the region's persistent volatility. Syrian President Ahmed alSharaa, who has worked with U.S. officials against extremist groups, was quoted as being 'devastated and extremely disturbed' by the violence. The ambush near Palmyra which lies in an area not fully controlled by any single faction shows that ISIS sleeper cells and lone attackers can still strike unexpectedly amid ongoing instability. Strategic Implications of the Attack This deadly incident raises questions about the U.S. military's future engagement in Syria, considering that Washington is aiming to balance counterterrorism goals with diplomatic ties and troop safety. Analysts note that while ISIS no longer holds extensive territory, its affiliates and lone operatives remain capable of deadly strikes. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump's stance in a stern message on social media, warning that those who target American forces will face consequences. The attack also drew attention to joint operations with local forces, underlining both the benefits and risks of collaborative security missions in volatile regions. Future Operations President Trump's vow to retaliate signals a likely escalation in US counterISIS operations, although specific actions have not yet been outlined. This could involve targeted drone strikes, special forces raids on suspected ISIS hideouts, or increased intelligence sharing with Syrian partners. As officials continue to investigate the attack and its motives, families of the fallen and the nation await details about the planned response. This ambushand the President's forceful responseunderscores the precarious nature of global counterterrorism efforts and reaffirms Washington's commitment to protecting its forces and allies abroad. Originally published on IBTimes UK The Louvre Museum's largest exhibition ever held in China, The Wonder of Patterns, opened in Shanghai on Friday, offering art lovers a rich cross-cultural experience this winter. #Shanghai #Louvre #CulturalExchange #MuseumExhibit LHASA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- After completing a herbal bath at a Tibetan hospital in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Tsewang Dondrup was preparing to undergo Horme therapy -- a traditional Tibetan treatment similar to moxibustion -- under his doctor's guidance. The Tibetan, in his 50s, travels regularly to receive the Tibetan medicinal bath treatment at the Mainling Tibetan Hospital in the city of Mainling, which is over 400 kilometers east of the regional capital Lhasa. There, he finds relief for his chronic knee pain through the traditional method. "The treatment effect is even better in combination with a hot compress," said his doctor, Pasang Tsering. Officially called the Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa, the Tibetan medicinal bath is described in "The Four Treatises of Tibetan Medicine," the most influential foundational work on traditional Tibetan medicine written between the 8th and 12th centuries. The herbal bath was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2018. The Tibetan term "Sowa Rigpa" translates to "the knowledge of recuperation," while "Lum" refers to traditional knowledge and practices of bathing in natural hot springs, herbal water or steam to restore balance between the mind and body and to promote wellness while treating various ailments. Pasang Tsering said that the hospital established a Tibetan medicinal bath department in 2019, which has been popular for its individually tailored formulas, high efficacy rates and minimal adverse effects. Statistics from the regional health commission show that Xizang had 64 Tibetan medical institutions and a total of 2,780 beds in public Tibetan hospitals in 2024, with annual patient visits exceeding 1.27 million in the region, home to a population of about 3.65 million. In the city of Shannan, some 100 kilometers from Lhasa, six enterprises are engaged in herb plantation, creating more than 140 jobs. Phupa, general manager of one of these companies, explained that it used to gather wild medicinal herbs from nearby mountains. To protect the local ecosystem, the company began exploring methods of artificial cultivation. "After five years of trials, we have successfully cultivated 16 types of medicinal herbs, including safflower and costus," he said. Unlike the past, when medicine was produced based on pharmacists' experience, Tibetan medicine producers now use modern pharmaceutical technology to standardize production, ensuring consistent quality. Zhu Rongzu, director of the Nyingchi manufacturing center of the leading Tibetan medicine company Qizheng, said that the company's iconic pain-relief patches had generated 1.6 billion yuan (226.5 million U.S. dollars) in sales in 2024, with overseas markets contributing over 2.8 million yuan as the product continued to expand globally. The company also collaborates with leading medical and research institutions, and is developing more precise and convenient new medicines, having published over 500 pharmacological studies to date. Data from the regional health commission shows that Xizang has 17 Tibetan medicine production companies with a cumulative annual output exceeding 3.4 billion yuan. The Xizang University of Tibetan Medicine had produced over 7,000 undergraduates and 400 postgraduates by the end of 2024, reflecting an evolving talent development system. Clark Art docent Ellen Joffe Halpern asks questions of BAAMS students that prompted creative rather than purely analytical responses. BAAMS student Devon Pikula of North Adams drew a sketch during the tour. The students brought their inspiration back to BAAMS after the tour. PreviousNext BAAMS Students Compose Music Inspired By Clark Art BAAMS students view 'West Point, Prout's Neck' at the Clark Art. The painting was an inspiration point for creating music. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) students found new inspiration at the Clark Art Institute through the "SEEING SOUND/HEARING ART" initiative, utilizing visual art as a springboard for young musicians to develop original compositions. On Saturday, Dec. 6, museum faculty mentors guided BAAMS student musicians, ages 10 to 16, through the Williamstown museum, inviting students to respond directly to the artwork and the building itself. "As they moved through the museum, students were invited to respond to paintings, sculptures, and the architecture itself jotting notes, sketching, singing melodic ideas, and writing phrases that could become lyrics," BAAMS Director of Communications Jane Forrestal said. "These impressions became the foundation for new musical works created back in our BAAMS studios, transforming visual experiences into sound." BAAMS founder and Creative Director Richard Boulger said this project was specifically designed to develop skills for young composers, requiring students to articulate emotional and intellectual responses to art, find musical equivalents for visual experiences, and collaborate in translating shared observations into cohesive compositions. "Rather than starting with a musical concept or technique, students begin with visual and spatial experiences color, form, light, the stories told in paintings, the feeling of moving through architectural space," said Boulger. "This cross-pollination between art forms pushes our students to think differently about how they translate emotion and observations, and experiences, into music." This is a new program and represents a new partnership between BAAMS and the Clark. "This partnership grew naturally from BAAMS' commitment to helping young musicians engage deeply with their community and find inspiration beyond the practice room. The Clark's world-class collection and their proven dedication to arts education made them an ideal partner," Boulger said. "We approached them with the idea of using their galleries as a creative laboratory for our students, and they were wonderfully receptive to supporting this kind of interdisciplinary exploration." Although a new partnership, BAAMS has done similar projects with students in the past. Boulger recalled a previous initiative where students reflected on the Hoosic River and composed the song "Wise Old Hoosic River." Boulger said these sorts of programs ask students to engage in the writing process immediately. "When students respond to art in real-time, they're working more intuitively and spontaneously than they might in a traditional composition exercise. There's no time for overthinking they're capturing immediate impressions, gut reactions, the way a particular brushstroke or color makes them feel in that moment. This immediacy often leads to more honest, visceral creative work," he said. He highlighted other important skills students learn, such as active observation, creative note-taking, the discipline of capturing fleeting inspiration in the moment, and most importantly, that inspiration can come from anywhere. Boulger said students were energized and curious, and he thanked Clark Art docent Ellen Joffe Halpern, who asked questions that prompted creative rather than purely analytical responses. BAAMS students took their collected thoughts and notes, as well as field recordings and sketches, back to the academy, in Western Gateway Heritage State Park. Boulger said the group took this raw material and, with the help of faculty, began to solidify musical ideas, develop melodic and lyrical themes, and collaborate on arrangements that honored both individual inspiration and ensemble cohesion. He added that students approached the process differently. While some were immediately drawn to the narrative of a work of art, others worked in more abstract terms, focusing more on color, texture, and form. Some students wrote lyrics first, while others first nailed down a melody. "The variety of approaches made the final collaborative work richer everyone brought something different to the table based on how they personally experienced the art," Boulger said. After sharing their favorite paintings, students collectively created three new pieces of music inspired by specific works from The Clark: Evelyn De Morgan's "Field of the Slain," Winslow Homer's "West Point, Prout's Neck," and "Sudden Squall at Sea" by Francois Biard. Students translated visual art into musical ideas, using elements like specific intervals, the whole-tone scale and other scales, superimposing triads, rhythmic patterns, and instrumental timbres to capture the emotions of the paintings, added Boulger. What struck him the most was how personal yet resonant the work turned out to be, adding that he could hear the Clark experience in every piece. "We teach our students to take their life experiences and perceptions and transform them into original music. Our students learn how to really listen and are given the specific musical tools they need to develop their own original music and voice as an artist," he said. Boulger said it is important to connect young artists to the rich cultural institutions right in their backyard. "Our students are part of a rich cultural ecosystem in the Berkshires, and we want them to recognize themselves as contributing members of that community," he said. "When they engage with institutions like The Clark, they're not just visitors or consumers of art they're fellow artists in dialogue with the work they encounter. These experiences help them understand that creativity doesn't happen in isolation. It happens in conversation with place, with the natural and the built world, with history, with other artists and art forms. "Plus, it deepens their connection to where they live and helps them see the Berkshires as a place that nurtures and celebrates artistic expression." iciHaiti - Education : New distribution of school kits The Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training is continuing its distribution of school kits to schools across the country. For the second time since the start of the 2025-2026 school year, a team from the Ministry returned to the National School of the Republic of Guatemala (Petion-ville), which has 1,405 primary school students (887 girls and 518 boys) and 80 preschool students. The kit distributed to the preschool children contains a school bag, textbooks, notebooks, pencils, and other educational materials. According to Dedy Milien Joseph, Director of the Office of Preschool Education Management, this activity is part of the Ministry's mission to support parents in need and assist the most vulnerable children. "We prepared these kits carefully. They contain materials that meet the needs of young children attending preschool." Micheline Augustin Pierre, the Director of the National School of the Republic of Guatemala, indicated that thanks to this distribution, dozens of children have access to essential school supplies, ensuring their educational development. In addition to preschool children, the Ministry team distributed kits to students in the third cycle of fundamental education at the National School of the Republic of Guatemala. IH/ iciHaiti iciHaiti - BRH : University cooperation and mobility... Gabriel Ronald, Governor of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH), speaking at a roundtable held at the Lycee Alexandre Dumas to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the French Institute of Haiti on the theme "University Cooperation and Mobility : Where Does Haiti Stand, and Where Are We Going ?", stated that strengthening human capital is central to his vision. Training, transmitting, and innovatingthis three-pronged approach encompasses the following actions : Preparing young people to face today's challenges; Strengthening the country's scientific and technological capacity; Creating the conditions for a more modern and competitive economy. The Governor emphasized that national development requires a robust university system supported by competent institutions. In this regard, the BRH provides support through : Academic mobility; Scientific research supported by the BRH Fund for Research and Development; Partnerships that strengthen specialized skills. Download the speech of the Governor of the BRH (PDF in French) : https://haitilibre.com/docs/Intervention-du-Gouverneur-Ronald-Gabriel-80e-IFH.pdf IH/ iciHaiti Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Aung Kyaw Kyaw (C) speaks at a press conference on the elimination of telecom fraud and online gambling in Yangon, Myanmar, Dec. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) YANGON, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar on Sunday held a press conference in Yangon on the elimination of telecom fraud and online gambling. Speaking at the press conference, Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council, described telecom fraud and online gambling as a national security threat, saying the crimes undermine public trust, economic security, national stability, and the country's dignity. Myanmar does not accept telecom fraud and online gambling activities and is actively cooperating with the international community to suppress them, Zaw Min Tun said. A series of special operations have been launched, and over 70,000 foreign nationals involved in these crimes were repatriated to 54 countries over more than two years, he said. A total of 398 buildings used as scam centers in the KK Park area were also demolished as of Dec. 12, and the remaining 237 buildings will be demolished. The government is working to completely demolish the buildings in the area to prevent the resurgence of criminal activities, such as telecom fraud and online gambling, he added. Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Aung Kyaw Kyaw said that a national-level Central Supervisory Committee on Combating Telecom Fraud and Online Gambling was established on Dec. 10 to eradicate online fraud in border areas, prevent it from spreading domestically, and effectively eliminate telecom fraud and online gambling. I Despite being the location of the scam centers, Myanmar is not the root cause or primary beneficiary of telecom fraud and online gambling crimes, he said. He also called on international organizations to provide practical assistance on intelligence sharing, technology, and training support, saying that Myanmar alone cannot tackle online scam networks. This photo taken on Dec. 14, 2025 shows a display of seized mobile phones, computers and equipment during a press conference on the elimination of telecom fraud and online gambling in Yangon, Myanmar. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Zaw Min Tun (C), leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council, speaks at a press conference on the elimination of telecom fraud and online gambling in Yangon, Myanmar, Dec. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) 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 Cambodia said it is shutting its border crossings with Thailand as heavy clashes broke out between the two forces on Saturday. The crossings will be closed until further notice, Cambodias interior ministry said, shortly after US president Donald Trump earlier claimed the two southeast Asian countries had agreed to a ceasefire. Acting as a mediator, Mr Trump declared that he had secured an agreement from both countries confirming a new ceasefire but the officials said they did not agree to it. The fighting raged on Saturday morning along the border of Thailand and Cambodia. Cambodia has not commented directly on Mr Trumps claim, but its defence ministry said Thai jets carried out airstrikes on Saturday morning. Thai foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Saturday that some of Mr Trump's remarks didn't reflect an accurate understanding of the situation. He said Trumps characterisation of a land mine explosion that wounded Thai soldiers as a roadside accident was inaccurate, and did not reflect Thailand's position that it was a deliberate act of aggression. open image in gallery Evacuees cook food as they take refuge in Banteay Menchey provincial town, Cambodia, Saturday, 13 Dec 2025, after fleeing homes following fighting between Thailand and Cambodia ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Mr Sihasak said Mr 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 7 December that wounded two Thai soldiers and derailed a ceasefire promoted by Mr 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 Mr Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed. It was formalised in more detail in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia that Mr Trump attended. 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. open image in gallery Children raise their hands while receiving donation from charity as they take refuge in Banteay Menchey provincial town, Cambodia, Saturday, 13 Dec 2025, after fleeing homes following fighting between Thailand and Cambodia ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Mr 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, Mr Trump wrote in his Truth Social post. Mr Trumps claim came after midnight in Bangkok. Mr Anutin had, after his call with Mr 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 Mr Trumps claim that a ceasefire had been reached. Mr Anutin's busy day on Friday included dissolving Parliament, so new elections could be held early next year. Mr Hun, in comments posted early on Saturday morning, also made no mention of a ceasefire. Mr Hun said he held phone conversations on Friday night with Mr Trump, and a night earlier with Malaysias prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, 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," Mr Hun wrote. Mr Anwar later posted on social media that he was urging the two sides to implement a ceasefire on Saturday night. Cambodia's prime minister, also posting online, endorsed the initiative, which included having Malaysia and the United States help monitor it. However, Mr 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 30-40km (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 on 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. Thailand's 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 Cambodia's southwestern province of Koh Kong. Each side said the other opened fire first. 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 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. 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 terrorist gunmen who killed 16 people including a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi in the Bondi Beach attack were father and son, police have confirmed. The attackers, armed with what police described as long guns, opened fire on more than 1,000 people attending a Jewish festival in the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday. The attack has been declared a terrorist incident targeting a celebration in Sydney, Australia, on the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, New South Wales Police confirmed. A total of 42 people were taken to hospital where the 10-year-old girl was among those who died, the force said. The older of the gunmen, a 50-year-old man, was shot by police and died at the scene while his son, a 24-year-old man, suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard. British-born Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of those killed. Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, was hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him. Video shared on social media shows the gunman then backing away. Mr al Ahmeds family said the 43-year-old fruit shop owner remains in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, and called him a 100% hero, while New South Wales premier Chris Minns praised him as a genuine hero. Malcolm Lanyon, the commissioner of New South Wales Police, said the older of the two gunmen had a licence for six weapons and added that these were guns found to have been used in the attack. He also said that two active explosive devices had been found and were taken away by a bomb disposal unit and rendered safe. He said the IEDs were fairly basic in terms of construction and added: Im very glad that those devices were not activated. Mr Lanyon said that properties in the Campsie and Bonnyrigg areas of the city had been searched. At a press conference, he said that reports that a black Isis flag was draped over the attackers car would form part of the investigation. He added that police were confident that there was not a third person involved in the attack. He earlier said that one of the offenders had been known to authorities but there had been no specific threat. In a message to the people of Australia, the King said he was appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack. Charles, who is head of state in the Commonwealth nation and visited Bondi Beach in 2012, said in a statement: My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy. In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival will always triumph over the darkness of such evil. In a personal signed message on social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and stand with the Jewish community in grief. We are also thinking about the bravery of the emergency responders, particularly the two injured officers. W & C. The family of Mr Schlanger described him as a joyful rabbi. The father-of-five grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family at Kinloss Synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News. The 41-year-old and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago. His cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way? Mr Minns told a press conference: This attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah. What should have been a night of peace and joy celebrated in that community with families and supporters has been shattered by this horrifying, evil attack. Our heart bleeds for Australias Jewish community tonight, he added. Witness Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, told the Associated Press: You heard a few pops, and I freaked out and ran away. I started sprinting. I just had that intuition. I sprinted as quickly as I could. Everyone just dropped all their possessions and everything and were running and people were crying and it was just horrible. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said Sunday had been a dark day in our nations history. He told reporters: What we saw yesterday was an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism on our shores in an iconic Australian location. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the Metropolitan Police are increasing officers visibility in Jewish communities before any Hanukkah events. In a post on X, Mr Khan said: My thoughts and condolences along with the rest of London are with everyone affected by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia today. A statement from the Met said: While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days. We always encourage the public to be vigilant at events and in public places. If you see anything suspicious, trust your instincts and tell us. Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day festival usually observed in December. The Prime Minister is understood to have been in touch with Mr Albanese and the CST (Community Security Trust), a charity which provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK. Sir Keir Starmer said in a post on X: Chanukah should be a time of celebration and joy. The news that the Bondi Beach attack was an antisemitic terrorist attack against Jewish families at a Chanukah event is sickening. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. The United Kingdom will always stand with Australia and the Jewish community. We are actively working with the CST on the policing of Chanukah events. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told any British people caught up in the shooting to contact the British consulate for support. 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 King Charles is deeply touched by the publics response to his recent message regarding his cancer recovery, Buckingham Palace says. The monarch had announced in a video message on Friday that his cancer treatment would be reduced in the new year. He attributed the good news to an early diagnosis, effective care, and diligently following doctors advice. Charles, who has received outpatient cancer treatment since early February 2024, also used the opportunity to encourage millions to undergo available screenings for the disease. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Saturday that they were delighted by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction. They added that they are most grateful for the many kind comments we have received for the King, both from those working in cancer care and from the general public. The King recorded a personal message as part of Stand Up To Cancer 2025 ( PA Media ) I know His Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated, the spokesperson added. 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. Delivering his 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. He went on to say he was troubled to learn that nine million people around the UK are not up to date with cancer screening that is available to them. That is at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed, he said. He added: Too often, I am told, people avoid screening because they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable. If and when they do finally take up their invitation, they are glad they took part. A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are either told they dont need further tests or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow. Charles urged people to use the online screening checker, screeningchecker.co.uk, which enables them to discover if they are eligible for screening. 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 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. 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 Metropolitan Police 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 Kings brother, passed Ms Giuffres 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. Now Scotland Yard has said the force will not launch an investigation after assessing the claims. The family of Ms Giuffre have said they are deeply disappointed by the forces decision to drop the investigation without explanation, adding they were not told this announcement was coming. They said in a statement on Saturday: 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 (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. 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. In a statement on Saturday announcing the Met would not launch an investigation, Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott 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 (Metropolitan Police Service) 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. The campaign group Republic called for an inquiry into the Met Polices relationship with the royals following the announcement, adding the decision is the latest in a long line of royal accusations the police have refused to investigate. We have two-tier justice in this country, Graham Smith, the chief executive of Republic, said. If youre a royal, you can get away with pretty much anything with few consequences. The police never interview the royals as suspects or witnesses and do the bare minimum to investigate accusations. The evidence of corruption and abuse would get anyone else into serious trouble. 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. 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. Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Peng Qinghua, also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, hands over President Xi's congratulatory letter to the High-Level International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust to Dunyagozel Gulmanova, chairperson of the National Assembly (Mejlis) of Turkmenistan, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. At the invitation of Turkmenistan, Peng visited the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat from Dec. 12 to 13 to attend the forum, handed over to the Turkmen side President Xi's congratulatory letter to the forum, met with Gulmanova and leaders of major political parties, and participated in people-to-people dialogues between China and Turkmenistan. (Xinhua/Li Renzi) ASHGABAT, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Peng Qinghua visited the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat from Dec. 12 to 13 to attend the High-Level International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, at the invitation of Turkmenistan. Peng, also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, handed over to the Turkmen side President Xi's congratulatory letter to the forum. He met with Dunyagozel Gulmanova, chairperson of the National Assembly (Mejlis) of Turkmenistan, and leaders of major political parties, and participated in people-to-people dialogues between China and Turkmenistan. Peng introduced to the Turkmen side the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China as well as those of President Xi's congratulatory letter. He said China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to fully implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries, strengthen strategic alignment, enhance pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and jointly build a China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future. The Turkmen side thanked President Xi for sending the congratulatory letter to the forum and dispatching the special envoy, saying that the moves fully demonstrate the great importance China attaches to bilateral relations. Turkmenistan is willing to take China's high-quality development as an opportunity to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly implement the four global initiatives proposed by China, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries and safeguard world peace, according to the Turkmen side. Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Peng Qinghua, also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, and other participants of the High-Level International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust pose for a group photo in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. At the invitation of Turkmenistan, Peng visited the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat from Dec. 12 to 13 to attend the forum, handed over to the Turkmen side President Xi's congratulatory letter to the forum, met with Dunyagozel Gulmanova, chairperson of the National Assembly (Mejlis) of Turkmenistan, and leaders of major political parties, and participated in people-to-people dialogues between China and Turkmenistan. (Xinhua/Li Renzi) 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 Andy Burnham has hit back at renewed speculation that he is plotting to return to Westminster and oust Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader. The Greater Manchester mayor, who was the focus of similar rumours at the Labour Party conference in September, reacted with fury at the reports in Sunday newspapers over his alleged plans. Taking to X, he said: Quite a lot of rubbish in the papers today. Reminds me why I left Westminster in the first place! Former Labour minister Mr Burnham, who has repeatedly refused to explicitly rule out a leadership bid in recent months, is said to have identified a potential parliamentary seat from which to challenge Sir Keir. The Mail on Sunday reported that Commons allies of the mayor had said they had found him a seat which was likely to come free in the coming months. Mr Burnhams team declined to comment. But it came as another potential contender for Sir Keirs job, home secretary Shabana Mahmood, ducked questions on her own plans. She did not deny that she would like the top job just days after a high-profile event with Sir Tony Blair, which many present saw as an endorsement by the former PM for her as the next leader. While insisting Labour figures should focus on the day job of delivering for the public and Sir Keir is not going, Ms Mahmood noted that there is a Muslim woman as home secretary which means there could be one as prime minister in the future. open image in gallery Speculation abounds in Westminster about whether Andy Burnham (right) will be able to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party ( PA Archive ) The continuing speculation has come as Labour continue to struggle in the polls, stuck around just 20 per cent around 10 points behind Nigel Farage and Reform with many also switching to the Greens. In addition, it was revealed last week that 100,000 previously paid-up Labour members have left the party since last years election, leaving Reform as the biggest membership party. Downing Street has already addressed concerns that health secretary Wes Streeting is plotting to oust the PM, while there are reports that energy secretary Ed Miliband is considering a return as Labour leader and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner wants the top job too. But amid the fresh speculation about Mr Burnhams ambitions, the home secretary said everyone within the party had their role to play in backing the government after reports the Greater Manchester mayor is seeking a Westminster comeback, which his allies have not denied. Speaking to broadcasters on Sunday, Ms Mahmood suggested that every single person had thought about the top job, but added: That is not the same as plotting to overthrow a prime minister for God's sake. Asked whether she would consider a leadership bid if Sir Keir stepped down, Ms Mahmood told the BBCs Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show: Keir Starmer is not going. The home secretary, who has previously indicated she harbours ambitions for No 10, said: The prime minister is getting on with doing his job. open image in gallery Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood speaking on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg show ( PA ) I am a member of his government. I have a big job of my own to do, and that is the only thing Im focused on. Ms Mahmood urged Labour MPs to help make sure we dont waste a single second of the time that we have in government. I think that all of us in government and in the Labour Party have a responsibility to focus on the day job and to get on with delivering for the British people, she said. So actually, this is on the whole of the government and all of the parliamentary Labour Party and the whole Labour movement to make sure we don't waste a single second of the time that we have in government." Asked about Mr Burnham, she told Sky News Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: Labour governments dont come along very often, and every minute that we have in government is precious. We have a big agenda. We have to crack on with delivering. Its a privilege to be in government. Im focused on the big job that I have as home secretary, and my advice to all colleagues everywhere would be that its a precious privilege, and we mustnt waste a single minute of it. She said: Wherever you sit in the Labour family, we all have a role to play in supporting the Labour government deliver for the people of this country. 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 For two Brown University students, receiving a campus-wide emergency text message of an active shooter triggered memories of school shootings they experienced as children. Mia Tretta, 21, a junior at the university, survived a gunshot wound to the stomach in 2019 when a boy began firing at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. Her best friend, Dominic Blackwell, was killed. Tretta said she spent Saturday evening locked down in her dorm room, learning that two students were killed and nine others were injured in a mass shooting at the Rhode Island university. This is not how I imagined my life when I was [a] little girl, Tretta wrote on X. I miss that carefree child I once was. Zoe Weissman, 20, a sophomore at Brown, witnessed the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, from her middle school next door. Weissman said Saturdays shooting brought back feelings of numbness. open image in gallery Brown University students were sent into an hours-long lockdown December 13 when a shooter opened fire on campus. For at least two students, it brought back reminders of previous school shootings ( Getty Images ) At first I was panicked, Weissman told NBC News. Once I knew a little more and I didnt feel there was imminent danger, I felt numb exactly how I did when I was 12. Im angry that I thought Id never have to deal with this again, and here I am eight years later, she added. open image in gallery Mia Tretta, who survived a school shooting in 2019, addressed a White House event on gun violence in 2022. She was locked in her dorm during the mass shooting at Brown ( AFP via Getty Images ) A gunman opened fire in a classroom in the engineering building amid finals week at the Ivy League university in Providence. Local, state and federal law enforcement officers spent hours looking for a suspect as students in lockdown barricaded themselves in buildings with desks and chairs. A man in his mid-20s was apprehended at a hotel in Coventry in the early morning hours Sunday, roughly 12 hours after the attack and a several miles from the schools campus. The incident has rocked the city of Providence, which hasnt experienced a mass shooting since 2021, when two rival groups opened fire in Washington Park. open image in gallery Flowers containing a Brown University pennant flag are laid in the snow less than a day after two students were killed in a mass shooting that injured nine others ( AP ) For Weissman and Tretta, not only are they part of a generation of Americans who have become accustomed to school shootings in the United States, but they have also spent years rebuilding a sense of security that was ripped away by previous shootings. Ever since that day, Ive kind of tried everything I could to figure out this new normal life, Tretta told MSNOW on Saturday as hundreds of law enforcement officers were hunting down the suspected shooter. Tretta indicated she never thought shed experience a school shooting again, citing the statistical unlikelihood. She picked Brown University because she felt safe at the school and in Rhode Island, she said. Weissman expressed deep frustration with the lack of gun violence prevention legislation in the United States, telling CNN it was too frustrating to put into words. The common denominator ... is inaction on the part of Congress, said Weissman, referring to failures among lawmakers to implement gun reform in the wake of previous school shootings. I think weve seen time and time again, Congress has shown they dont care about their constituents, and if they did, they would immediately pass comprehensive gun violence prevention bills, she 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 JetBlue flight from Curacao to New York City's JFK airport was forced to halt its ascent on Friday, narrowly averting a mid-air collision with a US Air Force refuelling tanker. The pilot of Flight 1112, travelling from the Caribbean nation, blamed the military aircraft for crossing its path. In a recording with air traffic control, the pilot stated: "We almost had a midair collision up here. They passed directly in our flight path... They dont have their transponder turned on, its outrageous." The incident occurs amid intensified US military drug interdiction efforts in the Caribbean, coupled with increased pressure on Venezuela's government. We almost had a midair collision up here, the JetBlue pilot said, according to a recording of his conversation with air traffic control. ( AP Photo/Stephan Savoia ) We just had traffic pass directly in front of us within 5 miles of us maybe 2 or 3 miles but it was an air-to air-refueler from the United States Air Force and he was at our altitude, the pilot said. We had to stop our climb. The pilot said the Air Force plane then headed into Venezuelan air space. Derek Dombrowski, a spokesman for JetBlue, said Sunday: We have reported this incident to federal authorities and will participate in any investigation." He added, Our crewmembers are trained on proper procedures for various flight situations, and we appreciate our crew for promptly reporting this situation to our leadership team. The Pentagon referred The Associated Press to the Air Force for comment. The Air Force didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The sleeping pods are stacked one on top of each other, about the size of a twin bed with four feet of headroom. Each one features basic creature comforts such as power outlets, a storage shelf, and temperature controls. That's the pitch from Brownstone Shared Living, a relatively new San Francisco start-up that is trying to solve the city's ballooning housing crisis with an unusual form of habitation. For $700 per month, Brownstone's 20-odd residents get their own pod plus shared living areas, kitchens, and workspaces. Its in the heart of downtown San Francisco, where monthly rents typically exceed $1,500, even for a studio, and where the runaway AI boom is driving living costs ever higher. Now, after a parade of regulatory and legal problems that seemingly threatened to sink the whole project, Brownstone is expanding into a newly-bought, long-vacant office building where it plans to build roughly 400 sleeping pods. "We see demand for about ten thousand pods in downtown San Francisco... [and] potentially hundreds of thousands throughout the United States," co-founder and CEO James Stallworth told The Independent. "At that scale, we will have revenue that supports a [company] valuation in the billions. Our goal is to grow to the size of the problem that we're trying to solve." open image in gallery Brownstone's co-founders James Stallworth and Christina Lennox, show off a pair of sleeping pods ( Brownstone Shared Living ) Admittedly, not everyone shares his vision. "I always thought the consolation to being in hell would be that you didnt have to pay rent," wrote one Facebook commenter on a recent news story about the company. "F*** this into the sun," replied a Reddit user, to a similar story two years ago. Local news site, 48 Hills, called the pods "creepy" and "dystopian", arguing that the entire concept might be illegal under city law. A 2022 article called them "expensive prison cells". Online commenters compared the pods to coffins, or dark sci-fi movies such as The Matrix and Sorry to Bother You. Stallworth, a soft-spoken but voluble 33-year-old former government worker, is puzzled by these reactions. He says Brownstone's mission is to solve San Francisco's years-long housing crisis, and "eliminate housing as a barrier to opportunity. "There's thousands of people living in their cars. I think that's dystopian," Stallworth says. "I think a pod, living inside a building with showers and other people, is a lot safer, more sanitary, and more human. open image in gallery Since its launch, Brownstone has gone from 14 to 30 pods. The building its just agreed to buy has room for up to 400 ( Brownstone Shared Living ) And for all the kerfuffle, residents who spoke to The Independent hardly saw themselves as drones in some dehumanizing nightmare dormitory. "It's good enough," says Sasha, a young AI entrepreneur from Eastern Europe, who asked to be referred to by a pseudonym. "In America we've got 2m people working in the military, and 1m of them are sleeping in similar conditions... It's not a big deal. It's just a bed." So what's it like to live out of a sleeping pod? And could this really be the future of cheap housing? If youre looking for intimacy, its not right for you Brownstone has its origins in Stallworth's years at Stanford University, where he was almost forced to drop out because he couldn't afford housing. Originally from San Bernardino, California, and lacking generational wealth, Stallworth found shelter in a Palo Alto 'hacker house' stuffed with cheap bunk beds, and maintained their computer systems in lieu of rent. "There was no privacy, no comfort, but people still wanted to live there. The monthly price was actually $1,000 and this was back in 2017," Stallworth observes. He felt the same idea could be done better, with more community and humanity. At the California state auditor's office he clicked with Christina Lennox, who had also faced housing struggles and at one point came close to homelessness. By 2020, the pair were so "jaded" with authorities' failure to fix the crisis that they quit and founded Brownstone. This isn't the first time sleeping pods have made headlines. Still, Brownstone's real estate deal (backed by undisclosed investors) puts it at the heart of an ongoing debate about how to repurpose San Francisco's many vacant office buildings. open image in gallery Christina Lennox, who is responsible for the sleeping pods' design and aesthetic, also personally put many of them together ( Brownstone Shared Living ) Brownstone's first 14 pods were inside an ordinary house in Palo Alto, hosting tenants between 2021 and 2024. Another house in Bakersfield had eight pods. In 2023, the company which is still very small, with only three full-time employees leased an old bank at 12 Mint Plaza and installed 30 pods. Banish those thoughts of human beings confined like chickens in a battery farm. Brownstone tenants may sleep in pods but they live in a large three-story building with lounges, workspaces, storage areas, bathrooms, and basic kitchen facilities (no proper stoves, though Stallworth says that will change in future). No pets are allowed, and tenants are interviewed and vetted by Brownstone before admission. "There's positives and negatives," says Sasha, who often works from home and sometimes yearns for a private office. Having so many people around makes it easy to get distracted. For Ahmad Naggayev, a 35-year-old graduate student who lived at Brownstone for two spells totaling seven months, the main problem was lack of sunlight in the pod, which made it harder to get up in the mornings. I could see myself doing this for years, but not full time, he says. open image in gallery Ahmad Naggayev, a 35-year-old naturalized citizen originally from Azjerbaijan, works at the old bank tellers counter inside one of 12 Mint Plaza's communal workspaces ( Ahmad Naggayev ) One former tenant at the Palo Alto house, who asked to be anonymous, remembers a roommate over 6' tall who would regularly wake up and bump his head on the pod until he got used to it. "If you are on the tall side, [the pods] are a bit tough," the person said. "And if you're looking for intimacy, it's not the right time for that." Ventilation, they added, was sometimes an issue. But all three tenants emphasized the strong sense of communal life and camaraderie, praising the eclectic range of people. Indeed, the community surrounding the sleeping pods seemed much more important for these residents than the size of the bedrooms. open image in gallery Brownstones current home is right next to historic Old Mint building in the center of San Francisco ( Google Street View ) "[There's] a lot of really smart people, or just interesting people the people that are not conforming. It's very rare to find such people," says Sasha. Sashas neighbors have ranged from investors managing large amounts of money while scrimping on their own expenses through fellow start-up founders to "regular workers with low-skilled jobs". Naggayev likewise says: Overall, my experience was great. I made a few amazing friends and learned about several tech events I would not have discovered otherwise... innovative people deserve space in their minds to focus on building, rather than dealing with the Bay Areas extreme rent burden. In Palo Alto, too, tenants became very close, supporting each other through major life events and going on road trips together. Some began dating, the former resident said, and "ended up almost getting married." Both Stallworth and Lennox have themselves spent substantial time living in Brownstone properties. The average length of tenure is around six months, Stallworth says, with some staying as long as two years. He recounts the story of one resident, an older man who was dying of cancer, who moved into Brownstone temporarily but liked it so much that he gave up his coveted place on San Franciscos free housing waiting list. He lived his final months at 12 Mint Plaza. A feud with the city and a mail-hoarding tenant Putting aside whether sleeping pods are good in principle, there is the fact that at every stage of its expansion, Brownstone has somehow gotten into regulatory trouble. In Palo Alto, the company was forced to correct several building code violations. In San Francisco, it converted 12 Mint Plaza to residential use without the necessary permits first. "Technically you're supposed to have the permit before you have people live in the place," admits Stallworth. "That's something we learned in the process." open image in gallery One of the communal living spaces in Brownstone's converted bank building in downtown S.F. ( Brownstone Shared Living ) The city ultimately approved this illegal conversion, only to revoke it after deciding the pods were too small to meet its "affordable housing" criteria and demanding $300,000 in offset fees. Both sides accused each other of stonewalling and misrepresenting. But in the end, the city council slashed regulations to incentivize the conversion of empty offices, allowing Brownstone to continue. "The problem, I feel, with James is that he does really well when he is getting a constant flow of money, but when he gets short of money, he has a lot of issues, says the former Palo Alto resident. They recall sometimes struggling to get Brownstone to do maintenance, at one point forcing tenants to "literally hack into" the heating system to stay warm. Speaking to The Independent, Stallworth acknowledged those troubles, saying they were part of the difficulty of being a lean startup that was still experimenting with its business plan and had underestimated some of the complexities. As for Brownstones legal woes, the founder insists that none were the result of deliberate lawbreaking. "We're not Uber!" he says. "We believe in following the laws, and we do." open image in gallery Initially the kitchens at 12 Mint Plaza just had countertop appliances such as microwaves and toaster ovens, but the company is now working to comply with a city law that requires full stoves ( Brownstone Shared Living ) The real culprit, he argues, was Brownstones "naivete, coupled with the previous city government which Stallworth believes has been hostile to disruptive housing schemes in the past. "I guess I probably shouldn't be saying this, but if you [deliberately break housing law], you can disappear and move on, and they're not gonna chase you or fine you, and you get to live off your ill-gotten gains, he says. "But if you try to do this the right way, then they drag you through the mud. They make your life difficult, and invent different fines to assess you, and call it illegal, and say all sorts of things... We know we're doing the right thing. And if we just stop, then the future where people have a place to live is in jeopardy." Asked for comment by The Independent, San Francisco Planning spokesperson Daniel Sider said the city has a place for pod housing, but that Brownstone remains out of compliance. Were all-in on new housing so long as it is constructed safely, he said. Our priority right now is just to help Mr. Stallworth finish this process. Wed like him to take yes for an answer. Theres nothing wrong with a bright-eyed Stanford graduate trying to disrupt the citys housing market. Frankly, it could use a little disrupting. But we draw the line when anyone risks tenant safety, especially in a case where a builder decides to ask for forgiveness rather than permission and then fails to accept accountability. And what about that time where Brownstone's landlord sued for more than $150,000 in allegedly unpaid rent? Crossed wires, says Stallworth; one person at the real estate company didn't realize that another person had already agreed to a rent renegotiation. Brownstone didn't get the angry letters due to a paranoid tenant stealing and hoarding all its mail. Indeed, the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and Brownstone is not being evicted. "If we could do this without any of the drama, that would have been preferred by me, for sure," Stallworth concedes. For Sasha, pod living is worthwhile for one simple yet powerful reason: San Francisco is where the future is being built, and cheap rent lets more smart and talented people join the "unimaginably" competitive race to make it happen. "[Brownstone] is not the best place," Sasha says. "But without this place, people might not even be able to be here." 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 mother of Karoline Leavitts nephew has not been able to see her son since she was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in a case that has placed the family of a key official in Donald Trumps administration into the presidents mass deportation campaign. Bruna Ferreira, who is originally from Brazil, is heartbroken for her son, she told CNN Friday. The entire situation doesnt make sense, she 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? She said she has not spoken to the White House press secretary, whose brother is the father of her 11-year-old son, since she returned to Massachusetts after her arrest and detention inside a Louisiana ICE facility more than 1,000 miles from home. Just because you went to a Catholic school, doesnt make you a good Catholic, Ferreira said, addressing Leavitt. Youre a mother. 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? open image in gallery Bruna Ferreira speaks to CNN December 13 after her release from ICE custody ( CNN ) Ferreiras parents emigrated from Brazil and brought their young daughter with them in 1998 when she was roughly 6 years old. Her two younger siblings were born in the United States. She received temporary legal protections under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, the Obama-era program that has shielded tens of thousands of people who arrived in the country as children without legal status, and she was in the process of obtaining a green card, according to her legal team. Federal agents surrounded her car while she was driving her son to school on November 12, according to her attorneys and surveillance footage from the scene. An immigration judge ordered her release last week on a $1,500 bond while she continues a legal battle to prevent her removal from the country under the Trump administration, which has repeatedly branded her a criminal illegal alien. She is required to wear a GPS monitor and the boys father hasnt brought him to see her, Ferreira told CNN. Following her release, a spokesperson for Homeland Security once again labeled Ferreira a criminal illegal alien and said she will be required to attend periodic mandatory check-ins with ICE law enforcement to ensure she is abiding by the terms of her release, a spokesperson told The Independent. The Department of Homeland Security will continue to work to remove all aliens illegally present in the country as quickly as possible, the spokesperson added. But Ferreira does not appear to have had any criminal convictions. She was arrested for being in the United States without legal permission after overstaying a visa that expired when she was a child, according to her attorneys. I dont even have a parking ticket, and Im so proud of it, she told CNN. open image in gallery White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is the godmother of Ferreiras son, whose father is Leavitts brother ( REUTERS ) Im proud of my name, and I carry it like a badge of honor, she added. 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. Asked about White House comments to The Washington Post that CNN anchor Erin Burnett said had portrayed Ferreira as an absentee parent, she replied: Why? Why lie? Because I have so many friends and family that have called me and said, Why would anyone lie about this, when it's 2025, we have a digital footprint of everything, Ferreira said. I cant wrap my mind around it, she added. It doesnt make any sense. Im just as lost as you are. And Im hoping this interview gets us some answers. Her arrest is among many in a random and cruel mass deportation campaign under the Trump administrations anti-immigration agenda, according to Jeffrey Rubin, whose firm is representing Ferreira. It's outrageous and abhorrent, and the rhetoric alone is disgusting, he told The Independent last month. 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 offered his condolences following shootings at Brown University, Bondi Beach and in Syria before his unscripted remarks at a Christmas reception at the White House. The president addressed a room full of supporters for more than 40 minutes Sunday as First Lady Melania Trump stood by his side. I just want to pay my respects, unfortunately, Trump said. Two who are no longer with us. Brown University, nine injured. Two are looking down on us from heaven. The shooting, which took place on the Ivy League colleges Providence campus on Saturday, left two dead and nine people wounded. After embarking on a multi-agency manhunt, authorities said they have a person of interest in custody. Likewise in Australia, as you know there was a terrible attack, the president added. That was an antisemitic attack, obviously. I just want to pay my respects to everybody. On Sunday evening, 15 people were killed and at least 29 were injured when two gunmen opened fire at an event called Chanukah by the Sea in Bondi Beach, Sydney. One of the suspected attackers was detained and the other is dead. open image in gallery President Donald Trump offered his condolences to the victims of the shootings at Brown University and Bondi Beach, Australia, during a Christmas reception at the White House December 14 ( Fox News ) On Saturday, a man killed two U.S. service members and one American civilian and wounded three others in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra. Trump has vowed to retaliate. I must say, in Syria, also, we had an attack in Syria, Trump continued. We had three great patriots terminated by bad people ... But I just want to pay my respects to the families. open image in gallery People placed flowers at the gates of Brown University December 14 as officials announce a interest is in custody following a mass shooting on campus that killed two students and injured nine others ( Reuters ) After addressing the three incidents, the president delved into a lengthy, off-the-cuff rant, and at one discussed venomous snakes for roughly 10 minutes. He told the story of a White House physician, Dr. James Jones, who was bitten by a viper while hiking in Peru with former President Barack Obamas daughters. Jones lost consciousness several times but eventually recovered after months of rehabilitation. Its known for being a rather rough place in terms of physical creatures crawling around, the 79-year-old president said of the South American nation. Its funny when you talk about snakes and things like that, people find it interesting, Trump said to a hushed room. Would anybody like to go to Peru and walk around the forest? No thank you, Ill say no thank you. He acknowledged the snake anecdote was a terrible Christmas story, but its a hell of story. Im fascinated by stories of wildlife because I have a theory: wildlife always wins, he said. The power is incredible of animals. Later in his speech, he again brought up false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and rigged against him. The election was rigged in 2020, Trump said. We have all the ammunition, all the stuff, and youll see it come out. Its coming out in truckloads. Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the election which he lost to former President Joe Biden was fraudulent. Minutes later, he boasted that he could win the state of California, a reliable Democratic stronghold, if not for Democratic meddling. If the vote in California was legitimate, which its not its a rigged election in California because we would win California by a lot, Trump said. California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly responded to the remark in a post on X, writing, Hahahahahahahahaha ok. Trump again veered off script when he noticed a woman in the audience, whom he said bore a striking resemblance to his eldest daughter. Boy do you look like Ivanka, has anyone ever told you that? Trump said, pointing at the woman and asking her to turn around for the camera. Its the most unbelievable thing. You look just like Ivanka, which is a great compliment. 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 military escalation against drug cartels and potentially the Venezuelan government itself won a prominent backer this weekend, even as members of the U.S. Congress in both parties continue to express skepticism about the administrations plans in the region. Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader who recently fled the country in disguise to collect a Nobel Peace Prize in Europe, appeared Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation and spoke in support of the presidents efforts. In recent months, the U.S. has killed at least 80 people in a continued pattern of military strikes targeting small vessels operating in the Caribbean Sea, which American officials have claimed are ferrying drugs, mostly cocaine, from Venezuela. Those strikes have been condemned as illegal by some independent experts and international authorities, but Trump administration officials have leaned on the White Houses designation of drug smugglers as narco-terrorists for legal justification. In the latest escalation, the U.S. seized an oil tanker and accused its owners of illegally transporting sanctioned oil shipments from Venezuela and Iran. Reports indicate that U.S. officials are planning further seizures in the days to come. Machado, on Sunday, backed any U.S.-levied pressure aimed at ousting the regime of Nicolas Maduro, whom international democracy watchdogs, including at the UN, accuse of clinging to power after fraudulently claiming an election victory last year. Machado was barred from standing as a candidate in that race, and Maduro remained in charge of the government he has run since 2013. "What we're fighting for is precisely freedom in order to have democracy, and democracy in order to have peace. In order to maintain freedom and to achieve freedom, you do need strength, Machado told CBSs Margaret Brennan, while adding that it was not the case that the U.S. president had promised the exiled opposition leader or informed her of any plans for military action. open image in gallery Maria Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, backed Donald Trumps escalating military campaign in the Caribbean on Sunday ( Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB ) I will welcome more and more pressure so that Maduro understands that he has to go, she added. Her remarks come several days after inferred to a gaggle of reporters that she supported the U.S. tanker seizure. Opposition to the strikes among Republicans on Capitol Hill remains scarce, as most of the party is either openly supportive of the efforts or at a minimum hesitant to disagree publicly with the president. But a number of Republicans, including the former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, have joined the chorus of criticism against the strikes against small vessels, including one on September 2, which is now known to have involved a second targeted attack aimed at killing survivors clinging to the wreckage of a boat. Rep. Mike Turner, the former Intel chair who was removed from the committee for his policy disagreements with conservatives in his party in January, told ABCs This Week on Sunday that many in Congress harbored strong reluctance about supporting further escalation of military strikes, which polling shows are widely unpopular with the public. "There is very grave concern in Congress about these strikes in general, said Turner. These individuals are not being subject to criminal prosecution, and if they were subject to criminal prosecution, there's no capital punishment." He contrasted the treatment of what experts believe are vessels operated by low-level cartel members or hired associates to the pardoning of a former Honduran president convicted of aiding the drug trade. Sen. Rand Paul, a libertarian Republican and one of the most frequent dissenters from the GOP mainstream, urged the president to take lessons from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in his own appearance this weekend on NBCs Meet the Press. open image in gallery Sen. Rand Paul is one of two GOP senators who crossed party lines to vote with Democrats on a War Powers resolution aimed at curbing Trumps military campaign in the Caribbean ( Getty Images ) "If we're gonna go and topple regime after regime in South America, there's no amount of money that could be printed to pay for that and I don't think lives should be lost without a vote by Congress, said the Kentucky senator, responding to Trumps quip that Venezuelas neighbor Colombia could be next. Democrats remain near-uniformly opposed to the escalation of pressure and deployment of military assets to the region, warning that an invasion would amount to a costly disaster that would claim the lives of both U.S. forces and many Venezuelans. Trump stated this past week that ground strikes in Venezuela would begin shortly, though he gave no details on the targets and did not explain whether his orders would include U.S. troops on the ground in the country. Some have accused the president of instigating efforts at regime change, the same foreign policy tactic he openly criticized in his 2016 run for president. "It's going to be starting on land pretty soon," the president cryptically said. open image in gallery Donald Trump warned this past week that the U.S. would soon begin strikes on land in Venezuela in the coming days ( REUTERS ) Senators and House members introduced another attempt at checking the presidents powers via the War Powers Resolution earlier in December, which has yet to come to a vote in either chamber. A previous effort in the Senate failed in November. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the upper chamber, but saw two of their members cross party lines to support the resolution. At the White House, Trump has faced questions from reporters and wavered back and forth over whether the administration will release video of the Sept. 2 strike that independent experts and the presidents political rivals have called a potential war crime. "What is President Trump's theory of the case? Is it regime change? asked Mark Warner, a Democratic senator from Virginia, on ABCs This Week on Sunday. I think the president needs to come to Congress and the American people if his goal is to further increase pressure on Maduro and potentially launch forces," "I do not know what this president's goal vis-a-vis Venezuela is," he said. "[But] we all know the history of American intervention in Central America and South America over the last 100 years has not been a great story." 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 Fifteen people have been killed in a terrorist attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach after two gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the start of Hanukkah. A 10-year-old girl is among those dead after the attack on more than 1,000 people attending a Jewish festival near the iconic beach at 6.47pm on Sunday. One gunman, aged 50, was shot by police and died at the scene, while a second attacker, 24, was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police said the gunmen were father and son. At least 40 people are receiving treatment in hospital, including three other children. It is the worst mass shooting in Australia since April 1996, when a man shot and killed 35 people and wounded 23 others during a shooting spree in Port Arthur, Tasmania. Here is everything we know about the attack in Sydney: open image in gallery Emergency workers transport a person on a stretcher after the attack on Bondi Beach ( AP ) What happened in the Bondi Beach shooting? Crowds had gathered at the popular tourist destination to attend an event called Chanukah by the Sea on Sunday evening. Emergency services were rushed to Campbell Parade at around 6.45pm local time after reports of shots being fired. The police warned members of the public to take shelter before later reporting that two suspects had been captured. Distressing videos circulating on social media appeared to show people on Bondi Beach scattering as multiple gunshots and police sirens were heard. Other videos captured the gunmen carrying out the attack on a bridge near where the event was taking place. open image in gallery Father-of-two Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, was hailed a hero for tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him ( Social Media ) Another video showed a heroic father-of-two, Ahmed al Ahmed, from Sydney, tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him. Mr Ahmeds family said the 43-year-old fruit shop owner remains in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, and called him a 100 per cent hero. New South Wales premier Chris Minns praised him as a genuine hero. Who are the victims? In an update on Monday morning, New South Wales Police said the age range of the victims ranged from 10 to 87 years old. open image in gallery Police investigators arrive at the scene of a mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney ( Getty ) A total of 14 people died at the scene, including one of the gunmen. A 10-year-old girl and a 40-year-old man later died in hospital. Police also said that 42 injured people, including four children, were taken to hospitals across Sydney. Five people remain in critical condition with the others remaining in serious and stable conditions, the force said. Two police officers a constable and probationary constable suffered gunshot wounds. Both remain in serious but stable conditions. British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, has been named as one of the victims. open image in gallery A woman wraps a child in a blanket as medical personnel attend to the mass casualty event in Sydney ( AFP via Getty ) The father-of-five, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London. Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, a colleague and family friend, paid tribute: If Rabbi Eli were here and you asked how to best honour him, he would say that Chanukah is when we light the menorah at the darkest time of the year. He would ask everyone to light the menorah every night of Chanukah and urge others to do the same. He would want us to increase the brightness. To become ambassadors of light. open image in gallery Bondi victim Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, had just welcomed his fifth child with his wife ( Instagram ) What do we know about the Bondi Beach shooters? Police have not yet formally named the suspected gunmen, but said they were a father and son. They have been named by local media as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid is thought to have been shot by police and died at the scene, while Naveed suffered critical injuries and was taken to hospital under police guard. New South Wales Police said the attack has been declared a terrorist incident which specifically targeted the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said the countrys main domestic spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Agency, had investigated Naveed over his links to a Sydney-based Islamic State terrorism cell for six months in 2019. Mr Albanese said there was no evidence the pair were part of a cell or had help with the attack, but were clearly motivated by an extremist ideology. open image in gallery Beachgoers fled after hearing the sound of gunfire ( UGC/AFP via Getty ) What was the response to the attack? Shortly after the attack, prime minister Mr Albanese told the nation: The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension. We will dedicate every resource required to making sure you are safe and protected, he told Australias Jewish population. open image in gallery Anthony Albanese said his government will dedicate every resource to making Australias Jewish population safe ( Reuters ) New South Wales premier Chris Minns described the reports and images coming from the scene as deeply distressing. This attack was designed to target Sydneys Jewish community, Mr Minns said. Mr Minns told a press conference in Sydney that the attack represents some of our worst fears about terrorism. Leaders from across the world condemned the attack, including US president Donald Trump, who praised bystanders who intervened to stop the attacker. 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 Twelve people were killed and dozens wounded when gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday event at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday, Australian officials said. Following are comments from world leaders in the wake of the deadly shooting: Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia "This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. "At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference following a shooting at Bondi Beach, at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia ( via REUTERS ) Sussan Ley, Opposition Leader of Australia "Australians are in deep mourning tonight, with hateful violence striking at the heart of an iconic Australian community, a place we all know so well and love, Bondi." Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister Deeply distressing news from Australia. The United Kingdom sends our thoughts and condolences to everyone affected by the appalling attack in Bondi Beach." King Charles III, United Kingdom The King said he was appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney. My wife and I are appalled and saddened by the most dreadful antisemitic terrorist attack on Jewish people attending the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach, his statement said. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy. In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival will always triumph over the darkness of such evil. Prince and Princess of Wales, United Kingdom The Prince and Princess of Wales have said their thoughts are with every Australian following a mass shooting at Bondi Beach, in a personal message signed by William and Kate. Our thoughts are with every Australian today following the terrible attack at Bondi Beach. We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and stand with the Jewish community in grief. We are also thinking about the bravery of the emergency responders, particularly the two injured officers. W & C Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand "Australia and New Zealand are closer than friends, we're family. I am shocked by the distressing scenes at Bondi, a place that Kiwis visit every day." "My thoughts, and the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those affected." Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the shooting was "cold blooded murder" and that antisemitism "spreads when leaders stay silent." "You must replace weakness with action," he said. Gideon Saar, Foreign Minister of Israel "I'm appalled by the murderous shooting attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia." "These are the results of the anti-Semitic rampage in the streets of Australia over the past two years, with the anti-Semitic and inciting calls of 'Globalise the Intifada' that were realized today." Ursula Von Der Leyen, European Commission President "Shocked by the tragic attack at Bondi Beach. I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims." "Europe stands with Australia and Jewish communities everywhere. We are united against violence, antisemitism and hatred." Jose Manuel Albares, Spanish Foreign Minister "Horrified by the terrorist attack in Australia against the Jewish community. My solidarity with the victims and their loved ones, with the people and government of Australia." "Hate, antisemitism, and violence have no place in our societies." Jonas Gahr Stoere, Prime Minister of Norway "I am shocked by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, during a Jewish Hanukkah event." "I condemn this despicable act of terror in the strongest possible terms. My deepest condolences to all those affected by todays tragic attack." Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden "Appalled by the attack in Sydney, targeted against the Jewish community." "My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Together, we must fight the spread of antisemitism." SYDNEY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Astealia's Sydney police have been called to reports of active shooters at the city's iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday, with local media reporting that multiple people have been shot. Police also confirmed that two people are in custody. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The father and son gunmen who carried out the Bondi Beach attack spent nearly all of November in the Philippines, according to the Australian authorities. The trip was confirmed by both Australia and the Philippine authorities after ABC cited security sources as saying the attackers may have travelled there for military-style training. Prime minister Anthony Albanese has said the attack that killed 15 people at a Hanukkah event by the sea appeared to have been driven by extremist beliefs. It would appear that this was motivated by Islamic State ideology, Mr Albanese told ABC Sydney. A spokesperson for Australias immigration bureau said Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, left Australia for the Philippines six weeks ago and returned on a flight to Sydney on 28 November. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the attack while his son Naveed was critically injured and taken to hospital under police guard. Sajid Akram travelled on an Indian passport. The pair listed Davao as their destination upon arrival in the Philippines, Australias immigration bureau spokesperson Dana Sandoval said. Davao, a sprawling city on the eastern coast of Mindanao the largest southern island lies within a region where Islamist militants have historically operated in poorer central and southwestern areas. open image in gallery Rabbi Yossi Friedman speaks to people gathering at a memorial to honour those killed in the Bondi Beach attack ( AP ) Ms Sandoval said: Sajid Akram, 50, Indian national, and Naveed Akram, 24, Australian national, arrived in the Philippines together last 1 November 2025 from Sydney, Australia. The Philippine military said it could not verify whether the Akrams received arms training during their trip. New South Wales (NSW) police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, also confirmed the Philippines trip, saying investigators were scrutinising the purpose of the visit and the mens movements while abroad. Australias foreign minister Penny Wong has spoken with her Philippine counterpart Tess Lazaro and briefed him on the ongoing investigation. Mr Lanyon said a vehicle linked to the younger man contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade Isis flags. Investigators are now probing whether the Akrams had links to a transnational terror network, according to the sources cited by ABC. Naveed Akram had been investigated for six months in 2019 by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the countrys domestic intelligence agency. Mr Albanese said a six-month ASIO investigation found no evidence that either the father or the son had been radicalised. Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of carrying out the Bondi Beach attack that left 15 people dead and dozens more injured during a gathering of people to celebrate the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in the popular Sydney tourist destination. Those killed on Sunday included a 10-year-old child, a British-born rabbi, a former police officer, and a Holocaust survivor. Health authorities have said that 24 people are still being treated in hospital, with several in critical condition. Mr Albanese and NSW premier Chris Minns on Monday vowed to strengthen gun laws in the country. NSW Police said on Tuesday that Naveed Akram has regained consciousness after being in a coma since Sundays attack. Australian Federal Police commissioner, Krissy Barrett, said the Bondi Beach attack appears to have been carried out by the father and son who aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion. open image in gallery Anthony Albanese meets with Ahmed al-Ahmed, the man being lauded as a hero for tackling one of the gunmen ( AFP/X account of @AlboMP ) The Australian PM has also hailed a bystander who tackled one of the gunmen on Sunday and seized his weapon, calling him a true Australian hero. The fruit shop owner, Ahmed al-Ahmed, a father of two from Sydney, was seen tackling one of the gunmen before wrestling his weapon away from him during the antisemitic terrorist attack. Video footage of Mr Ahmed intervening circulated widely on social media following the attack. Mr Ahmeds family previously said he was in hospital with bullet wounds to his arm and hand, but was in good spirits. His father said his actions showed the 43-year-olds impulse to protect people as he called him a hero of Australia. 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 Eyewitnesses have recounted being shot as they grabbed their children and seeing bodies all over the floor as horror unfolded during the terror attack at Bondi beach on Sunday. Gunmen opened fire during a celebration on the first day of Hanukkah at the famous Sydney beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring a further 40 people, including two police officers. Australian officials described it as a targeted antisemitic attack and an act of terrorism. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting as an antisemitic act of evil. One of the suspected shooters was also killed, while a second was in critical condition. Police said the gunmen were father and son. open image in gallery A woman holds her baby in a blanket after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach ( AFP via Getty Images ) Australia, one of the worlds safest countries, has been left reeling as harrowing eyewitness accounts emerge from the mass shooting. A father-of-two was celebrating at the Hanukkah event with his wife and children when he said he was hit in the back with shotgun pellets. Dovey, who did not share his surname, told The Telegraph: I just ran, grabbed my kids and just ran down to the beach and hid behind the wall. My wife and two other children actually ran a different direction and were hiding somewhere else. It was a very stressful hour. None of us had our phones on us. So until we all managed to put it all back together and and then I was in the surf lifesavers club and I came back down looking for them. And theres bodies all over the floor, like it was not something that you would ever, in a million years, believe that this is Bondi Beach. I got a graze in the back, a bit of shrapnel in there. So I just came to the hospital. They dug that all out and bandaged it up for me. But Im one of the lucky ones. It was just a terrible event for everybody. open image in gallery Belongings left scattered on Bondi Beach ( AP ) Witnesses said the shooting at the famed beach, which was packed on a hot summer's evening, lasted about 10 minutes, sending hundreds of people scattering along the sand and into nearby streets and parks. Police said around 1,000 people had attended the Hanukkah event. Initially, you just think, it's a beautiful day down by the beach, said Bondi resident Grace Mathew. You sort of think that people are just having a good time. Then more people ran past and said there's a shooter, there's a mass shooting, and they're killing people. Tourists also described hearing what they thought were fireworks before everyone began to run for shelter. German tourist Marie told Australian outlet 9 News: We were sitting for two minutes, and it just started, the shooting. We thought it was fireworks, but at some point people started screaming and there were the police cars, so we took all our stuff and hid around the corner... [Then] we took off our shoes and just started running up the street... I thought we were going to maybe stay there and die. It was really, really scary. open image in gallery Police cordon off an area at Bondi Beach after the mass shooting ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) But amid the terror were some incredible acts of heroism. Authorities said far more people would have been killed were it not for a bystander, identified by local media as fruit shop owner Ahmed al-Ahmed. The 43-year-old was filmed charging at a suspected gunman from behind, grappling with him and wresting a rifle from his hands. "There are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery," said Chris Minns, premier of New South Wales state, calling the bystander "a genuine hero". A stranger also took a bullet for a three-year-old girl, according to her parents, who recounted the terrifying moment they could not find their child as bullets flew all around. open image in gallery Ambulances around Bondi Beach after the attack in which at least 11 people were killed ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Local Wayne, who did not share his surname, said he grabbed their other daughter Capri and just lay on top of her under a table when the shooting began. But his wife Vanessa, who was elsewhere at the beach, called a minute later, asking if he had their three-year-old Gigi. I'm like I don't have Gigi, she didn't have Gigi, and that's when the absolute panic just set in, he told Sky News Australia. Vanessa said she launched into a desperate search for her daughter. She told the broadcaster: There were bullets all around me. All I can do is scream: 'Where is my family? Where's my little girl?' When the shooting stopped, Wayne began looking for Gigi. There was just blood and bodies everywhere, he said. She was wearing a pink skirt, and I saw this lady lying on top of her. open image in gallery Bystanders stay where police cordon off an area at the Sydney beach ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The woman, called Jess, had herself been shot and was covered in blood. But thanks to her protection, Gigi was safe. I said: 'You've saved my daughter's life. I said: I'll be indebted to you for the rest of my life, Wayne said. Richard Hasten, who also attended the Hanukkah event with his family, recalled enjoying the festivities before he heard gunshots ringing out and ran to take cover. I was laying down and a woman was right in front of me and I could see she was bleeding right in front of me so I took my shirt off to stop the bleeding, he told Australian outlet ABC, adding that he believes she is now fine. open image in gallery People stand on a street in Sydney after the attack ( AFP via Getty Images ) People across the local area recounted the moment they heard the shots being fired and rushed for whatever shelter they could find. A Briton said he was in his apartment when he heard what he thought were fireworks going off, but when he looked out his window, he saw a man shooting from on top of a white car and people being gunned down. Fin Green told the BBC that he saw people "running and screaming", sprinting towards his building to take cover. He said he quickly shut his blinds and rushed to hide in his wardrobe. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A London-born rabbi has been named as one of the victims of the Bondi beach terrorist attack which saw 15 people killed. Relatives have paid tribute to Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old father of five, as a man who loved helping people after he was killed when two gunmen opened fire on families celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney. Rabbi Schlanger, who worked at Jewish cultural centre Chabad Bondi, grew up in Temple Fortune in north London, his cousin said. Rabbi Zalman Lewis, from Brighton, discovered his loved one was among the victims when he received a list of names of people to pray for following the atrocity. We are just beginning to process this, Rabbi Lewis told Jewish News. It makes no sense at all. How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way? We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy. To keep generating light. open image in gallery Rabbi Eli Schlanger was full of energy and life, his cousin said ( Sourced ) He said Rabbi Schlanger and his wife had welcomed their youngest child, a baby boy, two months ago. He described him as vivacious, optimistic and full of energy and life, adding: Eli loved helping people, encouraging people to do mitzvot. He was so bubbly, almost eccentrically so. Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, a colleague and family friend, added: If Rabbi Eli were here and you asked how to best honour him, he would say that Chanukah is when we light the menorah at the darkest time of the year. He would ask everyone to light the menorah every night of Chanukah and urge others to do the same. He would want us to increase the brightness. To become ambassadors of light. According to The Australian Jewish News, Rabbi Schlanger had recently uncovered a lost chapter in his familys history, including a great-uncle who had tragically been murdered in the Holocaust. Another great-uncle, the late Reverend Leslie Olsberg, had also previously served as rabbi at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, where two congregants were murdered in a terror attack during Yom Kippur in October. The Metropolitan Police said it was stepping up patrols in the wake of the Sydney attack, as Jewish communities across London celebrate Hanukkah. open image in gallery One suspected shooter has been killed and another wounded ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) One suspected gunman was killed by police and another was wounded, New South Wales Police Force said, adding that the gunmen were father and son. In total, 15 people were killed after the attackers opened fire on around 1,000 people who had gathered for the first day of Hanukkah at around 6.45pm. Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said the attack was an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, he added. An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated [by] this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it. 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 At least fifteen people were killed including a ten-year-old girl after a terrorist attack on Sydneys Bondi Beach targeted Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah, in what Australias prime minister described as an act of evil. A total of 40 people were hospitalisedin the mass shooting after two attackers opened fire on crowds. Police said that the gunmen were father and son. One of the gunmen, aged 50, died while the second suspected gunman, aged 24, is in a critical condition. Mal Lanyon, New South Wales police commissioner, told a press conference in Sydney that he had declared the shooting a terrorist incident. Homemade bombs were also discovered in a car near the scene. Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, said it was a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. open image in gallery Twelve people have been killed, including one gunman, while dozens more have been taken to hospital ( AP ) He added: An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life. There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it. One of those killed was London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, his cousin told Jewish News. He was a father-of-five who is reported to have welcomed his youngest child only two months ago. Another victim was an Israeli citizen, the countrys foreign ministry said. Terrified locals reported hearing up to 50 gunshots in the Archer Park area at around 1845 local time [GMT 0745], where up to 1,000 people had gathered for an event to celebrate the first day of the Jewish holiday. The police warned members of the public to take shelter, before later reporting that two suspects had been captured. Horrifying footage shared on social media appears to show two shooters firing from a bridge at a beach carpark, while members of the public can be heard screaming. Later clips appeared to show the two suspects pinned to the ground by police, with shotgun cartridges and shell casings littered on the floor. open image in gallery Police patrol in the early morning following a shooting Sunday at Sydney's Bondi Beach ( AP ) Lachlan Moran, 32, from Melbourne, said beachgoers dropped everything and sprinted towards safety after hearing the pop of gunfire. Everyone just dropped all their possessions and everything and were running and people were crying and it was just horrible, he said. Witness Harry Wilson, 30, told the Sydney Morning Herald he saw at least 10 people on the ground and blood everywhere. Relatives paid tribute to Schlanger, who loved helping people after he was named as one of the victims. He was an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, and grew up in Temple Fortune, north London. Schlanger and his wife, Chayala, are said to have celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago. His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, from Brighton, East Sussex, told Jewish News: How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way? We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy. Larisa Kleytman revealed her husband of five decades, Alex, was killed while trying to protect her as the shots rang out. The couple, who travelled from Matraville to celebrate Hanukkah, were in the crowd when Ms Kleytman heard the boom boom of gunfire. They have two children and 11 grandchildren. I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me, in the back of the head, she told the Daily Mail. open image in gallery A bystander has been hailed as a hero after he tackled the gunman ( Reuters/Social Media ) Separate footage captured the moment a bystander named by local media as 43-year-old fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed wrestled a rifle out of the hands of one of the alleged shooters. The man leapt out from behind a car and tackled the gunman from behind, eventually pulling the firearm from his hands and turning it on the suspected attacker. Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, hailed him as a genuine hero as he described the footage as unbelievable. A man walking up to gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, putting his own life at risk to save the lives of countless other people, he added. That man is a genuine hero and Ive no doubt that there are many, many people alive tonight as a result of his bravery. open image in gallery A woman cradles a child in a blanket after the Bondi beach shooting ( AFP/Getty ) A spokesperson for New South Wales Ambulance said more than 40 crews, including helicopter and road crews, had treated multiple casualties and taken them to hospital. A total of 40 people are being treated at hospitals in Sydney, with some in a serious condition. The wounded police officers condition was described as serious, verging on critical and both were in surgery, Mr Lanyon said. Homemade bombs were also found in a car linked to the deceased gunman. The police chief added: Shortly after the shooting occurred, police located a vehicle in Campbell Parade at Bondi, which we believe has several improvised explosive devices. We have our rescue bomb disposal unit there at the moment working on that. Mr Lanyon said that the deceased offender had been known to the authorities, but there had been no specific threat. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News : This is the Jewish community at its best coming together to mark a happy occasion. If we were targeted deliberately in this way, it's something of a scale that none of us could have ever fathomed. It's a horrific thing. He said his media adviser had been wounded in the attack. open image in gallery Beachgoers fled after hearing the pop pop of gunfire ( UGC/AFP via Getty Images ) The UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer reacted to the deeply distressing news in a post on X, while King Charles, who visited Bondi Beach in 2012, said he and the Queen were appalled by the attack. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected so dreadfully, including the police officers who were injured while protecting members of their community, he added. We commend the police, emergency services and members of the public whose heroic actions no doubt prevented even greater horror and tragedy. In times of hurt, Australians always rally together in unity and resolve. I know that the spirit of community and love that shines so brightly in Australia and the light at the heart of the Chanukah festival will always triumph over the darkness of such evil. The Metropolitan Police is increasing its visibility in Jewish communities ahead of any Hanukkah events in the wake of the attack, the mayor of London has said. In a post on X, Sadiq Khan said: My thoughts and condolences along with the rest of London are with everyone affected by the horrific attack at Bondi Beach, Australia today. 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 On Saturday, US President Donald Trumps envoy John Coale said that Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, had promised to stop weather balloons flying from his country into Lithuania. It came just days after the Lithuanian government was forced to declare a state of national emergency in response to a surge in balloons flying across the border from Belarus, many of them smuggling cigarettes. In the past year, experts say that some 600 balloons linked to smuggling and 200 drones have entered Lithuanian airspace, prompting a temporary border shutdown and causing havoc at Vilnius airport. The balloons are thought to have transported tens of thousands of contraband cigarettes over the border. Last weekend, authorities said they seized almost 40,000 packets of cigarettes from just 11 balloons. open image in gallery An officer inspects a balloon used to carry cigarettes into Lithuania ( State Border Guard Service via AP ) Usually, balloons cross the border at night to avoid detection. Once they land, illegal couriers use SIM/GPS-enabled tracking devices to locate them. Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia, has denied state involvement in the smuggling, arguing it is carried out by criminals taking advantage of low prices in his country. But Pavel Slunkin, visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, says that this kind of smuggling is built into the government. The balloons could be a ploy to pressure Lithuania into entering negotiations with Lukashenkos dictatorial regime, he suggests. Relations between Lithuania and Belarus have long been strained, but tensions escalated in October, when Lithuania closed two border checkpoints between the countries for three weeks. In response, Belarus banned Lithuanian lorries from its roads, halting trade. Hundreds of vehicles are still stranded in the country. open image in gallery Russian leader Vladimir Putin (R) and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko ( AFP/Getty ) Why did Lithuania declare an emergency Lithuanias border tracking data shows a threefold increase in balloons crossing into the country in 2025 compared to the previous year. The most recent wave has been unusually disruptive to aviation, with a cluster of missions concentrated around Vilnius Airport from October into December. This has prompted the Lithuanian government to declare a nationwide emergency situation, allowing government institutions to coordinate more closely and enlist the support of military units. Dr Rasmus Nilsson, a lecturer in Russian Foreign Policy and Post-Soviet Politics at University College London, suggests the decision to declare an emergency situation is linked to a lack of trust in Nato. He told The Independent: Given recent policies and statements emanating from the United States, there is a fear in this part of Europe that local members of Nato will be abandoned in the face of attacks (hybrid or overtly military) from Russia and Belarus. While Vilnius might not see such a scenario unfolding in the immediate future, it sees every reason to highlight potential threats from the east to remind other Nato members of its potentially precarious position at the eastern flank of the alliance. open image in gallery Hybrid attacks on the west have increased since the war in Ukraine (File picture) ( National Police of Ukraine/AFP v ) Why the balloons have destabilised Lithuania The balloons have caused significant disruption to flights, with more than 350 having been delayed, diverted or cancelled since October alone. The financial losses stemming from this now exceed 750,000. Mr Slunkin suggests the balloons are part of a more overarching strategy. There is a concept in Russian [and therefore Belarussian] national strategy, he said. They call it escalate to deescalate when you increase stakes for the other side to be so high that they wouldnt be willing to go that far. Belarus, he suggests, is seeking to escalate tensions with Lithuania while cosying up to the United States weakening a key alliance. President Trump has expressed admiration for Lukashenko in the past, calling him the highly respected president. Mr Coale, his new envoy, visited Minsk on Friday to negotiate the release of 1,400 political prisoners. open image in gallery President Alexander Lukashenko, right, and US presidential envoy John Coale shake hands ( Belarusian Presidential Press Service ) How it forms part of Putins hybrid war The Lithuanian government has said the emergency comes in response to a series of hybrid attacks by Belarus, in reference to the hybrid war that Russia has waged against Western nations since the invasion of Ukraine. The term describes a military strategy that combines conventional fighting techniques with cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and drone incursions. Moscow consistently seeks to distance itself from responsibility for such attacks, but the increasing frequency of cases linked to Russia has led most Western governments to conclude they form part of Putins strategy. In the UK, numerous cyberattacks, including those targeting the NHS, have been linked to Russia, while drones have been spotted at major airports across Europe. Russia has denied all connection. Mr Slunkin says Lithuania has two choices: You negotiate [with Belarus] or you hope the EU and others will deal with the situation. So far, Lithuania has chosen the latter. 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 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to drop his country's bid to join Nato in exchange for Western security guarantees, in a major concession as part of ongoing peace talks to end Russias invasion. Kyiv had previously insisted that Nato membership was one of its red lines, as it would deter Moscow from invading again in the event of a peace deal. He made the concession just hours before talks with President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, German chancellor Friedrich Merz and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in Berlin. It follows a flurry of diplomatic activity in the past three weeks which have produced several drafts of a peace agreement, but no alignment on key issues such as territory. Responding to journalists' questions before the talks, Zelensky said that since the US and some European nations had rejected Ukraine's push to join Nato, Kyiv expects the West to offer a set of guarantees similar to those offered to the alliance members. "These security guarantees are an opportunity to prevent another wave of Russian aggression," he said. "And this is already a compromise on our part." open image in gallery The ruins of a building struck by a Russian drone in Poland ( Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS ) Is Ukraine part of Nato? Ukraine is not currently part of Nato, but Zelensky has consistently called for his country to be welcomed into the alliance. Mr Putin insists - without any basis - that Russia and Ukraine are really one nation. Through his act of aggression against Ukraine, he appears to be seeking to reintegrate the country into his vision of a greater Russia, just as he annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. For its part, Ukraine wants the defensive protection of the alliance as part of its bid for recognition as a free western democracy, shielded from the malign influence of Moscow but Trump has insisted Kyiv cannot be a member. Without Ukraine being part of Nato, the alliances member states, including Britain and the US, are not obliged to commit troops or come to its aid militarily, which is why those states and the other major European powers are reluctant to allow Kyiv into their company for now, as to do so would risk a much more widespread war in Europe. open image in gallery Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were hosted at Number 10 by Sir Keir on Monday ( PA Wire ) A number of British troops are, however, currently stationed in fellow signatory states Estonia and Poland as part of the organisations peacekeeping duties and the UK has carried out extensive military training with the Ukrainian armed forces since 2015 and has pledged to continue supplying Ukraine with weapons to counter Russian attacks during the present conflict. Natos official position is that membership is open to any other European state in a position to further the principles of the treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area. The present concern for the alliance is that, if Russia succeeds in conquering Ukraine, it could continue its westward expansion and perhaps seize other outliers like Georgia and, indeed, set a precedent for other global superpowers to follow, perhaps emboldening China to take Taiwan, for instance. Is Poland part of Nato? Nato is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries forged in the aftermath of the Second World War in the hope of avoiding future bloodshed and hostilities between nations through the realisation of three specific goals: deterring Soviet expansionism, preventing the revival of militant nationalism and encouraging European political integration. Poland is a member of Nato and has been since 1999. It invests more than 4 per cent of of its GDP on defence, more than any other member of the alliance. Nato has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and its current secretary general is Mark Rutte. open image in gallery Soldiers patrol the street in Poland after a drone struck a residential building ( Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS ) Its 31 member states are obliged by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty of 4 April 1949 to come to the aid of any fellow signatory in the event that they should come under attack from a foreign power. In its own words: Nato is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. How was Nato formed? Originally born of the Treaty of Dunkirk signed by Britain and France on 4 March 1947, Nato was created to contain any future military threat from a revived Germany or the USSR at a time when the Marshall Plan was attempting to bring economic deliverance to a continent still in recovery from a war that had killed 36.5 million people. Nato was soon expanded to include Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and then the US, Canada, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. open image in gallery A firefighter runs at the site of a residential area hit during Russian drone and missile strikes in Zhytomyr ( via REUTERS ) Holding firm throughout the Cold War and evolving its approach in response to such tense diplomatic episodes as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War and the USSRs invasion of Afghanistan, the alliance was given a new lease of life with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. It gradually added former Soviet satellites states to its ranks: first the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland in 1999 and then Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia in 2004. The most recent additions to the alliance were North Macedonia in 2020 and Finland in 2023. 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 Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff hailed progress in Ukraine peace talks with Volodymyr Zelensky following five hours of negotiations in Berlin. Witkoff said "a lot of progress was made" as he and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met with the Ukrainian president in the latest push to end Russias invasion on Sunday. He did not reveal details of what was discussed. Talks will continue on Monday morning and Zelensky will comment on their outcome after they have ended, the Presidents adviser Dmytro Lytvyn said. Ahead of the negotiations, Zelensky relinquished Ukraines bid to join Nato in what he said was a compromise to end the war with Russia. open image in gallery The move comes as Zelensky prepares to meet US envoys and European allies in Berlin for yet another round of negotiations in the hopes a peace deal can be struck ( AFP via Getty Images ) In a major shift, Zelensky said Ukraine will instead ask for Western security guarantees, which he said should be legally binding. Sir Keir Starmer and the French president, Emmanuel Macron are also expected to join the talks in Berlin, which are being hosted by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The UK prime minister will attend the talks as Britain continues to discuss a crucial deal to use frozen Russian sovereign assets to help provide funds for Kyiv. Sir Keir spoke with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, on Saturday to discuss the move and work on the US-led peace proposals. Speaking about Mondays talks, Zelensky said in an address to the nation late on Saturday: 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. open image in gallery US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner were spotted entering a hotel in central Berlin on Sunday ( AP ) Zelenskys agreement to ditch Ukraines Nato ambitions marks a major shift for the country, which has sought to join it as a safeguard against Russian attacks, and has such an aspiration included in its constitution. It also meets one of Russias war aims, although Kyiv has so far held firm against ceding territory to Moscow. From the very beginning, Ukraine's desire was to join Nato, these are real security guarantees. Some partners from the US and Europe did not support this direction, he said in answer to questions from reporters in a WhatsApp chat. Thus, today, bilateral security guarantees between Ukraine and the US, Article 5-like guarantees for us from the US, and security guarantees from European colleagues, as well as other countries, Canada, Japan, are an opportunity to prevent another Russian invasion, Zelensky said. He also said that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia along the current frontline would be a fair option. open image in gallery Zelenskys agreement to ditch Ukraines Nato ambitions marks a major shift for the country, which has sought to join Nato as a safeguard against Russian attacks ( AFP via Getty Images ) Russia has demanded Kyiv withdraw its troops from parts of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions that Ukraine still holds. Answering questions from reporters in a WhatsApp chat, Zelensky reiterated that the option would be unfair, adding that the issue of territory remained unresolved and very sensitive. Russian president Vladimir Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine officially renounce its Nato ambitions and withdraw troops from about 10 per cent of Donbas, which Kyiv still controls. Moscow has also said that Ukraine must be a neutral country and that no Nato troops can be stationed in Ukraine. Britain, France and Germany have been working to refine the US proposals, which, in a draft disclosed last month, called for Kyiv to cede more territory, abandon its ambition to join Nato and accept limits on its armed forces. European allies have described this as a critical moment that could shape Ukraines future, and sought to shore up Kyivs finances by leveraging frozen Russian central bank assets to fund Kyivs military and civilian budget. open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in Downing Street (Toby Melville/PA) ( PA Wire ) Britain has said it is ready to move in tandem with the EU to unlock immobilised Russian sovereign assets, the vast majority of which are held in Belgium. But Belgium has so far resisted the move, calling on other nations in the trading bloc to share the risk amid fears it would be left on the hook to pay back the loan if Russia succeeded in thwarting the plan. Sir Keir hosted the Belgian premier Bart De Wever in Downing Street on Friday afternoon as European leaders seek to agree on a path forward to providing Kyiv with further support. At the top of his meeting with Sir Keir, Mr De Wever said there are very important decisions to be made in the EU next week, and he insisted we and the UK will move together to ensure Kyivs sovereignty. In a readout after the meeting, No 10 said they agreed to continue working to make progress on unlocking Russian assets. Efforts to rezone land for housing yield mixed results as infrastructure failures bite A month ago, CEOs of the four Dublin local authorities were hauled in to meet the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste and given a clear message to rezone more land. But it hasn't gone as planned The planning regulator raised a series of concerns over the decision to rezone land in Kilcoole and not around Greystones (above). Photo: Getty Fearghal O'Connor Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Government efforts to push councils to rezone more land are having mixed results in key commuter areas with massive housing demand as a failure to provide adequate infrastructure limits potential. Industry now a key player on global stage In an era of relentlessly evolving cyber threats, Ireland has emerged as a global powerhouse in cyber security, combining cutting-edge innovation with deep public-private collaboration. Over the past decade Ireland has become a launchpad for high-growth cyber enterprises, attracting more than 450m in venture capital since 2014 across 101 deals. This momentum makes Ireland one of Europes most capital-efficient innovation hubs, where exceptional talent and strategic support deliver real-world solutions to challenges such as AI-driven attacks and large-scale data breaches. The sector achieved its strongest year on record in 2024, closing 40pc more VC deals than in 2023 while overall European cyber security funding declined by 9.5pc, according to a new Enterprise Ireland report powered by PitchBook data. This standout performance has enabled Ireland to hold first or second place in Europe for cyber security VC deal count per capita every year since 2017. Enterprise Ireland has played a pivotal role, participating in more than three-quarters of all deals over the past decade and establishing itself as Europes most active cyber security investor by deal count. Working alongside Cyber Ireland the national cyber security cluster this sustained support helps ambitious Irish companies start, scale rapidly and win business with world-class global investors. The ecosystem is further strengthened by leading education and research initiatives. Programmes such as Cyber Skills, Springboard+ and the Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Scheme are closing the global talent gap, while Research Ireland centres Lero and CONNECT drive breakthroughs in secure software and network defence. Today, more than 140 pure-play cyber security companies both indigenous and foreign-owned employ 8,100 professionals and generated 2.7bn in revenues last year, representing a 30pc increase from 2022. The sector is forecast to support 17,000 jobs by 2030, mirroring Irelands broader economic resilience. Irish innovators continue to set the global pace. Tines, now a unicorn valued at $1.125bn, secured a 120.7m Series C in Q1 2025 led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives and one of the largest venture rounds ever raised by an Irish-founded company. Its no-code automation platform is trusted by enterprises worldwide and has attracted investment from Sequoia, Accel and others. Siren powers real-time investigative intelligence for law enforcement; UrbanFox fights payments fraud with behavioural analytics; Cytidel prioritises vulnerabilities using AI-driven insight; and Vaultree pioneers fully encrypted data-in-use processing. The cyber innovation from Ireland draws the backing from tier-one investors including Bessemer, Ten Eleven and SoftBank. Looking ahead, cyber security is set to become an absolute non-negotiable priority for organisations everywhere. This positions Irelands ecosystem built on deep collaboration, relentless innovation and proven global traction for sustained high-growth investment and undisputed leadership in the years to come. Anna-Marie Turley is Head of Fintech, Financial Services and Cybersecurity, Enterprise Ireland COLOMBO, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Over 200 liters of crude oil have leaked into the sea due to a pipeline leak at the Colombo Port, Sri Lanka's Ceylon Petroleum Corporation said on Sunday. The leak was detected in a pipeline used to unload crude oil from a fuel tanker at the first buoy of the Colombo Port, the company said. Fuel unloading through the affected pipeline has been temporarily suspended, and repair work is currently underway to contain the leak and prevent further spillage. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard has launched an operation to remove crude oil mixed with seawater, deploying a vessel to carry out cleanup activities in the affected area. The Sri Lanka Navy is also assisting the Coast Guard in the containment and recovery efforts. The Marine Environmental Protection Authority said samples of the leaked crude oil have been collected and sent for laboratory testing. There have been several oil leaks in these pipelines in recent years. Richard Curran: As usual, it takes loss of face in front of multinationals and global players for Ireland to act this time on defence Government hits the emergency announce a plan button, in the face of growing international concern Helen McEntee announcing the launch of defence plan. Photo: RollingNews.ie Richard Curran Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 If Ireland had maintained the same number of Defence Forces personnel as we had in 1990, relative to our population, we would have about 19,000 today. Instead, we have about 7,500. Pilots urge ASL Airlines to attend talks this weekend as dispute escalates Hundreds of pilots at Dublin-based carrier are due to strike next week John Mulligan Sat 13 Dec 2025 at 13:29 A union representing pilots at Dublin-based carrier ASL Airlines is willing to attend talks at the Workplace Relations Commission, but is not prepared to suspend strike actions next week while waiting for any such negotiations to begin. Conal Thomas: Why the battle to shake up Irelands defence capability is only beginning With the country soon to take over the EU presidency, debate on the state of our security is intensifying Taoiseach Micheal Martin welcomes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena earlier this month on their official Irish state visit. Photo: Getty Conal Thomas Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 There is growing unease that Ireland may not be equipped to host European leaders at a key summit during the presidency of the EU Council next year despite a record 1.7bn investment announced for security and defence by the Government. General manager of Regency Hotel, who witnessed infamous Dublin shooting, dies aged 74 John Glynn, who was working at the Regency Hotel on the day of the gun attack in 2016, has passed away John Glynn, former manager of the Regency Hotel. Photo: Tony Gavin Liam Collins Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 He was in his office just behind the reception desk of the Regency Hotel in Whitehall at 12.50pm in 2016 when three men, one dressed as a woman, and the others in fake garda uniforms barrelled through the door. This is unprecedented: Childrens hospitals in crisis mode as ICUs fill up weeks before flu hits peak Level of virus now circulating is unprecedented, says CHI clinical director This is unprecedented: Childrens hospitals in crisis mode as ICUs fill up Maeve Sheehan and Niamh Horan Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 An unprecedented surge in flu cases has plunged Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) into crisis mode, with record numbers of children requiring admission to hospital. Hundreds of landowners agree payouts from Uisce Eireann over Shannon pipeline Company has made deals with three-quarters of landowners on route How is Uisce Eireanns 6bn plan to pipe water from the Shannon to Dublin going to work? Wayne O'Connor Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Hundreds of landowners along the route of a new multi-billion-euro water pipeline from the River Shannon to Dublin are in line for a financial windfall after signing agreements with Uisce Eireann. Irish woman accusing Diddys son of sexual assault on yacht wants her day in court Grace O'Marcaigh claims that Christian King Combs physically and sexually assaulted her, according to a lawsuit filed in a civil court in LA Christian King Combs Niamh Horan Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 An Irish woman who has accused the son of rapper Sean Diddy Combs of sexually assaulting her on board a yacht is anxious to have her day in court, her LA-based lawyer has said. This photo shows the entrance sign for the Husab Mine in the Erongo Region, Namibia on July 18, 2025.(Xinhua/Lin Jing) WINDHOEK, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- In the vast Namib Desert, the machinery of the Husab Mine operates around the clock, extracting uranium from one of the world's largest deposits. Yet beyond the steady industrial rhythm, a quieter transformation is unfolding, reshaping skills, livelihoods, and aspirations in the surrounding communities. At the heart of this change is a growing recognition among local employees and residents that modern mining, when aligned with long-term development goals, can serve as more than a source of raw materials. For Irvinne Simataa, executive vice president at Swakop Uranium, the operator of the Husab Mine, the site represents a microcosm of Namibia's broader development path, where resource extraction must go hand in hand with industrial upgrading and human capital formation. "In Namibia, mining is a pillar industry," Simataa said. "It involves not only sustainable development but also industrial upgrading and economic growth." One of the most persistent challenges facing Namibia's mining sector has been the shortage of high-level technical expertise. Addressing this gap has required more than conventional training; it has demanded a shift in mindset, one shaped in part by management philosophies drawn from China's industrial experience. The Husab Mine, a China General Nuclear Power Group-affiliated operation, has adapted management and training approaches developed over decades of large-scale industrial practice in China to Namibia's local context. Simataa recalled how exposure to China's development model influenced his approach to workforce development at the Husab Mine. "I found that meritocracy drove the country's rapid development. I brought this concept back to Husab Mine," he said. That approach has gradually taken root. Over the past three years, 70 young Namibian engineers have been recruited and immersed in structured training and mentorship programs. Through continuous assessment and hands-on responsibility, many have transitioned into permanent technical roles, forming a new generation of locally trained professionals who now underpin daily operations at the mine. Under the guiding idea of "More than Mining," efforts around the Husab Mine increasingly prioritize sustainable livelihoods rather than short-term assistance. One such initiative is the Hope Farm project, which in 2025 provided 1,000 goats to farmers in nearby communities. It targets rural households, seeking to build small-scale livestock enterprises as a pathway out of poverty. Simataa recalled a moment that crystallized the broader meaning of the project. "At that moment, I felt that we were not just working; we were changing our hometown. Just as the company's brand concept says, we are not only mining, but going beyond mining." Among the beneficiaries is Lena Gauses from the Erongo Region. Standing among her newly acquired goats and sheep, the 45-year-old described the project as an opportunity to reconnect with her roots. "Nowadays, the youth are not interested in farming, so I want to encourage them just to be part of it. The reason why we are doing this is that we are creating for our self-employment," she told Xinhua. Namibia's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani praised the Hope Farm initiative for aligning community development with broader economic objectives. "I must commend the project launched by the Swakop Uranium Foundation because it follows strong principles; livestock is given to selected farmers not as a handout, but as a tool for building income and creating independence," she said. From young engineers applying newly acquired expertise inside the processing plant to farmers expanding their herds across arid landscapes, those connected to the Husab Mine are redefining what resource-based cooperation can achieve. This photo shows the production area of the Husab Mine in the Erongo Region, Namibia on July 18, 2025.(Xinhua/Lin Jing) Labour leader Ivana Bacik has urged that Ireland should follow other countries and ban all gambling adverts. The party leader was speaking to the Sunday Independent after a branch of BoyleSports in Dublin ran a promotion which encourages customers to open an account with the company, saying that having a bank account is not required. Miriam OCallaghan, Rosanna Davison and Patrick Bergin dig in to raise funds for homeless Celebrities to sell special T-shirts at Dundrum Town Centre to support Focus Ireland Laura Whitmore wearing Helen Steele's 'Anyone Can Become Homeless' T-shirt Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Miriam OCallaghan, Rosanna Davison and Patrick Bergin are just some of the big names rowing in to help this week at a pop-up event to raise money for Focus Ireland. Patrick Cooney, who has died at the age of 94, was a country solicitor who was thrust into the cauldron of the Troubles as the Fine Gael justice minister from 1973 to 1977. He was an implacable opponent of terrorism and violence and so hated by the IRA and Sinn Fein that he had to receive police protection for many years after he left the post. Sophie Kinsella, who has died of a brain tumour aged 55, rode the chick-lit wave at the start of the 21st century with her Shopaholic novels, which sold over 40 million copies, dwarfing the success if not quite achieving the cultural impact of Helen Fieldings Bridget Joness Diary, the original chick-lit phenomenon. The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic in 2000 introduced Becky Bloomwood, a personal finance journalist who is, ironically, in the grip of a crippling shopping addiction, on the run from her bank with a Visa bill she cannot pay. Whereas other chick lit had been about sex and shopping, Sophie Kinsella more or less dispensed with the sex or rather, the shopping became the sex. Need is something that is with us all year round but its felt more acutely at Christmas. And no one knows this better than the Capuchin monks at Church Street in Dublin. Friar Kevin Kiernan told how the queues began outside its centre at 10pm on Thursday night for tickets for 50 vouchers that would be handed out a week later. The distribution did not actually begin until 7am, but people were frightened of missing out. Friar Kiernan said the queues were the biggest he had seen in years. The centre gives out more than 1,000 meals a day as well as food parcels six days a week, all year round. One homeless man said he hoped to use his voucher to buy something for his little brother. Poverty affects people that come from all walks of life, Friar Kevin said. But the struggle is more intense at this time of year. Its donations from the public that make it all possible, but the Government does provide 14pc of costs. Fr Kiernan said he missed the presence of Brother Kevin Crowley, noting that it was the first Christmas without the irrepressible Cork man. It wasnt quite the same without him, he said. Young mothers queued, clasping the hands of their small children who carried school bags on their backs. Those working at the centre said they were seeing people they had never seen before. The pinch for many was tighter, as the relied upon, but supposedly once-off, Government payments, were no longer there. As Nelson Mandela said, overcoming poverty is not an act of charity, but of justice The day centre manager Alan Bailey also said he had never seen it as busy. The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) also expects this Christmas to be its busiest yet. It felt requests for help would exceed 250,000. We will be busy, but were ready for it, said its national president Teresa Ryan. She said: Parents are wondering how to stretch the food shopping, older people are wondering whether to turn on the heat and too many children are wondering if there will be a little joy for them this Christmas. This week, Focus Ireland said that exits from homelessness to private rental housing had collapsed in Dublin. With more than 16,000 people homeless in our country, and 70pc of those living in the capital, it is little wonder that such handouts have become such a lifeline. But if anything, that should shock us all the more. Back at the Capuchin Day Centre, Mr Bailey said he too was feeling the loss of Brother Kevin Crowley. After all, he had been associated with the soup kitchen for 50 years. It was a compliment to the Capuchins that it was still going, so many years on, he said. And so it is. Yet you might wonder how a society that is supposed to be richer than ever is seeing more people becoming marginalised rather than less? As Nelson Mandela said, overcoming poverty is not an act of charity, but of justice. Only certain cohorts in Ireland can get the flu vaccine for free. Photo: PA The newest mutated strain of the seasonal influenza virus now spreading across the country, filling hospital wards and emergency departments and those familiar trolley-crowded corridors, has been described by health experts as a super flu. It is an oddly cheery name for something so potentially deadly. In response, Labour has called on the Government to urgently roll out the flu vaccine for free, a plea the party makes every year. As things stand, the vaccine is offered at no cost to the over-60s and children between the ages of two and 17, as well as people with specified jobs or health conditions. Everyone else is required to pay through a GP or pharmacy. Should those who can afford to pay be given the jab for free to protect their own health and that of those around them? There are a number of good reasons why they should. This particular strain of flu has been likened to being hit by a train, so the cost of a takeaway is a small price to pay to step out of its way. Yet any cost inevitably acts as a deterrence, especially in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. All the more so when the average cost of a private flu vaccine remains higher in Ireland than many comparable EU countries. Not every service can or should be offered for free, but compensating pharmacists and GPs to give it away would arguably be an equally small price to pay when set against the cost to the health service of treating thousands of extra patients in hospitals into the new year and beyond. Such an offer might not work. Vaccinations are already free for healthcare workers, but so far this year less than a third have had the jab, well below the target of 75pc. Even if the Government were to take up Labours suggestion, it may only be a well-meaning gesture at this belated stage. A far more pertinent question for the future is whether what we are facing over Christmas is a flu crisis or a beds crisis. If there is one thing on which most authorities agree, it is that more hospital beds are needed not just during flu outbreaks, but throughout the year. The Government has been repeatedly urged to address the shortfall. In May, the Economic and Social Research Institute published a report highlighting the urgent need for more beds to stem chronic overcrowding in hospitals even before this particularly vicious strain of flu struck. Ministers will doubtless point to the Acute Inpatient Hospital Bed Expansion Plan, published in May last year, which aims to open 3,378 new beds by 2031. Even that, unfortunately, will not plug the deficit in a country with a rapidly rising population and one of the lowest rates of hospital beds per capita in Europe. The Governments strategy, reflecting Slaintecare, is to shift care away from hospitals and into helping patients stay healthy in their own homes and communities for longer. That is a commendable aim, and probably wise in the long term, given the high cost of every additional bed. But it means that the system can quickly become overwhelmed whenever there is a large-scale infectious outbreak. That is what is happening now. We must be grateful that the skill and dedication of medical staff from here and overseas is such that, for all its endemic crises, the health system still produces such positive outcomes for patients. Eilis OHanlon: Flu crisis has been made worse by our national case of long Covid Robotic messaging stays the same as the unvaccinated get blamed for the surge Many people are reluctant to get vaccinated after Covid. Stock image: Getty Eilis O'Hanlon Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Headlines warn that hospitals across the country are creaking at the seams as the flu outbreak spreads, and the health minister himself admits that the number of patients on trolleys is already extraordinarily high. When European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen opened her September state of the union address with the startling words Europe is in a fight, little did she realise that the continent was involved in a fight on two fronts. First, the Russian invasion of Ukraine on its eastern front and second, the installation of a new administration in the White House in January of this year. America and Europe had been close allies since the end of World War II in 1945. Perhaps the backing of the US militarily and economically in the intervening years caused the EU to take its eye off the ball. The White House is now putting pressure on the EU to fund the war in Ukraine and favour Moscow in peace deals. This has caught a weaker, divided and disorganised continent with its pants down. As the shock of being seemingly abandoned by its long-time and closest ally continues to sink in, the bloc is scrambling to get its house in order. Europe has to first prepare itself for a world in which it can no longer rely on Washington in the areas of security, finance and defence. It must also push back against a US peace deal that favours Russia. It must help to finance Ukraine with frozen Russian assets or by collective borrowing, and continue to supply weapons to the invaded country as long as the war continues. Secondly, the continent of Europe must look to substantially strengthen its economy and path to future prosperity, which will take a mighty unified effort on behalf of the besieged continent. This is a major wake-up call for the bloc, but it must embrace modern- day and next-generation technologies to keep ahead of China and the US. We also must remember that Europe survived two world wars. If it sticks together and becomes unified, it can survive these challenges too. Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo Neutrality does not mean we should remain without good defence structures Isnt it about time we Irish stopped confusing defence spending with loss of neutrality? Some condemn buying the means to protect our seas, skies and citizens from bad actors as a step towards Nato or a threat to our neutrality. In fact, the opposite is true. To avoid being drawn in to Nato or European defence structures, we need to have an independent means of monitoring our air, water and cyberspace and a means of taking action if necessary. Switzerland is neutral; it is not unarmed. It is not defenceless. It has a trained citizenry and a defence plan with active steps to repel invaders. Sweden, neutral until recently, is similarly armed and ready. This is what independent neutrality looks like. If we continue to equate neutrality with defencelessness, we must continue to go cap-in-hand to better-protected neighbours to act for us. As recent events in the Irish Sea show, this continued political failure makes us both a laughing stock and a threat to our neighbours as a weak point of Europe, blind to what goes on in our skies and under our seas. John Collins, Co Kilkenny With increasing threat of war, role of UN becoming more vital than it ever was Its hard to believe that it is 70 years since Ireland took its place as the 63rd member of the United Nations. The greatest achievement of the UN was saving us from future wars. It has stood the test of time. There are so many people today who have no idea of what it was like to live during a world war. I have learnt from older people what it was like. There could have been another war if the UN had not come in to existence. I remember in 1984, when US president Ronald Reagan addressed a joint sitting of the Dail and the Seanad. The TV cameras were not allowed inside Leinster House. But I remember how the two Workers Party TDs at the time, Tomas Mac Giolla and Proinsias De Rossa, walking out over US foreign policies. We are now facing a different world and the threat of war has increased. Ireland could be specifically targeted. We saw recently in Dublin Airport what can be done with drones. As Foreign Minister Helen McEntee wrote, the UN was once a beacon hope, let us now not lose faith in it (Irish Independent, December 12). Thomas Garvey, Claremorris Mayo New Christmas star set to appear in our skies; three wise men unconfirmed The star of Bethlehem is synonymous with the Christmas story of a large star at a certain time which guided three wise men, or possible astrologers, to where they believed the Messiah was to be born. Whether the three wise men story is true or not, some researchers believe the star could have been the alignment of Jupiter with another planet like Saturn. This Christmas, another celestial event is happening. An object in our Milky Way will be closer to the Earth on December 19. It is the third known large interstellar object to enter our solar system. It was first seen on July 1 this year, and monitored by Nasa and astronomers and scientists. It is estimated to be hundreds of kilometres long and between 1km and 5km wide, travelling at over 209,000km an hour and at such a speed it passed by the sun and planets with ease. It has a very bright halo of vapour or gas and its journey or path seems precise. It has managed not to collide with anything because experts say space is so vast, collisions are rare. It was named 31/ATLAS after the observatory system that found it and Nasa thinks it is a comet, but unlike any seen before. On December 19 it will safely pass by Earth and will leave our solar system from March 2026. It may have come from tens of millions or billions of kilometres away. They say it will never be seen again in our galaxy as it travels to others far, far away. Mary Sullivan, College Road, Cork Hopefully Government is paying close attention to new homelessness report A new report from the charity Focus Ireland outlines that over 5,000 children will be spending Christmas in emergency homeless accommodation. There are currently around 1,600 homeless families in Dublin, and one in four of them have been homeless for over two years. This report also shows that homelessness in Dublin accounts for nearly 70pc of all homelessness in Ireland. One would hope that the Government is now studying this report with a view to finding ways that will fix this awful imbroglio. John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary MANILA, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed while four others were injured after a vehicle lost its brakes, rolled off the road, and plunged into a rocky vacant lot in Negros Oriental province in the central Philippines, police said on Sunday. According to police, the crash occurred on Saturday morning as the vehicle was traveling down a downhill slope on its way to a cemetery in Ayungon municipality. The passengers, all relatives, were reportedly heading to a death anniversary service. The fatalities included one male and seven females aged between 42 and 71, police said. Four other passengers were injured in the crash, including two minors. They were rushed to a local hospital and are currently receiving medical treatment. Police said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. Sarah Breen: I told my daughter I would buy her a smartphone before secondary school. Heres why Im breaking that promise Australia has the right idea with its social media ban for under-16s these firms are treating our kids like guinea pigs Australian teen Noah Jones shows a warning saying he cannot access a social media site. Photo: AP Sarah Breen Sun 14 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Back when my first baby was born 12 years ago, social media played a huge role in my life. We were temporarily living in the US, thousands of miles and several time zones away from friends and family. I kept everyone updated on our transition to American life with a weekly blog that has since been scrubbed from the internet. Cork TD Eoghan Kenny said his grandmother who has worked as a secretary at St Patricks Boys National School in Mallow for nearly 30 years will not be entitled to a pension. Deputy Kenny highlighted the ongoing situation regarding the treatment of school secretaries and caretakers in the Dail on Thursday, December 11. At the start of the academic year, school secretaries and caretakers began indefinite strike action. The dispute saw more than 2,600 school secretaries and caretakers, who are members of Forsa, engage in strike action for more than a week. Forsa withdrew the strike action after an agreement was reached to engage in a process to resolve the dispute. Forsa is aiming to secure access for school secretaries and caretakers to a public service pension scheme, known as the Single Public Service Pension Scheme. Talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) aimed at resolving a pensions dispute involving school secretaries and caretakers recently broke down and the matter has now been referred to the Labour Court. Labour Party TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny sought an update on plans to deliver pension parity for secretaries and caretakers across the country and their pension parity and leave entitlements as he highlighted his grandmothers situation in the Dail. I wish to focus on secretaries and caretakers across the country and their pension parity and leave entitlements. My grandmother has been a secretary for nearly 30 years. She is the longest serving staff member at St Patrick's Boys' National School in Mallow. She will not be entitled to a pension. That is the difficulty. She is 70 years old and does not feel like she can retire because of that income, stressed the Mallow based TD. It is the same for a lot of secretaries and caretakers. The matter has been to the Labour Court and the WRC. What engagement is the Department having with the secretaries and caretakers, and with Forsa? What is the resolution that the Department is putting forward? he queried. In reply the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth, Michael Moynihan said school secretaries and caretakers are the key interface between students, parents, school leaders and other members of teams within schools. The Department is committed to ensuring that school caretakers will be afforded the opportunity to avail of a similar package which was offered to school secretaries on foot of an agreement reached in the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, in 2022. The Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West continued: My Department has been engaging with Forsa over the past number of weeks under the auspices of the WRC and with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in relation to a number of claims, including a claim for a comparable pension entitlement. "The matter has now been referred to the Labour Court, and a hearing will take place on January 12, 2026. The parties remain in process and my Department remains committed and ready to engage with Forsa to reach a resolution on this important matter, he added. Deputy Kenny pleaded for respect and dignity to be afforded to all secretaries and caretakers. What we do not want is what happened at the beginning of this academic year, when secretaries and caretakers were outside schools and the Dail Chamber, protesting for fairness, dignity and respect. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael backbenchers were standing outside schools, getting into pictures and showing off that they were in support of secretaries and caretakers. I do not doubt their individual bona fides on the issue, but I doubt the commitment of the Government, the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of public expenditure to providing that respect, dignity and equality to those secretaries and caretakers. I ask the Minister of State not to let down these secretaries and caretakers. Let securing respect, dignity and entitlements for all secretaries and caretakers across the country be his legacy in the Department, he added. Minister Moynihan reiterated the total support for secretaries and caretakers across Leinster House. We understand the importance of them. Earlier this year when they went as far as industrial action, many people stood with them because they understood and accepted the importance of caretakers and secretaries to school communities. We are committed to finding a meaningful resolution and ensuring that the roles of caretakers and secretaries within school communities are appreciated. Wexford man Michael Fortune is at the forefront of a recent upsurge in interest in Irish culture and storytelling When Michael Fortune enquired about buying the folklore.ie domain name he faced little in the way of competition. This was before folklore was sexy, before young people began taking an interest. It was the 1990s, and the nation was too busy spending money, too busy living, to think of the old days, the dark days, and their corny pastimes. Fast forward to 2025 and, having grown bored of wealth, the people of Ireland are comfortable enough in themselves to cast an eye backwards. I bought folklore.ie years ago, says Michael. None of the universities had an interest in folklore at the time, and there was no real interest in the art world either. It was a lonely road for awhile, folklore was considered very backward. Now, Irish culture, our old traditions and ways, are undergoing a revival, reaching the very youngest of minds. Young lads are more interested in history than they ever were, even little lads in school are interested in it. Theres a revival of Irish culture in terms of the language too, it seems to be coming back big time, whereas in my age when I was coming up you wouldn't see this. Michaels age was the mid-90s, an era when school-leavers in rural Co Wexford were beginning to realise there was more to life than some would have them think. For Michael this meant migrating to the west but not, as one might assume, to study history. One of the first projects I ever did was in Limerick going into a school and getting young lads connected, collecting local stories and turning them into little plays and stuff like that When I finished secondary school I didn't know what I wanted to do. My mother and father would have finished school at 14 and went off to work whenever they got work. So the idea of going on to third level was completely foreign to them. That was even a big jump for me to go. But I went to art college and ended up doing digital video photography. A year in Galway was followed by three in Limerick, and it was in the latter that Michael began formulating the ideas which would eventually become his passion, his lifes work. I hung around Limerick for a few years afterwards, and even though I was doing video and photography work it was all to do with folklore and history and place and the lives of ordinary people. One of the first projects I ever did was in Limerick, out in Boher, this was in 1998. I remember going into a school and getting young lads connected, collecting local stories and turning them into little plays and stuff like that. Michael Fortune pictured in his home on Thursday morning. Pic: Jim Campbell "I wanted to make them aware of the language they were using, the words they were saying, all the little local things. I did another project in the island in the Limerick, and out in Moyross; all the young lads had lovely Limerick accents on them, theyd fill you full of lies but that's all part of the deal as well, the messiness of it. Given that this was the pre-Internet age there was a certain novelty factor in being recorded, in having your lives documented. We revisited Limerick this year and people said to me, that left a big impression on Limerick, thanks for coming and telling our stories. We went back to the same schools and the youngsters were telling the same stories, some new stories. There was a certain poignancy in reconnecting with some of the families who had previously featured in Michaels work. One of the little chaps died shortly after our recording, I kept in touch with his mother afterwards. It showed that we can take it for granted a little bit, these are communities and people that wouldn't be documented, they kept all the photographs and the little videos we took. You're talking about life in Limerick in the late 90s, its another era, that's a particular point in their lives, and youre always aware of the fact that you're preserving a moment in time and a moment of their lives that no one else has. Having cut his teeth in the welcoming environs of Limerick city and county, Michael returned home, to Wexford, where he would begin a journey which continues to this day. I went to Australia for a year and when I came back home I was on the bottom rung of the ladder in Wexford, I had to figure out how to make a living again, he says. So, I started applying for grants with different arts offices and got a few bob here and there, I was applying for projects where you might go work in a day care centre, recording older people, telling their stories. It happened of its own accord, really. I have a huge interest in ghost stories and the supernatural and all the little rituals and practices we believed in and things that we did that people now might think are mad Michael was insistent on the route he was going to take and had a very definite idea of the type of films he wanted to make. I wasn't ever going to do reminiscent work. I was very particular about that. I have a huge interest in ghost stories and the supernatural and all the little rituals and practices we believed in and things that we did that people now might think are mad, he explains. We were collecting anything from holy well stories, and field names, to old words and verses, that kind of stuff. And all we had was a video camera. When it came to premiering his work, Michael was content to share it with those responsible for making it happen; the stars and co-stars of his productions. "Wed show it in the local hall or day care centre, and back then you'd either have the big television that'd be rolled in or a projector. And it was brilliant. It was magic. The people would be bursting their holes laughing at stuff. It could be the most serious of things, Johnny Murphy there, he lost a leg in the tractor. "And afterwards, you can't get out the door, because they'd all come up to you and go, feck, I should have told you this thing as well." Although there are thousands of hours of footage on Michaels YouTube page, free to watch, there are many thousands more secreted in the many files and old floppy discs which populate his home office. Admitting that somewhere in the back of his mind is a nagging fear that he will somehow lose all this footage, Michaels one dream is that he can have all his work archived at the Digital Repository of Ireland in Dublin. They want to protect digital content and I have digital content since the late 90s on computers up there, delicate files on old hard drives right. I would just want to get my stuff up there so they will have it and it's organised and kept safe, basically. Accessing those files is not straightforward however. I'm the only one able to open up those old operating video editing programs, I know what buttons to press to open that G5 map computer. No one else does. If I brought you a computer from 2003 or 2004 I'd open up them Limerick lads talking; I have every little story cut and edited with the title on it. Michael Fortune with his new book, The Folklore of Wexford, Volume Two. More tangible, more secure, are the books Michael has begun writing, the bestselling folklore collections which have brought him to an entirely new audience. I got to a stage where I had 70 terabytes of digital video content, ridiculous amount of interviews, all edited, some on YouTube, some all over the place, and I said, listen, I'm getting older, this digital stuff is delicate, wouldn't it be a chance now just to get some of that stuff that's in your head and channel it into a book. The Folklore of Wexford Volume 1 was released in 2023 and sold out the door, required several reprints as people all over the county waited patiently to get their hands on a copy. There's a particular type of woman in south Tipperary, an older woman, and she'd f*cking go through you. You know the kind of way, real straight like that I didn't know what to expect. The whole sales thing was huge. The night we were launching in Eason's at Gorey, there was a whole group of older men coming up to me saying theyd never usually read books. They said well done and keep up the good work. And thats all you want. You know you're reaching the right people then. But what of those people? What has he learned about people across Ireland during almost 30 years of tracing their folklore and history? I know accents around the country fairly well. You get to know the nature of people. There's a particular type of woman in south Tipperary, an older woman, and she'd f*cking go through you. You know the kind of way, real straight like that and she'd be cutting you and then she'd wink at you. And theres a breed of man up in north Wexford, they're the nicest men, the most solid men. Sometimes men can be trying to dog their friends, in a jokey way. But theyre just the opposite. Theyre real gentle. Wexford folklorist Michael Fortune. In that 30-year span, Michael says he has begun to notice subtle changes in the personalities of our older people, and, more worryingly, the loss of the stories he strives so hard to preserve. I went down to Grantstown last year after recording there 20 years ago. And I noticed a difference in the older people then. The people 20 years ago had so much more material. It's just nature, everything is going, everything is being lost. One thing I hope we will never lose is that connection to people, you can go anywhere in Ireland and easily fall into conversation with a stranger. In addition to the two volumes of The Folklore of Wexford (and the impending third volume), Michael has another long-running project which has developed organically during his travels. One thing I hope we will never lose is that connection to people, you can go anywhere in Ireland and easily fall into conversation with a stranger I've been documenting old dressers since 2015 and doing calendars on them. It came from when granny died. When she got sick, a nurse came out and told her she had to move her bed downstairs, we moved the bed down and the nurse said you're going to have to move that dresser and my granny said like shite, I'm moving the dresser. Her whole life was in it. Afterwards, I contacted a couple of arts officers (in county councils around the country) and said listen would you give me a few bob if I go around and document dressers in people's homes, And they gave it to me and we had a little exhibition. Pat Boggan's dresser which featured in Michael Fortune's 2025 dresser calendar. That exhibition led to the creation of a calendar, a uniquely Irish production which celebrates the humble Irish dresser we all remember from our mammys, our nannys, homes. If you show me a couple of dressers, I'll know what part of the country theyre from, Michael says. What people like about the calendar is that when they scan the QR codes they can access an interview with the person in the photos. And I've used that in the folklore books as well. One woman texted me and said her mother, whos in her eighties, was over the kitchen table, sat there watching the YouTube videos on her phone after scanning the QR code on the calendar. If you don't write your own history someone else is going to do it for you and they'll usually make a balls of it The likelihood is that Michael Fortune will be documenting the lives of people all over Ireland for many years to come, preserving stories and traditions which may otherwise be lost to the annals of time for the rest of his working life. And his hope is that by doing what he does he can inspire others to follow suit, to tell their own stories, share their own memories, and add, in some small way, to the vast tapestry folklorists and historians have been weaving for generations. I'd love for people to think that I represented the stories and voices of ordinary people and brought them to a place where other people could engage with it. And I want to encourage others to do the same. That's what I keep saying to people, do the same. You've got these stories, go and record your own people because we won't be able to do it when theyre gone. If you don't write your own history someone else is going to do it for you and they'll usually make a balls of it, so tell your own story. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Focus Ireland toy collection from Partridges Bistro Gorey. Pictured is Robert Cleary carrying the toys to the van. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Focus Ireland toy collection from Partridges Bistro Gorey. Pictured is Robert Cleary carrying the toys to the van. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Focus Ireland toy collection from Partridges Bistro Gorey. Pictured is Ronan Roche carrying the toys to the van. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Focus Ireland toy collection from Partridges Bistro Gorey. Pictured is Colin McQueston carrying the toys to the van. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Focus Ireland toy collection from Partridges Bistro Gorey. Pictured is Ronan Roche carrying the toys to the van. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench A Wexford business has shared their delight following the success of their Christmas toy collection, which brought in over 200 presents to deliver gifts to children experiencing homelessness at Christmas. Partridges Cafe which is located on Gorey Main Street teamed up with Focus Ireland to collect presents to support children battling homelessness. Staff from the cafe met with Property Genie to loads the presents for delivery to Dublin on Thursday, December 11. Focus Ireland toy collection from Partridges Bistro Gorey. Pictured is Anine Rossiter, Emma Heath, Colin McQueston, Robert Cleary, Caoimhe Connolly, Naomi Keane and Ronan Roche. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Manager at the cafe, Anine Rossiter said they approached Focus Ireland with the idea and were delighted to team up with them. She said that staff and herself included were overwhelmed with the number of presents collected. In total, local customers and businesses in Gorey collected 210 to donate to children experiencing homelessness in Ireland, a number the cafe didnt think would be possible. We had so much more than we could have ever expected, she said. I thought that I would be able to fit all the presents in my car. With such a large number of donated gifts, Colin McQueston, Robert Cleary and Ronan Roche of local business, Property Genie stepped in to give a helping hand, loading two vans full of presents to deliver to Focus Ireland in Dublin. They bought presents and then offered to courier the presents off to Dublin, Anine added. Partridges decorated the cafe with the giving tree placing baubles with a gender and ages for customers to go out and purchase a present for the chosen age. We put up our giving tree; the customers came in - took the tags and brought back in the presents. Focus Ireland toy collection from Partridges Bistro Gorey. Pictured is Ronan Roche carrying the toys to the van. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Anine said the collection exploded after posting about it on social media and thanked the community for their donations to the project. When I put up the social media posts, it just took off, and we just could never expect the amount - it was amazing. It was just such a nice kind of atmosphere the whole time when we had the tree up, she added. Following the success of the collection, Anine said Partridges will definitely be taking part in the toy collection next year. We hope that it kind of started a trend and that loads of people do it next year because it's just amazing, she said. If we can have that much impact on just one kid waking up happy on Christmas. Focus Ireland toy collection from Partridges Bistro Gorey. Pictured is Robert Cleary carrying the toys to the van. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Anine plans to make it a tradition at Partridges, to support children in need. We're going to try and keep it going as long as we can - even when some of us are here or not, just to keep it a tradition in Gorey, Anine said. She further thanked the community for their support and sharing the project on social media. Were so lucky here in Partridges that we had the opportunity to be ablet to do it, we have such amazing customers, Anine said. This article was amended at 1pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, to include Mr McQuestons correct name. A Wexford author has celebrated the release of their latest book which explores the importance of friendship, loneliness and community. At a recent launch, writer Anne McLoughlin held an official release event for her latest book titled, Andy. Anne, who is originally from Dublin said she was delighted to see locals from Ballygarrett join her in An Siolan to mark the occasion. Anne said the story of Andy gives the reader a glimpse into rural Ireland, its customs and ways and how lift can unsettle traditional values many take for granted. Andy is the story of someone everyone knows, a loner, a bit odd with lyrical prose, she said. Set in a quiet village in the north of Wexford in the lead up to the millennium, a time when Ireland was undergoing several changes, the book explores themes of loneliness, friendship and the importance of community, where in rural villages Anne said there is almost always an acceptance of those with unusual quirks of personality. The story revolves around a middle-aged bachelor, Andy, a social misfit, who finds himself becoming more and more isolated as he observes the increase in holiday homes springing up around him. His life takes an interesting turn when he finds a bottle with a message from a young Welsh girl washed up on his local beach, and an unlikely friendship develops between them, Anne added. Bridy Casey, Aoife Martin, Taige Martin and Hugh Martin with Anne McLoughlin at her book launch in Ballygarrett. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench Anne said although the book is fiction, it was inspired by a true incident the discovery of a message in a bottle which developed into a corresponding friendship. With this new release, Anne said she wanted to transport readers into the world of Andy, with the hopes of opening peoples eyes to village life. Andy is a beautiful, poignant, tender story which on the one level is a feast for the senses - an immersion in the beauty of nature and the countryside all around us. It is a story that will resonate with all, as there is an Andy in all our midst, tentatively knocking on lifes door, awaiting admittance, she added. Breda Martin with Anne McLoughlin at her book launch in Ballygarrett. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench After spending most of her working life in television production with RTE, Anne, who is originally from Dublin but now spends most of her time in Ballygarrett where she has a home for almost 50 years, which she said is a place that gives her the peace and quiet to work on her writing. Anne previously released a series of books titled LIVES, a family saga trilogy which included stories of emigration from Ireland to America in the late 1800s. In order to raise much needed funds for two Wexford charities, a charity art raffle has been arranged this Christmas with the art on offer ranging from 3,500 to 150. In 2018, Linda Brennan who had been her mothers dedicated carer, set up Wexford Charity after her mother her mother had entered a nursing home. She had vowed to fundraiser so other families could access the resources that hers couldnt. Initially, the fundraising group raised money for the Alzheimers Society of Ireland and Wexford Hospice Homecare. After the latter was taken over by the HSE, Linda was approached by the Rape Crisis Centre to do a fundraiser for them. This time last year, there was a black-tie ball raised 6,000 in funds for the charities. And this year, Lindas fundraising mechanism of choice is an art raffle, with pieces donated by Michael Mulcahy, Mirala Art, Clare Wickham, Anne Marie Kearns, Patricia De Long and Mary French. Mairead Sinnott, Linda Brennan and Clare Williams at a cheque presentation. Picture: Ger Hore I spoke to artists and art galleries and took all their advice on board and decided to go with the raffle. The owner of whichever ticket is pulled out first gets first choice from the range of pieces and down along she said. Linda Brennan will have the pieces on display on Sunday December 14 and the following Sunday 21 at Wexfords Talbot Hotel from 12pm until 2pm, both displaying the art and selling tickets. There are 200 raffle tickets available at a cost of 25 each. The winner of the draw will be announced on January 31, 2025. Those interested in entering the draw can contact Linda Brennan on 0860679979 to make an inquiry. A Wicklow woman who moved to a Spanish village in the late 1980s, where she first ran a bar and later began to cultivate olives, has just self-published a work of fiction based on the lives and stories of the local people. Siesta Secrets, by Bernie Doorly, from Bray, centres on Alozaina, a small village in the foothills of Malagas mountain range, where people are slowly coming back to life after Covid restrictions have been lifted, but the threat of drought brings more peril to their lives with the olive harvest endangered. The novel explores rural communities, lifelong friendships, generational trauma and the moment in each of our lives when we have to choose between the life we inherited and the life we want. When Bernie (61) decided to move to Spain she was one of those people who was determined to live the life she wanted, and its impossible not to feel envious when she mentions returning to Spain after a brief visit to her home town, where she launched the new book on the beach as the sun rose on Saturday morning, December 6. Dressed in dry robes and with her swimmer colleagues, the sun was a bonus and a blessing that day but the gamble on its appearance paid off. There is nothing speculative about the sunshine Bernie is used to in Spain as she tends to her olive grove, something she decided to do having first moved to Spain with her husband, Carlos, and three children, Alberto, Molly and Katie, when they were aged five, seven and nine. Her children have now grown up and moved on, but the grove provides Bernie and Carlos with what is the idyllic life now. When we moved over there first, we set up a bar and a language school in the village, Bernie said. And thats how we got to know everyone. The bar was called Bernies Bar. And it was great. There are some 18 different nationalities in the village, but most of them lived there. But both the locals and the foreigners came to it, because my husbands Spanish and Im from Ireland. So, we crossed both communities. After running the bar for about six years and with her children returning to Ireland to attend secondary school, her husband established Albertos Gold and began importing olive oil and other Spanish food products, selling them in local markets, like Kilruddery and Macreddin. But as with the characters in her novel, Covid dealt the family business a cruel blow, and the whole industry just closed and the business just tanked. Covid was the thing because, I always remember we just had a huge delivery of chorizo and ham and everything and then it was just announced that all the restaurants and bars were going to be closed. So, we had no place to sell. Undeterred, they focused purely on the olive grove and now enjoy a life that most of us get to dream of. Its a lovely job, Bernie said. I mean, it is a big dream, but I would advise people to go for it because with the olives, youre only really working six months a year because the rest of the time, theyre just growing. You dont really have to do anything. But I speak Spanish. My husband is Spanish. And you have to really be clear as to what it is you want and be careful as to where youre going. Bernie is now half-way through the olive crop for this year, which fortunately has been a bumper crop. And she doesnt make the work sound too taxing either. In fact it seems more of a social occasion. Friends would come and help us. My daughter came down to help us. My husbands friends. So thats how we do it. Its lovely. Im highly unionised. So we start at eight oclock. And the whole village, everybody is picking olives. And then people have their lunch, they have a bit of a siesta or a bit of downtime. They go down to the bar, chat with everyone. So its a very communal thing. In between the olive picking, and the siestas, Bernie, who studied Spanish history, devoted over a year to finishing her book. My degree was in history and Spanish history. So thats why I was very interested in the stories of these people that I knew, the elderly people in the village and what theyd gone through as children. Because what we dont really realise is that the civil war was awful, but then there were 40 years after it. That was very, very difficult for people as well. But it is a novel, so the stories of the women are true. And I had to run it by their children to see that they were okay with this. It had to be done sensitively. Ive written all through my life, but Ive never really had time to actually do this. And I just thought, no, Im going to do it. Siesta Secrets, by Bernie Doorly is available on Amazon and also at Bridge Street Books in Wicklow town. A Dublin man who was located at a Wicklow shopping centre after gardai discovered a stolen motorcycle fitted with an ignition emulator has received a 12-month jail term. Daire Lynch (24), of Stannaway Road, Crumlin, appeared at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing, after pleading guilty to one count of possession of stolen property. In his evidence, counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly BL, stated that on November 6, 2024, at the Arklow Bay Hotel, Mr Lynch and his co-defendant were seen entering the hotel car park on a stolen motorcycle. Mr Lynchs co-accused is currently awaiting a psychological evaluation, with Mr Kelly telling the court he will answer for his role at a later date. The court heard that on the morning in question, gardai were summoned by hotel staff after an incident had taken place. While at the scene, gardai noticed that the bike had an emulator plugged into it. An emulator is an electronic device used by thieves to bypass a motorcycles ignition system, allowing the bike to be started without a key. A photograph of the bike was shown in court, and it was described as a high-powered Yamaha motorcycle. Mr Lynch was tracked down to the Bridgewater Shopping Centre, where he was arrested and brought to Arklow Garda Station. During interview, he initially gave a false name, though gardai eventually established his correct identity following further questioning. The motorbike had been stolen from Lucan, Co Dublin, on September 3, 2024. During cross-examination, Eoghan Gallagher BL, barrister for the accused, noted that Lynch is not accused of stealing the bike, but only of possessing it. Bray Courthouse. Today's News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, December 14 The defendant is currently serving a sentence for an assault on a man in Co Wexford, for which he received three and a half years. He is due for release on March 18, 2027. Some background about Mr Lynch was provided by the defence, with the court hearing that Lynch was abused as a child by an uncle and his stepfather, and that he never came into the care of the state. The court also heard that Mr Lynch turned to drugs at age 12 due to the daily beatings he received. Mr Lynch said he did not want this to be used as an excuse, but only to provide context. He has since taken steps to address his issues while in custody, and his girlfriend, who has stood by him during his prison sentence, was present in court. Judge Patrick Quinn sentenced the defendant to 12 months imprisonment, to run consecutive to the sentence he is currently serving. He commented that it is good to see him waking up and getting to the cause of his offending. A destruction order for the emulator was not granted Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme Conleth Walsh and Philip Deering at Grangecon NS' production of 'Annie' in the local community hall. Photo: Joe Byrne Billy Winters and Tommy B at Grangecon NS' production of 'Annie' in the local community hall. Photo: Joe Byrne Mary Walsh, Fergus Walsh and Elaine Martin at Grangecon NS' production of 'Annie' in the local community hall. Photo: Joe Byrne Katie Hughes, Caoimhe Byrne and Ciara O'Hara at Grangecon NS' production of 'Annie' in the local community hall. Photo: Joe Byrne Mary Whelan and Michael Kehoe at Grangecon NS' production of 'Annie' in the local community hall. Photo: Joe Byrne Alan and Ellie Deering at Grangecon NS' production of 'Annie' in the local community hall. Photo: Joe Bynre Billy, Nasa and Sophie O'Hara at Grangecon NS' production of 'Annie' in the local community hall. Photo: Joe Byrne Grangecon NS students at their production of 'Annie' in the local community hall. Photo: Joe Byrne Grangecon National School brought their local village hall to life recently as pupils staged their annual school musical, with this years production of Annie drawing a full house from across the broader community. Based on the classic story of an optimistic orphan who finds a new family in 1930s New York, the show gave students from every class a chance to shine, with children embracing weeks of rehearsals before delivering confident, energetic performances on the big day. As is the case each year, the musical, which has become a much-loved annual tradition for the school, attracted strong support from families and the wider community, with many past pupils returning to enjoy the sense of nostalgia and cheer on the next generation. A Grangecon NS spokesperson said that the success of the evening relied on the combined efforts of staff, volunteers and supporters. A big thank you to the board of management, Mick Keogh and the Parents Association for ensuring the hall was ready and welcoming for everyone, an organiser said. The spokesperson also paid tribute to those involved in preparing the pupils and staging the production. Thank you also to our drama teacher, Caoimhe Byrne, to all the staff of Grangecon NS, and Katie Hughes, Ciara OHara (principal) and Bridget for preparing the students and ensuring the stage looked beautiful, they added. Finally, a huge thank you to our wonderful stars for all their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the show. They really made it a night to remember!